I visited "Osobakosen" for the first time on September 11th. I had been curious about this shop that opens early in the morning. I visited for breakfast alone at 10:20 am. There are 3 parking spaces in the dedicated parking lot of Kuwahara Shokuryo across the road. There is a white half-curtain hanging, but for some reason it was rolled up. Intentional? The door is a sliding aluminum frame. Upon entering, there is a ticket machine to the right. The menu layout is a bit confusing. I think it's for soba and kishimen, but since the arrow was pointing to the kishimen menu, I wasn't sure if I could choose soba... Well, I could have just asked the staff, but I'm a bit shy (laughs). For now, I chose the soba with ginger and mushroom tempura for 830 yen. It says on the ticket machine to bring the ticket to the center of the counter. To the left upon entering is the kitchen, and there are counter seats in between. There are also counter seats facing the window on the right side. Various seasonings are placed in the back left. There are 2 staff members working. I handed the ticket at the counter seat to the left and sat down. There were no other customers. The food was served in about 5 minutes. The soba itself was average. It's the standard 80% buckwheat soba. The soba broth is a bit dark in color but light in taste. I quite like it. The tempura had a heavy batter. It goes well with the soba broth. I would prefer it with a lighter batter. The condiments were wasabi and green onions. The menu was a bit confusing, but there was also a menu sheet on the counter. I noticed they also have curry soba. I'll have to try that next time. Thank you for the meal.

Finally, I was discharged from the hospital for the third time this year. Due to my poor health, comments and replies are significantly delayed. I will gradually catch up as my condition improves, so please be patient. For now, I plan to focus on reviewing past reviews that have not been reviewed. New visits will be limited based on my health condition. "Soba-Kosen" is a rare soba restaurant in Sapporo that opens from 7 am, near Sapporo Asabu Stadium, and closes at 2:30 pm. They raised their prices on July 28 this year and upgraded their soba ingredients to "soba flour from Hokuryu-cho" and "wheat from Hokkaido." I visited for lunch with my usual companion for the first time. The restaurant is located in the Shinkotoni area of Sapporo's Kita Ward, near Sapporo Asabu Stadium. Please check the exact location of the restaurant on Tabelog. It was a weekday visit around 12:30 pm. There were 3 customers, including takeout reservations, in front of us and 2 customers behind us. It is a small restaurant with only counter seats facing each other. As soon as you enter, there is a ticket machine on the right. We both ordered the "Small Shrimp and Lotus Root Tendon Set for 880 yen." You can choose from "soba, udon, and kishimen" for the set noodles. We ordered "cold soba." After waiting for 11 minutes, our food ticket numbers were called, and my companion went to pick them up. The soba was made using soba flour from Hokuryu-cho, Hokkaido, and wheat from Hokkaido. It had a decent flavor and a good texture. It came with red and white kamaboko and mizuna. The soba broth was made with Satsuma bonito and dried bonito from Kagoshima, along with Rishiri kombu, and their homemade dipping sauce. The broth had a strong flavor. The condiments were wasabi and long green onions. The Small Shrimp and Lotus Root Tendon was freshly fried and crispy. It came with 3 pieces of shrimp tempura that were nicely fried. The menu stated "small shrimp," but it was actually a normal-sized shrimp tempura (laughs). The lotus root tempura was one piece, and the tempura broth was on the sweeter side, suitable for women. The rice portion was small, and pickles included cucumber. The price was 880 yen (tax included). The Small Shrimp and Lotus Root Tendon Set with soba was quite a satisfying set. The soba made with soba flour from Hokuryu-cho was not bad. The Tendon came with 3 pieces of shrimp tempura that were nicely fried. Although it was labeled "small shrimp," it was a generous size shrimp tempura (laughs). This set would make shrimp tempura lovers happy. The tempura broth was on the sweeter side, catering to women. Next time, I might try the Small Shrimp and Lotus Root Tendon Set with cold kishimen. It was delicious, thank you for the meal.

