Ingredients

• 8 cups dashi
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 3 tablespoons each: dark soy sauce and light soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs, cut into bite-sized pieces
• 6 green onions, cut into 2-inch lengths and halved lengthwise
• 6 to 8 fresh shiitake mushroom caps, crisscrossed on top with knife
• 1/4 head Napa cabbage cut into 1-inch squares
• 1 pound fresh, refrigerated or frozen udon noodles

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring dashi just to a boil, then add the salt, soy sauces, sugar and mirin. Stir to dissolve, then bring the broth back to a gentle boil, and add the chicken pieces. Simmer until the chicken is tender, about 10 minutes, skimming any foam. Add the onions, mushrooms, and cabbage and simmer another 2 to 3 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of unsalted water to a rapid boil. Add the noodles, bring back to a boil, and cook, stirring occasionally, until they just begin to soften, about 3 minutes. Drain noodles in a colander and rinse under cold running water while rubbing noodles to remove surface starch. Serve immediately, placing noodles in individual warm, deep bowls. Ladle hot broth over the noodles, and arrange pieces of chicken, onions, and mushrooms on the noodles. Serve immediately.