Soba in Green Tea with Chicken and Snow Peas

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 tablespoon minced peeled ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Asian sesame oil
• 3/4 pound skinless
• boneless chicken breasts
• cut crosswise into thin strips
• 1/2 pound soba noodles
• 3 cups brewed green tea
• 1/4 pound snow peas
• cut lengthwise into thin strips
• 1 medium leek
• white and light green parts
• halved lengthwise and thinly sliced crosswise
• 2 tablespoons umeboshi vinegar (see Note)
• 2 tablespoons coarsely chopped cilantro

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the soy sauce with the mirin, ginger and sesame oil.
2. Add the chicken and turn to coat.
3. Let stand for 10 minutes.
4. Meanwhile, in a large saucepan of boiling, salted water, cook the soba noodles until just tender, about 6 minutes.
5. Drain the noodles; transfer to a large bowl and cover.
6. In the same saucepan, bring the tea to a simmer.
7. Add the chicken, snow peas and leek and cook over moderately low heat until the chicken is just white throughout, about 3 minutes.
8. Stir in the vinegar and cilantro, ladle into bowls and serve.