Best of Kyoto
The best soba in Kyoto
Start with Kanei in Nishijin for house soba, Juu-go in Philosopher's Walk for thick juwari and Itsutsu for kake soba or spicy daikon soba with mackerel sushi. Here are all 5, with what to get at each.
- KaneiNishijin
Get: House soba
Described by a Kyoto guide as the city's best soba. Single strong source; medium confidence.
- Juu-goPhilosopher's Walk
Get: Thick juwari (100% buckwheat) soba; seasonal shin-soba
Stone-ground, all-buckwheat noodles on Michelin's Kyoto soba list; book ahead.
- Itsutsu
Get: Kake soba or spicy daikon soba with mackerel sushi
Michelin's Kyoto soba list highlights its soba and house mackerel sushi.
- Saryo Tesshin
Get: Thin juwari soba with cheese or wagyu
Inventive pairings around fine buckwheat noodles, per Michelin's soba list.
- Misoka-an Kawamichi-yaDowntown Kyoto
Get: Soba or udon in traditional surroundings
Long-running downtown noodle house in a traditional setting. Single strong source; medium confidence.
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Ask Chef for morePlan my Kyoto food tripThe best soba in Kyoto: questions people ask
Where is the best soba in Kyoto?
Chef Amazing’s picks start with Kanei (Nishijin), Juu-go (Philosopher's Walk) and Itsutsu. All 5 places are on this page with what to get, where they are and a map.
What should I order?
At Kanei, get house soba. At Juu-go, get thick juwari (100% buckwheat) soba; seasonal shin-soba. At Itsutsu, get kake soba or spicy daikon soba with mackerel sushi. At Saryo Tesshin, get thin juwari soba with cheese or wagyu.
How does Chef Amazing pick these?
From Chef Amazing’s city guide and lists for Kyoto: the places critics, chefs and locals keep recommending, checked and kept current, with what to order at each. Nobody pays to be on them.
More in Kyoto
Places change: check hours before you go. Pins come from addresses and OpenStreetMap and can be a little off. Updated October 25, 2026.