Zaru, Mori Soba and Zaru Soba

A zaru (笊, ざる^?) is a draining basket made from bamboo used in the preparation and presentation of Japanese cuisine. It can be used in a similar fashion to a sieve or colander, both of which are common in western cooking.

Additionally, well-designed zaru are used to present food directly, as for example zarusoba.

Plastic and metal versions of the zaru have also come into use, but are rarely used to present food.

Similar to the makisu, zaru are dried and stored after use to extend the lifespan of the tool and prevent the growth of bacteria and fungi on the mat. However, drying in harsh sunlight can cause the bamboo of the zaru to crack.

Reflecting the zaru's capacity to soak up liquid, this term is also used as slang for a person who can drink a lot of alcohol without showing signs of inebriation.

Chilled soba is often served on a sieve-like bamboo tray called a zaru, sometimes garnished with bits of dried nori seaweed, with a dipping sauce known as soba tsuyu on the side.

• Mori soba (盛り蕎麦): Basic chilled soba noodles served on a flat basket or a plate.
• Zaru soba (笊蕎麦): Mori soba topped with shredded nori seaweed.

In Japanese cooking, a makisu (巻き簾) is a mat woven from bamboo and cotton string that is used in food preparation.