NEO＂和＂食堂 一成 — Restaurant in Hakuba

had dinner on new year’s day itself. pre ordered the duck shabu shabu when reserving this place. i’d say it’s pretty rare to shabu a duck and i was really eager to try it. so they actually serve several courses before the shabu starts, all were yummy, see pics. when you’re done, they’ll come over and help u start up the shabu pot, and demostrate once how to do it and then our turn to have fun with it. long story short, duck and broth were delicious, i believe u can add on more duck meat if u want too. at the end of it, they can make porridge out of the leftover broth and stuffs. and seriously to me that was the MVP, if u ordered what i did, u have to definitely try this. and yea, service is the usual japanese high level but have to accept that it’s mostly just 1 person shuttling around several tables. interior is nicely decorated. pretty sure u have to make reservations, a lot of walk in people were turned away but i can’t be sure if it’s cos of new year or usual practice needs reservations. it’s not a budget...

My regret about this place is that I hadn’t heard of this place sooner. As my final restaurant establishment that I visited in Hakuba, this easily stole the show hands down.

Service was extremely efficient and intimate. There are only 4 tables and a bar, so seating is quite limited. That said, if you can score yourself a seat, then you’re in for a treat.

I strongly recommend doing the soba set meal. Every bite tasted fresh and had so much flavour. From the pickled vegetables with hints of sesame, to salmon sashimi, to the tempura and matcha salt, and the soba itself. The meal was quite substantial without making you feel completely bloated. What is more, dessert also comes with the set, so a true win win.

Please don’t skip out on the soba stock water, that they ask you to mix with the dipping sauce. It should not work (thinking like a Westerner here) but it does and it was amazing!

Very complex and deep flavours here.

The best restaurant in Hakuba if you want true...

Gosh, such a lucky find. Booked it in advance based on proximity to hotel and strong reviews - but I’d say this is fine dining of the highest order. We had to pre- order the duck or fish version of the (for the un-initiated) “broth pot on a gas burner” main course - but otherwise almost everything else was a set menu of several stages. There’s clearly some skill in that kitchen (as well as whoever conceived the menu). Probably one of the priciest dinners you’ll have in town but I doubt you’ll find a better one! Service and ambience* exceptional (*very few place settings are available - it’s a tiny place). One for the instagrammers to capture the creative presentation too. Top notch -...