This is the soul food of the citizens of Himeji! Eki-soba” located in Shiragi-cho

I had Eki-soba at “Eki-soba Otemae-ten” (Himeji City), which is located facing Otemae-dori with a view of Himeji Castle.

Eki-soba Otemae Store Exterior

Located a 10-minute walk from Himeji Station, the restaurant opened about 20 years ago with the hope of attracting tourists. True to this desire, there is an original menu offered only at this restaurant using “Kobe beef” for many tourists.

Purchase a meal ticket from the ticket machine

When I entered the restaurant, I found a ticket vending machine. Payment is by cash only. The lineup of dishes can be eaten as a light meal or as a meal. Give the meal ticket you bought to the store staff and ask them to cook it for you.

A view of the counter seating inside the restaurant, decorated with autographs of celebrities.

When you think of soba, you may think of gray buckwheat noodles filled with buckwheat flour, but Maneki Foods has created a unique and nostalgic dish called “Eki-soba,” which is yellow Chinese noodles in a thick Japanese-style broth.

Inari Sushi & Eki Soba Set” 600 yen (tax included)

I had an image that “ikisoba = tempura,” but there are also seasonal specials, such as fox, chicken tempura, and burdock root toppings. For example, “bamboo shoot tempura” is served in spring and “oysters” in winter.

Among these, I had the “Inari Sushi & Ekisoba Set”.

The aroma of bonito soup stock whets the appetite. The tempura on top of the noodles contained small shrimps, which added a nice savory accent.

One sip of the dashi soup and I, as a citizen of Himeji, felt very relieved. The light, yet nostalgic and addictive taste makes it easy to eat for everyone from small children to the elderly.

Simple Inarizushi with sesame seeds

Inarizushi produced at Maneki’s main factory is very juicy, and the sweetness spreads out when you bite into it. I honestly wondered how good it tasted. I told the person in charge. I was told by the person in charge that the entire company made improvements to their sushi dishes last year. 80 years old, Maneki Shokuhin has always been making improvements, and I could feel the passion of a long-established company for their customers. Incidentally, “inari” and “maki” sushi are available for take-out.

Mr. Undangame, who is in charge, said, “We want our customers to enjoy the same fast, tasty, inexpensive, and everlasting taste.

There is a space in front of the restaurant where you can eat outside

As the name suggests, “Ekisoba,” which every Himeji resident has probably had at least once, was born in Himeji Station and is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. We are sure that its gentle taste will continue to heal not only the citizens of Himeji but also many other people in the future.

More Information

Location

Ekisoba Otemae Branch
(1F, 68 Shiroginmachi, Himeji City)
Find it on GoogleMaps

Business hours

10:00-18:00

Closed

None

TEL

079-283-2208

• Maneki Shokuhin Homepage https://www.maneki-co.com/products/ekisoba/