Sojibo - TRADITIONAL SOBA IN AN AUTHENTIC FRAMEWORK
🥢 Introduction to the chain
Sojibo (そじ坊) is a Japanese restaurant chain specializing in soba, fine noodles made from buckwheat flour. The concept emphasizes a traditional setting and calm atmosphere, with decoration inspired by Japanese homes. It’s an excellent choice for discovering more authentic Japanese cuisine.
Nationwide presence
Sojibo has numerous branches throughout Japan, notably in railway stations, shopping malls and office areas. In Kyoto, you can find them in complexes like Kyoto Avanti or on the restaurant floors of department stores.
What can we eat?
The menu revolves around soba, served hot or cold, with a variety of accompaniments: tempura, fried chicken, vegetables, fresh wasabi, egg or seaweed. There are also formulas combined with rice, typical small dishes or tofu.
Order at Sojibo
Service is at the table, with an illustrated menu often available in English. Orders are taken by the staff, as in a traditional restaurant. It’s a calm, relaxing setting, ideal for a quiet meal.
What is soba?
Soba is a traditional Japanese noodle made mainly from buckwheat flour, sometimes mixed with wheat flour. These noodles are thin and can be served hot in a broth or cold with a dipping sauce (tsuyu). Buckwheat is appreciated not only for its delicate flavor but also for its nutritional benefits, being rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants.
It’s a popular dish in Japan, often eaten for lunch or on special occasions such as the end of the year (toshikoshi soba). Some people may be allergic to buckwheat, so it’s important for those who might be concerned to exercise caution.
Personal experience
We dined at Sojibo one weekend evening in June, in the branch located inside AEON Mall. Our child loves udon, but not only that: she also loves all kinds of noodles, including soba! For the Japanese, udon and soba are quick and easy to eat, which is why many people eat them especially at lunchtime. It was a little after 7pm, but we were able to enter the restaurant without having to wait.
In a soba restaurant, hot tea is usually served as soon as you are seated, even in summer. If you prefer water or cold tea, just ask the staff. In most cases, they’ll be happy to bring it to you. Of course, these drinks (tea or water) are free of charge. There are also teas such as oolong tea on the menu, for which there is a charge.
At Sojibo Shinshu sobadokoro (long version), you can enjoy genuine soba from Shinshu (the region around Nagano), homemade in each establishment, accompanied by fresh wasabi root (extra charge). If you like spicy food, grating your own wasabi is particularly delicious. What’s more, if there’s any left over, you can put it in the little jar provided on the table and take it home. In many soba restaurants, it’s common to offer menus combined with tempura, and Sojibo is no exception. Tempura lovers can enjoy these crispy doughnuts with their soba noodles.
Our daughter ordered the children’s menu with toy, and was delighted to be able to choose it from a basket that the waiter brought her. In Japan, many restaurants offer children’s menus, often accompanied by a drink such as juice. It’s also very common for these menus to include a small toy, making the meal even more appealing to children. This restaurant has a relatively large space and offers a calm atmosphere, conducive to a relaxed and peaceful meal. When you order zaru soba (cold soba served on a bamboo mat), a broth called soba-yu is usually offered at the end of the meal. This is the nutrient-rich cooking water from the soba noodles, which is poured into the remaining sauce and drunk as a hot broth. Like ramen, soba is an extremely popular dish among the Japanese. Don’t hesitate to try them during your stay!
Actual cost (example)
Children’s menu: ¥720
Zaru soba with shrimp tempura: ¥1,650
Soba with duck and leeks (Kamo Nanban Soba): ¥1,300
Bottled beer: ¥620
Total: ¥4,290 ≈ $26.58
(based on an exchange rate of 1 USD = 161.5 yen)
Basic information
📍 Location: Kyoto Avanti, department stores, train stations
💰 Average price: ¥1,000 – ¥2,000
⏰ Opening hours: 11:00 – 21:30
👪 Recommended for: lovers of traditional Japanese cuisine, families, groups, quiet meals
🌐 Official website: https://www.gourmet-kineya.co.jp/brand/sojibo/
Highlights
– Authentic Japanese dishes and atmosphere
– Excellent quality soba
– Zen, ideal for relaxing
Note
– Few gluten-free options
