蕎麥面 is the Japanese name for buckwheat, a small pyramid shaped seed. Because buckwheat is a hardy plant that flourishes in poor soil and cold climates, it is grown in many different areas of the world. Buckwheat was grown in Japan for the first time about 1,500 years ago. With the development of milling techniques it is now manufactured as a noodle.

蕎麥面 is very nourishing, and there is a legend which tells of a monk and a hermit who secluded themselves deep in the mountains and survived only on 蕎麥面. 蕎麥面 is rich in both protein and calcium. A steady diet of 蕎麥面 helps the body to become more resistant to illness by making the body fluids more alkaline. It contains as much vitamin B1 as brown rice and nearly twice the levels of B1 found in wheat.

蕎麥面 is an effective aid in recovering from fatigue and stress. It can also prevent fat from storing in the liver, which may help avert cirrhosis or cancer of the liver. It is therefore helpful to eat 蕎麥面 after drinking alcohol. Additionally, 蕎麥面 can reduce blood pressure and is generally an excellent food for maintaining good health.

There is variation of basic 蕎麥面 that contains 自然薯, 艾蒿泡打, 蓮根泡打 和 綠茶.

自然薯 is a mountain potato; a winter plant which grows wild only in the mountains of China and Japan. 自然薯 contains 18 times as much diastase as daikon radish. It also contains amylase, an enzyme which helps breakdown starch so that it can be easily absorbed into the blood stream. Traditionally 自然薯 is used medicinally for treating colds, stomach disorders, toothaches, kidney and heart disease. When 自然薯 is combined with 蕎麥面 the health benefits are extensive.

艾蒿 begins growing almost everywhere in Japan in early spring. It is a medicinal plant and is usually eaten to get rid the body of intestinal worms or poisons stored in the body during the winter months. 艾蒿 is rich in iron. When 艾蒿 is combined with 蕎麥面 it produces a unique flavor.

The 蓮根 grows about 70cm in the muddy bottoms of lakes or ponds. It bears considerable water pressure and is considered a very "Yang" vegetable. It is said that the 蓮根 blooms from 1,000 year old seed and has powerful energy. It is a medicinal plant used for treating sore throat, coughing, etc.