While soba can easily be enjoyed at home, the experience of dining at a restaurant brings a whole new flavor. Across Japan, in regions such as Shinshu and Izumo, there are many famous soba restaurants where you can savor exquisite handmade soba, including 100% buckwheat soba made without any binders. Be sure to visit and experience it for yourself.
Nagano Prefecture, also known as Shinshu, has long been famous for its soba. There are renowned soba restaurants throughout the region. The significant temperature differences between day and night help grow delicious buckwheat, and the pure, rich water enhances the aroma and flavor of the buckwheat flour. If you visit Nagano, enjoying Shinshu soba is a must.
Wanko Soba is a well-known gourmet dish from Iwate Prefecture. It is said to originate from the “soba hospitality” tradition passed down in the southern region. When your bowl is empty, another bite of soba is immediately added, and the number of bowls stacks up as you continue eating. The customs, such as the call-outs, differ slightly depending on the region, adding to its unique charm.
Izumo soba, a local dish of Shimane Prefecture, is characterized by its dark, fragrant noodles made by grinding buckwheat seeds with their husks. There are two main ways to enjoy Izumo soba: cold “wariko soba” served in round lacquerware, and warm “kamaage soba” served with soba broth.
Hegisoba is one of Niigata’s representative dishes, named after the “hegi,” a wooden container made from strips of wood. With funori seaweed as a binder, Hegisoba is known for its smooth texture and chewy bite. The beautifully arranged, bite-sized portions of soba are part of the unique enjoyment of this dish.
Soba-yu, the water used to boil soba, is served at the end of a soba meal. Nowadays, it’s common to find soba-yu thickened with buckwheat flour for a richer texture. You can drink it as is to enjoy the aroma of the soba, or mix it with the leftover dipping sauce. Adding leftover condiments like shichimi or sansho pepper creates a new flavor experience. Soba-yu is rich in water-soluble nutrients such as minerals, dietary fiber, and polyphenols, making it a healthy addition to your meal.
Nagano Prefecture, also known as Shinshu, has long been famous for its soba. There are renowned soba restaurants throughout the region. The significant temperature differences between day and night help grow delicious buckwheat, and the pure, rich water enhances the aroma and flavor of the buckwheat flour. If you visit Nagano, enjoying Shinshu soba is a must.
Wanko Soba is a well-known gourmet dish from Iwate Prefecture. It is said to originate from the “soba hospitality” tradition passed down in the southern region. When your bowl is empty, another bite of soba is immediately added, and the number of bowls stacks up as you continue eating. The customs, such as the call-outs, differ slightly depending on the region, adding to its unique charm.
Izumo soba, a local dish of Shimane Prefecture, is characterized by its dark, fragrant noodles made by grinding buckwheat seeds with their husks. There are two main ways to enjoy Izumo soba: cold “wariko soba” served in round lacquerware, and warm “kamaage soba” served with soba broth.
Hegisoba is one of Niigata’s representative dishes, named after the “hegi,” a wooden container made from strips of wood. With funori seaweed as a binder, Hegisoba is known for its smooth texture and chewy bite. The beautifully arranged, bite-sized portions of soba are part of the unique enjoyment of this dish.
Soba-yu, the water used to boil soba, is served at the end of a soba meal. Nowadays, it’s common to find soba-yu thickened with buckwheat flour for a richer texture. You can drink it as is to enjoy the aroma of the soba, or mix it with the leftover dipping sauce. Adding leftover condiments like shichimi or sansho pepper creates a new flavor experience. Soba-yu is rich in water-soluble nutrients such as minerals, dietary fiber, and polyphenols, making it a healthy addition to your meal.
Handmade soba refers to soba noodles crafted by hand without the use of machines. Soba made by skilled artisans boasts outstanding flavor and texture. The soba-making process includes steps such as mizu mawashi (mixing water with buckwheat flour), kneading, rolling, and cutting. Among these, mizu mawashi and kneading are particularly important for bringing out the best qualities of the ingredients. The technique of incorporating water into the buckwheat flour and kneading it enhances the flavor of the soba, resulting in delicious noodles created through meticulous effort.
Tokyo
Savor Seasonal Japanese Cuisine in a Casual, Welcoming Setting
"Shintomicho Maruyasu" is conveniently located just a three-minute walk from Shintomicho Station on the Tokyo Metro. Helmed by a friendly owner with experience at some of Tokyo’s most sought-after restaurants, this refined yet welcoming eatery offers a relaxed atmosphere where guests can enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine without pretense. The restaurant takes pride in using seasonal ingredients, offering meticulously crafted course meals that reflect the flavors of each season. From à la carte dishes and clay pot rice to handmade soba noodles, every item is prepared with care and precision. An extensive selection of sake is available, along with thoughtfully curated small plates, individual hot pots, and other à la carte offerings. Perfect for both casual dining and special occasions such as anniversaries, Shintomicho Maruyasu invites you to unwind and savor the essence of Japanese seasonal cuisine at your own pace.
