There’s a new Asian supermarket on the Holloway Road, just down towards Highbury Corner. Apparently it used to be a shop called Fettered Pleasures but I wouldn’t know about that. Now it’s brightly lit and, based on yesterday’s brief and impartial visit, pretty well stocked. We bought some fresh udon noodles and bok choi and various other bits and pieces that didn’t find their way into the following recipe but will no doubt find their way into my belly at some point. This took about 15 minutes and was mighty fine.

Serves 2
1 sachet of instant dashi powder
2 packets of fresh udon noodles
2 bok choi, leaves stripped
A big handful of coriander
Half a shallot, finely sliced
Pinch of salt

– Put the dashi in a pan with, I dunno, a litre of water and a pinch of salt and bring to a boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes, then add the noodles. Simmer for 3 minutes or whatever the pack says, and remove to bowls. Add the bok choi to the dashi and simmer for 30 seconds, then add to the noodles. Finish with a handful of coriander, a few shallots, and a couple of spoonfuls of the dashi. Slurp.