Opened in April along Meiji Street, this soba restaurant called "POTASTA Shibuya Higashi" was discovered on the way, next to Starbucks. The new appearance caught my eye, so I decided to check it out someday. I visited for lunch on a holiday, around 2:15 pm. I purchased my meal ticket from the machine, selecting the grated radish soba (490 yen) and soba seed ice cream (190 yen). They only had canned beer for 350 yen, so I passed on that. I handed my ticket to the reception and waited at my seat until my number was called. The restaurant has 3 counter seats and 7 tables for 2 people each. There was a notice asking for cooperation in sharing tables. There was a pot of soba broth at the entrance and a water server at the back. The place was constantly busy, with some people giving up and leaving. It took about 15 minutes for my order to be ready. The soba noodles were topped with a generous amount of sweet grated radish. The finely chopped radish had a nice texture. The soba noodles made of 100% buckwheat had a slightly crispy texture, but it wasn't too noticeable. There was also plenty of seaweed on top! I also ordered the soba ice cream for dessert. It had soba seeds on top of vanilla ice cream, but the soba flavor was not very prominent. It tasted like regular vanilla ice cream, so there wasn't much point in having it at a soba restaurant. The tempura that the person next to me ordered looked delicious, so I might try that next time!

The exterior of the shop looks like a standing soba eatery, but inside, it is a normal soba restaurant. However, it does not have the cheap feel of places like "Fuji Soba," and seems to be a place to go for delicious soba. This time, I had cold soba, which was very delicious, so I would like to visit again. ◎ Recommended points - High quality menu - Can eat freshly boiled soba × Points to be aware of - It is far from Shibuya Station - Cooking takes time - The amount of soba may be insufficient (recommended to order extra noodles when hungry) - Payment is cash only

Stand soba restaurant with a thick cutlet bowl. Visited at 18:25 on Saturday, with only one other customer. I visited because there was a festival at a shrine in Shibuya that I hadn't been to in two years, but there were fewer food stalls than I expected. The takoyaki stall had a long line and there was no okonomiyaki available, so I decided to have dinner at this nearby place. I had a feeling I had seen the sign before, and when I looked it up, it turned out to be the stand soba shop in Ikebukuro that I had tried before. This time, I ordered the thick cutlet bowl and seiro soba set for 980 yen including tax, with an additional 150 yen for chikuwa tempura, totaling 1130 yen. I think the ticket machine only accepts cash because I couldn't find a place to touch my card. I was called to pick up my order in about 5 minutes. The tray included seiro soba, soba soup, chikuwa tempura, tempura dipping sauce, cutlet bowl, and condiments. The soba noodles were thin but nicely chilled with a good texture. The chikuwa tempura was crispy, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that it seemed freshly fried. It also came with tempura dipping sauce, which was a nice touch. The cutlet bowl had a crispy coating, and it seemed like it was freshly made as well. While not a traditional soba restaurant, I think the food here is quite delicious.

The other day, I went to Nakamura Menbei in Ikebukuro and the soba I had was delicious, so this time I decided to visit the Shibuya branch. It was past 12:30 pm, and as we walked towards the restaurant from the station, we noticed several places with long lines, so we thought it would be crowded and we would have to wait. However, when we arrived, there were only 3 customers ahead of us, so we got seated right away. The restaurant had a counter with 3 seats and 7 tables for 2 people each. I noticed that the vegetable tempura soba that I had in Ikebukuro was not available here, only shrimp tempura soba which was 30 yen more expensive than in Ikebukuro. I ordered the shrimp tempura soba for 780 yen, and my child had the set with thick pork cutlet rice bowl and steamed soba for 980 yen. The soba arrived in about 5 minutes, and although it looked similar to the one I had in Ikebukuro, the taste was completely different. The noodles were overcooked and lacked firmness, the tempura was soggy in some parts, and the overall quality was disappointing. My child's soba was the same, and although the pork cutlet bowl was okay, it wasn't very generous with the rice or the amount of pork cutlet. We were not impressed with the food quality and felt that the cost performance was not good. The staff also seemed less energetic compared to the Ikebukuro branch, making us wonder if this was really the same restaurant. If this is the case, we would rather eat at Fuji Soba, which we find much more delicious. It seems like this chain has multiple locations in Kanto, so we hope they can ensure consistency in quality across all their branches through proper checks by the headquarters.

