Sobaya 06-14-2010

Location: 229 East 9th St.
Time: 5:30pm
People: RB and myself

Feelings: About 10 years ago, when I first moved to NYC from Florida, I used to go to Sobaya quite often. That was the pre-ramen, pre-noodle boom era, and there were not many soba options back then. Currently, my favorite soba restaurant is Sobakoh, but when RB and I found ourselves hungry for soba in St. Marks area, we decided to re-visit the old favorite.

Soba is not cheap here, and the portions are true to Japanese size. It is hand made, and you can actually witness the chef making the noodles at the front. My Zaru Soba ($9.75, Plain cold noodle with nori) was a perfectly tasty summer dish that soothes your stomach. I would like it to be a bit more chewy and al dente, but it was well prepared and refreshing nonetheless.

RB selected the Cold Chirashi Soba ($15, tiny shrimp tempura, egg omelet, shiitake, friend bean curd and fish cake) from the seasonal menu. It was beautifully crafted and presented, and it looked like a pretty Japanese bento box gently sprinkled on top of soba noodles. The cold soba was refreshing especially on a warm day with plenty of protein and variety of textures.

The service is quick and attentive with typical Japanese hospitality, and while I still prefer Sobakoh more, Sobaya is a solid choice for your summer cold soba appetite.