Soba Ichi

This is a very interesting well hidden restaurant in Berkeley. I was having a big craving for Japanese soba noodles so my daughter found this incredible restaurant. The operation is a little bit more unusual than I'm used to. Also, the place is located sort of an industrial area not too far away from the freeway and there is street parking and it may be a little difficult to see their small sign but when you get there it's fine. You walk up through a nice large patio area, which has plenty of heaters if you wanna eat outside to a menu and then you select what you want off the menu you ordered at the window and they give you a number and you select your own table and sit down and wait for the food to be delivered. Everyone that worked there was very very nice and the look of the food on the other tables gave me hope that it was going to be wonderful when it arrived for me and my family. We were very lucky as it was exactly as I just said the food was delicious. We were missing sober and had not had it in a long time and it was nice to find a place that they also make their own tofu and it was so delicate and wonderful. Everyone that worked there had a nice light attitude and made it very friendly atmosphere to dine in. We were a group of four and that's about a maximum table seating for inside. The place is set up to be very functional you go in and you're eating food that could be messy. If you don't know what you're doing and the tables and chairs are sturdy. It's not over accessorized with cheap paintings or photos around it just is like country food in Japan with humble surroundings. We got a couple appetizers to share, and we also ordered each of us the soba ebi or buckwheat noodles with tempura shrimp the big ones. It was delicate and not really greasy, which was very nice. All the flavors were wonderful, and not buried under oil. It was very easy to share the meal at the table as is often done in Japan. The final touch, which was something that I was looking forward to is when they bring the water that they boil the soba noodles in back to your table in a teapot, and they pour it over your dipping sauce, and you drink it as an after dinner treat. What a wonderful way to finish it. I definitely recommend this place. It was a fun experience and I'd like to come with the weathers wonderful and I can sit outside really get the full benefit of all the wonderful things that they're preparing. Everyone in my family was very happy with the way that the mail turned out.

For my Pop's birthday dinner, he was in the mood for soba. It's not common to find soba in the area, but I had heard positive things about Soba Ichi, so suggested we go there.Soba Ichi is a casual spot located in an industrial area and in a very unassuming location. The shop is a bit hidden, so you have to walk down the entranceway between the gates. Once there, the layout and decor will transport you. There are a well-sized amount of tables outside plus heating lamps. Inside offers booths and dining benches. We sat inside, where noise transfers easily. I found the service to be fine. To order, you wait in line and order outside at the counter. A couple menus are displayed around--beware the line can get long. After ordering and paying, you select if you're dine-in or take-out and receive a number. Food and water will be brought to you and workers will check on you throughout the meal.Soba is something I grew up eating as a kid and don't romanticized. So I was looking forward to trying their specialties. Our family shared the Homemade Tofu, Tamagoyaki, Agedashi Tofu, and Ume Miso Kyuuri. Everything was light in taste and flavor--good but not outstanding. For dinner, we all ordered the Ebi Ten Seiro. A nice portion of chewy cold noodles and a salty and umami broth. I'm partial to cold soba, and I loved adding some daikon and wasabi in it. The tempura that came with it had a nice and light fry. I recommend this soba dish!If you're unfamiliar or craving soba, Soba Ichi is a pleasant spot to go to. As a Japanese gal who grew up eating this, I thought it was good albiet pricey for what you get. The restaurant is located off Magnolia St. where there's plenty of street parking around.

Had the hot soba twice. Very reasonable portion, awesome noodles, duck broth is clean and not rich. The massive green onions are a difference maker. Everything balances out nicely. I've had the croquette and filet of fish with teriyaki sauce and both are awesomeGood for date nights. I need to try the cold soba next timeFor those that are loyal dessert, you'll have an appetite for it afterward

This is my second time back at soba ichi and my friend and I love their appetizers.The menu changes seasonally so check out their instagram. We ordered the agedashi tofu, persimmon salad, shrimp tempura with soba, duck miso, oyster confit, and tamagoyaki.The tamagoyaki was soft and refreshing with the radish. The shrimp tempura was perfectly fried. The duck miso and cucumbers kind of threw us off since we weren't exactly sure how to eat them but it was very salty and pungent. The favorites were definitely the oyster confit and persimmon salad. The persimmons gave the nutty salad a sweet taste with the fresh ingredients. The oyster confit was perfectly salty and umami with the toasted bread. My only complaint is I wish the portion sizes were higher for the prices. I loved the low light ambiance and would definitely come back to try their new seasonal items.

Went here on a Friday night for dinner and did not have to wait for an indoor table/seating (even though it was a bit packed). You order & pay first at the window, they'll give you a number and table, then you sit and they'll bring the food to you. Also, they prefer to take 1 credit card for payment. They also have outdoor tables with fire lamps too. We ordered the Agedashi Tofu & Kamo Nanban Sabo hot soup with Duck Breast. The tofu was super good and the sauce was really tasty - it also has mushroom, (and there's only two piece of it, I wish they had more)! The kamo nanban noodle had a good texture and the duck breast was thick and tender! The service was okay and I think it's a tiny bit pricey! There's only 1 restroom gender neutral stall and only street parking if you were curious.

If you plan on going here, make sure you get here around least 15 minutes before opening as it gets crowded. They offer a variety of different hot and cold soba noodles, as well as appetizers. All the food was really good and I would love to come back!

One of the best sobas I've had in the bay! Ambiance is cozy and vibey. Service is quick, though I don't like that there is almost always a line out the door. The kamo nanban (duck) soba is consistently good, and so is their soba ice cream dessert! We ordered a few appetizers as well that were SO good! Their steak tataki salad was 10/10. Perfectly rare steak slices on a bed of mustard greens, yuzu dressing, with garlic chips & pistachio garnish--yumm! Would def get their kamo yaki again. Dipping the duck meatball with egg yolk is soo delish. Not sure if I would get their simmered herring again but I certainly would get their classic kamo nanban soba & ebi ten soba again!! Soba is made in house and their broth is fermented for 2-3 weeks in barrels so you have this deep complex flavor that's unmatched. Love soba ichi! :)

In the middle of West Oakland sits the most unexpected of restaurants specializing in Japanese soba. The dark. izakaya-like setting is a converted garage, sitting among industrial and residential buildings, yet the restaurant is buzzing with activity and always has a line waiting to order! The specialty is, of course, Japanese buckwheat noodles, and the best dish to order to appreciate the fresh noodles was the Seiro Soba, in which the boiled noodles were served cold along with a salty dipping sauce, garnished with scallions, grated radish, and wasabi. The noodles had a pleasantly firm, chewy texture and mild flavor, and were served with two tempura shrimp and a tempura shishito pepper on the side. I also tried the Veggie Soba, in which the noodles were served in a savory vegetarian broth along with bok choy, grilled bean curd, and mushrooms. While the broth was tasty, the noodles had a softer, less distinctive texture. Overall, the dining experience and service here took me right back to Japan, though the noodles still paled in comparison to what you'd find there!

A solid soba spot. Got here at 6 pm on a weeknight- the wait was not bad at all. Service is friendly and accommodating. and the interior feels cozy. I like the tables and how they are partitioned. Ordered the hot soba with fish balls ($25). Tasty and comforting on a cold night. Portions were on the smaller side for the price.

Such a popular spot that my friend recommended us to check out after a day in Oakland. We waited for about 30min on a Saturday late afternoon until we were able to get our order in.Service was friendly and fast. We sat in their outdoor area which was very nice. Salad was light and refreshing. Our soba dishes were comforting and tasty. The tamago dish was good. The ice cream was just okay for me. Overall a nice spot to check out.