Searching for the Perfect Soba Choko to Brighten Up Early Summer Flavors
It's late May, and summer is beginning to stir.
While it's not yet full-blown summer, as the heat gradually starts to build, I find myself yearning for something light and refreshing.
And just like that, I suddenly craved cold zaru soba.
The image of generously topping it with condiments and dipping a mouthful into the cold broth, feeling it subtly seep into both body and soul, naturally comes to mind.
While imagining the soba, I realized I didn't have a "perfect" soba choko at home, so I decided to go looking for one.
Arita: The Town Tracing the Origins of Japanese Porcelain
To enjoy a cool appearance and feel, I decided to choose porcelain ware.
Porcelain has low water absorption and is less prone to staining, making it easy to wash and maintain.
Its ease of keeping clean and durability are also welcome features for daily use.
Perfect for these conditions was a soba choko from "Keizan Kiln," located in Arita, Saga Prefecture, a major production area for Arita ware, which continues to create ceramics that align with modern times, aiming to be a staple in everyday life.
Keizan Kiln
Keizan Kiln was established in 1957, inheriting the traditions of Arita, the town where Japanese porcelain was born 400 years ago.
Founded with the pursuit of beautiful underglaze blue, there is an astonishing variety of soba choko alone, ranging from classical patterns to modern designs.
Each piece is so uniquely individual that I'd call it "a once-in-a-lifetime encounter," and as I look at them, I find myself indecisively wanting to pick up this one and that one.
All of Keizan Kiln's works, from molding to painting and firing, are done in their own studio, with the creator's thoughts meticulously embedded in every detail.
Perhaps that's why the pieces exude a certain gentleness and grace.
Soba Choko
One of its charms is the unique underglaze blue painting by Keizan Kiln, which stands out against the elegant white and moist texture characteristic of porcelain.
Beyond its visual beauty, the soft feel against the lips and the translucence when broth is poured in combine to create a refreshing sensation.
Another feature is the deep meaning embedded in the painting.
For example, "Red Picture Camellia" symbolizes strength, passion, and dignified vitality, while "Shepherd's Purse" embodies purity, health, and the wish for small, everyday happiness.
Learning their background has increased the joy of cooking, and they are sure to be a hit when entertaining guests.
Knowing that such small wishes and stories are embedded in everyday tableware deepens the affection I feel when they are placed on the dining table.
Multi-purpose Vessel
When I think of soba choko, I first imagine a vessel for eating soba, but when I actually pick one up, I'm surprised by its wide range of uses.
Its high practicality, such as being usable as a small bowl or dessert cup, is also a welcome feature.
It pairs particularly well with Japanese sweets like anmitsu.
Combined with the charming karako (Chinese child) painting, the transparency of the agar, the vibrant colors of the fruit, and the sheen of the kuromitsu (brown sugar syrup) are beautifully showcased in the small form of the soba choko.
Soba choko also expands the pleasure of using different pieces according to one's mood.
Steamed Egg Custard with a Steamer
I thought the soba choko was the perfect size for serving small portions of side dishes and aemono (dressed dishes), so I decided to try making chawanmushi (steamed egg custard) using a steamer.
Thanks to its moderate thickness and gentle curve, the heat spread evenly.
The egg mixture set softly in the cup, and when I opened the lid, the surface was smooth and beautifully finished.
Inside, I added small amounts of chicken, shiitake mushrooms, ginkgo nuts, and mitsuba (trefoil).
The colors of the ingredients and the pattern of the vessel intertwined, creating a visually pleasing dish.
The palm-sized feel unique to the soba choko also added to its charm.
Using Keizan Kiln's vessels with an open mind inspires me to try new dishes and arrangements due to their ease of use.
Vessels that Invite Coolness
Keizan Kiln's vessels are characterized by their clear appearance, woven from the blue of the underglaze and the white space of the porcelain, allowing coolness to be felt visually.
Each time I plate a dish, the dining table's scenery is instantly harmonized, bringing a calm atmosphere.
Furthermore, Keizan Kiln's vessels are less about "storing" and more about "displaying," with the overlapping colors and patterns and the balance between the pieces beautifully organizing the shelves.
As my collection of favorite vessels gradually grows, the fact that they are stackable and easy to store is extremely helpful.
Next time, I'd like to introduce them along with other Keizan Kiln vessels and dishes made with seasonal ingredients.