Kyoto
Exceptional Soba Served with Seasonal Tempura
Located just a 3-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, Tsubameya is a soba restaurant known for its authentic tempura made with fresh, local ingredients from the Yamashiro area. The menu also features cha soba made with Uji matcha, offering a uniquely local flavor. The restaurant uses carefully selected buckwheat flour, primarily sourced from Kyoto Prefecture and blended with flour from neighboring Shiga, to craft its exquisite soba.
Ibaraki
Celebrated Eatery Nestled in Hitachiota’s Mountain Village, a Noted Soba Region
"Jikyuan" is located in the naturally rich mountain valley of Hitachiota City. It is a famous soba restaurant known only to those in the know, and queues form on weekends. The owner practices slash-and-burn farming, and the soba is made entirely in-house, from growing the buckwheat to milling it, resulting in fresh, chewy, and fragrant soba. In addition to the classic bamboo steamer soba, the topped kenchin soba is a must-try. Kenchin soba, a recreation of the good old Ibaraki local cuisine, is a masterpiece, with noodles that fall apart easily in a soup rich in dashi and vegetables.The interior, richly accented with wood, offers a calming ambience. Terrace and veranda seating are designated for guests with reservations for the "Traditional Kenchin Soba Set", providing an exclusive setting.
Osaka
Traditional Japanese Dining With a Focus on Soba and Wellness
"Sennorikyu" is a restaurant specialising in carefully crafted soba and traditional Japanese cuisine. Popular dishes feature health-conscious and beauty-enhancing ingredients, including "Kyoto Duck", known for its rich, high-quality fat, as well as 90% soba noodles, rice flour noodles, and chia seed noodles. Soba is prepared daily by a skilled soba chef, offering handmade noodles of exceptional quality.
Find a Restaurant with Handmade Soba Noodles
Because buckwheat flour lacks the stickiness needed to form noodles, binders like wheat flour (which contains gluten), seaweed, or yam are often added. However, soba made solely from buckwheat flour and water, without any binders, is known as juwari soba. Artisans who craft juwari soba need exceptional skills in handmade techniques. One of the main features of juwari soba is that, since it’s made only with buckwheat flour and water, you can enjoy the pure flavor, aroma, and texture of the buckwheat without any additives.
Kyoto
The Original Home of Oeyama’s Signature Dish, "Oni Soba", in Northern Kyoto
This is the birthplace of Oeyama's specialty, "Oni Soba", a beloved dish for over 160 years since the Edo period. "Oni Soba" refers to thick, firm, 100% buckwheat soba noodles, handmade from domestically grown whole buckwheat and milled in-house. The name is said to have originated from the phrase "kowai (hard) ki (raw) soba," which became "ki (oni=devil) soba" and eventually evolved into "Oni soba." While the traditional way to enjoy "Oni Soba" is as "Kake soba (served in hot broth)", the seventh-generation owner has continued to innovate with new creations. In addition to the popular "Toriten soba (soba topped with chicken tempura)", guests can enjoy a diverse range of soba noodles with different thicknesses and serving styles, as well as local specialities such as "Maizuru fish pickles (regional fish)" and "Yamabuki no Umani (mountain butterbur simmered in sweet soy sauce)".
Osaka
Traditional Japanese Dining With a Focus on Soba and Wellness
"Sennorikyu" is a restaurant specialising in carefully crafted soba and traditional Japanese cuisine. Popular dishes feature health-conscious and beauty-enhancing ingredients, including "Kyoto Duck", known for its rich, high-quality fat, as well as 90% soba noodles, rice flour noodles, and chia seed noodles. Soba is prepared daily by a skilled soba chef, offering handmade noodles of exceptional quality.
Ehime
Providing Healthy Soba Noodles That Delight the Mind and Body
The 4th branch of Matsuyama's popular Kurofune restaurant is located in a convenient location, about a 1 - minute walk from Matsuyama City Station. During the day, you can enjoy Kurobune's famous "Kuroku Soba," and at night, you can enjoy "Juwari Soba." We offer everything from counter seats to private rooms that are easy for even solo women to use, and are perfect for parties.
