A renowned soba and sake restaurant in Kamakura.
November 2022 Seasonal up date : 2
What should we have for lunch on a holiday in Kamakura? During the season when new soba is available, I always feel like having soba noodles. If that’s the case, perhaps ordering tempura and enjoying sake from noon sounds good once in a while, and I’m looking forward to it. Ordering a premium sake like Daiginjo with soba miso, Japanese Omelette, and grilled duck. Or maybe enjoying thick soba from Yamagata prefecture with Yamagata sake. Let me introduce you to a carefully selected soba shop where you can enjoy adult time, where you might end up drinking a bit too much.
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Handmade soba noodles at Satou
Ogigayatsu
Just off Komachi Street and down a side alley, I found the soba restaurant I’ve been curious about, ‘Teuchi Soba Satou.’ With its clean and modest exterior, it had a sign saying ‘fully booked by reservation only’ for the past two weeks, so I made a reservation and arrived with high expectations. Inside the compact space with only 8 seats at the counter, I was greeted by a stylish local gentleman who seemed to be the owner, and amidst adults, there were also small children, creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
We were seated at a table a bit away from the compact counter where the food is prepared, offering a cozy atmosphere with enough privacy to have a relaxed conversation with companions. The menu showcased an enticing lineup of Japanese sake, and there was a rich variety of dishes perfect for pairing with sake. After some deliberation, we chose several dishes that seemed to highlight the restaurant’s specialties. Everything was delicious! It looks like this will be a place we’ll visit frequently from now on.
Fukuya / Yamagata Soba and Japanese Sake
Omachi
I’d like to ask someone from Yamagata: Is all Yamagata soba this delicious, or is “Fukuya” special? As someone from the Tokyo area , I found this soba incredibly flavorful. After finishing his meal, an elderly man next to me remarked, “This is the best nishin soba I’ve ever had,” before leaving. It seems I’m not the only one who feels this way.
The compact interior and cool owner made it difficult to fully express the “Wow, this is delicious!” feeling. The soba topped with Yamagata’s refreshing “dashi” (a mix of summer vegetables with a slightly thick texture from kombu), priced at 1100 yen, was so captivating that I couldn’t help but focus entirely on eating it. The sake, particularly the Yamagata daiginjo, was flawless (I expected any choice to be excellent). The sake cups matched the refined taste of the sake.
Matsubara-an
Yuigahama
Matsubara-an is the top soba restaurant in Kamakura to take guests from Tokyo, always pleasing visitors. Set in a beautiful old house on a luxurious property, it offers sophisticated cuisine and hotel-like service. The restaurant provides an English menu, ensuring a comprehensive experience.
Additionally, there is a terrace where dogs are welcome. The chic, Japonism-inspired interior is also popular among foreign visitors.
Seigaiha
Jyomyoji
Heading further towards the direction of Kamakura Reien from Jomyoji Temple, you’ll find Seigaiha, a soba restaurant housed in a traditional Japanese house. Stepping through the curtain and removing your shoes at the entrance, you’re welcomed into an atmosphere that feels like visiting someone’s home. Despite its distance from Kamakura Station, it’s already fully booked on this holiday. Overhearing conversations, it seems many visitors are walking from Kamakura Station as part of their hiking trip.
I was led to a counter in front of the kitchen. I promptly ordered some sake and snacks to relax after quite a bit of walking.
The kitchen I could see was neatly organized with gleaming utensils lined up meticulously. The tidy demeanor of the owner extends beyond just the cooking, making the atmosphere pleasant.
It’s a generous portion for one person.
I’m glad you enjoyed your tempura soba with sweet shrimp and commented on the quality of ingredients. The soba noodles were firm, the broth thick and comforting, with a balanced flavor that complemented the noodles well. Sounds like you had a delightful experience with the freshness of the new soba and the flavor of the broth!
Yamaji
Yukinoshita / Komachi street
Address: 1-7-3 Yukinoshita, Kamakura-shi, Kanagawa 248-0005, JapanPhone: 0467-25-2249Business hours: 11:00 AM to 4:30 PM (Last Order)
Yamaji offers delicious soba in a calm atmosphere, despite being located in the heart of a tourist area. Its location off the bustling Komachi Street provides a serene ambiance, capturing the essence of the ancient capital of Kamakura.
Reservations are not accepted, so there may be lines on weekends.
Wild duck gets more delicious the more you chew it.
Enjoying soba and sake in Kamakura is a perfect way to spend a relaxing adult time. It’s the best way to spend a holiday in a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere. If you want to eat something sweet or buy souvenirs around Kamakura Station on your way back, please check out ‘8 Matcha Soft Serve and Ice Cream Spots in Kamakura,’ ‘Delightful Kamakura Souvenirs to Receive in 2023,’ and ‘Strolling for Sweets in the Vicinity of Kamakura’s Onari Street.’ Thank you for reading until the end.
