Unassuming Soba Ichi is such a delicious place for a casual meal. I have been to soba Ichi twice at this point. This most recent visit I was able to try the duck breast soba. The duck was juicy and tender and I love the broth they make. The flavor is deep yet the meal is light. Each spoonful of broth is like a savory umami bomb. I love it! This is the type of place where you order at the counter and wait for your meal. I appreciate that they ask if you'd like to sit inside and if so, they will make sure there is a table open for you. My only critique of this place is I tend to still be hungry after finishing a bowl. I wish the portions were a little larger. read more

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Upscale noodle place for soba and assorted Japanese bites. The level of craft here is remarkable. The dishes are made from simple ingredients with elegant preparations. We ordered the tofu, cold and hot noodles, tempura, and the weekly special, mochi. The cold noodles were a showcase for the soba noodles themselves -- nutty and earthy in flavor, and toothsome without being gummy. But the broth for the hot noodles was a welcome blend of flavors: sweet, salty, sour, umami at the same time. All while remaining relatively light. It would be easy to sip it all down on its own. (Our nine year old nearly did! We saw other kids there and I suspect they may have done the same.) The tofu came in thick blocks with three separate dressings -- onion, pickled cucumber, and bonito. Each one transformed the creamy bean curd into a different dish. Because the preparations are so simple, the best strategy may be to order a variety of appetizers which cover a range of flavors and textures. Then, hunker down with a couple shared plates of noodles for the entree. This is a place to take it slow and to appreciate the care behind each bite. read more

I'm very torn about this restaurant. On the one hand, the food is decent but not standout. While I can agree that the quality is good, the quality and taste are insufficient to justify the price. Service is good and love the ambiance though! Food (6/10) - The food and quality of ingredients here is definitely good. We got 3 items and a slice of the soba-cha cake. Let's start with the Kamo Yaki. I thought the duck meatballs were unique but perhaps a little on the dry side. The duck breast itself was tasty and I loved the caramelized onion topping. Pasteurized egg is always a delicious dipping sauce. Now, onto the main course of the soba. We order the Ten Seiro and the Kamo Nanban. All I can really say for both is... average? I definitely enjoyed the savory dipping sauce of the Ten Seiro with that hit of refreshing wasabi. But it wasn't anything spectacular that I would crave again. The same thing for the Kamo Nanban. Duck-based broths are relatively uncommon so I was excited to try it. It also wholly falls into the category of average. The broth was clear and a slightly rich flavor but also isn't something that I would try again. Lastly, and the biggest disappointment of the night, were the noodles. Soba Ichi prides themselves on high-quality, hand-pulled noodles. But as someone who is a noodle lover through and through, if you served me this and told me it was store-bought, I doubt I'd bat an eye. There was just nothing standout. There was no particularly springy texture nor was there a different flavor profile. To finish off the meal, we were somewhat convinced and ordered the soba-cha cake. I really liked it! (big dessert fan) It had a super creamy and rich texture and the soba-cha dusting reminded me faintly of cinnamon sugar with a slightly more earthy undertone. Also, the price is quite high but one slice is enough to be shared by 2-3 people (it's a VERY rich cake). Price (2/10) - I struggled to find a justification for the price here. It's crazy expensive... over $100 for two people and the food is just not up to standard to be charging these prices. I am a firm believer that delicious food that is high quality can charge a premium but this place checks neither of these of boxes for me. Service (6/10) - Service is EXTREMELY slow here. Takes over 30 minutes to get out dishes. Servers are nice though and give good recs (shoutout for the soba-cha cake). Overall, not a restaurant I would go to again nor would I recommend it. It's so expensive for food that doesn't meet the expectations. I would say save your $100 and pick a different high-end restaurant... read more

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Soba Ichi, decorated with Michelin Guide status, is a solid soba spot, located a bit off the beaten path and tucked away in warehouse-heavy West Oakland. My party visited on a Monday evening, ordered at the front, and was seated virtually immediately. I had the ten seiro, a cold soba set accompanied by a modestly portioned tempura side. It's good; the noodles are bouncy and delightfully al dente in texture. The tempura is lackluster, saturated in breading which is atypical of the good tempura I'm used to, making the oil and batter all the more clung to the prawn. I wouldn't say this was worth shy of $30. The staff are delightful and gracious enough to offer me warm broth to finish the last portion of my dipping soba sauce. read more

