10 Great Restaurants for Popular Noodles: Udon and Soba in Tokyo Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Guide-

Update-date: Jun 15 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

10 Great Restaurants for Popular Noodles: Udon and Soba in Tokyo

Beginning with ramen, Japanese cuisine features a number of different kinds of noodle dishes. Even with the tight competition in the genre, udon and soba stand out as principle standouts with a storied history ingrained into the everyday palate of Japanese people. This will be an introduction to 10 recommended spots to get udon and soba.

See full listings of Soba restaurants found in and around Tokyo.

1. Fresh Soba Asanoya Rise Arena Higashi-Ikebukuro Ekimae branch

[Tokyo] 10 Highly Recommended Restaurants Serving Two of Japan's Most Popular Noodle Dishes: Udon and Soba

"Asanoya" is a restaurant that serves organic soba (buckwheat noodles) produced in Hokkaido. A combination of buckwheat and wheat flour are ground in a stone mill at an 8:2 ratio to make a soba with a fresh grainy aroma and texture that goes down nicely. The highly popular [Specialty Kamo Tsukune Seiro (duck meatballs with cold soba on a bamboo tray)] (1,400 JPY) (plus tax) is prepared by slowly simmering meatballs made of fresh duck meat, then adding the rich, umami-laden juices into the dipping sauce for the soba noodles. The artfully simple and pleasant dashi (broth) and fresh grains are a combination that have stood the test of time as a classic of Japanese-style noodles.

Fresh Soba Asanoya Rise Arena Higashi-Ikebukuro Ekimae branch

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10.15 pm) / [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm / Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: From the exit No. 6 or No.7 of [Higashi-Ikubukuro Station] of Tokyo metro subway Yurakucho Line, walk towards the Sunshine underpass. It takes 2-minute walk
Address: B1F, Rise Arena Bldg., 4-5-2 Higashi-ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

2. Fumotoya Keio Plaza Hotel (Shinjuku / Soba)

The roomy, comfortable atmosphere is replete in Japanese-style furnishings to appreciate the homemade soba and seasonal Japanese cuisine. One of the most popular dishes is the [Shrimp and Vegetable Tempura Served with Soba] (2,376 JPY). The set incudes large pieces of shrimp and fresh vegetables which are deep-fried and served alongside cold soba noodles. The crunchy flakiness of the tempura and the smooth textured soba offer a contrast in texture and decadent fragrance that’ll have you in a state of culinary satiety in no time at all.

Fumotoya Keio Plaza Hotel

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm [Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm [Weekdays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) [Saturday] Dinner 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) [Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 4:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 5 minutes walk from the west exit of [Shinjuku Station] on JR Lines / 3 minutes walk from exit B1 of [Tochomae Station] on Toei Oedo Line
Address: Keio Plaza Hotel, 2-2-1 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

3. Edo Soba Teuchidokoro Asada (Asakusabashi / Soba)

This venerated soba establishment was founded back in 1854, and is known for purely using 100% unadulterated buckwheat without any flour to prepare their soba. The homemade soba is prepared entirely by hand, and characterized by a distinctive texture and grainy aroma. One of the most popular dishes is the [Anago (Conger Eel) Tempura Served with Soba] (1,360 JPY). The anago used for the tempura is specifically chosen for its size and region, resulting in a finished dish that offers a crunchy skin surrounding a fluffy texture on the inside. The eel packs some serious volume, and the soba acts as a palate cleanser that keeps you going back for the eel, resulting in a symbiotic see-saw of flavors that draw the best out of one another.

Edo Soba Teuchidokoro Asada

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30 / Dinner: 17:30 - 22:00 (Last order: 21:00) [Saturday] Lunch: 11:30 - 14:30 / Dinner: 17:30 - 21:00 (Last order: 20:00)
Closed: Sundays
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Access: 3 minutes on foot from JR Sobu Line Asakusabashi Station East Exit/2 minutes on foot from Toei Asakusa Line Asakusabashi Station A4 Exit/on the left hand side on Edo-dori toward Asakusa
Address: 2-29-11 Asakusabashi , Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

4. Sotoroku (Uchisaiwaicho / Soba)

Whether it’s day or night, the view from the 18th floor of a high-rise building is always a stunning setting to dine. "Sotoroku" serves soba made entirely of buckwheat flour they ship in from Kyushu, as well as original Japanese cuisine dishes. If you're not sure what to order, try one of the recommended dishes like the [Tempura Seiro Soba]. The pure buckwheat soba has a thick, nutty flavor, and comes with crisp, scrupulously fried, golden-brown tempura along with salad and takikomi gohan (rice seasoned and cooked with various ingredients) for a course that offers some substantial volume. Their sake selection includes a smorgasbord of flavors from all across Japan, so you can try experimenting to match different ones with whatever you order.

Sotoroku

Open: Breakfast 6:30 am - 10:00 am (L.O. 9:30 am) / Lunch 11:30 am - 3:30 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) / Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 9:30 pm) (Bar time L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,400 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from A5 exit of Uchisaiwaicho station
Address: 18F, THE BLOSSOM HIBIYA, 1-1-13 Shimbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

5. Tsukiji Sarashina no Sato (Tsukiji / Soba)

"Tsukiji Sarashina no Sato" was founded back in 1899, and the proprietor himself chooses the buckwheat used in his restaurant from specific crops grown around Japan based on the season. The buckwheat is then hand-milled with a stone mill to make the flour for the soba. One of the popular picks is the [Curry Namban] (1,000 JPY), in which the light and refreshing soba is served with a dipping sauce that's an exquisite blend of spicy curry kick and a dashi (broth) flavor that's rich in umami (Japanese savory taste).

