Sohonke Nishin-Soba Matsuba

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"The origin of herring soba boasting a 160-year tradition" In Osaka, the must-try local foods are mainly okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and kushikatsu. Then what about Kyoto? According to Japan's famous gourmet guide, besides the earlier mentioned obanzai, matcha, tofu, kaiseki, mackerel sushi, and nishin soba are as varied and unique as Fukuoka's offerings. Among them, Matsuba Honke, known as the origin of Nishin Soba, boasts a tradition of over 160 years, a longstanding establishment that attracts not only tourists but also locals. While it's common in Japan for a business to succeed through generations, a few decades of tradition might seem ordinary, but the history of a shop spanning over two centuries still feels quite lengthy in today's Japan. - Nishin Soba is herring soba. It consists simply of soba in broth with a piece of herring and green onion toppings, but the sweet and deep flavor that comes from this simple dish is very impressive. Whether it's the depth of knowledge of a traditional shop or not, neither I nor others in their reviews found any fishy smell, and the simmered herring in the tsuyu gradually enriches the broth's umami, which is distinctive. Since it's located at the entrance of the popular Gion district, it's easily accessible, making it a recommended stop to try unique Kyoto cuisine during your journey. 📍 Soba Matsuba, 松葉 本店 🏷 192 Kawabatacho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto 🕰 Daily 10:30 - 00:00 (Closed on Wednesday, Thursday)