Sobamae Nagae

※ Please note that Sobamae Nagae does not accept reservations from guests who do not drink alcohol. By extension, children are not allowed on the premises. ——— Located in one of the quieter parts of Tokyo’s Setagaya Ward, the Michelin Bib Gourmand-awarded Sobamae Nagae is nestled between Todoroki and Oyamadai Stations. This isn’t the usual soba restaurant: Nagae specializes in sobamae: small plates that are eaten before the actual soba noodles themselves. Unsurprisingly, the sobamae moriawase set is the most popular item on the menu, featuring a series of the most popular sobamae dishes at Nagae. These include grilled pork belly, grilled miso, silver-skinned fish and curiously, itawasa: fishcake eaten with wasabi and soy sauce. Diners can also expect more esoteric offerings, such as oysters in olive oil, or cod milt tempura. When it comes to the noodles, Nagae also offers a rare menu offering among Tokyo soba restaurants: inaka soba, which literally means “countryside buckwheat noodles”. Made from unhulled buckwheat, these noodles boast a stronger buckwheat fragrance and darker color. The owner’s philosophy is that soba and sobamae both should be enjoyed with a glass of alcohol and to that end, Nagae’s collection consists of over 50 types of sake and shochu from breweries all over the country. The staff are only too happy to help guests find the perfect drink to go with their meal, then take a step back to let them enjoy the quiet, calm atmosphere. Michelin Guide: 2020 - Bib Gourmand