Sho-an — Local services in Tokyo

2024/10 Thank you Eri you are so kind and brightened my day with your personality. God bless this restaurant and the staff and chef and owner. I ordered extra soba and Eri giggled as if to say 2 things : That i really like her handmade soba or that i am overeating. Either way this is the social interaction that is lacking in most restaurants in tokyo. I only ever see it in the rural places. This restaurant made me feel like I'm travelling. Thanks for the サヒス dessert 🍰 Thanks for the omiyage and asking me where i am from. Thanks for the best lunch in months!!!!

2024/11 A truly amazing thing happened. Eri-san, the kind waitress, possesses a superpower I hadn't expected. It had been over a month since my last visit to this charming restaurant. With my new, dark-tinted glasses, I was almost unrecognizable. And so I order the best looking dish on the menu, the tendon shrimp and fish and soba set. I order extra soba again and made it omori size. Anyway, the tendon set I order arrived. And now the superpower : Eri-san remembered me! She told me the country where I came from and where I was seated the first time I ate here. So, how could she possibly recall me? Perhaps it was my foreign appearance, my peculiar hairstyle, my hearty soba order, or simply my round physique. Whatever the reason, it was mind-boggling that she remembered a first-time customer from a month ago! Her memory is amazing! Overwhelmed with surprise, I asked a question in broken Japanese, inquiring about her dog's name. I believe she said "Ni-Hachi-san," - sorry if I got the name of her dog incorrectly - and she explained that it's the same name as one of the menu items I'd ordered. I quickly devour the shrimp and fish and rice bowl and slurp on the noodles as loudly as I could. And I saved the heart-shaped soba for last. I was smiling the whole time while eating. It was so good that I forgot to get the dessert! As I finished my meal, Eri-san politely asked if I was full, using the phrase "o-naka ippai?". I said "Yes! I am full". I apologised that I couldnt Speak Japanese. And she just tells me "Daijobu! Nihongo jyozou!" . Grateful for the delicious food and the warm hospitality, I thanked them and exited the restaurant. The staff held the door open for me, a thoughtful gesture that further enhanced the experience. Inspired by this encounter, I renewed my commitment to Japanese language study. Next time, I'll be prepared to introduce myself properly. I'm also curious about the sumo wrestler sketch on the wall and eager to learn more about it. Maybe I'll ask them about it. Walking back to my office in Kyobashi, I couldn't contain my smile. Such genuine kindness and attentiveness were rare in the bustling Tokyo dining scene. I vow to return, this time armed with improved Japanese skills to express my gratitude and perhaps even tell Eri-san that she possessed a superpower that made her a truly unique person. Once again, God bless...

The information is not clear. I know about this place from paolo youtuber. So when I arrived at tokyo almost at midnight, I was looking around for late night grub close to my hotel in the blossom hibiya. I found this place to be within walking distance.

When I arrived in the location, I had quite a difficulty finding the location. There was a takoyaki stall next door and then I found the adboard outside the building saying sho an. According to this sign the place is closed at 230 am and last order is at 2 am. So this is the same information as the one listes on google maps, phew I was glad.

However when I tried entering the place, the staff inside rejected me saying that it was closed. I was confused... so I was looking around like a stupid person and I noticed there is another door and stairs. I thought the restaurant sho an is upstairs so I tried taking the stairs, but apparently it was locked and the staff in the restaurant start glaring at me and making some gesture its closed. So sho an is not upstairs but on the first floor.

Well if you are closed at 12 am, at least update your ads board upfront (see picture attached) and not make a gaijin like me walk confused after arriving at midnight while jetlagged. That was super annoying and rude.

If not because of paolo I wont be aware about your place anyways. If your staff doesnt speak english at least, have a clear sign what to do to dine in your place instead of glaring and showing rude body...

Dining Experience @ Sho-An. . A hidden gem established some time before July 2014, Sho-An, also known as Osoba Shoan, is a small casual restaurant celebrated for its hand-crafted soba / buckwheat noodles made using traditional time-honoured techniques. . Ambience is warm, casual, and inviting. The dimly lit dining space has just 8 counter seats, around a large serving counter, with a wine chiller behind. The seats are plush, almost like a lounge, and it's easy to converse with staff or guests. . Service is polite and efficient. Staff are quick to greet and seat guests, and clean up quickly when diners leave. However, note that the menus are solely in Japanese, though translation apps and pointing work. I note that staff work quickly and discreetly. . Food is traditional Japanese cuisine, focused on soba / buckwheat noodles. Chef and apprentice make dishes fresh from scratch daily, the consistent quality evidence of their mastery. Portions are sized for individuals. Prices are wallet-friendly, budget about JPY ¥2,300 / SGD...