Today I had to work in Shibuya. It was hot and humid. I was thinking about where to have lunch when I passed by this place. It caught my attention as it seemed to be a standing-eating style place, but you can actually sit down. I ordered the soba and pork cutlet bowl set. I had soba made from 100% buckwheat noodles recently so I can compare. But this place is really affordable. When the food arrived, I was surprised by the portion size. First, the soba. It was delicious. The noodles were firm and not soggy, and the broth had a flavorful taste. I was amazed by how tasty it was. As for the pork cutlet bowl, it was also delicious. The pork had a good chew to it and was very flavorful. And all of this for under 1000 yen, it's amazing. Thank you for the meal.

I suddenly felt like eating katsudon, so I searched on Tabelog and found this place nearby. It said they use 100% buckwheat, which caught my interest, but I resisted and ordered the thick katsudon. It's not a katsuni style, but a type where dashi-flavored egg is poured over the tonkatsu. They use "Ichiro Dai Makkake" eggs, which are really delicious! There are three thick pieces of tonkatsu, so I am satisfied. Thank you for the meal! I'm sorry for taking a bite before taking a picture.

The family had errands to run, so I was told to figure out lunch on my own. Today, I have a meeting in Kawasaki at 3:00 PM, so even though it's a bit early, I left the house around 11:30 AM and arrived in Shibuya by train on the Inokashira Line before 12:30 PM, which was my third time taking the train in my life. I managed to find the restaurant I was aiming for, Nakamura Menya Shibuya, which is a soba restaurant with a ticket system. There were more laborers than office workers there. I ordered the Oroshi Katsu Soba. The katsu was pre-made but quite thick and satisfying to eat. It was delicious, but overall, it was just average as I expected. Now, let's head back to Shibuya Station.

Katsudon set for 980 yen and extra large soba for 150 yen were ordered. [Soba] The soba noodles had a good texture but lacked aroma. The portion size for the extra large was smaller than expected. The dipping sauce had a strong bonito flavor that was noticeable as soon as it touched the tongue. It came with chopped green onions and a piece of yuzu peel, which added a nice fragrance. The wasabi was not too spicy. The soba broth was served in a pot and was described as "rich," which indeed it was. [Katsudon] The highlight of this katsudon was the egg - sweet and rich in flavor, making the rice very enjoyable. The sweet sauce enhanced the overall taste. The portion of rice was about one bowl. The pork cutlet was thick but the quantity was a bit lacking. It wasn't freshly fried and the meat was a bit tough. Overall, in terms of value for money, it may not be the best option considering there is a nearby soba restaurant offering a katsudon set for 780 yen. However, the egg is undeniably delicious.

This soba restaurant is amazing! Their specialty is the #serious katsudon, which is incredibly delicious. The color and shine of the dish is all natural! The egg is fluffy and flavorful, and the thick cut of pork is very rich and sweet. I also had the cold soba set, and the noodles were thin with a good chewiness, and very tasty when cold! All this for only 980 yen is a great deal! I'm also very curious about their oyakodon. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Today is my third time here. I added fried chikuwa for 150 yen to the thick-cut pork cutlet rice bowl and soba set for 980 yen! It took 7-8 minutes for the soba to be ready as they were boiling it. The taste is still delicious. Both the pork cutlet rice bowl and soba are well seasoned! The cost performance is also good. It's a big difference from some mountain restaurant, haha I wish there was one nearby. Thank you for the meal.