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Soba Ichi | Visited 04/26/25 - Tomagoyaki 10 This is one of my personal favorite appetizers, the sweet egg is delicious and fluffy. They add raddish to cut the sweetness, I personally enjoy it with and without. - Tenpura Soba 24 The matcha salt that comes with the tempura is the reason why I have ordered this again my second time around. The unqiue flavor profile is remarkable. I always opt for hot soba since I prefer to sit outside for the ambience. If you're debating hot or cold, both are great! - Nishin Soba 24 Boyfriend ordered this and said no complaints, the fish was beautifully cooked and the soba perfect in texture. The broth is balanced but he added a bit of the togarashi since it's his personal fav. Overall, we love Soba Ichi and a great alternative if you don't want to cross the bridge for Jtown! I would definitely come early since there was a significant line and I prefer not to be in the area past dark! read more

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when I first got to the place, I never thought there is a restaurant in that area, never mind a bomb soba place. I thought I was lost but then I saw people lining up on the side of the road and realized I was in the right place. that brings to the negative of this place, the line is just long, be prepared to wait for at least 1/2 hour even when the place just opened. the food is definitely worth the wait. if I don't have any self-control, I would have ordered every item in the menu. pricing is a little bit on the pricier side but worth every penny. I always ended up getting their Ten Seiro. some of the menu are permanent, while there are also seasonal items in the menu so you might not get the same menu from last visit. ambiance is pretty good read more

This was my first time at a soba noodle shop! I was pretty excited and this place did not disappoint! We got the homemade tofu and the karage to start. The soba noodle took a little bit to come out, but no worries because the apps were delicious. The karage was tender and we appreciated the flavors the tofu had. When the noodles came out, it did not disappoint. I went in first for the soup and it was very clean and flavorful. The soba noodle mixed well with the soup. The duck meat was tender. We loved the inside seating. Mybwife said it reminded her of Japan. The staff were also super friendly! I definitely recommend this place! read more

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Always great food .... very consistent and this is how it should be We love their homemade Tofu Kamo Nanban Soba is perfect Love their Tempura also Everything on this spot is Excellent and that's why it's my go to place in the hood of Oakland. read more

Soba place located in what seems to be the industrial area of Oakland. (as of early 2026, it should be noted that a decorated fine dining establishment and a new food hall is also in the area as well - so this feels like an emerging food area, at least to someone who's visiting) We got here right around the time this place opened. You line up and order at a window before getting seated. We were able to get a seat inside. Folks here are very friendly. The menu is pretty streamlined - basically with appetizers and some hot and cold soba options. We ordered the tamagoyaki to share and each got the soba ebi ten seiro or the cold soba dipping noodles served with tempura. The serving size was pretty good and noodles were very chewy. I really enjoyed the dipping sauce where they gave us the items to season or prepare as we like it. I also ordered a shochu on ice to wash it all down. I've been wanting to go here for a while. I took my nephew here for dinner recently (rest of his fam was out of town looking at a school for his sister). It was such a good time and we enjoyed a great meal while making some core memories together lol. read more

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I've wanted to try Soba Ichi for years and I finally had the chance to! I came in on a Saturday when it was storming, and I expected it to be packed and sold out (they often sell out quickly). Thankfully, the storm drove customers away and I was able to dine in quickly. When you come to dine here, you are to order first at the window or at the bar, then find seating, and the staff will typically help you find a place to sit. The staff is extremely helpful and kind. Aaron and Kyle made a positive impact on my dining experience. They were extremely helpful in making recommendations for what I was craving and on what sakes I would like better. I tried the Kamo Nanban and a beef/pork cutlet. The Kamo Nanban was delicious. The noodles were cooked to perfection - neither overcooked nor undercooked. The duck melted in your mouth with every bite. I usually find duck to be more tough, but this was so much more tender. There was also a perfect portion for duck to noodles, so there was enough for each bite and to finish the meal. The beef/pork cutlet was really good too. I wasn't sure what to expect but the flavoring mixed with the sauce that it came with, and the crispiness of the breading made it such an interesting combination and I want 10 more! Definitely give Soba Ichi a try if you're craving a taste of authentic Japanese soba! read more