Tsukiji Sarashina no Sato

Open: [Weekdays] 11:00 am - 9:45 pm [Saturday] 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 1-minute walk from [Tsukiji station] on Tokyo metro subway Hibiya Line, 152m distance.
Address: 3-3-9 Tsukiji, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

6. Ampuku Ikebukuro (Ikebukuro / Udon)

"Ampuku" puts a twist on udon with original udon dishes hybridized with pasta elements. Their signature dish is the [Carbonara Udon] (1,250 JPY)], made with dashi taken from thick katsuo shavings, and a flavorful carbonara sauce as a finishing touch. Although the carbonara is rich, the Japanese touch is an inventive addition that you won't get tired of. The firm koshi of the udon—koshi referring to a specific elasticity and thickness—is a perfectly understandable reason for compulsion.

Ampuku Ikebukuro

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch: 11:00 - 15:00 (Last order: 14:30) / Dinner: 17:00 - 00:00 (Last order: 23:00)[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch: 11:00 - 16:00 (Last order: 15:30) / Dinner: 17:00 - 00:00 (Last order: 23:00)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 1,800 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Five minute walk from JR, Tokyo Metro, Seibu Ikebukuro Line, & Tobu-Tojo Line Ikebukuro Station West Exit
Address: JP Bldg. 1F, 1-37-8 Nishi Ikebukuro , Toshima-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

7. Soba and Meal Tsuzurao Main Branch (Shinjuku / Udon and Soba)

This soba restaurant is conveniently located in the Odakyu Department Store, just above Shinjuku Station. One popular choice is the [Katsuju Gozen] (1,560 JPY). The order includes your choice of soba or udon (thick noodles) served with a crispy pork cutlet over and egg for a protein-rich and filling meal! Another attraction is the prolific sake selection hand-picked by a sake sommelier known as a kikisake-shi.

Soba and meal Tsuzurao main branch

Open: 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:15 pm)
Closed: Irregular
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 0 minute walk from West gate of JR Shinjuku station, it is located on the 12th floor of Manhattan Hills, the restaurant district of Odakyu department store
Address: 12F, Main bldg. Odakyu department store, 1-1-3 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Map)
More Details Reservation

8. Yoyogi Uehara Yamasemi (Yoyogi Uehara / Udon and Soba)

"Yamasemi" provides its guests with choices like handmade soba, Japanese cuisine made with seasonal ingredients, and a carefully sifted selection of sake. The restaurant incorporates wood and bamboo throughout the Japanese-style interior for a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere. Their specialty, called the [Rakuzen] (1,800 JPY) (plus tax), includes spicy daikon soba, grated yam soba, tempura, duck broth, and cold seiro soba for a cost-effective dish, especially when considering the breadth of flavors you'll get to try.

Yoyogi Uehara Yamasemi

Open: -Lunch: [Weekday] 11:30am - 2:30pm (last order 2pm) [Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays] 11:30am - 3pm (last order 2:30pm) -Dinner: [Weekday] 6pm - 10pm (last order 9:30pm) [Saturday/Sunday/Public Holidays] 5:30pm - 10pm (last order 9:30pm)
Closed: Wednesdays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: Exit the ticket barrier of Yoyogi Uehara station and continue straight ahead. When you reach the end of the arcade, turn right, and walk for 100 meters. Turn left at the next corner after passing the post office, and the restaurant will be on your right.
Address: 1-17-14-001 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo

9. Azabu Tansumachi Tenryoan (Roppongi / Soba)

The dining bar at "Tenryoan" showcases an open kitchen for a space where the entire cooking process is laid bare for all to see. The [Shrimp Tempura Seiro Soba] (1,410 JPY) is a popular "shime", or closing dish. The piping-hot, large pieces of shrimp tempura are served sumptuously crisp and fresh out of the oil. Combined with the fragrant soba, the dish reaffirms the simple elegance of Japanese cuisine.

Azabu Tansumachi Tenryoan

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm) [Weekdays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (Food L.O. 10:00 pm / Drink L.O. 10:30 pm) [Saturday] Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (Food L.O. 9:00 pm / Drink L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 6,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 9 minutes walk from [Roppongi Station] on Toei Oedo Line
Address: 2F, Roppongi Grand Plaza, 3-1-25 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo Map
More Details Reservation

10. Jyuan Chuzaemon (Musashi Itsukaichi / Udon and Soba)

This is a soba and Japanese cuisine restaurant run by an establishment that has been making noodles for 150 years. Their signature [Oseiro (cold soba noodles)] (Regular 880 JPY/Large 1,300 JPY) includes soba produced in Hokkaido served with a dipping sauce made by slowly simmering dashi taken from katsuobushi (bonito shavings) and Rausu kombu (kelp) produced in Kagoshima. Their selective and tasteful choice of ingredients is manifested in the flavors of the dish, which you’ll find very much worth taking the time to truly relish.

Jyuan Chuzaemon

Open: Lunch 11:00 am -3:00 pm, Dinner 4:30 pm - 8:00 pm (L.O. 7:30 pm)
Closed: Wednesday *Open if on a National Holiday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: After exiting the ticket barrier at Musashi Itsukaichi Station, make a right and head straight, then make a left. It will be a 5-minute walk. Map
More Details

It wouldn't be an overstatement to make the claim that udon and soba are two dishes that can be considered soul food in Japan. Hopefully, you'll find yourself delving further into an appreciation of Japanese cuisine when trying them.

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.