Tamagoyaki - these are thicker and denser then you'd expect. Flavor is a balanced mix of egg and seasoning. Wife thought seasoning overpowered the taste of egg, I thought balance was fine. Soba w/duck - thin noodles with a chew and flavor indicative of it being freshly made. Soup has a nice yuzu accent, overall light enough for me to drink it its entirety without becoming a rising after unlike ramen. Charring of vegetables was a nice touch. If you've never had soba before the dish is very minimal, just noodles soup and the few veggies with a house spice mix served separately in a small dish. But it gets the job phenomenonally done with just these pieces.

Seiro soba and soba gelato were my favorites! They also have a delicious tamagoyaki. Soba noodles had a bite to them and tasted great.

Been here too many times! Only authentic soba place in the Bay Area honestly and this place is always a hitter. Interesting location, not in the nicest area but the food is too delicious to care. They also have a seasonal menu so it’s great cause you can try new things all the time. The drink menu has good options and they have outdoor areas too in case you want to bring your dog friends :)

This is my new favorite place for Japanese food, very unique and different from other local restaurants - much more traditional and authentic food with a very nice atmosphere. Popular and busy? Yes, but that comes with success.

Well, firstly I want to say: make sure you have your physical card or cash. Apple Pay isn’t accepted. I went to great lengths to secure a noodle here after coming over from the city with only my phone, but it was well worth it. I had the pleasure of trying many different dishes. The tofu, the omelette, the sashimi, the croquette. I had the cold soba and my friend had the nanban soba. Everything was delicious. The nanban with rare duck and an exquisitely balanced broth was the stand out. Truly authentic and refined flavors in a lovely setting. The soba cha at the end was the perfect touch.

I'm so happy there is finally a 💯 legit soba restaurant in the East Bay! We got here about 15 minutes before they opened for dinner and we were the first in line. They say this place was built by a Buddhist priest and the smell of the wooden table was so fresh. We got the juwari soba (100% buckwheat, which is harder to find) with 2 sides of tempura. The soba is chewy and went so well with the light and crispy tempura. We also got dashimaki which is a standard item at a soba place and it was very layered and fluffy. We also got the nontraditional cream cheese with sake kasu which was tasty and different. At the end they will give you sobayu which you can add to your dipping sauce so you can sip on it as you wind down your meal. Definitely will go back!

+3

Being half Japanese this brought so much joy for me. The quality of the food was amazing. Can’t wait to go back. Please line up 30 min before they open as they get packed and they have one line to order.

Best soba (and more) I’ve had in a long time. We got the hot bowl of duck soup with soba and it was so flavorful and savory… just a hint of yuzu. Also tried the cold soba alongside the most delicate tempura. Perfectly cooked noodles with a toothsome chew. A Hoi Polloi Red Ale was just right with the salty broth. Ended with yuzu fromage mochi that was like a light cheesecake in a chewy rice skin. Worth the trek on the BART + Bus to this industrial hideaway!

Wow. Food was amazing, well explained, friendly service. They make their own tofu in addition to their own soba. The 100% buckwheat noodles were deliciously firm and refreshing. Nice communal tables and a nice touch of Japanese style carpentry overseen by the woodworkers next door

Really great authentic japanese soba and other small japanese dishes. Make sure to make reservation. 100% buckwheat soda is limited and sells out within less than an hour of opening.

This place is worth checking out. Food is authentic and traditional. The indoor and outdoor space is just lovely. Excellent for a date night. They don't do take out, must dine-in. Be careful when ordering vegan!

tempura soba was delightful. duck soba was too. we enjoyed the chicken wings also. The broth is so delicious.

This Michelin Star rated restaurant never disappoints. Once, I waited in line for an hour and it was very much worth it. My favorite is the Kamo Nanban soba with duck breast (pictured) and the Salmon Pressed Sushi but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. I’ll be back again and again.

Even when crowded Soba Ichi exudes calm and warmth. It's attention to detail in representing a soba house is appreciated with quality food and service available. Come on the earlier side to guarantee the 100% buckwheat soba - if unavailable, the 80% buckwheat is still delicious. Come on the later side for a more raucous evening filled out with a quality sake selection. One of my favorite places in Oakland right now, and hopefully for years to come.

