As the year draws to a close, it’s time to think about what you’ll be enjoying for the last meal of the year. A popular tradition in Japan is eating Toshikoshi Soba, or “year-crossing noodles,” at a restaurant to bid farewell to the old year. It’s a must-try dish to add to your Japanese food and drink itinerary, which is more than just food…it’s tradition.
Soba is a low-calorie dish, containing approximately 320 kcal per serving, so it’s light enough for a late-night meal. If you top it with tempura or duck, it brings the calories up to 600–700, similar to a standard meal. Many Tokyo restaurants specialise in Toshikoshi Soba, providing a festive end-of-year meal experience. Let’s explore some of the best soba restaurants in Tokyo, perfect for your Toshikoshi tradition this New Year’s Eve.
The Origin of Toshikoshi Soba
The tradition of eating Toshikoshi Soba dates back to the Edo period. Soba was considered both nutritious and lucky, often eaten on special occasions. With its long, thin strands, soba is thought to symbolise long life and prosperity. People believe eating soba before the New Year helps cleanse away the hardships and misfortunes of the past year, making way for fresh beginnings.
In different regions, special types of soba have emerged, such as Togakushi soba, Yamagata soba, and wanko soba, each offering unique flavours and traditions. During the mid-Edo period, the tradition of eating soba, also known as ‘miso ka soba’ or ‘setsuwa soba,’ spread, becoming Toshikoshi Soba in the Meiji period.
Why Eat Toshikoshi Soba?
Soba’s long, slender shape is thought to encourage longevity and bring luck to the family. Another belief holds that the ease of cutting soba represents leaving behind the hardships of the past year. Legends also claim that buckwheat flour was once used by artisans to gather scattered gold dust, symbolising good fortune and prosperity. Overall, Toshikoshi Soba serves as a delicious, meaningful tradition to bring luck and good health into the New Year.
When Should You Eat Toshikoshi Soba?
There’s no strict rule on timing, but many people enjoy their Toshikoshi Soba during dinner on New Year’s Eve, while others eat it close to midnight. To embrace its luck-bringing qualities, it’s best to finish the meal without leaving leftovers. Some even believe that eating it before the New Year’s bell rings ensures a clean start.
Top Soba Restaurants in Tokyo for Toshikoshi Soba
All of these soba restaurants are famous for their taste, so go and try them to end the year on a high note.
Ginpachitei Yazawa (Kameari)
Located in Kameari, Ginpachitei Yazawa is a well-known soba restaurant offering delicious, aromatic soba crafted from buckwheat sourced in Hokkaido and Fukushima. The Inaka Seiro soba has a rich flavour and darker colour, while the Seiro Soba is elegantly mild. Both make for a perfect Toshikoshi meal to end the year with a satisfying, flavourful experience.
Tansouan Kenjiro (Asakusa)
Tansouan Kenjiro, a cosy back-alley restaurant in Asakusa, serves nihachi Edo soba, a popular choice in Tokyo’s soba scene. The soba’s subtle buckwheat flavour is enhanced by pairing it with duck soup, especially in their recommended Kamo Seiro. This restaurant is perfect for a Toshikoshi dinner where you can start with sake and enjoy a complete soba experience.
Soba Tei Daikokuya (Asakusa)
Another Asakusa favourite, Soba Tei Daikokuya offers thin, whitish soba with a delightful texture. Their soba toro, served with yam, is a dish beloved by regulars. The owner’s dedication to his craft shines in each bowl, and the restaurant’s charm and traditional atmosphere make it a wonderful spot to enjoy Toshikoshi Soba before the New Year.
Kyourakutei Soba (Ushigome Kagurazaka)
Located in Kagurazaka, Kyourakutei Soba is a delightful soba restaurant known for its meticulously crafted noodles. Their loach and cold barley side dishes add to the experience, creating a balanced and flavourful Toshikoshi Soba meal. The neighbourhood’s charm adds to the appeal, making this restaurant a complete Tokyo soba experience.
Gen-Soba Nonaka (Nakamurabashi)
Gen-Soba Nonaka in Nakamurabashi serves robust Edo-style soba, with a limited daily menu item for soba enthusiasts. Known for its traditional ambiance, the restaurant is a little off the beaten path but is worth the trip for a memorable Toshikoshi Soba experience.
Ready to Chow Down Some Soba and Welcome the New Year?
Eating Toshikoshi Soba is a humble tradition in Japanese New Year celebrations, symbolising good fortune and health. We hope these recommendations inspire you to enjoy a delicious bowl of soba at one of Tokyo’s finest soba restaurants this New Year’s Eve!
If you’re planning your winter holidays in Japan, why not make a cosy café crawl part of your itinerary? And for an expert-crafted plan tailored to your tastes, check out Flip Japan Guide Travel Planner. Here’s to a season filled with warmth, flavour, and festive memories!
