It can be difficult to find a restaurant downtown in Kurokawa for a quick ,tasty yet not too expensive lunch,　but `Sobatatsu`（蕎麦龍） is a recently-opened restaurant that fits the bill nicely. Located in the grounds of Wakaba Ryokan,in the building to the left of the main entrance,it`s a short walk from the Visitor Center.(Go down the stairs and slope immediately behind the Visitor Center,cross the bridge over the river,then walk up the fairly steep,narrow lane for the last bit and Wakaba Ryokan  (わかば旅館)　is on the left not far from Ikoi Ryokan.

Entrance to Sobatatsu Restaurant

As the name suggests,the main dish on offer here is soba noodles,either hot or cold on their own,or as part of a set. It was a chilly day when I visited,so I warmed up nicely with a set of hot soba noodles with tempura (¥1200). To be honest I`m  not a soba noodle fan,but I really enjoyed these (freshly prepared on the premises by the owner earlier in the day),the soup was delicious and the tempura crisp and fresh. My son polished off a set of cold soba with tempura and was happy to then spend a few minutes using the free wifi connection here while I finished eating.

Hot soba tempura set…..

…or cold ….

Sobatatsu is a fairly new restaurant,seating 18 (western style)  and suitable both for families or solo travellers .Service is prompt,and while you are waiting there is free wifi anyway. An English menu is available,although daily specials are posted on the wall in Japanese. The restaurant also serves items such as chicken,onigiri rice balls ,various alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.

English menu at Sobatatsu

SUMMARY

OPEN DAILY: 12:00 to 15:00

ENGLISH MENU: Yes,a little English spoken (also by staff in neighbouring Ryokan)

CREDIT CARDS:  Yes

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onsen-hopper

Teacher at フレンズ英会話 "Friends"English Conversation School

Resident in Kyushu for over 20 years and fortunate to be living in this beautiful corner of Aso close to a number of onsens including Kurokawa, which I love to visit with friends or my guests from overseas. Keeping this semi-official blog in English for the Kurokawa Onsen Ryokan Association now gives me the perfect excuse...I just HAVE to try all the (public outdoor) baths I possibly can!

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