Soba Ichi - Kamo Nanban - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

We were in the area and looking for something refreshing to eat when I came across this place on Yelp. We arrived a few minutes before opening, and even though the restaurant is tucked away in a somewhat unusual location, you'll know you're in the right spot by the line forming outside. Parking can be a bit challenging, so I'd recommend giving yourself extra time especially if you don't want to end up waiting too long in line. One thing to note is that you order before being seated. If you're really hungry and short on patience, it's best to come early. The line can move slowly since many people take their time looking over the menu. We ordered the duck breast (Kamo Yaki) as an appetizer, along with 2 Ebi Ten Seiro (cold soba w/ dipping sauce and garnish, served with shrimp & kabocha tempura). For dessert, we had the sesame mousse with kinako cream mochi. The duck breast was decent, though not particularly memorable, and it was served cold, which caught me off guard. Next time, I'd probably try the Yama-imo Karaage instead. As for the main dish, the portion felt a bit small, garnishes included. I wish there were options for larger servings or the ability to add extra noodles. The tempura portion (just 2pcs) also felt a bit skimpy; I would have preferred at least four. The mochi was a unique and enjoyable way to end the meal. Overall, I really liked the vibe of the place! It genuinely made me feel like I was in Japan. As a side note, the bathrooms were very clean and also carried that same Japanese aesthetic. read more

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I was in NorCal for work and met up with my old roommate here. It's in Oakland so while the area can have sketchy parts, this area is ok but still recommend not leaving anything in your car if you're driving. They've got a cute outdoor dining area but we are inside since it was a bit cold. You order ahead of time and they bring the food out to you. We ordered their croquette for appetizer, the hot soba with tempura and their mochi dessert. They hand make the soba and you can tell the quality is really good. It's up there with the soba I had when I was in japan. The workers are also super friendly. I thought the croquette was pretty unique and tasty. But I actually thought the star was the mochi dessert. Apparently that's handmade and the flavor changes regularly. This one was a fruit cream with some coconut shavings and it was perfect! Super light and delicious. Prices are a little high but the quality is worth it. I'd be back if I find myself back in the area. read more

Soba Ichi - Hot Soba ebi ten - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

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I had been wanting to try Soba Ichi for so long, and was happy to find that this time the line wasn't too long at all! There didn't seem to be heating lamps outside so I was also relieved that the wait for indoor seating wasn't too long in the end. The waiting area by the bar proved to be a fun vantage point where you can take in the hustle and bustle of the kitchen, check out the soba-making room (although no one was currently in the process), and the tastefully decorated bar. The interior really reminded me of Japan. We tried: - Yama-imo karaage - sounded delicious in theory but it didn't land for me! I would probably skip this and just get some more tempura or try another appetizer - Kabu and ringo salad - light and refreshing, and everything was very crisp so texturally satisfying. However, overall, taste-wise not necessarily the most exciting - Kamo nanban soba - the duck breast was very tender and the broth was clean but flavorful and very umami. The soba texture was satisfying! - My friend got the ebi ten seiro - I tried a shrimp tempura and it was light and crisp I enjoyed my experience but would probably only return on off hours or on a warmer day so that waiting outside is easier! read more

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Having frequented the neighborhood ten years ago, my friend and I were hesitant about trying Soba Ichi. We decided to go anyway - and I'm very thankful that we did. Stepping off the sidewalk into their courtyard transports you to a serene patio with subtle Japanese flair. Ordering all of the appetizers and a traditional cold soba with the add ons proved a tad too much for us. The house-made soba was delicious and brought back a lot of childhood memories. Note that the tempura add ons were also offered in the appetizers in case you're doing the full monty. Standouts for me: Kamo Yaki, Tamagoyaki, Yasai Korokke, and Yama-imo Karaage. The Kabu & Ringo Salad was refreshing and a great opener. They have Asahi 0.0 for the fellow degens in regen mode. All the team members were hospitable and knowledgeable. Amazing experience and food. I'll be back soon! Please get the magnums ready! read more

