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.
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.
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.
Gunma
Wholesome and Traditional - A Satisfying Soba Experience
"Magokoroan Sobahiro" is located along the industrial road in Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture. It has been in business for over 50 years and maintains its commitment to the same taste. It uses carefully selected domestic unpolished buckwheat flour ground in a stone mill and hand-made, and the soup made with dried bonito flakes and wasanbon (Japanese sugar) does not contain any chemical seasonings. It also has a wide selection of homemade desserts.
Shiga
A Famous Restaurant Founded in the Edo Period, Located Near Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei
A soba restaurant with ties to the world heritage site, Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei. Sakamoto, Otsu City, a town in front of Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, was also the base of the Anatashu, who are said to have built the stone walls of Azuchi Castle. Founded in 1716 by Kihachi Tsuruya, a monk at Enryakuji Temple on Mt. Hiei, this is a long - established store that has been in operation for over 300 years since the Edo period. The stately building is also a registered tangible cultural property. The owner's surname is also strongly connected to history, and he was allowed to call himself "Kami - nobu" because of the "Nobu" of Enryaku - ji Temple on Mt. Hiei and the fact that he went to the mountain to provide food. It is also deeply moving to be able to enjoy the handmade soba noodles that have been handed down since the establishment of the restaurant in the traditional land and building.
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.
Iwate
Freshly Ground 100 Percent Soba Served in an Old Folk House
At "Juwari Soba Takara-ya," diners can enjoy aromatic 100% buckwheat soba freshly ground on a millstone daily. Located in a renovated old house that retains its traditional charm, the restaurant is popular among locals and tourists. The broth, made with soy sauce from Iwate's Kido Soy Sauce Shop, pairs perfectly with the soba. Plans are underway to offer online sales, making this delicacy accessible nationwide.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tokyo
Savor Uji Tea From a Tea Garden With Over 480 Years of History
Experience authentic Uji tea in Shibuya, sourced from the Kyoto Uji Fujii Tea Garden, which has been cultivating Uji tea since the Muromachi period (1333-1573). Relish the refined flavors and delicate sweetness of these premium tea leaves. The menu offers a variety of options, from savory dishes such as Uji Matcha Chazuke and Chakaiseki Set to sweet treats made with Uji green tea. Set in a modern yet serene Japanese-style interior, the tea house provides a relaxing atmosphere. Conveniently located just a two-minute walk from Shibuya Station, it’s easily accessible via the JR and Inokashira lines.
Shimane
Izumo Soba Is Particular About "Locally Produced" and "Freshly Made"
A restaurant located near Matsue Castle where you can enjoy freshly ground, freshly made, and freshly boiled Izumo soba. We carefully select and secure locally grown buckwheat seeds, including those from Matsue, to make "Gensoba" with the shells attached. The "Gensoba", which is carefully stored, is milled every day using homemade flour in a stone mill, and the soba noodles are made using skilled techniques. The dashi is a carefully selected natural dashi flavored with local seasonings. We are particular about customer service and creating a space with a spirit of hospitality so that you can enjoy delicious soba noodles.
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 Local Soba
