Sobakiri Gaku

Restaurant Details

On the tail-end of Karahori Shopping Arcade in Osaka is Sobakiri Gaku, a concrete-clad soba joint humbly helmed by owner-chef Kuroda Yuto. The narrow spot cuts a casual figure with its few counter seating and muted grey walls, and was previously loved by in-the-know locals — but now that it has a Michelin Bib Gourmand under its name, diners hail from out of town and seats fill up quickly.

Kuroda’s ambitions as a soba master can be defined by two words: insistent and brilliant. He meticulously perfects the formula and ratio of the flour, ultimately adhering to the “nihachi” soba — noodles with buckwheat to wheat flour ratio of 8:2. The addition of wheat flour makes the noodles smoother, while the buckwheat flour, a mix of seeds ground to different sizes, adds depth of flavor. Kuroda rinses the soba cold and piles it in a woven basket. You can start by slurping the noodles, but be sure to use the thick soba soup, more cloudy than creamy, served alongside, pouring it into the remaining broth for a meal-ending soup.

The house specials are the seared sabazushi — pressed mackerel on top of vinegared rice — while the side menus are perfect for epicureans looking to sneak a peak into traditional Japanese cuisine. There is the yaki miso (grilled miso) served on a wooden spoon, of course, but it would be a shame to skip the seasonal obanzai dishes packed with hyper-seasonal, locally grown ingredients. Make sure to wash it all down with sake or beer.

Sobakiri Gaku is a Michelin Bib Gourmand Restaurant for 2024.

Sobakiri Gaku Access Info

• Sobakiri Gaku is a 3-minute walk from Tanimachi Rokuchome Station.

Sobakiri Gaku Phone Number

Sobakiri Gaku Business Days

Sobakiri Gaku Address

7-1-54 Tanimachi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, 542-0012, Japan

Sobakiri Gaku Cancellation Policy

Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.