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Looking for the best soba in Kyoto? In this post, we handpicked the Top 5 Best Soba in Kyoto so you know where to go for your soba cravings.
Soba is a traditional Japanese noodle dish made from buckwheat flour, giving the noodles a distinctive nutty flavor and a slightly grainy texture. Soba noodles are thin, long, and grayish-brown in color.
Traditionally, soba noodles are made by mixing buckwheat flour with a small amount of wheat flour and water. The dough is kneaded and then rolled out into thin sheets. The sheets are then cut into long, thin strips, which are boiled until they are cooked through but still firm to the bite. The cooked soba noodles are usually rinsed with cold water to remove any starch and then served either hot or cold.
Soba noodles can be enjoyed in various ways. They are commonly served in a hot broth as a noodle soup dish called "soba-cha" or "kake soba." The broth is usually made from dashi (a Japanese stock), soy sauce, and mirin (a sweet rice wine). Toppings such as sliced green onions, tempura, or seaweed can be added to enhance the flavor.
Another popular way to eat soba is "zaru soba," where the cooked noodles are chilled and served on a bamboo tray or plate called a "zaru." They are accompanied by a dipping sauce called "tsuyu" made from soy sauce, mirin, and dashi. Condiments like grated daikon radish, sliced green onions, or wasabi are often added to the dipping sauce to customize the flavor.
Soba noodles are not only delicious but also nutritious. Buckwheat is a good source of fiber, protein, and essential nutrients. It is also gluten-free, although some soba noodles may contain a small amount of wheat flour, so it's important to check the ingredients if you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
Where to Eat Soba: Top 5 Best Soba in Kyoto
Today, soba continues to be a beloved dish in Japan and is enjoyed by people of all ages. It can be found in restaurants, soba specialty shops, and even sold as a pre-packaged convenience food. Soba's versatility and nutritional value have also gained recognition beyond Japan, making it popular in many other parts of the world as well. Here are the Top 5 Best Soba in Kyoto:
1. Honke Owariya
As the oldest restaurant in Kyoto, we highly recommend you try Honke Owariya. Soba is their specialty!
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:00 am to 3:00 pm (closed on Tuesdays)
Location: 322, Niomontsukinukecho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
Contact: +81 75-231-3446
2. Sobashubo Ichii
Sobashubo Ichii’s specialty is duck soba. You may also taste other must-try dishes such as tenzaru soba tempura (tempura with chilled soba), duck sashimi, and tempura.
Price: From 2,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 am to 9:00 pm (closed on Thursdays)
Location:６２Hirano Miyanishicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto
Contact: +81 75-286-8286
ALSO READ: 5 Best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto 2023
3. Juugo
This restaurant offers an authentic soba experience as the owners prepare the noodles from scratch. Because of this, the chef only accepts a few reservations a day.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 6 71, Jodoji Kamiminamidacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
4. Shofukutei
Hands down one of the best soba in Kyoto, Shofukutei is a place you would go back to again and again. They serve a range of soba noodles as well as udon and hotpot dishes.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Location: 894 Ushitoracho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
Contact: +81 75-351-6111
5. Soba-no-Mi Yoshimura
One of the most popular soba in Kyoto, Yoshimura is a favorite among locals. They serve both hot and cold soba noodles as well as other popular dishes like barbeque duck, tempura, and vegan options.
Price: From 1,000 yen
Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 420 Matsuyacho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto
Contact: +81 75-353-0114
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