Do you like tsukesoba (dipping noodles)?
Compared to ramen, it may seem a bit plain.
However, in urban areas like Tokyo, there are specialty shops for tsukesoba, making it a popular menu item.
There is a specialty shop for tsukesoba in Soja City.
That is "Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo (hereafter, Yamaimo)."
In addition to the carefully crafted tsukesoba with two types of noodles, the abura soba and the original menu item torodama are also popular.
We will delve into the history and specialties of the tsukesoba specialty shop, Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo.
Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo closed in September 2024.
The information provided is from when it was in operation.
Yamaimo is a tsukesoba specialty shop located in front of Soja City Hall
Yamaimo is a tsukesoba specialty shop located just north of Soja City Hall.
It is situated in the same building as the long-established Western-style restaurant "Boon" and the curry shop "Shaka Spice."
There are many ramen shops, but there are few that focus on tsukesoba.
At Yamaimo, you can enjoy unique tsukesoba with a focus on quality, as well as abura soba and side dishes.
Originally, Yamaimo operated as "Mendokoro Sudachi-ya" in a shared kitchen located in a traditional house on the shopping street in Soja City.
Then, in September 2020, it opened at its current location under the present name.
Upon entering the shop, there are two tables for two people arranged at the front.
At the back of the shop, there is a kitchen and six counter seats.
Please note that Yamaimo does not have a parking lot, but you can park in the parking lot of the izakaya "Shunsai Bouya" located about 300 meters away, but only during lunch hours.
Introduction to Yamaimo's menu
Information as of August 2023 (Reiwa 5). Prices include tax.
Since Yamaimo is a tsukesoba shop, of course, the main item is "tsukesoba."
In addition to the regular tsukesoba, the "Yamakake tsukesoba," which includes yam tororo and a quail egg, is also popular.
Besides tsukesoba, there are also "abura soba" and ramen topped with plenty of tororo called "torodama."
In addition to noodle dishes like tsukesoba, there are also rice dishes such as "tororo meshi," "torimeshi," and "yakionigiri chazuke."
Notably, there is "kaedama" (extra noodles).
Kaedama allows you to choose between the same flat noodles as your original order and thin noodles made with whole wheat two types to choose from.
Additionally, if you want to drink the leftover dipping sauce from the tsukesoba, waribashi (diluted broth) is also available.
If you wish, please ask the staff.
Recommended and popular menu items
Among the many menu items at Yamaimo, we will introduce the shop's recommendations and popular items among customers.
Tsukesoba
The signature menu item of Yamaimo is "tsukesoba."
The noodles are usually served cold as "hiyamori," but if requested, they can also be served warm as "atumori."
During the interview, I chose the cold version.
The noodles are beautifully arranged on a white and blue plate, which leaves a strong impression.
Additionally, two types of meat are served alongside the noodles, which is also a highlight.
The light-colored meat is chicken ham.
The reddish meat is roast beef, served in two slices.
In the reddish-brown dipping sauce, there are plenty of green onions.
The dipping sauce has a sweet soy sauce flavor and a rich seafood aroma.
The dipping sauce is made from parent chicken bones and skin from Okayama Prefecture, Setouchi iriko, and flying fish from the Sea of Japan!
The noodles are glossy medium-thick flat noodles.
When you dip the noodles into the dipping sauce and slurp them up, they have a chewy texture and a smooth finish.
The warm dipping sauce clings well to the noodles, creating a delicious harmony.
Additionally, sudachi citrus and grated wasabi are provided, so feel free to add them according to your preference.
Changing the flavor while eating is also recommended.
As mentioned earlier, you can choose from two types of noodles for the extra serving.
How about selecting thin noodles for the extra serving and enjoying a different texture?
Yamakake Tsukesoba
“Yamakake Tsukesoba” is the most popular menu item.
Yamakake Tsukesoba is a dish inspired by the restaurant's name, “Yamaimo.”
In fact, the name Yamaimo comes from my nickname, so it is not related to the ingredient yam (laughs).
It is a dish where plenty of grated yam (nagaimo) is poured over the tsukesoba noodles.
In the center, there is a quail egg.
The noodles and dipping sauce are the same as the regular tsukesoba.
Perhaps because the restaurant is called “Yamaimo,” or because many people love yam, Yamakake Tsukesoba is the most popular.
However, the restaurant's recommendation is the regular “Tsukesoba,” which allows you to enjoy the flavor directly!
Yamakake Tsukesoba is recommended for those who love the grated yam.
Abura Soba
“Abura Soba” is what is known as “mixed soba.”
On top of the noodles, there is one slice of chicken ham, two pieces of roast beef, plenty of chopped green onions, and fish powder.
And underneath the noodles, there is a small amount of sauce.
The noodles are the same flat medium-thick noodles as the tsukesoba.
The sauce for the Abura Soba is made from old chicken and iriko (dried sardines).
Please mix everything well and enjoy!
When you eat it, you can feel the sweet taste of the vegetables and chicken fat from the sauce, along with the flavor of seafood.
The noodles have a chewy and elastic texture.
The flavor of the sauce clings to them.
The roast beef has a firm and chewy texture.
With each bite, the flavor of the meat seeps out, spreading along with the flavor of black pepper, making it delicious.
It seemed like it would be rich in flavor, but surprisingly, I was able to finish it easily.
Toro Tama
Yamaimo also has original menu items.
One of them is “Toro Tama.”
On top of the ramen, plenty of grated yam is poured.
When you eat it, you experience a strong viscosity of yam along with a crunchy texture, and the flavors of the broth, vegetables, and chicken fat, leaving a refreshing aftertaste.
It pairs excellently with the noodles.
This dish is recommended for yam lovers and those who enjoy sticky, gooey textures.
Tori Meshi
“Tori Meshi” is also a popular side menu item.
On top of the rice, there is plenty of chicken ham.
Additionally, green onions and seaweed are sprinkled on top, with wasabi served on the side.
Tori Meshi is topped with a raw soy sauce dressing, which pairs well with the chicken ham, rice, seaweed, and wasabi.
With its refreshing flavor, I think it is easy to eat alongside tsukesoba or abura soba.
Yamaimo, a tsukesoba specialty shop, has a style that is rare in Soja City.
I interviewed the owner, Yamanaka Natsumi.
Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo Data
| Name | Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-2-1 Chuo, Soja City |
| Contact | 090-2861-0340 |
| Parking | None ※ During lunch hours only, parking is available at Shunsai-bouya (about 300m from Shunsai-bouya) |
| Business Hours | 11:30 AM - 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM (Last order 7:30 PM) |
| Regular Holidays | Monday, Sunday |
| Payment Methods |
|
| Reservations | No |
| Seats | Total of 10 seats ・Counter seats: 6 ・2-person table seats: 2 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Toilet | Western-style toilet |
| Childcare | ・Stroller access available ・Child-friendly utensils available |
| Barrier-free | ・Wheelchair access available (toilet is not wheelchair accessible) |
| Website | Official Instagram of Tsukesoba-ya Yamaimo |
Choosing thin noodles allows you to enjoy a different noodle experience.
If you wish, you can also request thin noodles from the start when you place your initial order.