Kandayabusoba

Kanda Yabu Soba In the Edo period, there was a soba shop called "Tsutaya" surrounded by a large bamboo grove, which led to it being called "Yabu Soba" (bamboo grove soba). Later, the Edo-born "Yabu," the Osaka-origin "Sunaba," and the Shinshu-origin "Sarashina" became known as the three historic s...oba families. Yabu Soba's soba sauce is thick and not very sweet, making it perfect for the "Edo chic" style of dipping just a little soba into the sauce. However, there's a story in rakugo: A dying Edokko (Edo native) says, "I wish I could eat soba with plenty of sauce just once." Edokko hated being uncouth and valued "iki" (chic), hiding their true feelings. But at death's door, they probably wanted to eat freely. I visited this historic "Kanda Yabu Soba"! It's very crowded, so they issue numbered tickets. Foreign visitors come too, and there's an English menu. Let's dig in! Bottled beer. As an appetizer, miso with soba seeds is served. Summer Vegetable Tempura True to Edo style, it's fried in sesame oil. Pumpkin, okra, shishito peppers, pearl onions, Yanaka ginger wrapped in ground meat, myoga. The creative ingredients are delicious. The batter is crispy and tasty. Seiro Soba It has a slight greenish tint. This started by mixing young soba sprouts in summer when flavor fades; now they use chlorella. Edo style is to dip the soba lightly in the sauce! Finally, soba yu (soba cooking water) is served. It's the water from boiling soba, full of nutrients, so mix it into the sauce and drink. Gochisousama! (Thanks for the meal!) Saying this to the staff makes them really happy. Everyone, give it a try!

Visited August 2025

At the recommendation of my Japanese friend, decided to give the place a try. Ordered the Seiro-Soba and Tendane. The place is supposed to be well-known for soba but personally think it has what it takes. The Ebi tempura is what I would go for - light fluffy crispy texture on the outside while jui...cy and soft on the inside. Service is very good. Overall pricey restaurant and would warrant a visit if you are a lover of soba and don't mind travelling to search for it.

Visited November 2019

Definitely worth a visit. It’s about 850yen for basic meal and excellent service. The soba is really top quality

Visited October 2019

A bit of an effort is needed to find this place, hidden in a side street and once you get there, unless you have come early before opening time there will be a wait. this is one of those places that locals have long known about and tourists have discovered. all for soba noodles in a place which i ...suppose evokes what traditional japan is supposed to be like, i.e., lots of atmosphere with women in traditional outfits calling out greetings and the senior matron announcing customer orders in stylized song. (a major fire destroyed much of the original structure a few years back and the current building is a recreation.) the soba comes and it is delicious but given the hurried service and the long lines waiting, service is rushed and you're not supposed to linger. you get the bill and it's twice as much as what lesser shops charge. worth it? maybe once.

Visited September 2019

A short walk from our accommodation in Akihabara, we stumbled across Kanda Yabusoba, and are so glad we did! Great food, great sake and the restuarant has a wonderful ambience. We were lucky enough to have no wait in line, and a tatami was available. Waitresses spoke some English and an English... menu was available.

Visited April 2019