冬のソナタ東京＃7 | Winter Sonata Tokyo

I had made so many appointments to meet friends, this was the first day to myself! One of my students had recommended to check out 中野[Na-ka-no] area, as a potential place to live. So, I went. ^_^

At the station, I took a picture of the map, which I thought might be useful while walking around. It wasn't...I still got lost! (laugh) I am such a girl...^_^

While wondering around I headed down a little side street and found this:

...a soba shop!!!! Soba translates as "buckwheat noodles" and these are my favorite. How to make cutenekko happy? Take her to a soba shop. Really, it's that simple. (laugh)

The menu was really hard to read, so I just asked in Japanese:

店員さんのおすすめは何でしょうか？私は野菜と暖かいそばを食べたいな〜。

[What is the recommendation of the shop owner? I want to eat veggies and hot soba.] 

First reaction: The lady looked VERY relieved that I could speak Japanese. Second reaction: She spoke a LOT of Japanese in a flurry to me! I had a hard time keeping up. She was so cute. ^_^ She asked about my budget and I said, "For today, no budget!" So, we agreed on two things...

天ぷら! [Tempura -- deep fried veggies in a light batter]

... and hot soba. ^_^ Holy sheep. It was so good. I was in heaven! 

I also drank soba tea:

While sitting, I read through a るるぶ magazine about Nakano area, and enjoyed looking at all the soba making tools from the kitchen:

Last week, I was chatting with my ramen friend from Kanagawa and we argued over where the best soba shop is in the Kanto area. My friend said: "Oh, the best one is in Chiba. I'll take you." I said: "No way. The best soba is in Nakano. We'll go to both shops, and have a battle over which is best!" Hahaha.

 I am already looking forward to the soba battle blog post...^_^

Nakano is *almost* as good as Ochanomizu in Tokyo. Please visit! To get there: Tokyo Metro Tozei line to the last station, Nakano. Station info HERE. (日本語 & English). Nakano City office info HERE.  (日本語 & English) Nakano Broadway is recommended to visit while there. It's the place for shopping...especially if you love Japanese anime and models. Website HERE. [日本語だけ]


ATT bmさん:
The Maruzen in Ochanomizu is HERE. Enjoy.