Kyoto "Gastronomic Capital" 4:Soba/蕎麦

There are some reasons that I called this city as a Gastronomic Capital. Although Tokyo attracts people and money as the nation’s economic and political centre, I may not be impressed with food served in restaurants in Tokyo. Well, it is true that all rich politicians and company’s executives who can throw a lot of money at dining table can maintain the high level and draw extra care on services. Grummet ingredients are brought to serve a highly expensive meal to those who have money. Having said that, it would not always create friendly services which customers normally expects. On the contrary, historical Kyoto has a spirit of “old and good Japan”. They tend to keep old and wise know-how to treat customers as a person, whereas shop assistants and clerks in modern cities deal with them equally as they do not have any personality like a robot. Many restaurants and shops tend to be rather a small entity. They tend to treat a customer as individual.
And Kyoto has a tradition and history which Tokyo cannot compete with. Kyoto attracts eyes of people who expect those elements from all over the world. This certainly contributes to maintain a good traditional food in this city. There is a traditional cuisine called “Kyo-Kaiseki Ryori (京懐石料理)” which are designed to host a special guest. There are a number of old style hotel “Ryokan(旅館)” and old style restaurant called “Ryotei (料亭) which serve these special meals. Each person may spend “15,000 -20,000.” – which is subject to added service charge. Anyway, this luxury is out of our budget. So, I did not intend to take my friend there, at least until he becomes as important as Mr Barroso in the future. (Then I can eat with his pocket money.)
The other aspect which drew my attention is the presentation of a restaurant here in Kyoto. Many restaurants show customers how food is prepared or made. “Tenpura” and “Sushi” are made in front of customers over the counter in any other cities.
“Soba Yoshimura” is a Japanese noodle “Soba (蕎麦)” restaurant which shows how Soba is knelt. I took my friend there for lunch.
Soba is a Japanese noodle made from buckwheat flour and wheat flour.







Name : Soba Yoshimura
Address ：京都市下京区五条烏丸東入る北側
Phone ：075-353-0114
Open ： 11:00-14:30　17:30-22:30 Open everyday
Access ：地下鉄「五条」駅徒歩3分 / By metro get off “Gojo”station and 3 minute walk
Site ：http://www.arashiyama-yoshimura.com/soba/sobanomi/index.html