Tabelog ratingTeuchi Soba Hayashi (手打ちそば はやし) is a destination for those serious about soba. Located in the town of Koryo in Nara Prefecture, its reputation is built on exceptional, handmade noodles. The restaurant's signature is the mitsuzoroe soba, a sequential tasting set that allows diners to experience three distinct styles of noodle: the standard chilled seiro, the very wide and coarse inaka, and the 100% buckwheat kiko. Each is served with a different dipping sauce or salt to highlight its unique character.
Reviewers consistently praise this three-soba set for its educational and delicious qualities, with many singling out the chewy texture and bold buckwheat aroma of the inaka soba. Other highlights include seasonal specials like oyster soba, duck dipping sauce (kamo-jiru), and the unusually thick and flavourful sobayu (the hot water used to cook the noodles) served at the end of the meal. While the craftsmanship is widely admired, some diners find the coarse texture of the inaka noodles divisive, and a few note the dipping sauces can be on the salty side. The main drawback mentioned by visitors is the long wait time, which can exceed an hour at peak times.
Expect to spend between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999 for a meal. Reviewers recently paid ¥1,600–¥1,700 for the signature mitsuzoroe soba set, while à la carte options like the inaka soba cost around ¥1,090. For soba aficionados, the quality and distinctiveness of the noodles offer excellent value, though it may be less so for casual diners who prefer a smoother texture.
- Booking: Walk-ins are the norm and queues are common; you will likely need to write your name on a waiting list. Reservations are generally not taken for lunch on weekends and holidays. For weekday evenings, reservations are accepted and are required for groups of 10 or more.
- Getting There: The restaurant is best reached by bus. From Goido Station on the Kintetsu Osaka Line, take a Nara Kotsu bus and get off at the Mamikita 9-Chome stop.
- Payment: Cash or PayPay (QR code) only. Credit cards and other forms of electronic money are not accepted.
- Seating: There are 20 table seats. Private rooms are not available.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Parking: A small number of parking spaces are available, but they can be limited and confusing to locate.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
