Japanese noodles in the context of "Soba"

Soba (そば or 蕎麦, "buckwheat") are Japanese noodles made from buckwheat flour, with varying amounts of wheat flour mixed in. It has an ashen brown color, and a slightly grainy texture. The noodles are served either chilled with a dipping sauce, or hot in a noodle soup. They are used in a wide variety of dishes.

In Japan, soba noodles can be found at fast food venues like standing-up-eating (立ち食いそば, tachigui-soba) to expensive specialty restaurants. Dried soba noodles are sold in stores, along with men-tsuyu, or instant noodle broth, to make home preparation easy.