☆2022.8.1 Revisited☆ I came back today following yesterday's visit. My son's team this year is seriously strong. Well, my son is not a special player, but I support him because he's doing his best! And today, they won a close semi-final match in the morning! They made it to the final match in the afternoon!! I was curious about the cafeteria at Aso Ballpark, but I was more interested in this place from yesterday. My best friend who I went with yesterday wasn't there, but one of the dad friends I told about having breakfast yesterday was a bit upset like, "Why didn't you invite me!" (laughs) So I invited him for lunch. This dad friend is quite particular about soba. We walked to the restaurant again. When we entered, the parents of my son's teammates were already waiting for their food. I was outdone because I talked to the wife yesterday (laughs). I ordered the set menu "Chicken Tempura Curry Set for 880 yen" that I was curious about. It arrived in about 10 minutes. It had a wonderful presentation. The curry had chicken tempura on top. Oh, today I tried the kishimen. The kishimen was thinner and lighter than I expected. It was a light type of kishimen. It was good in its own way. But I think I prefer soba. I already knew the chicken tempura was good from yesterday. But how about the curry! Oh, it's quite thick and rich, just how I like it. Delicious, delicious. And it's iron plate chicken tempura, so about two pieces are just right. It was a fantastic set. I'm satisfied. Since I had the curry set, I didn't get the inari sushi. My dad friend had the Mori Soba, so he got a complimentary inari sushi. My son is in his last year of baseball as a 6th grader, so he won't be coming to Aso Ballpark anymore. Therefore, I probably won't have the chance to come to this restaurant again, but if I do, I'd like to visit again. It was delicious! Thank you for the two days!! Itadakimasu!!!

☆First Visit on July 31, 2022☆Today, I visited Asao Baseball Stadium for my son's baseball tournament. We left early in the morning and hadn't had breakfast yet, so I searched on my phone. While there is a cafeteria at Asao Baseball Stadium, it's not open at 8 am, of course. I found a soba noodle restaurant that opens at 7 am just a short walk away! They are open on Sundays too! I invited my close friend who is also part of the same team, and he immediately said, "Let's go!" (laughs) As soon as we walked out of the stadium onto a main street, we saw a sign right away. There were various set meals, but according to online reviews, the tempura chicken (toriten) seems to be popular. However, there was no set meal with both toriten and soba noodles, so I ordered a hot soba noodles and a side of toriten (4 pieces). It's not a standing soba noodle shop. I handed the food ticket to the owner and called out "soba noodles." They offer a choice between soba noodles and kishimen noodles. I haven't had kishimen noodles since my business trip to Nagoya about 10 years ago. While chatting quietly with my friend, our order was ready. Surprisingly, a cute inari sushi was included as a complimentary side. Additionally, grated daikon radish was served on a separate plate. Was this also a complimentary service? The soba noodles had chopped seaweed sprinkled on top. The toriten was huge! I should have just ordered two pieces. First, the soba noodles. The broth was not too sweet, which I liked. The soba noodles were more authentic and delicious than I had imagined. And then, the toriten. This was delicious! It was more like zangi (deep-fried chicken) than toriten. It was substantial and tasty. I really liked it! This restaurant turned out to be much more solid than I had expected. If our baseball team advances and we come back to Asao Baseball Stadium tomorrow, I will definitely come here for breakfast again! Thank you for the meal!!!!

I read the article about Mairebi in April 2022 and decided to visit the soba restaurant I had been curious about. There is a parking lot across the road. The bright and narrow interior has counter seats. I purchased the spring chrysanthemum tempura soba and large shrimp tempura from the vending machine. You can choose between cold and hot soba. I requested cold soba. It took less than 10 minutes to be served. I thought the tempura might have been pre-made, but both were freshly fried. The spring chrysanthemum tempura was generous in portion and even came with inari sushi. The grayish thin soba had a good texture and was delicious. The condiments were green onion and wasabi. The dipping sauce was medium in saltiness. I enjoyed the spring chrysanthemum tempura with rock salt, and it was crispy and tasty. The shrimp was large with a thick batter. The soba-yu (soba water) was mixed with the rich dipping sauce and was delicious.

After enjoying the pork cutlet at a restaurant along the new road, I aimed for simmered dried fish ramen only to find out it was temporarily closed! Feeling disappointed, I continued driving and stumbled upon a soba restaurant! Excited, I was drawn in. Note that there is a parking lot for 3 cars across the road. I planned to order the soba, but when I saw the spring chrysanthemum tempura, which I love, I didn't hesitate to order it. At that moment, I remembered two reviewers who love tempura and soba. I quickly searched on Tabelog and found that they had also eaten the spring chrysanthemum tempura. One of them had not reviewed it yet, so I decided to post it on Instagram right away. The soba noodles are likely sourced from a noodle factory, but the balance is good and the noodles are not overcooked. The broth has a strong dashi flavor with a light finish, fitting for a casual eatery like this. I fell in love with the dynamic spring chrysanthemum tempura... It was crispy with a light oiliness, very delicious. However, the inari sushi had clumped vinegar rice, which was disappointing. The menu suggests "if you're unsure, go for the soba," and I think there's some truth to that. But even the cold soba was not bad at all. The key is to have a mental ruler for evaluating this type of soba. If this restaurant were nearby, it would be convenient. I would definitely become a regular customer.

