Buzz
Embark on a culinary journey at Honke Owariya, renowned for over 550 years as Kyoto's finest and oldest soba noodle restaurant.
The restaurant is housed in an ancient wooden building, located south of the Royal Palace. Besides noodles, the establishment is also known for its variety of sweets.
This centuries-old restaurant has served royalty, military leaders, and monks in the ancient capital for generations. Honke Owariya opened in 1465 as a confectionery shop but later transformed into a dining establishment. According to Deep Tokyo, the restaurant has been operating for nearly 400 years, serving delicious and wholesome dishes as its hallmark. However, guests enamored with its sweets can still indulge thanks to the confectionery stalls outside the entrance.
Outside the Restaurant
Finely chopped seaweed, radish, onions, eggs, tempura shrimp, shiitake mushrooms... are essential ingredients when enjoying noodles. Depending on the season, the restaurant may also offer specialties like bamboo shoot tempura. The broth is the 'soul' of soba noodles at the Japanese restaurant Honke Owariya. According to the 15th-generation owner, Inaoka: 'The ideal time to enjoy soba noodles is in autumn, right after the harvest season of buckwheat.' In 2014, Inaoka Ariko, the daughter of Inaoka, took over as the 16th owner.
Elegantly Decorated Interior
Soba noodles are made from buckwheat and wheat flour. This dish can be served hot or cold depending on the season. It is rumored that they use the freshest and most refreshing broth in Kyoto to create flavorful and colorful broth. The restaurant sources buckwheat flour from Hokkaido and uses Rishiri seaweed to enhance the flavor of the dashi broth, without adding any other broth.
Irresistible Delicacies
Upon entering the restaurant, visitors will encounter a small garden leading to zashiki dining rooms (rooms with tatami mats) and tokonoma (alcoves for displaying art and flowers). Diners at a traditional Japanese restaurant must sit on cushions and tatami mats. The restaurant has also opened two other locations with more modern setups, catering to older guests or those with knee pain who may prefer seating with chairs. The main restaurant is open daily from 11 am to 7 pm, closed on January 1st and 2nd.
Source: Ivivu
Image Source: Whereisfatboy Blogspot
Posted by: Việt Đức Bùi
Keywords: Exploring Centuries-Old Restaurants in Japan
