Top 9 Soba Restaurants in Tokyo Handpicked Soba Restaurants in Tokyo!

From exquisite soba featured in the Michelin Guide to popular spots consistently ranked highly, Tokyo boasts a plethora of meticulously crafted and delicious soba!

Each of these recommended restaurants has been personally visited and carefully selected by professional gourmet writers.

What is Soba?

Soba noodles are made from “soba flour,” which is produced by grinding “soba seeds.”

Essential ingredients for making soba include soba flour and water, but wheat flour is also frequently used as a binder.

These ingredients are harmonized in a perfect balance to create the final product.

Soba made with at least 30% soba flour and no more than 70% wheat flour is particularly cherished as “Japanese soba.”

Incidentally, another representative Japanese noodle made solely from wheat flour and water is “udon.”

Since udon is made only from wheat flour and water, it offers a different flavor and texture compared to soba.

Both are traditional noodle dishes that adorn Japanese dining tables and remain an indispensable part of our daily lives.

Tokyo is home to numerous delicious eateries, and among them, soba restaurants are one of the places where you can truly experience Japan’s traditional food culture.

Soba, primarily made from soba flour, is one of Japan’s iconic foods, known for its unique flavor and texture.

Tips for Finding Delicious Soba Restaurants

Soba, a simple harmony of meticulously kneaded soba flour and water.

Thinly rolled, finely cut, and boiled noodles, soaked in a fragrant bonito broth, create a sublime dish.

This simple process brings out the true value of soba.

It is the skill and craftsmanship that add depth to its flavor.

If a restaurant offers “sobagaki” or “kaimozu,” you can almost be certain that they serve delicious soba.

However, to truly experience the essence of soba, visit places with long lines or those that are packed during lunchtime.

The soba you taste there will be more than just a meal; it will be a special moment where the artisan’s spirit and rich flavors come together.

Additionally, when choosing a soba restaurant, it’s important to consider not only the quality of the soba but also the atmosphere and service of the establishment.

A good soba restaurant not only serves soba but also conveys the dedication of the artisans and the personality of the owner.

Here, we have carefully selected restaurants in Tokyo where you can have an exceptional soba experience.

The History of Soba

The history of soba is deeply rooted in Japanese soil, tracing back to the Jomon period.

Initially, soba was not enjoyed as the colorful, thin noodles we know today.

Instead, it was consumed as “sobagaki” or “sobamochi,” which are made by kneading soba flour with hot water into a dough-like consistency.

It wasn’t until around the 16th century that soba began to take on its noodle form. During this time, the style of cutting soba into noodles with a knife, known as “sobakiri,” became established.

However, the original forms of soba, “sobagaki” and “sobamochi,” can still be enjoyed at soba restaurants today as historical delicacies.

Nowadays, noodle-shaped soba is enjoyed in everyday life, but behind it lies a rich history and the dedication of artisans that have been passed down through generations.

Initially, soba was not considered a luxurious ingredient and was commonly found on the tables of ordinary people. Over time, it has established its status as a high-quality ingredient.

Introducing a Recommended Soba Restaurant in Tokyo

Teuchi Soba Jiyu

Nestled on the border of Nerima and Nakano wards, “Teuchi Soba Jiyu” stands proudly.

Located on Mejiro Street, once known as “Jusanken Road,” this restaurant offers the exquisite taste of freshly made soba, available for just one day.

Inside the restaurant, the owner carefully grinds the soba flour using a stone mill, preparing only the amount needed for the day.

The flavor and texture of the soba subtly change depending on the condition of the flour.

Mineral water is used for sprinkling, and soft water with fossilized shells is chosen for boiling, showing the restaurant’s dedication to water quality.

The third-generation owner meticulously prepares the hand-made soba, making each day’s experience a unique and special encounter.

Tsuchiya

A hidden gem in Higashimurayama that retains the charm of the Edo period.

It’s like stepping back in time to an old Japanese house where you can fully enjoy delicious soba and high-quality sake.

What stands out the most is the soba kaiseki, showcasing the delicate skills of the master chef. One bite and you’ll be captivated by its profound flavors.

At this wonderful establishment, you can not only savor delicious soba but also enjoy heartwarming interactions with the sincere master chef and his kind wife.

The atmosphere of the good old days lingers, enveloping visitors in a calm and peaceful ambiance.

Experience a luxurious moment to your heart’s content while feeling the charm of old Edo.

