Soba Tajima

Close to Nishi-Azabu’s Arisugawa Park, Soba Tajima is a tucked-away gem concealed behind an unassuming wall exterior. Those who enter the restaurant’s stone hallway, however, are in for an award-winning soba-filled treat. Entering the restaurant through its small rock garden, guests are invited to a cozy and nostalgic interior with wooden, natural decor and warm lighting. Chef Tajima makes chewy and flavorful noodles by hand, a process that has earned the restaurant its Bib Gourmand pedigree and local fame. With thorough research and a unique method that heightens quality, diners are brought closer to soba bliss with every bite. The signature dish is its eponymous soba, “Tajima Soba,” which features 100% buckwheat noodles accompanied by thinly sliced duck meat and thick cuts of green onion in a savory broth. To appreciate the soba as it is, order the “Mori Soba” — plain soba piled on a woven basket, served with a cold dipping broth. Soba Tajima also offers several course meals and equally delicious side dishes like tempura, seasonal vegetables, and duck to complete the dining experience. During lunchtime, the menu expands to rice dishes. A favorite is the “soboro gohan” (rice bowl with minced meat and egg yolk) with a delightful side of tofu.