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Asia

Soba restaurants in Asia

  1. A

    Kanda Yabu Soba

    A wooden wall and a small garden enclose this venerable buckwheat-noodle shop. When you walk in, staff singing out the orders is one of the first signs that you’ve arrived in a singular, ageless place. Raised tatami platforms and a darkly wooded dining room set the stage for show-stopping soba. There’s a sister branch in Asakusa: Namiki Yabu Soba.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Honmura-an

    The soba is made right here at this minimalist noodle shop on a Roppongi side street; try these delicately flavoured noodles on a bamboo mat, with tempura or with dainty slices of kamo (duck). Honmura-An had legions of fans from when it was a famed and fashionable shop in Lower Manhattan; the owner has since returned home and created legions of fans here, too.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Namiki Yabu Soba

    A wooden wall and a small garden enclose this venerable buckwheat-noodle shop. When you walk in, staff singing out the orders is one of the first signs that you’ve arrived in a singular, ageless place. Raised tatami platforms and a darkly wooded dining room set the stage for show-stopping soba. There’s a sister branch in Asakusa: Namiki Yabu Soba.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Yagura

    Across from Minami-za kabuki theatre, this noodle specialist somehow reminds us of an American diner, with a row of wooden booths and mamas running the show. We recommend the nishin soba (¥1000). Yagura is located between a rāmen joint and a Japanese gift shop – look for the bowls of noodles in the window.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Mucha-an

    Perched on a hill inside Chinzan-sō garden, this shop in a wood-built former ryokan (transported from across town) makes its own noodles and serves them simply: on a seiro (bamboo mat on a wooden box), or with kamo (duck), hot or cold. Grab a seat by the window for the best views. When you’re done, there are bamboo toothpicks.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Misoka-an Kawamichi-Ya

    For a taste of some of Kyoto’s best soba in traditional surroundings, head to this place, where noodles have been made by hand for 300 years. Try a simple bowl of nishin (fish-topped) soba, or the more elaborate nabe dishes (cooked in a special cast-iron pot). There is a small English sign.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Tagoto Honten

    This casual restaurant in the Sanjō covered arcade serves a variety of soba and udon dishes. It can get crowded at lunchtime and the service can be rather brusque, but the noodles are very good and the English/picture menu helps with ordering. The tempura teishoku makes a great lunch.

    reviewed

  8. H

    Chaya-Kado

    Serving up hot, hearty soup, this humble soba spot is conveniently located on the route from Kita-Kamakura to Kamakura, just before you reach Kenchō-ji. The restaurant may close without notice, and during the low season, may only open for lunch.

    reviewed

  9. Hatsuhana

    Slurp some soba at this pleasant eatery along the Haya-gawa (Haya River). Hang a left on the next main street after passing the tourist information centre in Hakone-Yumoto; it’s over the bridge on the left.

    reviewed