Soba Ichi - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

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Soba Ichi is one of the few places that serve hand made soba in the Bay Area, and I was looking forward to trying it. The staff was very friendly and helpful, welcoming us 10 minutes before last call for us to have a late dinner. The soba is very good with firm chew of a freshly made soba noodle. The appetizers of cucumbers & miso and duck miso were both good, very assertive and probably good with drinks. Unfortunately, my rating is a 3 because the tsuyu for our cold soba was much too salty that it was hard to taste the delicate noodles. My friend hat the hot soba and the soup was very salty there as well. Usually I enjoy the tsuyu afterwards with the soba water but I passed on that at Soba Ichi. read more

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Fabulous dinner at Soba Ichi. We've been wanting to try it for ages and brought our kids who were visiting from Japan -- we all loved it. We went on a Monday right when they opened and had no trouble getting a table. We ordered a bunch of appetizers -- and they were all great -- the sashimi platter, homemade tofu and tomagoyaki were especially tasty. The soba was delicious too - we went on a Monday and they had made a coarse ground soba -- Arabiki -- which was perfectly cooked. My daughter and I had the special with salmon roe and mountain yam, my son had the soba and tempura, and my husband had the plain soba. We ended the meal with a piece of their soba cha cheesecake which was amazing! We'll definitely be back -- can't wait to work our way through their menu! read more

Nice place, good vibes, friendly staff! Came by on a Saturday Night around 6pm and barely had to wait in line. We ordered and then chose to wait for seats indoors. The seats are nice outdoors too - I just don't do well in the cold. We loved that the indoor seating area was all separate little nooks! It felt super intimate and great for introverts like ourselves lol. Everything was really yummy, but the highlight of the night was definitely the Kani Cream Croquette that the staff Ryota recommended. It was crispy, fresh, creamy and paired perfectly with the tomato sauce on the plate, YUM! The slices of duck breast were super tender, and the shrimp tempuras were light, crispy and not at all greasy. When we were leaving (around 6:40pm), there was a huge line. So I would definitely recommend coming early if you want to avoid the line. All in all was a great experience and would definitely come back! read more

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Hidden in Oakland and on the Michelin Guide, Soba Ichi provides artisan buckwheat soba noodles for those looking to experience first hand the famous, cold, Japanese dipping noodles. The classic is the Seiro, cold soba noodles with a umami dipping sauce. Another option is the Kamo Nanban, featuring thinly sliced duck breast as a topping. In order to maintain the chewiness of the noodles, the cold noodles are a better option than the warm broth dishes. That being said, while the noodles themselves were solid, the dishes as a whole lacked a bit of flavor when it came to the dipping broth. The restaurant itself maintains a nice interior, similar to something you could find in Japan, while also having a nice outdoor seating area. If you're looking for something light and refreshing, Soba Ichi is worth giving a try. read more

Soba Ichi - Ten Seiro and Kamo Nanban - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

