Back to Japan post. When we visit Japan, we always get together with my gourmet sister and her husband, and have a day filled with delicious adventures. This past winter, she started with this spot called Teuchi-Soba Kosuge in Tokyo. If you look up popular soba spots in this particular area, this restaurant will come up on top five. It is very popular among the locals and visitors alike. I still remember when she took us to Osoba Tsuruya which has closed permanently after over 100 years of business! So sad… Back to Teuchi-Soba Kosuge. The entrance was down the stairs from the street, and there is an elevator access also around the staircase. The inside was not so big, but had a few counter seats and table seatings.

We got the traditional seating in an alcove, which is elevated and with seat cushions. You need to take your shoes off first, and sit on the floor. Once we are settled, we got some hot tea in an adorable, traditional looking teacups.

Now, “teuchi soba” means handmade buckwheat noodles. More specifically, the noodles are made by hands, and not with machines. Their menu looked very enticing, and it was not easy to choose. I decided to go with their Tempura Soba (1,900 yen) and a side of Tororo Rice (300 yen). My hubby went with Tempura Soba, extra large (1,900 + 300 yen), and a side of Curry Rice (300 yen). The one in black bowl is the extra large, and it sure was filled up with their handmade soba noodles! The side of curry rice was nice and comfy, great for when you are craving for a little Japanese curry.

I always love having tororo, or grated Japanese yam. So, when I saw the option of adding a side of rice with tororo, I couldn’t resist. It was topped with seaweed flaked to add extra flavor. It was refreshing and a great accompaniment to flavorful bowl of soba noodle. When you add a side of rice, it become “lunch set” and you also get a piece of their egg omelet. It was fluffy, slightly sweet, and very comforting. Tempura Noodle came with some vegetable and shrimp tempuras.

There is this cute little wooden container at each table, containing special seasoning for soba noodle. It is called Shichimi Togarashi, a traditional Japanese spice blend, also known as Seven-Flavor Spice. It contains 7 spices, with main spice being red chili pepper. I put some on the top, and went in! The noodles was softer than expected, cooked more than al-dente. I believe this is how they make/cook their noodles here. The broth was light yet had depth of flavor, earthy and homey. The tempura did become soggy quickly since it was in placed on the top with broth touching them, but it was very good. You can tell it was lightly fried and crispy. You can also ask them to have them on the side if you don’t want them to get soggy while enjoying the soba noodles.

My brother-in-law went with Nagaimo Hiyakake Soba, extra large (1,400 + 300 yen), with a side of Curry Rice (300 yen). Although most of their offerings at Teuchi-Soba Kosuge can be ordered hot or cold, this is one of their dishes that is offered cold version only. It has grated Nagaimo, a moutain yam similar to Japanese yam. It has the same gooey, kind of slimy texutre that is great for digestion, and comes with loads of nutrition. I love both Japanese yam and Nagaimo!

After the meal, they offered Soba-yu, which is the hot water that is used to boil the soba noodle. You can put it into your teacup with some broth, or remaining tea. Or, you can just have it as is if you prefer. It is a great little hot beverage after the meal to help digest, and also, have nutritional benefits as well.

We had such a lovely lunch here at Teuchi-Soba Kosuge. The female owner/manager (?) was very nice, friendly and welcoming. She made sure we got what we wanted, and took a good care of us even thought it got quite busy there while we were dining. The food was very comforting, you can feel like you are having a home cooked meal. The price is slightly high, but they do give you quality dishes. Always great to discover another tasty destination, especially if the spot is recommended by my gourmet sister!

Teuchi-Soba Kosuge – 1-5-16 Meguro, Meguro City, Tokyo, Japan

手打ちそば小菅 – 東京都目黒区目黒1-5-16 目黒アイワビル B1F