A slice of heaven...

I don't stop when I'm in Tokyo. So I save my visit to Kanda Yabu Soba when I need a quiet day, and some distance from the fast pace of Tokyo. It's a little piece of serenity in Kanda Awajicho, Chiyoda-ku; adjacent to the busy district of Akihibara [Electric Town] and somewhat of a bizarre contrast.

Kanda Yabu Soba first opened it's doors in 1880 and has been serving it's "seiro" style soba noodles [firm noodles made from 10 parts buckwheat flour to one part wheat flour] ever since. I still feel stunned every time I visit, by the beautiful traditional building and gardens. The peaceful atmosphere begins even before you pass through the front gate.

Once your order has been placed, it is chanted/sung to the kitchen by the person at the front counter and Tsukidashi is bought to the table. I get the impression that some things haven't changed over the years. Tsukidashi is a little dish that's served with sake or beer. For this course, Kanda Yaku Soba serve their own thick, dark, salty homemade miso paste which is absolutely delicious and excellent with cold beer.

Dr H ordered one of his favourites: soba in a broth with mushrooms and topped daikon, nori and herbs. He ordered thinly sliced roast wild duck as a side dish and served with a hot mustard. I ordered soba in a broth with green onions and a side of 2 types of tofu. Everything was fresh and tasted wonderful.

This course was accompanied by Soba-yu [the water in which the soba is cooked] and is considered to be rich in minerals and good for your health. It is served in a teapot and can be drunk or added to Soba-tsuyu [the dipping sauce for cold soba] to make a soup, once the cold soba is eaten. Soba-yu has a lovely sort of sweet, nutty flavour and makes a great accompaniment to the food.

For the final course we ordered buckwheat cake to share. Great buckwheat flavour and not too sweet.

We sat in the tatami room, with a view to the garden, on this particular day but table seating is also available. The staff and service are wonderful - I always feel so spoiled. Foreign visitors are very well cared for. Some English is spoken and English menus are available. Absolutely unmissable.

Where:
2-10 Kanda Awajicyo, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo

When: 11.30am-8.00pm

Phone :03 3251 0287

http://www.norenkai.net/english/shop/yabusoba/index.html