Like sister Ippuku in Berkeley, Soba Ichi offers Japanese kino vibes. The owners of these two restaurants - one specializing in teppanyaki, the other in soba noodles - aren't Japanese, but Gaikokujin (white boys - or rather, foreigners). The dining rooms of each restaurant offer evidence that sometimes the devoted eye of an outsider can be both broader and more perceptive. One of the aforementioned Gaijin, Paul Discoe, is responsible for the look of Soba Ichi's dining room. An ordained Zen Buddhist monk and master woodworker focusing on styles of the Orient, his Japophilia would be ultra cringe if the results weren't so sublime. If you get there early, you wait in front of a slatted chain link fence on one of the gentrified blocks in the West Oakland abyss. At five pm an employee rolls back the clanging gate without speaking a word to you and your linemates. Waiting in line to order at the counter is both a blessing and curse, a boon and a dirge. On the one hand, you have the opportunity to take in the patio. Bamboo, Japanese maples, corrugated zinc awnings, raw cedar benches, posts and tables. These land-of-the-rising-sun accents placed on the small international style building originally used for some small scale industrial operation, or the front office therof. What's bad about the counter service approach is that the menu changes and you must choose your party's order a la minute, scrambling like a flock pigeons over breadcrumbs in the park. And really, I do say, for the Bib Gourmand distinction and attendant prices you pay, table service is in order. The inside is just as striking as the outside: fir wood abounds. The cubby sized atelier of soba master Koichi Ishii anchors the room. Booths are divided by blue noren (those thick curtains you see in Japanese restaurants). Sashimi, fresh, albeit lacking in flavor. I wonder if they put it through the curing process. You can get korokke, which will be a crowd pleaser. There are usually a number of dishes featuring buckwheat in divers forms. Soba noodles being the buckwheat noodle of record. A mackerel filet simmered in a sweet soy broth, the fatty gaminess of the flesh, the salty sugariness of the seasoning calls to mind memories of candied bacon. The mackerel is garnished with thinnest slivers of onion, which have been soaked in cold water to preserve crispness and remove the fiery bite. However, considering the richness of the fish, you pray for more and stronger onions to better balance the dish. As for the soba, try it out read more

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Such a cute hidden gem in Oakland! You wouldn't know it was there unless you were looking for it. Great ambiance and felt like I was in Japan. The food was good and service was also great! The soba was cooked perfect and the apps were great. I wish I was given more kabocha tempura though! I would return if in need of a traditional Japanese meal! read more

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I don't hand out praise for soba lightly. I grew up in a Kansai household, and my first real soba experience wasn't in a restaurant - it was just after midnight on New Year's Day in Tokyo. A friend's family brought out fresh buckwheat noodles - three bowls in a row: Zaru, Ten-zaru, and Kamo nanban. And after each bowl, they handed me the small pot of soba-yu -- the milky, starchy water left from boiling fresh buckwheat. You pour it into the leftover tsuyu, stir, and drink it to the last drop. That was when I learned soba isn't just a dish - it's a ritual. Since then, every trip to Asakusa, I walk to the same narrow alley near Asakusa ROX - where an elderly master runs a tiny 10-wari shop. The first time I lined up, stomach empty, I asked the man in front: 「これ、本当に十割ですか？」 He gave me that hungry, impatient Tokyo look that basically meant: "Obviously. Hurry up." That bowl became my reference point for what real soba should be. Soba Ichi is one of the very few in the Bay Area that comes close. 10-wari: real buckwheat, real texture Before ordering, I confirmed with the staff: "Is the zaru soba truly 100% buckwheat?" Immediate yes. The texture, aroma, and crumble proved it. Not many places outside Japan even attempt this. My standard three-bowl test: Just like in Tokyo, I order one cold, one hot, one topped: Zaru soba - pure and clean Ten-zaru - tempura light, crisp, never greasy Kamo nanban - rich broth, slight smoke, tender duck They all passed. They honor the ritual. Soba Ichi serves soba-yu properly. Finishing the meal by adding hot buckwheat water into tsuyu is something almost no shop in California gets right. Here, they do. Small dishes that actually matter Hiyayakko - clean soy flavor, excellent balance Pickles - bright and intentional Side dishes - show real control and technique In a soba shop, these details say everything. Beer pairing In Japan, I drink Yebisu with soba. Here they pour Orion - lighter, Okinawan, but refreshingly on point. Unexpected, but it works. Is this exactly Asakusa, or a New Year's midnight table in Tokyo? Of course not. But if you want soba in the Bay Area that respects craft, buckwheat, and ritual - Soba Ichi is the place. It's the only shop where I recreate my Tokyo routine: one zaru, one ten-zaru, one kamo nanban...and finishing with soba-yu, every time. - Dr. C Only writing for what truly earns the stars. read more

