One of the most important steps when making soba is to rinse and then cool immediately in cold or ice water. This helps remove any residual residue from the noodle while also stopping the cooking process so they are not overcooked. u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eAnother part of the recipe that helps is that you drizzle the cooled noodles with sesame oil once they have been drained. This helps them to not stick together, adds flavor, and can keep that slimy texture at bay.