Soba noodles are one of the must-try dishes in Japan. But because most restaurants use sauce and broth made from bonito, vegans and vegetarians usually can’t enjoy the noodles when going into a random soba restaurant. So, when you are in Matsumoto, ensure you stop by Kobayashi Soba (信州松本こばやし本店). The restaurant can replace the fish broth/sauce with vegan broth made from mushrooms if you tell them you can’t have animal products!
About Kobayashi Soba
Kobayashi Soba was established in 1889 and has been run by the same family. The restaurant’s noodles have been handmade since its opening over a century ago, which is why many find them especially delicious and will keep returning. With just one bite, you can already tell the level of care put into preparing your food.
Of course, the dining experience isn’t fully dependent on the quality of the food. The service, atmosphere, and location count as well. The staff at this cozy restaurant are extremely friendly and can speak some English. Their service is definitely top-notch. They will explain things in detail if you are unsure how to enjoy the dishes. Located near Matsumoto Castle, it is a great spot to fill up before exploring the castle.
You might even grab a few buckwheat tea bags as souvenirs on the way out!
Dining at Kobayashi Soba
The cold soba there has a great texture, and the dipping sauce has the perfect flavor! At the end of the meal, enjoy the last bit of buckwheat fragrance by adding the sobayu (the water that was used to cook the noodles) to the dipping sauce. This is how you enjoy the noodles in Japanese style!
If the hot soba noodle soup with slices of lime is on the menu, order it! You will taste the most refreshing broth of your life!
During wasabi season, the most exciting thing to do is grate the fresh wasabi. There aren’t many soba restaurants (even in Japan) that use fresh wasabi, let alone grate it yourself!
A good soba noodle restaurant has to have amazing tempura, and Kobayashi Soba cooks it just right! The battered fresh vegetables are deep-fried to the right crunchiness. You can then enjoy it with salts in different flavors.
While the restaurant charges a bit higher than average, the pleasant experience is definitely worth it!
Refer to the Official Website for their menu.
Tips:
☛ Be there early before the lunch rush to avoid queueing.
☛ Ask the staff for the dishes that can be made for vegan/vegetarian.
☛ If you like sake, you will enjoy their sake-sampling.
Kobayashi Soba’s Business Hours and Access Information
- Kobayashi Soba is open from 11 am to 7 pm or until sold out from Friday to Wednesday.
- The restaurant might close on Wednesday as well.
- The restaurant is in Yohashira Shrine‘s precinct, an 8-minute walk from Matsumoto Station.
Discover Other Vegan-Restaurants in Matsumoto
Far away from Japan’s capital, Tokyo, Matsumoto is a vegan-friendly hidden gem. The city has a couple of restaurants that serve amazing vegan dishes. While most also serve meats and seafood, you will encounter some of the best vegan food there!
Refer to our Recommended Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Matsumoto for more information!
Explore the Fascinating Attractions in Matsumoto City
Wonder what attractions in Matsumoto are worth your time? Check out our list of selected attractions in Matsumoto that you won’t want to miss out on.
There are a couple of places where you can source delicious natural water from in the city center, an art museum filled with Kusama Yayoi’s eye-opening contemporary artworks, places perfect for cherry blossom and fall foliage hunting, and a lot more!
For more information, please refer to our article on Matsumoto!
