Ask a local where to go for great soba (buckwheat noodles) in Daimyo, and they’ll most likely point you in the direction of this long-standing restaurant. In Jul. 2010, Yabukin relocated to the ground floor of a grand old building and the traditional courtyard gives you the feeling that you’re stepping back in time. Pass through the gate, slip off your shoes at the entrance and admire the stylish wooden interior. The noodles sold here are handmade every morning. “Because soba is such a simple food, it’s impossible to hide any mistakes. I always take great care when making the noodles,” the proprietor says. The quality of the flour used is also of upmost importance, so Mr. Goto tested varieties from all over the country for their taste and fragrance. Currently, he uses two varieties from Kagoshima and Kumamoto, which he says are as good as any from Honshu. Savor the well-rounded aroma of the noodles and the slight sweetness after you bite into them. Their à la carte dishes are also popular, particularly the deliciously light dashimaki (rolled Japanese-style omelette, ¥950) that comes topped with a thick kudzu-starch sauce. Be sure to ask about their seasonal specials too!
Menu: Soba ¥880, soba with grated daikon ¥1,250, soba with egg ¥1,000, soba with tempura ¥1,900, soba with deep-fried tofu ¥880, tempura rice bowl ¥1,900, plum rice ball ¥280, yakimiso (a grilled mixture of miso, buckwheat grain and vegetables) ¥650, chicken with wasabi and soy sauce dressing ¥780, beer ¥630
*Prices to change from Oct. 1, 2019 following tax increase
Originally published in Fukuoka Now magazine (fn151 Jul. 2011)