Delicious Soba. The broth was complex, smokey and savory. The food was rich. The staff was kind, welcoming, and the service was swift. The environment is great.

Line moved quickly but lots of things sold out upon arrival. get here early if you have a favorite dish you want! everything was perfect. didnt even get a pic of noodles

Quietly obsessive in the best way, silky handmade soba, pristine broth, zero fluff; a place that rewards slowing down and actually tasting your food.

This is my second time at Soba Ichi Okaland, and it always is delicious. Had the Ten seiru soba, which is cold soba with tempura shrimps and veggies. Their appetizers are always creative and delicious, and also changing now and then. Their soba gelato is to die for, believe me, if you like buckwheat, you'll like gelato . Absolutely a great experience and food.

+1

Incredible little spot, tucked away on a quiet residential street in West Oakland. The food - especially the various small plates - was well prepared and flavorful. Service was impeccable and attentive and the ambiance/decor was a well designed and immersive soba house experience.

Had the sashimi appetizer and hot soba with duck breast. Both were delicious but the sashimi was incredibly fresh and buttery smooth. Paired with real wasabi and soy sauce it made for some of the best sashimi I’ve ever had. Really enjoyed the duck soba as well with a nicely balanced broth and a solid amount of duck with the noodles. I wish there were a few more noodles in the soba for the price, but it was delicious nonetheless. Not cheap, but the food is excellent. Outdoor patio was also great on a warm evening and service was quick.

Back here again for dinner with my food industry friends and it was just as delicious! They have the entire outdoor space and an indoor space now as well! You order first and get a number for the food to be delivered to you. I ordered the cold soba with tempura but only veggie bc I'm allergic to shrimp and they easily accommodated. Still super delicious and high quality. Perfect for the warm weather right now. I also got their desserts and they were both INCREDIBLE. I'm still craving the pudding which tasted like Filipino leche flan. Come here when you want the highest quality soba and tasty desserts!

Love this place. I had the hot & cold tempura soba, duck soba, and veggie soba, and hot broth with tempura is my favorite. The noodle and batter texture are perfect, and I like to save the citrus zest (?) for the final spoonful. Such an elegant and flavorful dish! Goopy mountain yam salad is fun to eat! I enjoyed the the crunch, slime, and toastiness. The croquette & tofu are both reliably good too. Pressed sushi is okaay. The kombu cure makes it feel homey, whereas I usually prefer to taste the sweetness of fish in sushi.

Japan 🇯🇵 was one of my favorite countries to visit and travel to. I loved how many shops and restaurants made and sold only one particular thing. The passion and attention to detail was present. They made that one thing very well. One day, I was searching for a place that made only fresh Soba in the city of Osaka. By the time I found the place, a sign on the door said the restaurant was sold out of soba and closed! Disappointed for the the day! Soba Ichi (Oakland) makes really good fresh soba. Light and natural clean sharp taste to the noodles. Side order of rare duck breast adds to the experience. Instructions are given on how to cook it at home. The gelato is gently sweet.

+6

The best bite was the sashimi and it paired perfectly with cold soba... So refreshing and light. I loved being there.

+1

My visit was a couple of weeks ago, and just getting to my review. Woke up and drove 1 hour to Oakland to try for the first time. It's in an industrial area, and my wife wondered out loud if we were at the right place, till she saw the line outside. After a 10 min wait they opened up and we ended up being 1st on the waiting list. After a 30 min wait we got seated. The soba is made in house, and is awesome. They also serve Den Sake which is brewed next door. The sake is a must have. So worth the drive in and wait

+1

Went here for my birthday. Had the sashimi as an appetizer, it was beautifully presented and delicious. When we were done they came by to take the fish body away for deep frying. This was a cool second part to the appetizer. It was a very fun experience with a transformative dish, would highly recommend.

It’s a little on the pricey side but the soba is made with care and you can taste it and feel the excellent texture. The broth is also very good with a rich and satisfying flavor. I had the tempura soba combo and it was about $22. Also got the sashimi for $26 which was very good even though it was also expensive! All in all a great place to return to when I feel like splurging on a nice bowl of noodles.

