Yabu Soba — Local services in Kyoto

We walked 30+mins to get to the destination, and we were very glad that we did!

A quaint eatery that has 9 seats, it was a nondescript family run outfit. Slide open the door, lift the curtains and you see an elderly grandpa and grandma and a younger man cooking, and a box of green soba on the divider.

Took a seat and friendly old granny served us a hot drink with a friendly smile. We fumbled over the menu, and grandpa whipped his photo menu-a long rectangular piece of cardboard menu, and introduced in soft demeanour in English. So kind! We quickly decided. Duck, cold noodle tempura and, fish and curry with meat. And another tempura set.

The first three was excellent, fourth one, we probably wouldn't try again, in that the Duck broth was outta the world with sobayu (water after boiling soba), the dark broth with its Duck bones undertones thinned with sobayu makes one wants to return for more. The light tempura of prawn and veggies were very crispy, and the cold noodles had an interesting chew that screams al dente. The fish was something reminiscence of what I tried years ago. Dried sweet mackeral that enhanced the taste of the soup soba.

Overall, was 30mins of walking worth it? Absolutely! Going back again? Definitely, before we leave to return to Nagoya to go home! A memory of kindness from Grandpa and Grandma that we will...

Unsuspecting neighborhood gem! We went there to have an unexpected late lunch with our family after arriving from Tokyo with a delayed train. We were greeted by a charming elderly gentleman with a huge smile on his face, who made us instantly comfortable. The specialty is soba, a type of buckwheat noodle that you dip in a tasty broth, often served with tempura (deep fried vegetables and/or shrimps). We tasted the chicken soba and the duck soba, both of which were delicious. We also added vegetable tempura. The meal was accompanied by unsweetened homemade cold tea. Best soba I have ever tasted, with a delicious broth. You can add spices to the mix. Once you are done, the owner adds boiling water to the broth and has you drink it in a cup (not knowing this in advance I had drank the undiluted broth which was very tasty 😅). Do not be surprised if some local customers make a loud slurping sound while enjoying their soba. Definitely recommend if you are looking for a genuine...

Very delicious! とても美味しい

The best Soba noodle I've ever had!!!

The small and very traditional shop only serves Matcha Soba noodle. Hand made that is. Not from dried soba sticks packets., no Ramen or Udon. There's a couple of rice dishes.

We tried the Tempura Soba, warm and chilled.

I love the chilled broth. Very tasty, great Umami. It's not in touristy area so communication is a bit challenging. But the owner is very kind and friendly. Very broken English but understandable 😊

He served the Sobayu, which is the starchy water you get from boiling the Soba noodles. You mix it with the chilled soba broth and it was very nice. First experience ever!

Highly recommended.!!!!

Will return to try their other soba dishes...