🗺️ Soba Yu An (Tochigi Prefecture)

The so-called Edomae Soba refers to soba noodles that emphasize the recreation of traditional Edomae flavors. This type of soba pays attention to the texture experienced by the teeth and tongue, as well as the sensation of swallowing, in other words, it focuses more on the taste of the noodles. Soba Yu-an, located within the grounds of Ashikaga Orihime Shrine, is a well-known local establishment that offers this kind of soba. The owner, Mr. Nobuaki Nemoto, is a soba craftsman known for making soba using only buckwheat flour. Many soba enthusiasts travel from afar just to enjoy a bowl of authentic Edomae Soba. The most popular item on Soba Yu-an's menu is the seasonal soba, which is offered as a limited-time dish that changes with the seasons. By adding seasonal ingredients to the white buckwheat flour, the soba takes on beautiful colors, resulting in a visually appealing and delicious dish. The exquisite broth maximizes the aroma and sweetness of the buckwheat flour, allowing diners to immediately appreciate the craftsmanship of a soba master with each bite. The seasonal soba includes ingredients like mugwort, shiso leaves, and sakura shrimp. In addition to the aforementioned seasonal soba, Soba Yu-an's signature cold soba with broth is also highly recommended. Using a unique rolling pin developed by the restaurant, the soba is stretched to less than 1 millimeter in thickness and served with chilled bonito broth, complemented by fresh yam. This is a delicious dish that can only be enjoyed at Soba Yu-an. The extremely thin soba served with cold broth and fresh yam is known as cold yam soba. After business hours, the restaurant also holds soba-making experiences, attracting many visitors. Additionally, the owner is active in various soba-related events throughout Japan, contributing to the preservation of soba culture. The restaurant is situated on the hillside of Ashikaga Orihime Shrine, offering a view of the town's streets. After visiting the shrine, be sure to stop by Soba Yu-an to taste authentic Edomae Soba.