So authentic! The decor is lovely and the food is excellent. Lots of soba choices- hot and cold. If you like natto, you can find it here. Their house made tofu was delightful. And they have a long list of sakes to choose from. The service is so so wonderful- they’re great with kids, and we were grateful for that!

Soba Ichi has been on my list for many moons. And boy was it worth it. Get there early because there will likely be a line. - Rotating special Short Rib was melt in your mouth delightful. Served with soft and chewy buckwheat crepes. - Pressed Salmon Roll was Incredibly fresh. Wasabi packed a punch. - Soba couldn't have been more perfect. Duck breast was tender beyond words and the tempura was crisp to perfection. - Dessert you ask? Yes they have it and yes you need to get it. Soba Gelato was light and creamy. Kosuke's Special.... I can't even describe... apple mousse was fabulous. This is a top 5 pick for sure.

+5

We arrived at the gate 5pm sharp in hope to beat the crowd. As it was a cold day, there were not many people waiting. We were able to order the food right away, and find seating easily. Options of cold or hot home made soba. It is cooked just right. Their menu changes all the time, we were luck as they were searving two kinds of mochi as desert when we visited. update with new photos and menu for may 2023.

+6

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 awesome Good for date nights. I need to try the cold soba next time

Amazing place with great food and sweet intimate atmosphere. I highly recommend ordering the cold soba with tempura set. That or the duck breast hot soba it's amazing and the duck was perfection. Last but not least the serving staff was very attentive but not overly so. They start your dinner with a hot towel to cleanse your hands and warm your soul~ throughout the meal they are very attentive making sure my water was filled and pay special attention to see if I'm enjoying my meal. Highly recommend this for anyone who would like to try authentic soba noodles.

+6

As a vegetarian, I felt I had delicious options. The sake, made in the same complex, was very good. I will be bringing friends and family back to this gem.

+6

One of the best and most unique culinary experiences I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing. I really enjoyed the Orion beer, and Shibata Black saki, I have never had or seen either brand before. The Ten Seiro, Kamo nanban and the tamagoyaki were all delicious. The duck was exquisite and the broth had so much flavor. The broth didn’t rely on salt or soy, just the essence of duck. The Salmon Pressed Sushi was the least impressive dish. It was good, but very basic. I would like to try everything on the menu. So many unique dishes perfectly executed. The fiddleheads were surprising, with so many unique and flavorful dishes, I was surprised how much I enjoyed them. The sauce was peanut based but not too sweet, and so delicate. The sauce didn’t overshadow the flavor or ruin the crispness of the fiddleheads (kogomi goma-ae). The ebi cream croquettes were perfectly fried and the flavors melded together so perfectly it seemed exotic, so creamy and there was plenty of shrimp in every bite.

+6

Great hidden restaurant with a nice indoor atmosphere (and more social outside area too). The soba was delicious, and the sides really stood out to me. I recommend the soba cha gelato as a dessert

This place is totally worth the hype and deserves its reputation and Bib Gourmand. The soba brought me back to one of the best meals I have ever had, at a traditional old school soba joint in Tokyo. I certainly can't claim to be a soba expert, but all of the flavors and textures in the cold and hot sobas here went together perfectly and reminded me of that long ago meal. The tamagoyaki was excellent. The tempura was light and airy and crunchy in just the right way. The ebi croquettes were out of this world good. The fiddlehead ferns were unexpectedly awesome and a real treat for us, since we've never had them before. The pressed salmon was just "okay" and was the only component of the meal that wasn't even better than we'd hoped. The Okinawa mochi was probably the best mochi I have ever had. The service was excellent, as well. Oakland is lucky to have this gem of a restaurant.

+6

Been here twice and it lives up to the hype. Both the hot and cold soba are excellent, though I have a slight preference for the cold soba. The soba tastes similar to those you’d find in Japan itself (though the prices here, though OK, are higher than across the Pacific). The atmosphere is very cute, good for dates, and the service is friendly. Will be back again.

