Our Japanese-language reporter heads to Akihabara to see why this bowl of noodles scored its creators a Bib Gourmand, and leaves both stuffed and smiling.
soba (Page 5)
With things like sumo-wrestlers’ hot pot and beef sushi, the event was a feast for all of the senses!
They say there’s a fine line between genius and madness. It’s a line that our Mr. Sato frequently walks.
The poster explaining the reason for the closure of the family-run business is breaking hearts around the internet.
Sometimes there are restaurants you want to keep a secret all to yourself, and this is definitely one of them.
Finding out you can’t eat soba stinks — but at least this is the coolest way to get bad news!
Yakisoba bread is pretty common at Japanese bakeries, but this is the first time we’ve ever heard of bread soba.
A soba restaurant tucked away in the mountains of Saga Prefecture is known for every one of its menu items making use of the soba (buckwheat) plant.
Upon coming to Japan, a lot of people are surprised to discover just how difficult finding vegetarian food can be. Many people imagine Japan as a country that eats very little meat, and while that’s definitely true in comparison to North America and western Europe, the flipside is that you’ll find at least a little bit of meat in just about all dishes, including salads and vegetable stews with surprising frequency.
Things get trickier still if you’re trying to stick to a vegan diet. Even something as simple as noodles are generally out, since almost all broths are made with meat or fish stock. But if you’ve got an aversion to meat coupled with a craving for soba or udon, you’re in luck, with two new types of vegan instant noodles produced by a Zen Buddhist temple.
Ramen burgers. Bulgogi tacos. Cronuts. Sometimes the stars align and the gods see fit to bless the world with visionary new dishes–the kind that make people say, “Is that even possible?” Eventually, those same people end up wondering why no one came up with the concept sooner.
One of our Japanese writers was able to experience the joy of culinary experimentation firsthand during a recent trip to Tokyo’s Nadai Fuji Soba, which is now serving… wait for it… French fry soba! Though at first glance you might think someone spilled their Happy Meal over a plate of noodles, the tasty result is sure to make you a believer.
The other day we brought you news about Brazilian style cup noodles and as the saying goes, you eat with your eyes before your mouth and we’re sure many of you became suddenly hungry after looking at the picture. Even though you knew it was Cup Noodle, that didn’t stop you from salivating at the words “BBQ” and “Brazilian spices”. Seeing instant ramen undoubtedly brings the thoughts of, “I wonder if I could make my own ramen noodles myself, instead of whatever is in this Styrofoam cup.” Starting from July, you can and this new product from Waganse is just as easy as “making” a Cup Noodle and probably a whole lot healthier too.
For those of us living in cities, the idea of moving away to a country home surrounded by vast meadows of these pretty white autumn flowers sounds nice doesn’t it? However, this year, in Fukui Prefecture, where crops of thousands of these soba (buckwheat) flowers are grown, residents are perplexed that all these little blossoms literally smell like an ocean of sh*t.




















Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
Pizza Hut Japan teams up with creator of one of the country’s best kinds of ramen for ramen pizza
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Starbucks Japan releases a new Cream Puff Frappuccino for a limited time
Japan has a cute Pokémon menu you probably don’t know about yet
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Manga/anime creator Kenya Suzuki arrested for importing child pornography from Europe
Is real Tokyo as dangerous as the Yakuza video games? Chapter 2: Towards the Gray Darkness
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Japan’s cherry blossom season predicted to start earlier than we’d thought, especially in Tokyo
Japanese government planning higher ticket prices for foreign tourists at Tokyo National Museum
Is Tokyo Station’s startlingly expensive wagyu bento boxed lunch worth its high price?[Taste test]
One Piece creator has hidden secret of anime treasure’s identity in chest at bottom of real-world ocean
Silicone testicle covers banned from Japanese sauna following cups being left behind and on shelves
Studio Ghibli now sells Ursula’s backpack from Kiki’s Delivery Service at its anime shop in Japan
Is Japan’s Crab-shaped Cup Ramen Timer worth the hype?
Live-action One Piece’s Luffy teaches Sesame Street’s Elmo a Japanese word for friendship[Video]
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreigners accounting for over 80 percent of off-course skiers needing rescue in Japan’s Hokkaido
Super-salty pizza sends six kids to the hospital in Japan, linguistics blamed
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura Frappuccino for cherry blossom season 2026
Foreign tourists in Japan will get free Shinkansen tickets to promote regional tourism
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Take a trip to Japan’s Dododo Land, the most irritating place on Earth
Naruto and Converse team up for new line of shinobi sneakers[Photos]
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Which convenience store onigiri rice balls are the most popular? Survey reveals surprising results
We followed Tokyo’s mystery walking map and ended up creating our own bar-hopping adventure
Manga/anime creator Kenya Suzuki arrested for importing child pornography from Europe
Is real Tokyo as dangerous as the Yakuza video games? Chapter 2: Towards the Gray Darkness
Duolingo to open first pop-up store Duomart in Japan for a very limited time next month
Is it rude to sing along at concerts in Japan? We ask a pro musician for his take
Is this Tokyo government office still one of the best places in the city for a curry rice lunch?
Tokyo restaurant offers amazing sushi lunch deal for less than 5 bucks
Pikachu and Eevee become handmade Lladró porcelain sculptures to celebrate Pokémon’s 30th birthday
The top 20 places to visit in Tokyo, as chosen by travelers
Beautiful Japanese bamboo speakers let you to listen to music without using any extra electricity
Mario Paint arrives for Nintendo Switch Online, finally can reach its potential after 34 years
TOYOTA Shows Off the Ultimate Family Car, Even the Kids Can Drive it!