Tokyo Abura Soba Akasakamitsuke — Restaurant in Tokyo

A very different, but very enjoyable, Soba experience. There are several Abura Soba shops around Tokyo and they all follow the same general pattern. You enter the shop and there will be a ticket vending machine where you insert your money and make your choice. However, since this shop basically only sells one kind of Soba your choice is limited to small, medium or large. Funnily enough, all three sizes are the same price. (You can also choose to add various toppings like egg, seaweed or garlic at modest extra cost, but they are not necessary). For the uninitiated, or the non-Japanese speaker, just go in and hit the middle button on the top. Everything else is automatic. You then take a seat at the narrow bar (or wait your turn) and in a few minutes your soba is served. The soba is a thick, slightly heavy noodle that is much more like ramen. It is lightly cooked to a firm 'al dente' texture and placed in a bowl with nothing else other than a dollop of their secret oil and a few toppings (sliced pork, seaweed and a few bamboo shoots). That's it. No traditional soba soup or dipping sauce. You then add, at your discretion, finely chopped onion (tama negi) and then drench your soba with a mild chili oil (ra yu) and a rice vinegar (o su). I use liberal quantities of each and find this to be one of the most satisfying, if simple, lunches in Tokyo. Highly...

Not very English friendly but don’t let that dissuade you from ordering one of the most unique and delicious noodle dishes! I’ll break it down for you: put your money in the machine (at least 1000¥ trust me) and you’ll start making selections. The 0¥ buttons allow you to pick a spicy level; spicy isn’t THAT spicy here but either way you can adjust later to add more! Then you’ll pick a “portion size” which are all the same price; don’t get ahead of yourself and generate food waste or a food coma. I then selected Set A since Set B seemed to just be more of all the toppings. I was seated at the counter, a space furthest away from the others as I was the only single woman (loved this kind, simple gesture!). The water is delicious and filtered using traditional charcoal. I tried everything in my bowl and found the spicier to be the better! Perfectly mixed, amazing flavor, and completely worth the 1000¥! I went around 19:00 on a weekday and the restaurant was very very quiet. Space is limited so be patient if you go during a busy time. Though it’s a chain, this location was top-notch and felt cozy like a mom’n’pop. Can’t wait to bring others...

Discovered the place from Eunseok and Sohee but the first time I went to Ginza branch

Came for this brand twice because it’s close to where I was staying. None of those matters because what actually matter is this Abura Soba is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

For the first and second time I ordered the spicy one, the heat kicks for someone who loves spicy food and used to it. So for you who has low tolerance of spicy food, please refrain.

What made this noodle special is when you mix it with the egg: the creamy savoury flavour seeps into your mouth so deliciously. Especially when you add onions for texture and the bamboo shot for additional unique flavour.

The suggestion is just to order the original menu, you can add spice, chili oil, vinegar, and onion later on. Best!

In Ginza branch, they accept card payment but in Akasaka branch they only accept IC Card or Cash. English menu is available, the seating is limited due to its bar lay out. Akasaka branch is more local compared to the one in Ginza anyway. And for my Muslim friends, this is non-halal. I ordered but request to take out the pork char siu. Probably tastes even better with the...