Asahiya

Situated along a shopping street in Kinuta, Setagaya, Asahiya is a dependable neighborhood soba shop whenever you want a thoroughly satisfying meal. The ni-hachi soba, made with an eight-to-two ratio of buckwheat to wheat flour, slides down smoothly in generous portions paired with a crisp bonito-dashi dipping broth.

Among the hot noodle selections, the Yamagata pork curry nanban stands out, coating the soba in a rich, spiced broth that balances Japanese dashi with tender pork. Classic tempura soba features freshly fried prawns and seasonal vegetables, while custom tempura toppings let diners add favorites such as green beans or Japanese whiting. Set meals also provide ample heft, combining half-size seiro noodles with rice bowls like Miou chicken oyakodon, pork katsudon, or tendon.

For drinks before noodles, small plates like deep-fried river shrimp—presented in a bowl woven from fried soba strands—and sizzling katsuni simmered with egg make ideal companions. A glass of draft beer or buckwheat shochu such as Kanasago, mixed with hot soba cooking water, suits the leisurely pace. With table seating on the ground floor and an additional basement dining room, the restaurant accommodates everyone from solo lunchgoers to family dinners.