01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Dipping firm noodles into a sharply seasoned, savory dipping broth captures the simple pleasure of an everyday neighborhood soba shop. Tucked into a residential stretch of Kamata in Ota Ward, Choju-an complements its standard soba with a handmade version limited to 10 portions a day. For a modest additional fee, diners can switch to these handmade noodles for a noticeably firmer bite. Guests can choose between the light, slender slip of classic zaru soba and the satisfying chew of the handmade batch depending on their mood.
Among the chilled noodle offerings, the ten-mori and ten-zaru tempura sets stand out with their pairings of shrimp and vegetables. Dipping crisp, freshly fried shrimp, sillago fish, eggplant, and pumpkin into the dashi-rich sauce between mouthfuls of noodles makes for a grounding, substantial meal. Other options highlight the broth's depth through varied accompaniments, from chilled tororo soba scented with freshly grated yam to hiyashi tanuki topped with cucumber and gently sweetened rolled omelet.
Beyond noodles, the lineup of rice bowls and set meals offers plenty of variety. Options like ten-don glazed with Edo-style sauce, broth-rich kaikadon, and comforting Japanese curry rice are well suited for a hearty lunch. Lingering over small dishes such as soba-miso paste or itawasa fish cake with a bottle of beer or chilled sake, followed by hot sobayu broth poured straight from the pot, rounds out a pleasant break in the day.
With generously spaced seating, the dining room stays tranquil, making it just as welcoming for solo diners as it is for quiet everyday meals. Payment is strictly cash only, so keep currency on hand when stopping by.
