2024
This is SOBA
The "This is SOBA" project celebrated Japanese food culture through a soba-making workshop led by master craftsman Hisayoshi Aoki with Ikoi no Kai. Participants witnessed the transformation of simple ingredients into soba, shared a communal meal, and experienced its cultural significance as a bridge between people.
Collaborator /
Aoking (Hisayoshi Aoki), Yumi Mikuriya, Futaba Watanabe, Mami Kikuchi, Jean Shinoda, Naomi Molstrom, Yuko Leonard, Ikoi No Kai
Soba (buckwheat noodles) holds a special place in Japanese cuisine, symbolizing longevity, resilience, and community. Typically served either chilled with a dipping sauce or hot in broth, soba has deep cultural roots and is a staple in rituals like “Toshikoshi Soba” for New Year's Eve. The buckwheat flour used for soba can range from a blend to 100% buckwheat (referred to as "juwari"), known for its distinct earthy flavor and health benefits.
The "This is SOBA" project began with Hisayoshi Aoki, a master soba craftsman known as “Aoking,” who travels across Japan to share his expertise. His commitment to tradition is reflected in his use of premium, juwari soba flour and a homemade dipping sauce made with katsuo-bushi (bonito flakes) sourced from pole-and-line caught fish. His ambition to make soba in the U.S. and share the experience with American participants led to the creation of this workshop, organized in collaboration with Ikoi no Kai, a respected organization dedicated to fostering Japanese cultural appreciation.
The workshop attracted 32 participants with varying levels of interest and curiosity, creating an inclusive atmosphere where everyone, regardless of experience or background, could engage and enjoy the soba-making process. Aoki guided the participants through each step of the process, from kneading the dough to precisely cutting the noodles, while explaining the cultural significance behind each technique. The event fostered a collective experience where participants connected over the sensory and collaborative nature of soba-making.
Through this workshop, soba became more than a meal—it became a bridge linking cultures, histories, and individuals. The act of sharing handmade soba and the story behind its preparation resonated deeply with attendees, demonstrating how traditional food can cultivate meaningful connections across cultural boundaries.
The "This is SOBA" project exemplified the power of culinary traditions to create bonds that transcend nationality and background, fostering curiosity and appreciation for the depth of Japanese food culture.