+4

We saw Soba Ichi on the Bay area show called Check Please and were immediately interested in checking them out. When we were reading the reviews, it almost convinced us not to go to the restaurant but we still took our chances and we were glad we did. A lot of people mainly mentioned the food being overpriced but I think it was worth it for the quality and depth of flavor of their food. Their soba noodles are handmade in restaurant and has a good bounce and chew to it. This restaurant is as close as you can get to authentic Japanese food and atmosphere. They have a nice inside and outdoor atmosphere with a zen bamboo fountain trickling water, which is calming too. We ordered the smoked salmon appetizer and cold soba with tempura. Everything came out great. Salmon was super smooth, melted in our mouth, and tasty. We like to make soba at home with the dried store bought noodles, and those dont stand a chance against the noodles at Soba Ichi. The server was very polite, quick to fill up our waters, and good about checking up on us. The server also mentioned that they will have different seasonal appetizers. We're curious to check out their different options when we go next time. This restautant is also next to a Japanese sake brewery and offer a good selection of freshly brewed Japanese sake. I heard great things about their sake and drinks. Wouldn't be able to come too often because we live a distance away, but we definitely plan on coming back!

I have been going to Soba Ichi since it opened . I am constantly angry that I don't come here enough. I'm simply lazy and this restaurant does not deserve my laziness. I came here after spending nearly a month in Japan and I can comfortably say after 7 cities and 15 soba related meals that Soba Ichi is still the best. They are brutally traditional both in look, service, and taste. I love restaurants that take you out of where you know you are to somewhere else. It feels, looks and smells like Japan. The only thing different are louder talking and less slurping. If you want to be transported to Japan in the middle of the Bay Area then Soba Ichi is the place to experience that.

It was like we had gone back in time to Japan. The soba noodles and the Tsuyu were both delicious. Our only complaint was that the portions were not as generous as we hoped, especially for the price.

Soba Ichi serves delicious and authentic Japanese food. The duck appetizer was especially good — tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The interior has a traditional Japanese look, creating a calm and authentic atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient too. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth it. I arrived around 5 PM when they had just opened, and there was already a long line — a clear sign of how popular this place is. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy real Japanese cuisine.

I had the cold soba with tempura. Really refreshing for a hot night. But aside from that, the noodles was high quality and dipping sauce was to my liking. Definitely worth a trip. The only thing i didnt like was that the line was long even if it wasnt full yet, it takss forever for each person to make an order

Although it’s not cheap for relatively simple Japanese food, and they don’t have full table service, it is a beautiful atmosphere and I really enjoyed it and I would come back. I had the warm soba with fried shrimp tempura. And we had one appetizer each. We did have dessert but not Drinks and it was $60 each after tax and tip. It’s a little strange that the gelato is served in the paper container, but it was tasty. The mochi dessert was also very good and maybe a little bit more special having a couple different fillings.

Second time coming and it was as good as the first time. Hot and cold dishes are both great and really tasty. The egg appetizer and hojicha gelato was very good. Parking isn’t the greatest. Not the biggest con. This place is great.

Great food and very beautiful and peaceful setting outside (they also have indoor seating). Last time I was here, I tried the cold soba, which I didn’t like very much. But I wanted to give it another shot, and this time, I tried the hot “Kake Soba,” which is basically the plain soba without any meat or toppings. It was absolutely delicious. The broth was flavorful and rich. I also tried my friend’s Corn Cream Korokke, which was crispy, creamy and packed with flavor, and a piece of her duck from the Kamo Nanban duck Soba. The sashimi and tempura soba also looked delicious, so I definitely want to come back again to try more things

I’m so happy to have stumbled into this place. It was a delightful dinner. I highly recommend this place to people! The grilled duck and meatballs is a dish to not skip!!

Fan Zhao

Soba Ichi serves delicious and authentic Japanese food. The duck appetizer was especially good — tender, flavorful, and beautifully prepared. The interior has a traditional Japanese look, creating a calm and authentic atmosphere. Service was friendly and efficient too. It’s a little on the pricey side, but the quality makes it worth it. I arrived around 5 PM when they had just opened, and there was already a long line — a clear sign of how popular this place is. Definitely worth a visit if you enjoy real Japanese cuisine.

