Owariya — Local services in Tokyo

There are many tempura soba restaurants in Asakusa. Though most famous here is the traditional store Owariya that has been long established since 1860, and the only supplier to the famous temple Senso ji. Hence they still display the sign in the store Senso ji goyo. Asides soba, they are reputed to be the best Prawn Tempura handler in Japan with the largest prawns only. You can choose between Kuruma or Tiger prawns. The best dish here is the hot soba set with two large prawn tempura. Some choose to let the tempura soak through, otherwise quickly taste one of the tempura for a crunchy texture. The prawn is firm and crunchy, full of umami while the flavourful soba broth besides strong dashi flavour, you can taste a hint of Yuzu fragrance. The soba is thin, smooth and simply heavenly. During lunch time it is always full and they do not take reservations. It is said that over the years, besides numerous artistes visit the store, it is also a favourite store with many sumo wrestlers. In the store you can see many sumo themed displays. During my visit I was honoured to actually meet a sumo wrestler two tables away but it is considered rude to take photos over...

When you talk about soba in Asakusa, everyone knows Owariya. Established in 1860, that's about ten years after the Gold Rush in America in 1849. It was the same year Abraham Lincoln was elected president, and the American Civil War began. Having served soba to Japanese people for so long, their culture and tradition remain in the hearts of many. It's a taste we hope will continue for years to come. The restaurant's interior isn't flashy, it has a familiar atmosphere that Japanese people feel comfortable with. I imagine they have many regular customers. I definitely want people from overseas to try their soba. It's simple, yet it's a flavor that resonates deeply with Japanese life. It's the kind of taste that makes you want to eat it every day. The broth is soy sauce-based and made with bonito dashi (fish stock), giving it a savory and umami-rich flavor. On a hot day, their tempura soba (ten-seiro) is excellent. You dip the cold soba noodles into the soy sauce-based bonito dashi broth to enjoy it. It's also good to put a little wasabi on the soba before dipping it in the broth. After you've finished the noodles, you pour the hot water the soba was cooked in (sobayu) into the remaining broth and savor the soup. It warms you up after eating the cold noodles. The shrimp tempura is also delicious when dipped in the broth. It's a little firm, but you can even eat the tail. It contains valuable nutrients. When you think about this healthy Japanese food culture, I believe you can understand Japan on a deeper level. As a traveler, it's a precious experience to enjoy soba while feeling that this kind of food culture has been cherished and passed down for...

Came here looking for a local experience based lunch and if you're looking for authentic soba noodles, this is a must try. Upon entering we were taken to the upstairs seating area and given an English menu (they could tell we weren't local). Ordered three dishes which came very quickly (Kashiwa Seiro, Soba Sushi and Tempura Soba) and it was all super tasty. Definitely given the soba sushi a try,...