Shibadaimon Sarashina Nunoya
Map ＞＞ 58
The dipping sauce made by this long-running shop, established in 1791, is a secret family flavor passed down over generations.
Established in 1791, this is an old shop even among old shops. It includes "nunoya" (cloth seller) in its trade name because in the Edo period, it took part in the sales of cloth fabrics. In 1913, it moved to its location in Shibadaimon. Since that time, it has continued to be loved by the locals for over 100 years. Its special soba (buckwheat) noodles are made using a recreation of hand-ground stone mortar milling. Carefully selected buckwheat seeds are completely ground by spinning them from 12 to 15 times per minute with the delicacy of the human hand, bringing out an exquisite, balanced flavor. The dipping sauce for the soba noodles as well is a secret family recipe, with a traditional flavor passed down over generations. It has a rich, sweet flavor and uses only four ingredients: soy sauce, broth from bonito flakes, sugar, and sweet cooking sake. While some things may change with the passing of eras, the seventh-generation owner continues to be exacted in the making of this dipping sauce, saying "it has not changed even after 100 years."
Information
| Address: | 1-15-8 Shibadaimon, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Phone: | 03-3436-3647 |
| Hours: | 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM (Monday to Friday), 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM (Saturdays, Sundays, and national holidays) |
| Closed: | Open year-round (except for January 1 to 3) |
| Homepage: | http://www.sarashina-nunoya.com/ |
| Access: | A 1-minute walk from Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo Line, and a 3-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on JR and the Tokyo Monorail |
Akitaya
Map ＞＞ 55
Taste "Takamizushu," a famous Akita sake, along with offal.
The first-generation owner of Akitaya came from Akita Prefecture. Inheriting the spirit of that original owner, the shop's main sake is "Takamizushu," a famous variety from Akita. The shop carries no shochu (a clear liquor distilled from sweet potatoes or barley), and the staff say they do not intend to carry it in the future, either (though they have beer and whiskey). For the food offerings as well, they place their bets not on a large variety of dishes, but on a menu of mainstays such as grilled offal, stews, and minces. One important aspect of their popular stews is that they do not use much miso paste. Since one would tire of the flavor if rich miso paste were used, the shop creates a flavor you'll want to keep eating by using a base of salt and soy sauce with just a bit of miso paste as a secret ingredient. By the way, the shop has an aged exterior with seats made of beer cases, but it was converted from a bungalow into a four-story building around ten years ago. They choose to preserve the image of an old building with the outward appearance and interior design, and also use tables from the past.
Information
| Address: | 2-1-2 Hamamatsucho, Minato-ku, Tokyo |
| Phone: | 03-3432-0020 |
| Hours: | 3:30 PM to 9:30 PM (last order 9:00 PM) (Monday to Friday), 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM (last order 8:00 PM) (Saturday) |
| Closed: | Sundays, national holidays, the third Saturday of each month |
| Access: | A 2-minute walk from Hamamatsucho Station on JR and the Tokyo Monorail, and a 2-minute walk from Daimon Station on the Toei Oedo Line |