Ray Anthony Roderos (Knight)

I had the cold soba with tempura. Really refreshing for a hot night. But aside from that, the noodles was high quality and dipping sauce was to my liking. Definitely worth a trip. The only thing i didnt like was that the line was long even if it wasnt full yet, it takss forever for each person to make an order

ari salomon

Although it’s not cheap for relatively simple Japanese food, and they don’t have full table service, it is a beautiful atmosphere and I really enjoyed it and I would come back. I had the warm soba with fried shrimp tempura. And we had one appetizer each. We did have dessert but not Drinks and it was $60 each after tax and tip. It’s a little strange that the gelato is served in the paper container, but it was tasty. The mochi dessert was also very good and maybe a little bit more special having a couple different fillings.

Jason Wong

Great food and very beautiful and peaceful setting outside (they also have indoor seating). Last time I was here, I tried the cold soba, which I didn’t like very much. But I wanted to give it another shot, and this time, I tried the hot “Kake Soba,” which is basically the plain soba without any meat or toppings. It was absolutely delicious. The broth was flavorful and rich. I also tried my friend’s Corn Cream Korokke, which was crispy, creamy and packed with flavor, and a piece of her duck from the Kamo Nanban duck Soba. The sashimi and tempura soba also looked delicious, so I definitely want to come back again to try more things

Roland Lacap

I’m so happy to have stumbled into this place. It was a delightful dinner. I highly recommend this place to people! The grilled duck and meatballs is a dish to not skip!!

R C

Second time coming and it was as good as the first time. Hot and cold dishes are both great and really tasty. The egg appetizer and hojicha gelato was very good. Parking isn’t the greatest. Not the biggest con. This place is great.

Nikhil Shankar

Been here twice and it lives up to the hype. Both the hot and cold soba are excellent, though I have a slight preference for the cold soba. The soba tastes similar to those you’d find in Japan itself (though the prices here, though OK, are higher than across the Pacific). The atmosphere is very cute, good for dates, and the service is friendly. Will be back again.

Mary Lang

As a vegetarian, I felt I had delicious options. The sake, made in the same complex, was very good. I will be bringing friends and family back to this gem.

Yes it was good. Get the soba seriously with chicken broth (my personal fav) Yes it’s like $25, but it’s handmade as people said and it’ll be the closest you’ll ever get to authentic soba in the Bay Area without going to Japan and buying $1500 for a round trip plan ticket in economy class. There’s also a lot of street parking on magnolia street where the restaurant is. Customers are boojee bringing their Lexus, Teslas, and Mercedes to this restaurant lmao

Food was very good. But be aware that the neighborhood is sketchy and my car got broken into while parked just around the block from the restaurant.

The soba is a traditional dish passed along by its caretaker where every proprietor keeps the traditions as strict as possible without tainted biased towards one technique or another ingredient. This truer the product is to the labor and ingredients the more authentic the quality is. We as customers and consumers are just passersby’s to witness the current iteration as it’s peak of existence.

I had a cold soba with tempuras(Jyuwari Soba Tenseiro, 100% buckwheat, $22). I was able to order one, I arrived at there around 11:30 am. The quality of noodle and tsuyu sauce are pretty good but I still think it's bit pricy. You may get a shared table with others, and you may not get a table outside until the inside is full. They don't have forks so you better know how to use chopsticks :).

+3

Really enjoyed this place. We got both the cold and the warm soba versions as well as a tantalize special. Noodles are good and satisfying. Also surprisingly, the dessert they offer is really good!

Good place for Japanese appetizers and authentic soba in a chill setting. Portions are smallish so recommend an appetizer in addition to the main dish.

Delicious? Yes. Overpriced? Absolutely. Soba is done right, but portion is very small considering the price. 2 soba + 1 appetizer + 1 dessert cost us $100+, but I was barely full. Environment is pretty nice though.

Soba Ichi has both a great outdoor and indoor atmosphere. They are able to design both areas with similar design elements but keep cohesiveness. The staff are all excellent in being attentive and exemplary in their craft. All staff members, chefs, etc all are wearing masks from taking your order to carrying out their routines. Remember, order your food first, then grab a table! Not the other way around! The food is quite good, tastes great as well. The only thing was the slight wait time for the food. I understand that the orders are made when ordered and can be long. Which is why I would recommend you, viewer of my review, to order one or two appetizers along with your main and finish with a dessert! Parking is a hit or miss as we drove around the block twice before we found a space. If you can, maybe do carpool with friends so you can all try this establishment! Thank you Ichi Soba!