Today's review is about Nakamura Menbei Shibuya branch. It is located about a 5-minute walk from Shibuya Station along Meiji Street and opened in April 2017. They use 100% soba flour without any additives and their broth is rich in flavor rather than just a strong soy sauce taste. This soba shop has branches in the Kanto region and I visited during lunchtime on a weekday. The shop operates using a ticket vending machine where you purchase your meal first. There are appetizing tempura items displayed near the entrance. Takeout orders are also available from the kitchen window to the outside. The interior of the shop is decorated with impressive ukiyo-e style paintings. Self-service water is available near the entrance, and condiments are placed close to the pick-up counter. The shop was full when I visited, but the turnover rate was high. I ordered their signature dish, the Thick Pork Cutlet Bowl with Soba for 980 yen. It's a recommended menu item and a personal favorite combination of mine. The order is cooked after it's placed, so it took a bit of time. When my number was called, I picked up my order. The pork cutlet bowl looked amazing, and I couldn't wait to try it. The soba was served cold as requested. The soba had a smooth texture and was delicious. The broth was not too salty, which was great. The pork cutlet bowl was exceptional, with a thick and flavorful pork cutlet. The eggs used are high-quality Aomori eggs, known for their red yolks. The meat was also top-notch, with a substantial thickness and great flavor. Overall, the quality of the ingredients and the functional layout of the shop make it a high-end option compared to other similar shops. It seems like the prices have slightly increased, but the taste is worth it. It's much better than your average pork cutlet bowl. It's a blend of high-quality ingredients and a functional shop setup. Personally, I think it's worth it. Thank you for the meal. This is Takumon signing off. Cheers!

A soba restaurant located near Shibuya Police Station. It appears to be a standing-eating style place, but they also have tables and a counter. They offer a variety of rice bowl dishes as well. I recommend the katsudon, which I ordered along with the spicy tsukesoba set. The katsudon had thick and delicious meat. The soba was spicy and paired well with the katsudon. The noodles were firm and had a good texture, not like typical standing-eating soba. It seems to be a chain primarily in the Kanto region, with about 7 locations so far. I would be happy if they opened one nearby.

Saturday in Shibuya. I visited a shop that caught my eye, called "Nakamura Menbei." The shop is located south of Shibuya Station, near the off-track betting venue. The signboard was full of interesting points. The main sign above the entrance reads "Tempura Soba Nakamura Menbei." Below that, the curtain says "Soba and Katsu." The side sign says "Katsudon and Soba." It's hard to tell which one they want to sell first. They want to focus on selling soba with tempura, but they also want to emphasize their thick-cut katsu, so they also want to sell katsudon... It's like you can see the whole concept meeting behind these greedy signboards. Interesting. The menu includes soba with tempura, katsu, and katsudon. The combination of these dishes. The shop's specialty is the "oroshi katsu soba," so I decided to try that. They have a ticket machine and self-service system. You order at the side of the entrance and then wait at the counter. The kitchen is visible from the counter, with pre-fried tempura and katsu lined up. After ordering, you receive a food ticket and wait at a table. When your order is ready, they call out your number, and you go pick it up. The price is 880 yen. I remember when the dividing line between self-service and table service used to be 800 yen, but now it's common for self-service even with prices over 1000 yen. There were about 10 customers in the shop shortly after opening, all of them middle-aged men... quietly waiting. The "oroshi katsu soba" was served. It was impressive! A mountain of soba with three pieces of katsu. Topped with grated katsuobushi, green onions, nori, and tenkasu. Wasabi was served on the side. The katsu wasn't piping hot since it was pre-fried, but it wasn't cold either. The crispy texture was quite delicious, with a good amount of fat and juiciness. The batter was seasoned with salt and pepper, making it tasty even on its own. The slightly sweet and flavorful soba broth complemented the dish well. When you dip the soba in the broth and top it with grated daikon, it's a delicious experience without needing any sauce. The soba had a faint aroma of buckwheat, but it was a bit thin. While the soba paired well with the broth, it didn't give a strong soba-eating experience. It felt more like a side dish to the katsu... Maybe it would be different if eaten with tempura. After finishing the soba, I poured the remaining broth into a cup and added soba noodles. It was still sweet and flavorful. Today may have been just a coincidence, but there were surprisingly few people eating katsudon or katsu, reaffirming that soba with tempura is the way to go. A learning experience.

It's about a 10-minute walk from the recently redeveloped Shibuya Station. It's a bit before Wins. The restaurant was bustling during lunchtime. The interior has a few two-seater tables in addition to the three-seat counter, making it a cozy space. The clientele consists mostly of office workers, so the turnover is quick. You purchase a meal ticket and are called by the number on your ticket, making the process very efficient. The thick-cut pork cutlet, or "katsu," is accompanied by a soft and creamy egg. The flavor of the katsu bowl is on the sweeter side. Personally, I prefer it a bit less sweet, so I added some chili pepper for adjustment. The soba noodles had a nice firm texture and overall, the meal was satisfying in terms of portion size. Thank you for the meal.