Kyoto
Exceptional Soba Served with Seasonal Tempura
Located just a 3-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, Tsubameya is a soba restaurant known for its authentic tempura made with fresh, local ingredients from the Yamashiro area. The menu also features cha soba made with Uji matcha, offering a uniquely local flavor. The restaurant uses carefully selected buckwheat flour, primarily sourced from Kyoto Prefecture and blended with flour from neighboring Shiga, to craft its exquisite soba.
Find a Restaurant with Juwari Soba
Nihachi soba refers to soba noodles made with a mixture of 80% buckwheat flour and 20% wheat flour as a binder. It is easier to make compared to 100% buckwheat soba, and is therefore considered the basic style of soba. The appeal of Nihachi soba lies in its smooth texture and soft feel. You might wonder, “Does the addition of wheat flour affect the flavor or aroma compared to juwari soba?” However, when made with care, the addition of 20% wheat flour does not diminish the rich flavor of the soba.
Kyoto
Exceptional Soba Served with Seasonal Tempura
Located just a 3-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, Tsubameya is a soba restaurant known for its authentic tempura made with fresh, local ingredients from the Yamashiro area. The menu also features cha soba made with Uji matcha, offering a uniquely local flavor. The restaurant uses carefully selected buckwheat flour, primarily sourced from Kyoto Prefecture and blended with flour from neighboring Shiga, to craft its exquisite soba.
Find a Restaurant Where You Can Eat Nihachi Soba
All over Japan, you can find unique local soba varieties, each offering a fresh take on the traditional dish. Some famous examples include Nagano’s “Shinshu soba,” Fukui’s “Echizen soba,” which is served with grated radish, chopped green onions, and bonito flakes, Yamaguchi’s “Kawara soba,” featuring tea soba served on a hot tile topped with shredded egg and sweet-simmered beef, and Hyogo’s “Izushi Sarasoba,” where small portions of soba are served with plenty of condiments. Enjoy the authentic taste of local soba while exploring different regions.
Toyama
A Place to Savour the Essence of Toyama’s Seasonal Flavours
This unique restaurant offers different ways to enjoy itself depending on whether it's on weekdays or weekends. On weekends, you can enjoy stone-ground, hand-made soba noodles made with the "Yao native" variety, grown in Toyama's clear water and nature. The sweets made with buckwheat flour are also a popular choice, being rich in flavor and low in calories, making them a guilt-free treat. On weekdays, the "Flower Basket Fermentation Meal" is a must-try, showcasing a variety of side dishes made with homemade fermented seasonings and seasonal local ingredients. The menu, brimming with the owner's own harvest from the fields and mountains, is known for its vibrant flavor and health benefits. Lunch service is until sold out, while dinner requires a reservation.
Fukuoka
Visit this Famous Kawara Soba Restaurant in Mojiko
"Takase, Kawara Soba, Mojiko Retro," located a five-minute walk from JR Mojiko Station, attracts visitors from all over Japan for its local dish, "Kawara Soba," a specialty of Yamaguchi Prefecture. Founder Shinichi Takase was inspired by soldiers using roofing tiles to grill wild herbs and meat, leading to the creation of "Kawara Soba" using aged Japanese roofing tiles and a unique recipe. This dish features green tea soba elegantly garnished with beef, shredded egg, seaweed, grated maple leaves, lemon, and other toppings, served with a slightly sweet original broth, allowing for a delicate balance of flavors.
Kyoto
Exceptional Soba Served with Seasonal Tempura
Located just a 3-minute walk from Uji Station on the Keihan Electric Railway, Tsubameya is a soba restaurant known for its authentic tempura made with fresh, local ingredients from the Yamashiro area. The menu also features cha soba made with Uji matcha, offering a uniquely local flavor. The restaurant uses carefully selected buckwheat flour, primarily sourced from Kyoto Prefecture and blended with flour from neighboring Shiga, to craft its exquisite soba.
Yamaguchi
The Original Restaurant of Yamaguchi Prefecture's Specialty "Kawara Soba"
"Takase, Kawara Soba, Minami Main Restaurant" is a Japanese and regional cuisine restaurant located approximately 30 minutes by car from Shimonoseki IC on the Chugoku Expressway. Known as the birthplace of the local delicacy "Kawara Soba," the dish is inspired by soldiers who grilled wild herbs and meat on roofing tiles during their breaks in the field. The dish, developed by founder Takase Shinichi, features a harmonious blend of beef, shredded egg, seaweed, grated maple leaves, lemon, and the restaurant's original broth. The broth has a slightly sweet flavor, while the meat and other ingredients are well-seasoned, resulting in an exquisite balance that attracts visitors from all over the country.
Find a Restaurant Where You Can Eat Local Soba
