Hyperlocal Tokyo

This is a soba noodle restaurant located in Omotesando. The food was delicious, and I intended to just have soba noodles, but ended up having a proper lunch drink. Normally, I would give it 4 stars, but the service was so unpleasant that I'm deducting 2 stars. I visited late in the evening. There were people waiting, so I thought I'd go to another restaurant if the wait was too long. I wanted to check the approximate wait time inside, but a female staff member immediately told me to 'wait on the chair!' without letting me ask anything. Don't they consider the feelings of those waiting at all? I was really angry at her rude attitude. The tofu was delicious, the duck was also good, and the outdoor seating had a nice atmosphere. However, the service was the only thing that brought the whole experience down.

A soba noodle restaurant located in Omotesando. I visited late in the afternoon, after the peak of the weekend lunch rush. It wasn't crowded enough to have a line, but there were a few people waiting to be seated. I used the terrace seating, which was comfortable on this day as there was a breeze. The terrace seating is apparently pet-friendly. Since the staff weren't constantly on the terrace, I had to go inside every time I wanted to order something, which was a bit inconvenient. The food was hearty and delicious. I'd like to visit again at night to try the dinner menu.

Kawakami-an, a soba noodle restaurant in Omotesando. I used to frequent this place late at night, and I decided to visit for lunch after a long time. There was a line, as expected, but it moved quickly, and I was seated relatively soon. The soba noodles were firm and delicious. I highly recommend the walnut sauce, which is creamy and incredibly tasty. The shrimp tempura was also substantial and satisfying. The background music, ambiance, and food all blended together perfectly, creating a comfortable and enjoyable lunch experience.

Visited in November 2022. "Kawakami-an Honten", established in July 2000 in Karuizawa, serves homemade, coarsely ground "nihachi soba" (buckwheat noodles) made with carefully selected buckwheat flour and milled using a custom-made stone mill. While they have branches in Azabu and Gaienmae, this particular location opened in December 2004. The restaurant caters to those who appreciate the sophisticated way of enjoying soba, starting with appetizers and sake before finishing with soba. It also reflects the cultural trend of finding elegance in the simple act of slurping noodles. The restaurant offers a terrace seating area in front. While this is common in Omotesando, where many cafes and restaurants have terraces, it's quite unusual for a soba restaurant. The terrace on the first floor is pet-friendly. The restaurant has seating on the second and third floors, with terraces on the upper floors as well. It's a large establishment with a total of 93 seats (including 20 terrace seats). The interior is modern Japanese and chic, creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere. The Aoyama branch of Kawakami-an incorporates art and interior design to add a playful touch to the space. It's a stylish soba restaurant. The menu features a wide variety of appetizers, as well as set menus with rice bowls and lunch courses. They also offer desserts to finish your meal. ● Half-boiled Egg Roll The half-boiled egg roll is impressive with its soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It has a simple and elegant flavor that highlights the taste of eel and egg. You can enjoy it with a drizzle of soy sauce and grated radish, but finding the perfect balance of saltiness can be tricky. ● Tempura Soba (Premium) This seiro soba (cold soba) comes with a selection of tempura, including two whole prawns, eggplant, bell pepper, sweet potato, and Japanese butterbur. The prawns are incredibly tender and flavorful. The heads are also delicious, offering a savory miso taste. The eggplant is juicy, plump, and soft. The sweet potato has a rich, creamy texture and a sweet flavor. The Japanese butterbur has a slightly bitter taste and is tender. The soba noodles are slightly thicker than usual and have a sharp edge. They have an incredibly strong chewiness and a flavor that intensifies with each bite. The soba broth has a crisp taste that complements the thick, flavorful noodles. The soba tea is thin and has a low viscosity. While the prices are higher than those of typical soba restaurants, the food is delicious and the portions are generous, making it worth the cost. The atmosphere is also excellent, making it a restaurant that's better suited for couples or dates than for solo diners.

The soba noodles were made with 100% buckwheat, but they were not dry, they were moist and flavorful. The broth was just right, not too salty or sweet, and had a smooth, mellow taste. It truly lived up to its reputation as a famous restaurant. The tempura was perfectly fried. Even though it was around 8 pm on a weekend, the restaurant was almost full, which is a testament to its popularity. I think it's because they have a wide selection of sake and many dishes besides soba. I'm glad I made a reservation. I was seated at a counter seat in the back, which was quiet, spacious, and allowed me to enjoy my meal in a relaxed atmosphere.