Name: Soba Noodle Salad I
Ingredients: 8 oz. portion frozen soba noodles, thawed and softened in boiling water and rinse in cold running water (or equivalent dry soba noodles, cooked according to package instructions); 1/5 block (3 oz) firm tofu, cut to 1/2" cubes (we make more tofu); 2 T. canola oil; 1 T. chopped cilantro; 1 scallion, green and white part, cleaned and thinly sliced; 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in half lengthwise then cut across into thin half-moons; Sprinkle sesame seeds + cilantro sprigs for garnish

Why it works: Tofu and sesame match in chemistry and in kitchens. They rank in the top 1% of all ingredient pairs, and cooks put them together in 250 recipes. Both carry 2,4-decadienal, which smells seaweed. The science ↓

Soba Noodle Salad I

Ingredients

8 oz. portion frozen soba noodles, thawed and softened in boiling water and rinse in cold running water (or equivalent dry soba noodles, cooked according to package instructions)
1/5 block (3 oz) firm tofu, cut to 1/2" cubes (we make more tofu)
2 T. canola oil
1 T. chopped cilantro
1 scallion, green and white part, cleaned and thinly sliced
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and cut in half lengthwise then cut across into thin half-moons
Sprinkle sesame seeds + cilantro sprigs for garnish

Directions

Add tofu to a large non-stick skillet without any oil and toss over high heat until all water has evaporated; add canola oil, reduce heat to medium-high and fry, tossing frequently until tofu is firm and bouncy; beware of possible splattering; drain over paper towels; in a large mixing bowl combine drained soba noodles, cilantro, scallions, cucumber and 2-3 oz dressing, toss well; arrange salad in center of large plate and top with fried tofu. Garnish with sesame seeds and cilantro sprigs.

Nutrition, whole recipe (rough)

332Calories

9 gProtein

32 gFat

6 gCarbs

Counts 5 of 6 ingredients. The other 1 aren't in our nutrition table and add nothing above, so the real totals are higher.

What these numbers assume: 5 portions

Ingredient	Portion assumed	kcal
Sesame	1 tbsp (14g)	120
Olive Oil	1 tbsp (14g)	119
Tofu	100g firm	76
Cucumber	1/2 cup sliced (52g)	16
Cilantro	1 tbsp chopped fresh (1g)	1
Water	not in our table	0

One typical portion per ingredient; the recipe's quantities are not counted. A rough guide only, not for medical or dietary planning.

Recipe from the Recipes Wiki (Fandom).

Explore the science

The flavor team

The pairs that carry this dish. Each one is judged two ways: how much their aromas overlap, and how often cooks already put them together.

Tofu + sesametop 1% of all pairs

Smell alikestrong

Cooked together250 recipes

Shared aroma: 2,4-decadienal (seaweed).
Cucumber + sesametop 3% of all pairs

Smell alikestrong

Cooked together364 recipes

Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
Canola oil + sesametop 4% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together201 recipes

Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).
Tofu + cucumbertop 11% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together99 recipes

Shared aroma: 2-nonenal (fatty, green).
Canola oil + cucumbertop 13% of all pairs

Smell alikemoderate

Cooked together139 recipes

Shared aroma: trans-2-nonenal (cardboard, fatty).