Tamawarai

Nestled in Jingumae, the soba restaurant “Tamawarai” is truly a popular hidden gem.

This place exudes a pleasant atmosphere, making it an ideal space for hospitality and dining.

The chewy texture of the soba is characterized by the aroma that spreads with each bite.

Its light and elegant flavor invites diners to a graceful experience.

Above all, the hidden location away from the crowds is the best point.

This is truly a perfect place to spend a relaxing time in an extraordinary setting, ideal for hospitality.

Senju Takeyabu

Nestled near Senju Ohashi, “Senju Takeyabu” is a renowned restaurant known for its fragrant and chewy inaka soba (country-style soba).

The soba is cut to a perfect width, and its unique aroma tantalizes the senses.

This inaka soba, in particular, has a chewy texture that pairs excellently with spicy daikon radish.

The smooth texture makes it irresistible, and you’ll find yourself wanting more with each bite.

The restaurant also offers a wide variety of sake and side dishes, making it the perfect place for a refined soba meal after drinks.

This is truly a blissful space where delicious soba and sake harmonize.

It can be considered a hidden gem in the Senju Ohashi area.

Asakusa Juroku

For a luxurious experience of soba-mae cuisine and hand-made soba in the charming Kannonura area of Asakusa, “Asakusa Juroku” is highly recommended.

This up-and-coming soba restaurant is deeply rooted in the Asakusa area and offers dishes made with seasonal ingredients sourced from Tsukiji, along with the proprietress’s hand-made ni-hachi soba (soba made with 80% buckwheat flour and 20% wheat flour).

This place is truly pioneering a new era of “soba-mae” dining.

Toshian

A beloved long-established soba restaurant in Shirokanedai.

Their duck seiro (cold soba with hot dipping sauce) is truly exquisite.

The duck meat and dipping sauce harmonize beautifully, achieving a high level of perfection that will captivate you from the first taste.

Particularly recommended is the spicy broth with a rich bonito flavor.

The balance is impeccable, with the kaeshi (soy sauce-based seasoning) not overpowering the dashi (soup stock).

The freshly milled noodles have a pleasant firmness, and with each bite, a refined and crisp flavor spreads throughout your mouth.

The soba you savor here is truly a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

Enjoy the luxurious moment created by the deep flavor of the duck broth and the delicate soba.

Itasoba Kaoriya

A soba restaurant with a wood-themed interior, located just down the stairs from the East Exit of Ebisu Station.

This stylish restaurant exudes an adult atmosphere and stays open late into the night, making it a popular spot for people to enjoy soba in the evening.

The soba here is characterized by its generally thicker noodles, but you can also choose thinner noodles to suit your preference.

The noodles have a firm texture, providing a satisfying bite with each mouthful.

The lunch set, which includes delicious soba and unlimited servings of takikomi gohan (seasoned rice), is very reasonably priced at just ¥1000.

It’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely lunch while feeling the warmth of the wooden interior.

Green Glass

An unexpected soba restaurant that has gained surprising popularity for its Shizuoka specialty dishes and oden.

This renowned establishment in Nakai attracts people from afar, captivated by its unique flavors.

Their proud hand-made soba is crafted with meticulous care, offering a distinctive smoothness that even connoisseurs will appreciate.

The soba here delivers an unforgettable taste experience from the first bite.

Additionally, the variety of Shizuoka sake available is particularly impressive, even in Tokyo.

This makes it a popular spot among adults who enjoy a drink with their soba during the day.

It’s a place where you can feel the unexpected luxury and flavors of Shizuoka.

Soba Osame

Enjoy carefully crafted soba in a quiet and serene atmosphere, within a renovated traditional Japanese house.

At our restaurant, we are dedicated to using heirloom varieties of soba, carefully selecting the best-tasting soba grains from each region at their peak season.

We meticulously grind only the amount needed for the day, ensuring freshness.

Heirloom soba is a rare variety that has not been crossbred with other types and has been cultivated locally for generations.

It is characterized by its small grains, rich flavor, and aroma.

Summary

Tokyo boasts numerous wonderful soba restaurants where tradition and innovation blend seamlessly.

You can enjoy the flavors of hand-made soba and feel the dedication of the artisans while having a pleasant time.

Additionally, the unique atmosphere and service of each establishment are part of their charm.

If you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and savor Japan’s culinary culture, a tour of Tokyo’s soba restaurants is one of the best plans.