This is a soba restaurant located slightly off the beaten path in Asao. There is a parking lot across the street with space for three cars. It was close to 2 PM, so there was only one customer. They offer both soba and kishimen. I decided to try the soba first, so I ordered the cold spring chrysanthemum tempura soba. The tempura is made to order. The owner seems to be running the place alone, so you can help yourself to chopsticks, water, tea (soba tea), and the tempura bits. The soba is pretty standard. The portion looks generous, but it's actually not that much, so it might be a bit small for big eaters. The dipping sauce is on the stronger side. It might be just right for dipping with the spring chrysanthemum, but a bit too strong if you're eating the soba on its own. The freshly fried spring chrysanthemum is crispy and delicious. Next, I'll try the kishimen. You also have to return your tray yourself.

On a holiday morning, I was looking for a place to eat and came across this place that I had been curious about lately. It's not too far from my house, so I decided to give it a try. There is a parking space across from the shop where you can park and head into the shop. Inside, there is a ticket machine on the right where you can purchase tickets. They offer soba, udon, and kishimen, and I decided to try the kishimen this time. In addition to just soba and kishimen, they also offer toppings like tempura, kashiwa, curry, etc. This time, I chose the tempura kishimen. The shop owner runs the shop alone, so you have to return your chopsticks, water, hand towel, and dishes by yourself. The tempura kishimen (hot) comes with an inari sushi on the side. The kishimen has a nice chewy texture and the broth is stronger in flavor than the dashi type, but not too salty. It may feel a bit light for those who prefer stronger flavors, but it's just right for a morning meal. The tempura is a simple vegetable tempura with carrots and onions, crispy on the outside and retaining the sweetness and texture of the vegetables. I found out later that you can request the tempura on the side if you want to enjoy the crispiness until the end. The inari sushi is gently sweet and perfect for a morning meal. If I have the chance, I would like to come back next time and try the soba. Thank you for the meal!

I came to a soba and kishimen restaurant to eat kishimen. There are parking spaces for 3 cars in a monthly parking lot across the road from the restaurant. The business hours are from 7:00 to 14:30. There is hand sanitizer near the entrance. There are acrylic boards on the counter seats. I ordered kake kishimen for 500 yen using the ticket machine and also ordered a topping for 200 yen. The topping I chose was squid tempura. When the order is ready, they call out your number. It is mostly self-service. I noticed that the serving includes inari sushi as a service item, which was a nice surprise. The broth is not the clear type like in the traditional style, but a black broth more familiar to people from Hokkaido. It has a strong umami flavor without being too salty. The addition of bonito flakes enhances the overall flavor. The flat kishimen noodles are chewy and not too soft. The squid tempura, which is made to order, costs 200 yen for 2 pieces. The inari sushi as a service item was small but delicious. Overall, it was a nice touch to have it included. I am also curious about their soba, but it's not easy to visit this area. (2021.10)

Spring chrysanthemum tempura soba noodles for 600 yen in Shin-Kotoni area. A new soba shop opened in April 2021, operating from 7 am. There are 3 parking spaces across the street. The interior has a clean and bright atmosphere with only a counter. You purchase your meal ticket from the vending machine and hand it to the staff. It's a self-service soba shop, but they also offer the rare "kisimen" which is popular in the region. I ordered the cold spring chrysanthemum tempura soba. The kisimen noodles are softer compared to the firm texture of Sanuki noodles, and you can enjoy them by chewing slowly. The broth has a stronger soy sauce flavor than dashi. The tempura was crispy and light, complementing the dish well. I love the unique taste. I thought I didn't order the inari sushi and pickles, but they were actually complimentary! It was a pleasant surprise. Thank you for the meal.

