Standing Soba Noodles – Kameya

There are many soba restaurants in Tokyo. This article focuses on the cheap, fast, and tasty standing-only soba restaurants.

History of Standing-only Soba

1. Prewar Soba Culture: Soba has been enjoyed in Japan since ancient times, but especially in the Edo period (1603-1868), it became popular as a food for the common people. At that time, soba was considered to be something to be enjoyed sitting down and relaxing rather than eating standing up.
2. Postwar Transformation: After World War II, Japan entered a period of reconstruction and social and economic change. During this period, there was a demand for easy and reasonable meals, and standing-only soba restaurants emerged in response to this demand.
3. High Economic Growth Period: During the period of high economic growth in the 1950s and 1960s, the demand for standing-only soba was fueled by the increase in urban jobs and the limited time available for working people. Standing-only noodle restaurants were a convenient and convenient way to get a quick meal.
4. Development of fast food culture: Since the 1970s, fast food culture has spread rapidly. As a result, a variety of noodle dishes, including ramen and udon, as well as soba, began to be served in a stand-up style.
5. Modern standing-only noodle restaurants: Even today, standing-only noodle restaurants can be found in urban areas and commercial establishments. Standing-only noodle restaurants are still popular as a quick and easy meal option for people with busy lifestyles and as a way for tourists to enjoy local flavors in tourist areas.

The attraction of Kameya

The main store in Shinjuku’s Omoide-Yokocho has a picturesque appearance with a Showa-era atmosphere intact. There are also branches in Shinbashi, Kanda, and Okachimachi.
The most attractive point is the rich bonito soup stock. All of Tokyo’s standing-only noodle restaurants are delicious, but Kameya’s soup is the real deal. It is indeed a reasonable stand-up restaurant that can serve this flavor.
The tempura and the Onsen Tamago (egg) toppings are also carefully prepared and delicious. Of special note is the oinari, which is very satisfying and inexpensive for its size.
I highly recommend foreigners who come to Japan to try it. I can’t believe that such a small restaurant can serve such delicious, authentic soba at such a low price and so easily. You will be surprised.

1-2-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Monday-Saturday 24 hours
Closed: Sunday