The katsudon is really authentic, or rather the egg is almost raw...or rather, close to raw. It's delicious, really delicious! But I think the key to a good katsudon is the simmered pork cutlet. From that perspective, it's like a tonkatsu and a rice bowl with dashi-flavored egg on top. The soba is authentic countryside soba, with a strong commitment to quality. Sometimes the set meals have a lot of food, but this one has just the right amount. It's not too much rice in the katsudon, just the right portion. I'd like to try their premium mountain soba next time. I've found a new favorite soba restaurant! I'd rate it 75 out of 100.

Around 12:30 on a regular day, I was able to enter without waiting. The restaurant was about half full when I arrived, but by the time I left, it was about 80% full. Besides soba noodles, it seemed like their specialty was katsu, but I decided to go for the oyakodon set because I was in the mood for it and watching my calorie intake. The soba noodles were firm and the dipping sauce was on the richer side, very delicious. They had hot soba water available in a pot under the order counter. As for the oyakodon, I was expecting it to be more on the tender side, but it was more of a half-tender texture depending on the bite. It wasn't bad, but the slightly sweet and salty seasoning wasn't quite to my liking, so it didn't meet my expectations. The soba noodles were delicious, so next time, I might try their tempura soba dish.

I had some time, so I decided to take a walk from Shibuya to Ebisu. I missed lunch because I had a morning appointment, so I was looking for a delicious restaurant along the way. I was drawn to a set meal of katsu-don and soba here. I bought a ticket from the machine, placed my order at the counter, and then picked up my food at the collection counter. I ordered a small bottle of Black Label beer for 390 yen to go with my meal. I opted for the thick-cut katsu-don and cold soba set for 980 yen. I had warm soba recently and didn't fully enjoy the true taste of soba, so I chose cold soba this time. The cold soba had a nice chewy texture. The egg used in the katsu-don was from Aomori and had a rich color. It was soft and sweet, adding to the deliciousness of the dish. The katsu-don had a crispy coating and the meat was thick and satisfying. The meat was lightly seasoned, but when eaten with the egg, it was a perfect combination. The rice was tasty, the katsu went well with the beer, and before I knew it, I had finished my meal in no time!

On a holiday for lunch, all the restaurants I had researched in advance had long lines, so I didn't know when I would be able to eat... As expected in the big city of Tokyo. My companion had a time limit for their lunch break, so we ended up going to this restaurant where there was no line and the menu was displayed outside. We purchased our meal tickets from a vending machine, handed them over, sat down, and when our order was ready, our number was called and we went to pick it up ourselves. The return process was also self-service. The restaurant was small, with tables and a counter that could fit about 20 people tightly. It wasn't completely full, but about 70% occupied at all times. Honestly, I didn't have high expectations, but the food was delicious. The soba noodles had a firm texture and a smooth, refreshing taste. The tempura was large and crunchy, providing a satisfying bite. Despite it being a spontaneous decision, I left feeling satisfied.

I entered the restaurant around 1:00 PM on a very cold day. They had both counter and table seating. I ordered the set meal with hot soba and katsu-don. The portion was a bit small for me, I wish they would have given more. The taste was not bad.

On the way from Shibuya Station to Namikibashi, I stopped by this shop. I ordered their signature dish, "Thick Katsu Don and Soba for 980 yen including tax." I chose cold soba. The katsu in the katsudon was indeed thick, but the portion was small, so the overall volume was average or slightly less. The egg looks reddish, but it tasted as expected. The soba was actually quite delicious. Thank you for the meal.

The soba broth is very fragrant. The soba noodles are just the right thickness and smoothness. It's best enjoyed cold. I had it as a set with katsudon, which uses eggs from Aomori's Juroku-dai, they really emphasize that. The egg flavor is strong! However, the sauce is too thick and overpowering, and the katsudon was a bit tough, perhaps due to being cooked too long. Still, the quality is on par with specialty shops, if not better. It's quite surprising that this is priced under 1000 yen.