On a certain weekday, I decided to have an early lunch at a bookmarked soba and udon noodle restaurant located in Kitanoku Shinkotoni 11-jo. The restaurant has a compact interior with only back-to-back counter seats, and they provide a parking space for 3 cars on the opposite side of the street. The atmosphere is complemented by light jazz music playing in the background. I ordered the cold udon noodles with ginger and shiitake mushroom tempura (550 yen) from the ticket vending machine, which caught my attention more than the usual spring chrysanthemum tempura. The udon noodles were thick and flat, offering a chewy texture that was satisfying. I dipped each noodle in the dipping sauce, which had a strong soy sauce flavor that mellowed out as I continued eating. The addition of green onions and grated ginger provided a well-balanced taste. Next, the shiitake mushroom and ginger tempura lived up to its name with flavorful shiitake mushrooms and finely chopped red ginger. The umami of the mushrooms combined with the saltiness and acidity of the red ginger was delightful, although the tempura could have been drained of excess oil better. I also enjoyed the sweet and savory inari sushi and pickled vegetables on the side. As I finished my meal, I couldn't help but think about trying the spring chrysanthemum tempura next time. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Today, for the second stop of my lunch crawl, I went to Kosen in Shinkotoni, which I had seen on a website before and was intrigued by their spring chrysanthemum tempura. In Sapporo, I rarely come across dishes like spring chrysanthemum tempura or pickled ginger tempura, so I decided to make that the main focus here instead of soba noodles. The restaurant had a bright and airy atmosphere with windows lining one wall, allowing sunlight to stream in. I ordered the cold soba noodles with spring chrysanthemum tempura and after a short 5-minute wait, my number was called. To my surprise, the spring chrysanthemum tempura was even more generous in portion than I had imagined. And to top it off, I received a piece of inari sushi even though it wasn't part of a set! The crispy spring chrysanthemum tempura had a delightful aroma and tasted great dipped in the soba dipping sauce. The soba noodles had a nice chewy texture and went down smoothly. The inari sushi, which made an unexpected appearance, was flavorful and delicious. I had initially expected more of a standing soba shop vibe from what I had seen online, so this exceeded my expectations and left me very satisfied. Thank you for the meal!

In front of the store, the noren and flag are waving. Across the street, there is parking space for 3 cars. Inside the store, there is a bright space with white as the main color. Next to the ticket machine, there is a clear introduction of the products with easy-to-understand photos. They confirm whether you want the tempura hot or cold when they hand you the ticket over the counter. - Spring Chrysanthemum Tempura Soba (hot) ¥550 I imagined that the tempura was pre-fried, but they actually fry it after you order. The tempura on top of the bowl is crispy and well-drained, which is impressive. The chrysanthemum tempura, fried to spread widely in the bowl, is a good size to eat. It's nice to enjoy the light and crispy texture, but it's even better to soak it in the broth and savor the refreshing aroma as you sink it in. The sweet and savory sauce with a silky oiliness spreading in it is nice. The thin buckwheat noodles wrapped in it also create a good harmony. The garnish of green onions is served on a separate plate, and the complimentary sweet inari sushi is gentle and cute. It's a cozy soba restaurant with a warm atmosphere. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I discovered a large man's Instagram and asked for the location via LINE, and quickly made my way to "Soba Kosen," which opened on April 10, 2021. It seems to be in the location of a former ramen shop. Upon entering the new and clean restaurant, I saw congratulatory flowers near the entrance. There were no other customers when I arrived, but many came in later. I ordered the "Spring Chrysanthemum Tempura Soba" for 550 yen (tax included) from the ticket machine. I waited at the counter for my order, and noticed that something was taking a long time in the kitchen. The restaurant also had standing tables with chairs available. I had to wait for 12 minutes before my food was finally served. The self-service system required me to pick up chopsticks and condiments myself. The tempura was served separately from the soba, and the broth was a bit lacking in flavor. The soba noodles were machine-made and lacked aroma, but considering the price, the quality was not bad. The restaurant had a staff of three, including the cooking staff. Overall, the restaurant was convenient and reasonably priced, and I would consider revisiting in the future. The location may not be ideal, but with its early opening time at 7 am and Sunday hours, it could be a good option for early risers. The customers were mostly local families. I look forward to visiting again.

Opened on April 10, 2021. Operating hours are from 7:00 to 14:30. On the opening day, there was a morning set meal (soba and rice) for 500 yen until 8:30, but unfortunately, it is no longer available. I tried the recommended ginger and shiitake mushroom tempura soba for 550 yen. There are counter seats and standing seats with chairs available. The soba noodles are not boiled. The tempura was delicious, but the flavor was not as strong as I prefer, more on the light side. The parking lot is located on the opposite side of the road with space for three cars. Overall, it is a good value for money and the service is generous at this restaurant.

It's been a while since I had kishimen and I suddenly felt like eating it. In Sapporo, there are often kishimen served as the final dish in hot pot meals, but there are hardly any restaurants dedicated to kishimen. This place is a rare find. This time, I tried the limited edition tori-kara kishimen. I'm a sucker for anything labeled "limited edition," and it was delicious.

There are many ramen, soba, and udon restaurants in the city, but this is one of the few places where you can enjoy a wide variety of kishimen. Today, I had curry kishimen here.