Dashinsoan is one of the most beautiful soba restaurants around. Set in a traditional Japanese house on a quiet residential street away from the bustling epicentre of Shimokitazawa, the restaurant is fronted by a small but tranquil Japanese garden. And in one corner of the light-filled open dining area, you’ll find the room where the soba noodles are made fresh each morning, with the large granite grinder used for making fresh buckwheat flour taking pride of place.
We love the yuba (tofu skin) soba, with al dente noodles in a hot dashi broth. Other favourites are the bowl of fragrant mitsuba (Japanese wild parsley) soba, the duck and green onion soba, and the summer special sudachi (Japanese lime) soba served in a cold broth and topped with a layer of sliced sudachi.