When I’m hungry and tired of maneuvering my way past the Tattooed and the Pierced of the East Village, I often find my way to Soba-ya.  It’s calm, peaceful, and the food is consistently oiishi.  That yumminess is particularly true of the three items our table ordered: melt in your mouth tuna steak with divine garlic sauce on a bed of rice (small bowl $11, regular bowl $18), yasai “can’t get enough of that broth” soup with vegetables and magical mushrooms (well, not that kind of magical) $12.50, and una don: broiled eel with a sweet sauce ($9.50 small size, $15 regular size).  I love me some of their tender, smoky eel! 

This is a noodle house, so don’t go expecting to order sushi.  Go expecting to enjoy their homemade soba (buckwheat) noodles, which are great hot or cold, so you really can’t go wrong with any of their soba offerings.  The service is attentive and friendly and I always feel as if I’ve done something good for myself when I’ve eaten there.  (As a footnote, the woman’s bathroom is always clean and the toilet seat was gently heated when I was last there.  Woohoo!)   It’s all part of the satisfying Soba-ya experience.

 

When you walk in, you’re greeted by a tiny man ‘rastlin a fish.

 

My tasty una don lunch.

 

the happy lunchtime crowd

 

Although it looks like he’s making a giant tortilla, he’s actually making soba noodles from scratch.

 

a happy restroom experience

 

Sayonara, Soba-ya, until next time!

Soba-ya

229 E. 9th St, between 2nd and 3rd Aves.

East Village, Manhattan

(212) 533-6966