The origin of Yamaguchi’s specialty, Kawara Soba

Soba cooked on Kawara roof tiles? What exactly is Kawara Soba?

Kawara Soba is a representative local dish of Shimonoseki City, located in Yamaguchi Prefecture.
The name is self-explanatory with "Cha Soba(soba noodles made from tea)" and various ingredients cooked and served literally on a Japanese Kawara roof tile.

You can enjoy the rich flavors of Cha Soba in two different textures, with noodles on the top for a soft and chewy texture, at the bottom for some well cooked and crispy noodles.
Known for its tastefulness, this local speciality dish invented at Kawatana Onsen has grown to become a soul food for all Yamaguchi residents.

Seeking for the roots at “Ganso Kawara Soba Takase”, the famous restaurant where Kawara Soba was born.

The famous restaurant known to be the founder of Kawara Soba

How was Kawara Soba invented? Visiting its birthplace to seek for answers.

We've visited "Ganso Kawara Soba Takase" in an attempt to learn about the history and origin of Kawara Soba.
As the name "Ganso"(meaning FOUNDER in Japanese) suggests, it is known as the specialty store where Kawara Soba was originally invented .
The store is located in the Kawatana Main Building of Toyouracho, Shimonoseki City.
This century year old building was renovated, yet retains the historical atmosphere and antique appearance of the past.

Mr. Yamamoto taking our interview.

We interviewed Mr. Yamamoto, the General Manager of Kawara Soba Takase.
To start off, we asked him about the origin of Kawara Soba.

Kawara Soba was first invented by an inn, which later on became Kawara Soba Takase.
About 60 years ago, they aimed to come up with a specialty dish of Kawatana Onsen.
The founder, Shinichi Takase, got the primary idea of a dish cooked and served on a Kawara tile from a story during the Satsuma Rebellion described as, "During the long battle of the Seinan War. Soldiers of the Satsuma army used to cook and eat meat and vegetables on a heated Kawara roof tile while camping."

To put this idea into practice,he experimented with all sorts of noodles and various ingredients. After countless attempts and errors, he found out that the flavorful and chewy texture of "Cha Soba" fits best with the dish, and this is how the Kawara Soba was first invented in 1962.

It took no time for Kawara Soba to become the most popular local dish of Kawatana Onsen and eventually spread to the entire Yamaguchi Prefecture.
Since its first appearance 60 years ago, it is still gaining tremendous popularity nationwide showing no signs of dying down. Numerous specialty shops are actively opening in neighboring prefectures mainly in Fukuoka, and even reaching out to remote metropolitan cities such as Tokyo.

Real Kawara tiles are used as a plate.

Kawara Soba is served on a real Kawara Tile

Needless to say, Kawara Soba's greatest feature is the usage of the Kawara tile as a plate.
In the past, dishes were served on the exact same Kawara tiles used for house roofs, but since the painting and coating materials were considered not suitable for serving food, custom made Kawara tiles designed to serve Kawara Soba were made as an alternative.

Although the appearance of these tiles are an eye-catcher, don’t forget to look at the great functionality as well.
The far infrared radiation effect of the Kawara tiles have an excellent heat retaining function, which prevents the dish from getting cold.
This allows us to appreciate the privileges of a fresh and piping hot dish throughout your meal.
Additionally, when the noodles are cooked at the bottom, right on the Kawara surface, it creates a crispy texture, which is similar to a scorched rice, called “Okoge”.

Who would have ever imagined that a roof tile has the capability and functionality of a plate, perfectly suitable for serving food!

Carefully chosen ingredients makes Kawara Soba stand out.

Not only the Cha Soba, Takase shows extremely strong preferences for all ingredients.

Mr. Yamamoto told us that he has an extremely strong preference towards all ingredients.
Cha Soba served in Takase is an order made type of noodle from a manufacturer in Nara, made from kneading carefully selected Soba flour from Hokkaido and high quality Uji Matcha from Kyoto.
Added to this is the "Shimonoseki Yasuoka Green Onion", well known to be the most aromatic and sweetest green onion in Japan, further enhancing the rich scent of the Cha Soba.
"Mentsuyu", the noodle soup is also made from ingredients chosen with excessive care.
The rich and elegant flavor with a fragrant and well balanced sweet taste, comes from a mixture of soup broth using plenty of dried bonito and kelp. It is served hot, to maintain the warmth of the Cha Soba heated on the Kawara tile.

The origin and history of “Ganso Kawara Soba Takase”

The long history of Kawara Soba Takase

While Kawara Soba Takase has become famous nowadays as the birthplace of Kawara Soba, it previously was a humble local inn.
"After the invention of Kawara Soba,the inn once had to close. This is when we received a voice from a customer convincing us to 'seek for any possible way to commercialize Kawara Soba'.
These voices gave me a boost, and I decided to start a specialty restaurant under the name of Kawara Soba Takase." says Mr. Yamamoto.

