Tabelog ratingTeuchi Soba Jiyu San (手打蕎麦 じゆうさん) is a small, husband-and-wife-run restaurant that has earned a devoted following for its dedication to the craft of soba. The owners mill their own buckwheat flour in-house each day, adjusting the recipe to the character of the flour. This results in two signature noodle styles: the silky, pure seiro (100% buckwheat) and the darker, more aromatic and rustic inaka soba. The experience is elevated by a selection of carefully prepared soba-mae, or small plates, that precede the noodles.
Guests consistently praise both styles of soba, often ordering a set to compare the two. Other standout dishes include the fluffy and creamy sobagaki (a sort of buckwheat dumpling), the classic dashi-maki tamagoyaki, slow-cooked bō-nishin (simmered herring), and fragrant grilled miso. The thoughtful plating, attentive service, and well-chosen list of sake and craft beer are also frequently mentioned. International visitors have noted the availability of an English menu and a welcoming atmosphere.
Minor criticisms are few and far between. The most common issue is that popular items, particularly the limited-quantity inaka soba and nishin herring, can sell out. For lunch, the walk-in system requires signing your name on a board outside, which can be confusing for first-timers. A few diners have found the soup a little salty for their taste.
Reviewers find the restaurant offers excellent value for the high level of craftsmanship. A typical lunch costs around ¥2,000–¥2,999, while dinner is closer to ¥6,000–¥7,999. Recent guest reports show prices like ¥1,100–¥1,200 for seiro soba, ¥2,100–¥2,600 for a two-soba set, and ¥1,600 for sobagaki. An evening multi-course menu was also noted at around ¥8,000.
- Reservations: Lunch is walk-in only; you must write your name on the sign-in board at the entrance and queue. Arriving before the 11:30 AM opening is recommended. Dinner requires a reservation, which must be made through the restaurant's website.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 7-minute walk from Shin-Egota Station (Toei Oedo Line, Exit A1) or an 8-minute walk from Higashi-Nagasaki Station (Seibu Ikebukuro Line, South Exit).
- Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX, Diners, UnionPay), electronic money (transportation IC cards, iD, QUICPay), and QR code payments (PayPay, Alipay, etc.) are all accepted.
- Seating: The intimate space has 15 seats, including a small counter and several tables.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Good to Know: Lunch visits are limited to 90 minutes. An English menu is available. The restaurant is entirely non-smoking. There is no private parking, but a paid lot is located next door.
