Hyperlocal Tokyo

This is the shop featured on the "Drank Tsukachi's Standing Soba" show. It was recently rebroadcast, too. My intuition told me it would be delicious, so I went. When I arrived, it was packed, and I had to wait a little bit. I ordered the "Basho Soba" that Tsukachi-san also ate. The broth, which was seasoned with dried scallops, was especially delicious. The soba noodles were also of a quality that surpassed the usual level of standing soba. It was truly delicious soba. The owner is a kind man with a deep voice. I want to go back and see him again.

◎First Visit: May 2024 Arriving around 10:00 AM on a weekday, there was virtually no wait. However, the counter (all standing!) was nearly full with 5-6 people already seated. It's a small space, so it can get crowded quickly. I ordered the "Basho Soba," which is also the name of the shop. Orders are placed verbally, and you pay when your dish arrives. The menu is posted on the walls inside and outside the shop (there seems to be a good variety). The first thing that caught my eye was the "thick omelet," one of the toppings. It's made by the shop's owner, and it's a truly special dish. The egg has a rich flavor and a fluffy texture, and the sweetness of the seasoning is particularly memorable. The soba itself is quite delicate. It's a pale white color, and you can easily see the buckwheat grains. The noodles are thin but have a good springiness and chewiness, and they slide down smoothly. For the second half, I added a bit of the "red yuzu pepper" from the table. The owner strongly recommended it, and it was a great choice. a) Situation: - Visited around 10:14 AM on a weekday - Sat at an empty space at the end of the counter b) Service: - Friendly and approachable. Very comfortable. c) Order: - Basho Soba @ ¥650 (tax included)

Basho Soba, Kiyosumi Shirakawa I ordered the Basho Soba for 650 yen from the very friendly owner who looks like the president ofリーブ21. "Did you see me on TV?" he asked. "I don't remember how I knew about you," I replied. As we chatted, he told me he was 79 years old and had started this business 27 years ago after closing down a mahjong parlor. Before that, he was in the wholesale business of women's clothing and swimwear. He mentioned San-ai Suzaya, a famous brand for women's swimwear. "Actually, I'm also familiar with women's clothing, especially swimwear," I said. We got so engrossed in our conversation that I barely had time to savor the soba. (The owner sometimes had trouble following the conversation, but his wife would quickly translate for me.) But let me tell you this: the dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet) is made with excellent eggs and is delicious. Adding a bit of yuzu pepper halfway through for a flavor change is also delicious. This is a shop run by a warm and friendly couple where you can enjoy delicious food and a boost of energy.

This was one stop on my journey to explore the standing soba noodle shops of Tokyo. I visited Basho Soba, located near the Basho Memorial Hall, at noon. This is a standing-only specialty shop. I always order a tempura soba at standing soba shops, so even though I was tempted by the famous Basho Soba, I went with the tempura soba. The shop has dividers to accommodate about six people, and there were four men eating when I arrived. The shop is a bit far from the station, so I assume the customers were either locals or people who drove there. I paid 650 yen in cash when I ordered, and the food arrived immediately. It took about a minute to prepare, the fastest I've ever seen. The first sip of the broth was delicious, with a nice sweet soy sauce aroma. The noodles were a bit powdery, though. What surprised me even more than the noodles was the tempura. It was very unusual. The sweet potato was shredded and overcooked to the point of being almost burnt. It wasn't even a cohesive tempura, more like leftover sweet potato from the tempura fryer, scattered on top. There were also wakame and scallions, but the tempura was so shocking that I hope it was just a one-time thing. There were condiments like yuzu pepper on the table, which were good for changing up the flavor.

While strolling through the streets, I stumbled upon this place and instinctively decided to go in. It was a standing soba noodle shop run by a couple, who seemed to be working together harmoniously. It appeared to be popular with regulars, as customers came and went in a steady stream. The atmosphere was the best part. It had that uniquely Japanese warmth that I found myself completely immersed in. I ordered the tempura set. Unsure of the tempura options, I was flustered until the owner recommended the chrysanthemum and kakiage (deep-fried vegetable tempura). I was very grateful for their attentiveness. The tempura was pre-made, which is typical for standing soba noodle shops. If you're looking for piping hot tempura, I recommend going elsewhere. Considering the small kitchen and the size of the shop, I didn't mind the pre-made tempura, as it allows for quick service and high turnover. The soba noodles had a firm texture. While it might look like a small portion, it was actually quite filling. You pay for your meal when the soba noodles arrive. First-time visitors should take note of this. This shop allowed me to experience the best of old-school Japanese dining. I hope they continue to serve delicious soba noodles for many years to come, while taking care of their health. I highly recommend visiting this soba noodle shop to experience its soothing, traditional atmosphere.