A tiny soba place down a Gion alley, counter seats only. I agonized over which soba to choose, and yet the thing that stole my heart was the appetizer treasure box. Another wonderful day, as always.
What kind of place is Osoba Horai?
Osoba Horai in Gion is a cozy spot with just the counter, about ten seats. It stays open late, and even on my own it felt easy to slip into.
I booked by phone, and getting a table was not difficult. Maybe I was just lucky? It is a soba place, but the little dishes you nibble before the soba, soba-mae, are wonderfully generous, and the soba itself comes in so many kinds. Some unusual ones too, so I was torn right up to the end.
A Tabletop Journey: Osoba Horai
Eight small dishes at Osoba Horai in Gion, Kyoto, shown as each dish arrived.
8 items
Lidded Treasure Box
A small lidded box appeared on the counter. The name already made the start feel special.
Treasure Box OpenedStar of the Day
Nine small compartments, each holding a different bite. The appetizer lived up to its name.
Three Kinds of Sashimi
Light, fresh sashimi served with sudachi plus wasabi.
Spring Roll
A neat portion for nibbling. I always have a soft spot for spring rolls.
Soba with Condiments
The bowl I chose after much debate. The generous condiments made it bright and satisfying.
Karasumi Mochi
Rich, chewy, gently salty. A perfect soba-mae bite.
Dashimaki
A comforting rolled omelette. If it is on the menu, I want it.
Ice MonakaThe Finish
A cozy sweet finish. Even dessert was carefully done.
Wrapping up
The meal felt like opening a treasure box, one piece at a time. I should photograph the menu next time, and I would love to visit again.