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I've been to sobakatsu in San Francisco and I would rate this place just slightly higher overall comparatively. Lots of space, wait wasn't too long for a Friday night, and had additional food items besides soba. Food: Soba 4/5 - I actually would rate the soba noodles a little lower in terms of quality compared to sobakatsu and it was more expensive but still love the chewy bounce to the noodles and the broth Sashimi - 5/5. Very fresh and melted like butter in my mouth. I especially liked the kombu cured white hamachi. Service - 4/5. The waiter initially gave my food to a different table but that was because the cashier accidentally switched my order number with the other table. They fixed it pretty quickly once they realized the mistake read more

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Nice, friendly place, with cool indoor and outdoor seating options, and the food wasn't bad, but it wasn't amazing and I'm not itching to come back. My heart still favors Ramen Shop in Rockridge even though it's not an apples to apples comparison since Soba Ichi specializes in soba -Got the seasonal soba which was a hot dish with chicken and mushroom. It was good but $35 seemed a like steep price. There were only a couple pieces of chicken, some looked like dark meat, though they were quite delicious. The broth was flavorful but a bit one dimensional. I added the spice flakes that made the broth more sophisticated. The noodles were good not great though enjoyable - nothing special in my mind... -Autumn salad was butter lettuce with persimmons and pomegranates. The dressing had no flavor and basically just provided an oil texture -homemade tofu, deep fried, comes with ground pork bits on top in an umami sauce kinda like diluted soy sauce. The sauce broth nature of the dish made the tofu not crispy and i like crispy tofu. I prefer the tofu at joodooboo Overall nothing was bad but nothing was good Plenty of street parking available read more

Soba Ichi - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

Went here for dinner on a triple date w my bestie and my bf's bestie while we were visiting Oakland. EXPERIENCE: The line wasn't too long for a Sunday night. You wait in line to order, then you find a seat, then they bring out your food, but you don't have to clean up after you're done. They have inside seating, but we sat outside since we had a party of 6. Food took a little while to come out but it didn't bother us much. FOOD: My bf and I shared the ebi ten soba (hot) and seiro (cold soba), and we got the tsukemono, agedashi tofu, and nishin kanroni to share. My bf liked the hot soba more. I personally liked the texture of the noodles in the hot soba more, but I like the flavor of the sauce in the cold soba more hahaha. If the cold soba had softer noodles, that would be better for me. OVERALL THOUGHTS: If you're craving cold soba, I'd suggest to make it at home lmao but if you wanna try some hot soba, definitely come check this place out :) read more

Soba Ichi - Ebi ten soba (hot) - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

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Maybe I'm a soba hater and can't be swayed, but I thought Soba Ichi was OK. I've heard so many good things about the food here-- from news articles about Chef, social media videos, etc. Came with a colleague on an early Thursday dinner. It was very busy! Liked the indoor and outdoor seating options and all of the staff were very nice. I think the main deterrent for me is the value of the soba wasn't there. Again, it may be that soba isn't for me. However, I liked the appetizers especially the tamago. read more

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This place has been on my list to check out for a long time, and finally got to come for my birthday. It wasn't super packed for a Friday night so we were able to get a table without much waiting. Ordered a few different items for the table to share. Everything was delightful. I'd definitely come again. read more

Heard all about this soba master from Japan recreating bomb soba noods in west Oakland so I had to stop in! I was just in Japan and miss it so much, so sitting inside by the window literally took me back (except there were more tourists than locals lol) I came for the soba but literally ordered every appetizer and only the cold soba how it's supposed to be eaten. Some of my fav apps were the smoked duck, coquettes, and the tamago. The soba was for sure the star of the show, cooked to perfection and got mo bounce than an icy ball ! Super friendly staff, and the vibe was just right (dope music playing). This might have just became my new go to spot, I'll probably see you there next time. read more

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Absolutely my favorite soba place! Soba ichi matches what I've had in Japan. I love the taste, the noodle texture, and the flavor of the broth. This place is amazing. We waited in line for 30 mins. We started waiting a little bit before they opened. There was already such a long line. But the line goes quickly and the seating area is enormous and self-serve. The noodles are a bit on the expensive side but worth it for the money. I crave for the soba and would go back if I'm ever in East Bay! We got a cold soba and a hot soba. Both were 11/10. Absolutely delicious. The duck was tender. The tempora was really good. The noodles were chefs kiss. read more