The first restaurant started in the main building of Kawatana, and this is where we visited for this interview.
Since then, the number of restaurants has grown to a total of 5, 3 of them located in Kawatana's East building and South building, and 1 restaurant each in Mojiko of Kitakyushu city and Shimonoseki Youme City.

“Kawara Soba has now become a soul food not only for the citizens in Yamaguchi, but also nationwide. The popularity continues to grow as more restaurants open all over Japan. With that said, Kawara Soba Takase is the one and only place you can truly appreciate the original and traditional taste. If Kawara Soba interests you in any way, Kawatana is the place you should visit. We look forward to seeing you." says Mr. Yamamoto.

We completely agree with him, and strongly recommend visiting Kawatana for the original tasty dish and so much more!
The historical air throughout this century-old building, along with the aesthetic view of the courtyard will definitely enhance your experience and make it unforgettable.

An aesthetic view of the well cared courtyard

In addition, Takase is well known for another specialty dish, "Unameshi".
This is because eel farming was also popular in Kawatana, thus Unameshi became the top two representative dishes side by side with Kawara Soba.

When visiting with two people, you won't regret ordering two servings of Kawara Soba and an Unameshi. This is the most popular set, and will provide you complete satisfaction.

There are mainly two ways to eat Unameshi, either by eating it as is, or by adding Dashi soup and making it into an Ochazuke. We recommend you to try both of them and enjoy the difference.

The irresistible aroma of the Cha Soba. Let's eat Kawara Soba!

Before tasting the Kawara Soba of Takase, let's take a look into how it's cooked.

###How Kawara Soba is made.
Thanks to Mr. Yamamoto's kindness, we were specially allowed to witness the making of Kawara Soba.

Firstly, the Cha Soba is cooked

The process starts immediately from the main ingredient, with the Cha Soba being placed on a heated iron plate. A mouth-watering scent floats throughout the kitchen, becoming more and more tempting over time.

I thought that the noodles would start off on the Kawara tile to be cooked, but for it to be served in a prepared state, this method was applied to be the most ideal.
Alongside the Cha Soba being cooked, the Kawara tile is heated and prepared directly over fire.

Placing the Cha Soba on a heated Kawara tile

Once the noodles are readily cooked, it is quickly placed on the heated Kawara tile.
The lean and efficient movement using two pairs of chopsticks showcases the pure skill of an artisan.

Arranging the toppings (image is for two servings)

Further on, other ingredients will be arranged on top of the Cha Soba.
Finally, the Kawara Soba is ready to eat!

Time to eat! But, how am I supposed to eat it...?

Piping hot Kawara Soba(2 servings for 2,200 YEN plus tax)

This was how Kawara Soba is made.
Before trying it, let's learn the traditional "Kawara Soba Takase" way of enjoying the dish.

Firstly, dump in the Cha Soba and your preferred ingredients into the warm Mentsuyu to give it your first try. Enjoy the superb flavor and aroma of the secret Mentsuyu, taken from plentiful dried bonitos and kelp. Eat it this way until you're about half way done.

Appreciating the aroma, along with the chewy and crispy textures of Cha Soba

For the latter half of your meal, add the toppings; lemon and Momiji Oroshi (grated daikon and chili).
These are placed on the top when served, so people tend to try it from the start, but adding it on your way to finish is the secret to enjoying the dish fully.
Mr. Yamamoto provided us with the reason, saying "When adding the toppings halfway through, the taste of the Mentsuyu changes and becomes more refreshing. This way, you can appreciate two different tastes while maintaining the renewed pleasant feelings throughout your meal."

In addition to the various textures of the noodles, we even have flavor changing Mentsuyu as well.
With so many elements to enjoy from a single dish, how luxurious can this be!

Try the refreshing taste with lemon and Momiji Oroshi

You can enjoy Kawara Soba at home too!

Kawara Soba set(four servings at 1,900 YEN plus tax)

There's also a souvenir counter in the shop, located beside the cashier.
Here, you can purchase the top selling Kawara Soba set, which allows you to make the traditional and original taste at your home kitchen. It's available in Kawatana, at souvenir shops within Yamaguchi, as well as in online shops.

Enjoy the traditional taste at your home

The Cha Soba and the secret Mentsuyu is all that is included in the Kawara Soba set.
With that being said, you need to prepare the other topping ingredients by yourself.
Meat, Welsh Onions, Nori(seaweed), shredded Omelet, Lemon, Momiji Oroshi(grated Daikon and Chili), are the six ingredients you need in order to completely bring back the original recipe.

Sense the tradition through taste, and feel the history through your skin

Ever since its invention in 1962, "Ganso Kawara Soba Takase" kept inheriting the flavor from the olden days. Kawara Soba has become a local specialty dish representing Yamaguchi nowadays, but Kawatana is still the only place where you can appreciate the true original taste. Imagine savoring the traditional Kawara Soba in a historical building whilst viewing the beautiful courtyard. This total experience is only available in Kawatana.