Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
     1/4  pound         fresh shiitake mushrooms
     1/2  large head    bok choy (or 2 small heads)
                        salt
   8      ounces        soba noodles
   3      cloves        garlic -- finely chopped
   1      tablespoon    fresh ginger root -- grated
  10      small         Thai hot chile peppers -- thinly sliced
   1      medium        scallion -- thinly sliced
   1 1/2  teaspoons     dark sesame oil
   2      tablespoons   mirin (sweet cooking sake)
   2      tablespoons   shoyu or soy sauce
   2      tablespoons   cilantro -- coarsely chopped
   1      teaspoon      toasted sesame kernels

Preparation:

Set a large pot of water on the stove to boil. Remove the mushroom stems and cut the caps into 1/2-inch slices. (The stems can be saved for stock.) =46or small heads of bok choy, slice the stem lengthwise, leaving leaf and stem together. For a large head, slice the stems diagonally, 3/4 inch thick, and slice the leaves into 2-inch-wide ribbons. When the water boils, add 1 teaspoon salt. Add the noodles and cook as directed on the package, about 8 to 10 minutes. While the pasta is cooking, heat a large saute pan; add the shiitake mushrooms, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water. Saute over medium heat for 3 to 4 minutes, then add the garlic, ginger, chiles, and bok choy and saute for 2 minutes. Drain the pasta in a colander when it is just tender. Reduce the heat under the saute pan and add the scallion, sesame oil, mirin, and soy sauce. Quickly add the noodles, taking care not to overcook the bok choy. Remove from the heat, toss the noodles with the vegetables and cilantro, and season with salt to taste. Sprinkle with the sesame seed.