Sobadokoro Toki

Over the front door of this shop in Kitashinchi hangs a shimenawa, a twisted straw rope that wards off evil. Inscribed on a wooden block over the shimenawa is the phrase ‘Senkyaku Banrai’: ‘May customers arrive in the thousands and tens of thousands!’ In hopes the wish will come true, the doors are kept open until late at night. The sprawling menu ranges from appetizers that accompany sake to seasonal soba dishes. At lunchtime, soba accompanied by sushi is a nice surprise. In summer, chilled curry soba is brightly festooned with veggies. In winter, oyster soba in white miso soup warms the body from the inside. The special preparations for each season give something extra to look forward to.