Ginza Kagari - Soba — Restaurant in Tokyo

100% personal experience, Do Not Dine Here.

This restaurant is unworthy of whatever statuses it vaguely withholds. I wasted 30 minutes in a queue that consisted of only tourists. According to my observations, locals do not dine here.

Here’s my true experience in that 30 minutes spent here:

We arrived at the restaurant at around 6pm on a Monday. We are a family of 3 (2 adults and a four-year-old). We joined the queue and we were about 7th in line.

After awhile, our little one got impatient and I thought it’d be a good idea for my husband to take him for a stroll around the corner while I nonchalantly scrolled through my phone as I waited in the queue.

Approximately 25 minutes later, a man in white uniform walked out and began reorganising the queue, asking some patrons to move closer to the sides and randomly asking some how many were dining in. Then he came to me and asked if I’m dining alone, and I said: “We have 3 people.” with my three fingers sticking out, then went back to scrolling my phone and waited.

Few minutes later, he then came back to me and spoke in Japanese. He sounded serious and showed me “No” hand signals. And I thought to myself: “hmm? What’s he saying? Can’t be saying No table to me given how many people are still behind me queueing?”

So I passed my google translate and asked him to speak into my phone. What was translated was: “We have no appointment for you today.” I gave him a questioning look. And then he explained in the most demanding manner that my party isn’t present in the queue, so he won’t give me a table, and that I should leave. He wasn’t courteous at all, despite the fact that I was standing there looking all confused.

Then a helpful waitress came over and I explained to her that my husband took my son for a walk around the corner. They can come back whenever I asked them to. The friendly waitress informed that rude man in white uniform and she said to him it’s ok, they are here and that I can continue in the queue. I also texted for my husband and child to come back at that point. That rude man then told me to step out of the queue and that I should wait at another corner. So I obeyed as I did not want to cause a scene for the holiday-goers.

At that point, my husband and child came back and after learning that they were indeed just around the corner, the rude man in white came over and informed me that I can now join the very back of the queue and begin queueing all over again.

I have heard some ridiculous things in life, but this man’s idea of ways-to-waste-your-life-away is by far one of the most outrageous one.

Such a tragic representation of the polite and humble...

Upon arrival, we noticed there were 2 queues. Looking at the direction of the main entrance, the queue on the left was those waiting to order and made payment. The server would present a menu tobthise people on the left queue first, then she would ask the total number of pax, then took order by writing on paper first. Then, the server will cone to us for the third time to invite us into the restaurant to make payment. Please note that only credit cards or japanesevlocal cards were allowed, and cash payment would not be accepted. After payment, we would receive a few pieces of paper that indicated our order. Then we need to queue up again at the queue on the right. In short, the queue on the right was those who had already made payment and were just waiting to be seated. The server will come to us for the fourth time when it was our turn to get a seat. Before seated, the server would collect from us our order paper printed by the machine.

Our queue time on Saturday night 8pm about 40 minutes. The seating area was very narrow.

We ordered 3 items

1. no.3 special chicken paitan ramen 特制鸡白汤soba. The broth was creamy, and chicken meat was tender. But, the noodle was not bouncy as the hokkaido version. We really enjoyed the first few bites only. Then, hardly could finish. Vegetables and wonton did elevate some level to the overall taste but only short term. 2200 yen per serving was overpriced. 2 stars

2. no. 7 special chicken paitan with fresh truffle was indeed better compared to the no.3. At least the broth was not too creamy. 2800 yen per serving was overpriced as well. 3 stars

3. no. 14 char siew chicken rice bowl with butter and truffle soy sauce at 500 yen. We initially came here for the chicken paitan ramen but ended up this rice bowl was the star of the night. It was so simple with truffle on top and butter to be mixed with rice and chicken pieces. It boosted up our appetite when we follow the server's advices to pour some soy sauce into the ruce bowl. The fragrance of the rice and truffle and butter created a synergy that hardly can be...

A Foodie's First Taste of Tokyo: 🇯🇵🛩️🌎

🍲🍲🍲Ginza Kagari Soba Review🍲🍲🍲

The Ultimate Introduction to Tokyo's Culinary Scene! Stepping off the busy streets of Tokyo's Ginza district, you're immediately transported into a cozy, intimate world at Ginza Kagari Soba. This isn't just a restaurant; it's a culinary revelation and the perfect starting point for any Tokyo food adventure. If you're looking for an authentic, unforgettable, and genuinely delicious experience that won't break the bank, look no further. From the moment we were greeted, the service was impeccable—warm, attentive, and incredibly efficient. The atmosphere is an inviting blend of traditional Japanese charm and a modern, minimalist aesthetic. It's a small space, but that only adds to its hidden gem appeal, making you feel like you've stumbled upon a local secret. Now, let's talk about the food. The menu is a masterpiece of simplicity, focusing on a few select dishes, but each one is executed with breathtaking precision. I had the chicken broth soba, and the broth was simply divine—rich, flavorful, and so moorish that I found myself savoring every last drop. The portions are perfectly sized; they are incredibly filling without being overwhelming, offering exceptional value for the quality you receive. What truly sets Ginza Kagari apart is the outstanding preparation and the purity of the flavors. Every ingredient tastes fresh and purpose-driven, combining to create a bowl of soba that is both comforting and exhilarating. It’s a testament to the fact that when you focus on quality, you don’t need a complicated menu to create an extraordinary meal. For anyone planning a Tokyo restaurant tour, make Ginza Kagari Soba your first stop. It's more than just a meal; it's a beautiful, delicious introduction to the heart and soul of Tokyo's vibrant food life. #️⃣Ginza Kagari Soba review, Tokyo restaurant review, best ramen Ginza, Tokyo food tour, Japanese soba, Ginza hidden gem,...