01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Gently submerging freshly fried tempura into a steaming, dark broth before slurping the noodles captures the quiet appeal of an unpretentious noodle shop. Located in Ojima, Koto Ward, Hanamaru Soba opens early in the morning, greeting patrons with a rich bonito dashi broth accented by a delicate sweetness. While offering the swift service typical of a stand-and-eat shop, the interior provides comfortable counter seating where diners can sit down and enjoy their meal at an easy pace.
Broth-Soaked Tempura and Chewy Noodles
The menu features standard preparations of soba and udon, ranging from simple kake and chilled mori to tanuki topped with tempura crisps and kitsune with sweet fried tofu. To accompany the noodles, a variety of tempura toppings is available, including kakiage mixed fritters, garland chrysanthemum, burdock root, chikuwa fish cake, and horse mackerel. As the hot broth seeps into the hearty batter, the tempura softens into a tender texture, releasing rich savory oil directly into the dashi. Slurped alongside the thick, substantial noodles, each bite delivers a robust and rustic flavor.
The Hearty Balance of Noodle and Rice Combinations
When a more substantial meal is needed, combination sets paired with rice dishes prove especially practical. The especially popular curry set establishes a pleasing rhythm, alternating between the lingering, mild spice of a homestyle curry rice and the clean savory depth of the dashi broth. Other options, such as seasoned gomoku rice, salmon rice, or the signature Hanamaru set matching raw egg with kakiage soba, offer satisfying choices to suit whatever one is craving.
Buying a ticket from the vending machine, collecting a promptly assembled bowl, and taking a seat makes for a calm and effortless morning or midday pause. It remains a welcoming everyday stop to drop into, lingering over the warmth of a comforting dashi.
