Cold Somen

600g somen (Japanese noodles, available at major supermarket)
10 quail eggs, boiled, shelled and halved
2 Chinese pears, cored and sliced thinly
2 Japanese cucumbers, cut into fine strips (alternative - local seeded cucumber would do)

Dressing(mix well)
1 litre beef stock
1 tbsp sesame oil
2 tbsps mirin (Japanese soy sauce, look for it at Japanese supermarket)
1 cup light soy sauce

Bring a pan of water to a boil, then add somen and cook until soft, stirring to separate noodles.
Remove, rinse well in cold water, drained; chill for about 1 hour.
Toss chilled somen with dressing.
Garnish with quail eggs, pears and cucumber strips.
Serve with dips of mustard sauce and vinegar on the side. (optional)