Japanese soba Kamo Tetsu — Local services in Kusatsu

I don’t know if the female server was having a bad day or not, but her attitude was really rude since the beginning which quickly made our experience unpleasant. For example: Gave us an annoyed look when we were waiting outside and just didn’t seem like she wanted to serve us When ordering, I told her the number (not the full dish name) and she mumbled “how would I know what dish it is if you just say the number” when other server was perfectly ok with taking orders that way from the other table I wanted to charge my phone because the power outlet was right to next my table, but she came running and told me “could you please stop charging your phone here?” Bear in mind, I speak fairly well Japanese since I’ve lived here for a long time, and the way she said everything was NOT the polite form but with a casual tone as if she’s scolding her junior. But the weirdest part was that she changed her attitude 180 degree when we asked for our check and paid for our food. Started making small talks asking where we were from and telling us to have a good new year. My guess was that she got scolded by her colleague because he noticed how she was treating the customers.

Anyways, I hope that sister heals and treats her customers with a bit more respect and less stress. Peace out!

P.S. Food was not bad but we lost our appetite during...

Came to this family ran restaurant around 2 pm. It was not crowded but 4 out of 6 tables/seating areas were taken. I was attracted to the “home-made” udon advertised outside of the restaurant.

I ordered fried dancing mushroom and a cider along with the hot udon/tempura. The soup base was delicious and the udon noodles were perfect. The cider (like an apple flavored 7-up) was perfectly matched up with the fried mushroom (a local specialty). It was a good lunch.

The kitchen was really a small room with the father, mother and son doing all the tasks - cooking, serving and explaining the food as they served you. However, it was a serial process in which they can only cook for 1 to 2 table orders at once. Therefore, there would be a bit of wait when they got busy. So be patient and enjoy the atmosphere and read all the wall posters in detail.

I would recommend this place to anyone who wants a good economical and yet...

We found this place immediately after checking in to our hotel (after learning that places close down earlier than normal) and feel lucky we did! The service was excellent. We were given time to look through the menu, the food came out quickly after ordering, and the prices were very reasonable! (If you are looking for a fancy restaurant then this is not the place. This place is casual and low key.)

We also enjoyed the little self service bar that had ice water and tea.

I uploaded English menus and our food to help!

We ordered: (both pictured) Himokawa Udon and Maitake mushroom tempura set Shrimp tempura...