Man I just love this place, the food quality is incredible and I'm not sure I know any other restaurant round here that makes fresh soba and is quite as cute as soba Ichi. The service is also amazing, everything is smooth sailing, everyone's calm, collected and super stylish. This place is a gem and never fails to make me smile:) read more

Tldr: well executed soba! Order one cold soba and one hot soba to share We visited on a Wednesday afternoon close to 6 and didn't have to wait much. We ordered the yamagata dashi tofu, ebi ten seiro (cold soba), and kamo nan ban soba (hot soba) to try a variety of their offer. The homemade tofu had a nice texture that went well with all the little garnish (cucumber, eggplant, conbu, shiso I think?) on the top. The shiso gave the dish a refreshing taste as well. The ebi ten seiro comes with the tempura on the side and it's two quite sizable shrimp fully filling the tempura with a sidekick pumpkin. The soba itself was well done as well and the dipping sauce wasn't actually cold cold but more like room temperature. The duck hot soba had a rich soup and tender roasted duck breast pieces (which I hear is rare). It also had some grilled spring onion that gave the soup subtle but delicious sweet smoky flavor. The hot soba had a bigger impact at first than the cold soba but because it's so rich it was nice to have the cold soba in between bites to keep it fresh. In my opinion the difference in quality soba can be subtle so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this place to someone who's not a foodie at this price point, but those who enjoy noticing all the little difference in their food will have a delightful experience. Their system is that you order first at a window and you get guided to outside/inside seat of your choice. It did fill up after us and I think they only sell a limited number of plates per day so I recommend going early. Next time we go, we'll probably do another hot soba and a just a regular cold soba since the tempura comes on the side anyways. We also ordered a glass of beer but sake would pair with their dishes much more nicely. read more

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Soba Ichi is such a hidden gem. Huge kudos to Yelp Elite and foodie Sandra N. for suggesting this place. We came here on a Saturday evening for a celebration dinner for a party of four. Nestled in a pocket of the West Oakland/West Grand Ave. neighborhood, Soba Ichi offers a nice escape and delivers handmade soba noodles and seasonal appetizer offerings. Our party each ordered our separate soba entree and split a handful of appetizers while also each getting a beverage. It definitely offers a more casual and relaxed atmosphere, especially perfect on a warmer summer night. I will definitely be back to check out some of the other offerings. read more

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Soooo vibey and cute here!! Sadly did not think the food here was anything amazing. Service was good--you order first before getting seated on your own. I got the hot soba noodle and my partner got the cold soba noodle. Definitely recommend getting the COLD one bc the soba was soggy and soft in the hot one, almost too soft. The consistency was much better in the cold one. The broth and sauce, respectively, was not flavorful enough for me. Seemed almost too bland. We also got tempura. The tempura was not crispy and a little on the soft side. There was no flavor whatsoever and without dipping it in the sauce or salt, all I could taste was this plastic-y greasey aftertaste which was off putting. We also got some appetizers like egg rolls and tamago--they were better than the soba in my opinion. The soba pudding was also great!! Overall the highlight for me was definitely the ambiance here. It's soooo adorable. I'd come again if someone suggested to but I think I'd look elsewhere for my soba cravings! read more

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Been wanting to come here for a while and glad we got the chance to try. The appetizers were the star of the show. We ordered the yamagata dashi tofu, the tomorokoshu tempura (corn fritter), and the smoked octopus salad. These were all so good. The tofu was topped with cucumber, which paired super well. The corn was also really crispy and crunchy. Definitely felt like elevated corn. I also ordered the kamo nanban soba, but I wasn't very impressed. The broth was a bit salty, but the duck was very tender. read more

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I really liked their cold soba with dipping sauce and garnishes, along with shrimp and kabocha tempura. The noodles had a nice chewiness and leaned toward a firmer side, which I enjoyed. The tempura was light, crispy, and not greasy. Highly recommended! read more

