Seisyuan Soba Noodle Shop - Kyoto, Japan

This was an unplanned soba lunch. We were at Kiyomizu-dera and just at the end of the shops going back towards the parking lot when we saw this soba restaurant. The location of the restaurant was sort of hidden on the second floor of a dessert/gift store. We happened to look at the menu and thought we should probably try some soba noodle since we were in Kyoto.

Unlike ramen, soba isn't as popular outside Japan. So unless you are in Japan most likely you won't be able to try soba. Previously we ran into some Malaysian travelers while waiting for ramen at Ginjo Ramen Kubota. They told us about their experience trying soba at a tiny restaurant near Arashiyama area. Since we already visited that area I didn't want to go back there for the soba. So having found this soba restaurant was just perfect.



We saw the price on the menu downstairs and it wasn't too expensive and still within our budget. I love those picture menu with price to avoid any surprise at the end of the meal. When we went upstairs to the restaurant we sort of have ideas on what to order already.

They provided us English menu when they realized that we were not Japanese. Hubby ordered the soba package with unagi (grilled eel) and I ordered the package with tempura. Both orders came out to a total of JPY3000 (USD26.45). Soba noodle has a very subtle taste that's why I think it's not as popular as ramen. The soba sauce was made of bonito and mirin and had a sweet salty combination. I think soba is actually healthier than ramen since the sauce isn't as fatty. But I'm no nutritionist so don't take my words too seriously.

Seisyuan Soba (清修庵 清水店)
2-211-4, Kiyomizu, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, 605-0862
Japanese Address
〒605-0862 京都府京都市東山区清水2-211-4 三十六峰清水店2F