蕎麥麵 嵐山よしむら

【Foodholic Nako @ Kyoto, Japan】

"Yoshimura Soba" is a soba noodle specialty shop located in Arashiyama, Kyoto, right next to the Togetsu Bridge. It shares the same large entrance with another tofu restaurant, and since it offers a view of the Togetsu Bridge, there are usually many people lining up.

We arrived around 1 PM, and the staff first asked for our names and the number of people in our party, informing us that we would have to wait until 3 PM for a table. They also mentioned that we could wait in the designated area or take a stroll outside, just to return when the time is close.

There are various set menus combining different options for soba noodles, which include both cold and hot noodles, as well as sets that satisfy both types simultaneously. You can also choose a set with tempura.

I've heard that the tempura is delicious, so I opted for the tempura set for ¥2380. This set includes a serving of tempura, a serving of soba noodles (which can be chosen as hot or cold; I chose hot soup noodles), a bowl of rice, and a small side dish.

As for the tempura, I recall it had 2 fried shrimp, a green pepper, and something else that I forgot. I only remember that everything was very tasty, perfectly crispy, and not greasy at all. If you come here, tempura is a must-order!

The hot soba soup was incredibly good; it is very comforting to drink in winter. I nearly finished the whole bowl, but the soba noodles get softer if left in the hot soup for too long, so it’s recommended to eat it while it’s hot or choose the cold noodles instead.

On top of the white rice, there were some small fish that looked a lot like baby sardines, which I later found out are called "sansho small fish." You often see them around Kyoto, but I didn't really enjoy their taste, so I didn’t finish the rice.

The small side dish was pickled vegetables, which paired nicely with the tempura and noodles, making it quite refreshing.

The food here is about 3 stars, but because the view is really nice, especially if you get seated by the window on the 2nd floor, where you can directly gaze at the Togetsu Bridge while you eat, it’s very pleasant. Thus, the scenery deserves 3.5 stars.