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Came on a Wednesday around 7pm and the place was packed. Outside seating was full but luckily they have an indoor space as well. Order at the counter, grab a number, and find an open seat. Easy peazy. Tamagoyaki - This egg omelet was thick, refreshing, light, and had umami flavor. Great start to the meal Ebi Ten Soba (hot soup) - The hot soup had umami flavor. At first, the first few bites of the soba was perfect but as I slowly devoured this bowl, I noticed the noodles were soft.. not a preferred texture. Loved the perfectly cooked shrimp tempura Hiyashi Tori (cold soup) - made the mistake of not looking thoroughly at the menu and ordered cold soup when i wanted soba with soup dip on the side. Not to fret, this dish was probably my favorite of the two Great service, very attentive servers, good food. read more

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Was craving something cold to match the warm summer weather and decided to try soba ichi. There's street parking nearby, so that's nice. The place itself is super cute. It's a little rustic but simple and clean. We came on a weekday evening so there wasn't too much of a line, and there were plenty of open tables to choose from. By the time we finished ordering and sat down, our food came pretty quickly. We ordered the tamagoyaki, kamo yaki, the fig and melon salad, soba seiro, and soba cha gelato for dessert. Apps came out first. Tamagoyaki was super juicy and delicious. The salad was refreshing but not amazing.. the soba was good. The dipping sauce was just the right amount of salty. I do wish they gave the soba water at the end so we could drink it. The kamo yaki was good. I liked the breast more than the meatballs; breast was nice and tender, but meatballs were a bit in the drier side and too salty for my taste. For dessert, we got the soba cha gelato which comes in a little to go bowl. It tasted like.. vanilla ice cream in a cake cone haha. Didn't get much soba-y flavor but maybe it just tastes like cake cone? Overall, solid place for soba! I'd come again to try their other soba dishes. There aren't many competitors in the area for soba, so I'll be back! read more

Soba Ichi - Soba cha gelato - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

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Great ambiance and service. Restaurant has inside and outdoor seating. Food arrived quickly and was delicious! Ordered: Nishin Soba (hot soba with simmered herring) Hiyashi Tori Soba (cold soba with braised chicken) Yamagata Dashi Tofu Kamo Yaki Oolong Highball Both sobas were delicious. The cold soba retained the chewiness of the noodles but I personally enjoy hot broth more. Both soba soups were broth-like. It was salty, savory, yet light. You can really taste the dashi and it's not heavy at all. The homemade tofu with their "salsa" was interesting but the appetizer that took me by surprise was the Kamo Yaki. The duck was so tender and delicately smoked. Super flavorful, perfect balance of lean and fat. In my opinion, I found it paired so well with the refreshing cold oolong highball. The duck meatballs were my favorite. It was slightly crisp on the outside, brushed with a tonkatsu-like sauce but inside was juicy and full of flavor! It came with an raw egg yolk so dipping the meatball and the smoked duck in it elevated this to a whole new level. Had a great time and would definitely be back to try a different soba next time I'm in the area. read more

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We spontaneously stopped by on a Saturday night and, as expected, there was a long line - we waited about 45 minutes before ordering. You place your order at the window and then grab your own seats, and they do ask that you wait to sit until after you've ordered. We tried the Tamagoyaki, Kamo Nanban Soba, and Ebi Ten Soba, and everything was absolutely delicious. It's a bit on the pricey side, but absolutely worth it. I'd definitely come back! read more

A week later and we are back here with family. We tried more soba, appetizers and sake. I had the duck soba this time around and it was scrumptious and satisfying. The octopus salad was well made and extra smokey. Overall, another good visit for fresh and authentic soba. read more

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Good soba but it was not worth the wait! To be fair I don't usually like waiting extended periods for food. 30 min in line then another 20 to receive food. One real complaint is that the tempura shrimp was pretty mushy and gummy - it should be crisp! But the soba was delightfully chewy. I like Ippuku (same owners) so I felt like Soba Ichi fell a bit flat Staff were very sweet though and I liked the design of the spot. read more

Soba Ichi - Noodles Near Me - Oakland, California

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