Photos: Emran Kassim from Jhb, my, Japan · CC BY 2.0 · Nesnad · CC BY 4.0
Matsuba's own history says its second-generation owner Matsuno Yosakichi devised nishin soba, soba topped with sweet-simmered dried herring, in 1882 at this shop, founded in 1861.
Why it's unique
The shop claims to be where nishin soba was invented, in 1882. That invention claim rests on the shop's own history; press confirms the founding and the dish, so confidence is lowered.
The site carries its own story: a 1945 demolition order cleared the original building to protect the Minamiza theatre next door from air-raid fire, and the shop rebuilt on the same plot in 1951.
Before you go
The herring hides under the noodles, so the bowl looks like plain kake soba: don't send it back. There is a summer cold nishin soba, and regulars order the tawara-soba, an aburaage parcel the menu keeps mysterious.
A 1945 demolition order cleared the original building to protect the Minamiza from air-raid fire; the shop rebuilt on the same plot in 1951. The Kyoto Station branch inside the Shinkansen concourse is the last-bowl option; the North shop across the road is suspended.
Open 10:30 to 21:00 (last orders 20:30); closed Wednesdays (open on holidays). Tel 075-561-1451.
