Hyperlocal Tokyo

Established in 1899, this is a long-standing soba noodle restaurant. Walking along the main street, you'll find a charming building nestled between box-shaped structures. Stepping inside through the sliding doors, you're greeted by a space enveloped in wood and bamboo walls and ceilings, exuding a sense of history. The tables are spaced comfortably, creating a pleasant atmosphere. I visited on a weekday afternoon, taking a break from work. Arriving around 1:00 PM, I found the restaurant about half full. During lunchtime, you purchase your meal tickets at the counter near the entrance. Additional orders are possible, so I decided to enjoy a cup of sake after my soba noodles. I bought tickets for a bottle of beer and some appetizers, handed them to the staff, and was led to my table. 〇 Bottled Beer (Medium) 700 yen The bottled beer perfectly complements the ambiance. ▪️ Daikon Radish with Wasabi 600 yen Thick, tender, and with a satisfying springiness. The radish is sliced into thick, decorative layers, allowing the wasabi soy sauce to soak in. The subtle sweetness enhances the flavor. ▪️ Katsuni (Pork Cutlet in Broth) 900 yen Thinly sliced meat with a thick batter. The ingredients include onions and a well-set egg. The thick batter absorbs the rich broth, creating a flavorful dish. The slightly strong seasoning pairs well with beer. The katsudon (pork cutlet bowl) here would undoubtedly be delicious as well. ▪️ Negi Seiro (Buckwheat Noodles with Green Onions) Large 1,000 yen The broth is flavorful and well-rounded, with a hint of sharpness. It's generously topped with thinly sliced green onions, adding a delightful aroma. At the bottom, there's tempura squid, with the batter absorbing the broth and adding a savory depth to the soup. The soba noodles are a light brown color and slightly thin. They have a good chewiness and a pleasant aroma. The large portion is quite substantial. I enjoyed slurping the smooth noodles, but they seemed to never end. I was pleasantly surprised by the generous serving, as I had expected a smaller portion. For 1,000 yen, it's a great value. The amount of soba noodles was more than I anticipated, leaving me quite full. I left the restaurant feeling satisfied, with the lingering pleasure of a leisurely lunch and the delicious flavors of the katsuni and soba noodles. It was a truly enjoyable lunch experience.

Dining on Soba at Okina-an Established in 1899 during the Meiji era, Okina-an is a venerable establishment that represents not only Ueno but Tokyo as a whole. The walls are adorned with autographed portraits of notable figures from the Showa era, including actresses like Mitsuko Mita, comedians like Shoichi Ozawa, and renowned rakugo performers like (the late) Kikuzo Hayashiya, Shincho Kokontei, and Kosan Yanagiya, as well as actor Buntarō Sugawara. With these nostalgic faces as my companions, I enjoyed a delightful bowl of 'negi seiro' (soba noodles with scallions) today. A truly blissful Saturday afternoon. Okina-an is also known for its delicious 'curry seiro' (soba noodles with curry), 'sobagaki curry rice' (buckwheat dough dumplings in curry), 'katsu-don' (pork cutlet rice bowl), and 'kamo seiro' (soba noodles with duck). I've included photos of these dishes that I enjoyed on other visits. I hope they are helpful. (Visited on February 18, 2022)

Just over a 3-minute walk from Ueno Station, you'll find Okinaan, a long-established soba restaurant. The restaurant has a unique, boat-shaped ceiling that evokes a sense of Showa-era nostalgia. The interior is small, with only 6-7 tables. I recently visited after a long time. As always, I ordered the 'negi seiro' (buckwheat noodles with scallions). Actually, it's the only thing I've ever had here! (laughs) 🟩 Negi Seiro, Large (¥1,000 including tax) It's a negi seiro, but the dipping sauce comes with a fried squid ring. The squid adds a nice texture and flavor, making it really delicious! The noodles still seem a bit too soft for my liking. I think they would be even better if they were cooked a bit firmer.

A long-established soba noodle restaurant located just across National Route 463 from Ueno Police Station. Seeking refuge from the scorching summer heat, I enjoyed a bottle of beer with the 'Cold Ham' set, a summer-only special, and the juicy, sweet and spicy 'Deep-Fried Tofu Simmered in Soy Sauce'. The combination of the sweet and spicy deep-fried tofu with wasabi, and the Worcestershire sauce drizzled over the boiled cabbage on the 'Cold Ham' was surprisingly delicious. It paired perfectly with the chilled beer, and with the heat outside, the drinks went down smoothly. To finish, I slurped up the remaining noodles, ending a wonderful lunchtime drinking session. The quaint atmosphere created by this long-established restaurant makes it a perfect spot for a soba noodle lunch with drinks.

This is a famous, long-established soba noodle restaurant. They have a wide variety of dishes, including curry nanban seiro soba, cold tanuki soba, tempura seiro soba, and okame udon, all of which are delicious. I recommend the cold tanuki soba on hot days. It's like a cold noodle dish with a mountain of shredded cucumbers, ham, egg omelet, and warm cabbage, and it's very tasty. I go there 2-3 times a week and never get tired of it. The ladies who work there are very kind and remember my face, making it feel like a home away from home. It's a warm and welcoming place.