One of the best soba; as good as you can have in Japan. Foods are 5 stars here, no question. But the service need some improvement, seem like they’re short handed or.......

+2

Very nice outdoor seating, and you can bring your dogs. A lot of appetizers choices, the tempura is a nice add to the soba. We ordered cold soba noodle, the dipping sauce is delicious but the soba noodle itself lacks some flavor.

How did I never hear about this deliciously authentic Japanese soba restaurant till now? The flavors truly tasted like I was in Japan and the efficient service reminded me of Japan too. I'm only taking away one star because it was all a bit pricier than I would have liked. (But what isn't these days) We sat outdoors as we had a larger group and the tables inside sat a maximum of 4 people. It wasn't cold despite it being November as there were heat lamps scattered around the tables. The tables are spaced apart but are pretty cosy. We ordered a variety of things to share including: Shira-ae persimmon salad - pretty good and an interesting idea for fall Dashimaki - alright, not the best I've had and on the sweet side Nama yuba age - a spring roll made with fried tofu skin and served with a starchy sauce. It was really good! I would order this again. Ten-Seiro - cold soba with a dipping sauce, tempura on the side with matcha salt. The soba had a nice bite to it and the dipping sauce had a good smoky flavor from the katsuobushi. I liked the matcha salt with the tempura which made it a little different from how it's usually served. Kamo nanban - a Kyoto classic! In hot broth with grilled duck breast and leek, this was warming for the cold weather. The noodles didn't get soggy which was nice and the duck was nicely cooked. There wasn't much duck considering what you pay though, so that was a bummer. Tip: there's a long line when they first open but if you have anyone in your party arrive first, they can order and get a number and for anyone who arrives subsequently, you can add your order to the same table number without having to line up again!

I’m so glad we are getting more specialized Japanese restaurants! This restaurant does a great job with their soba. While somewhat pricey, this is a great place to try really good soba for the first time. The tempura on the side is really good too, especially with the flavored salt.

Arrived 20 minutes before opening, and a line formed behind me, about 20 people. I had the tempura soba, warm. Broth was good, noodles were of good texture. Tempura was a reasonable portion, maybe slightly smaller than I expected but still good. I liked it. The interior seating was clean and comfortable. Staff were attentive and friendly. The exterior is definitely the low point. Located in an industrial area of Oakland with lots of abandoned cars, dilapidated buildings, trash everywhere. Typical Oakland dump. The barbed wire on the fence surrounding the restaurant tells the tale. $26 including tip for one meal feels really high for what you get. It’s authentic, 手打ちそば. But I went in there wanting a quick, solid meal, and was disappointed because these guys really want to squeeze you on side dishes, alcohol, etc. Similar to Ippudo in the Bay Area. It can’t just be a simple bowl of noodles. Ultimately, delicious but disappointing.

Overall was tasty but a bit on the salty side. I didn't like the cashier up selling us. Yes there are two of us and we ordered 2 appetizers and 1 noodle. We had a 3rd appetizer in mind but was told it's just miso paste so we opted out. And then she goes to say oh appetizer 1 is small and appetizer 2 is little with her fingers showing us how small it is. We ended up getting another noodle which we didn't want to bring home or waste so we stuffed ourselves to suffocation. (We had a late lunch and wanted to try this place.) This totally soured our experience. She did the same thing with the group before us too. That's why the 2 star for service. The wait staffs are awesome though. And hats off to the soba master for making it from scratch! Oh and from the picture the portions werent little little as claimed by the cashier. If you have a minimum charge per person, state that. I'd be happy to comply. If not, up selling is the worst strategy.

I DO like their food, the staff were very kind and attentive. Amazing handmade soba, and they have open kitchen once you step in. The cozy space is also quite nice and feels like im in Japan now. But when I first time in here, the first impression is not really good. They only accepted reseervation, but they told me that they dont have any available that night, but I checked via RESY, they have lots of spots.... And the fact is, they do accept walk-in, but I dont know why they told me not at that day.... Anyway, I do like their soba, all type, all broth! Definitely will back again.

+6

Not much to say about this restaurant other than it's authentic Japanese soba served in a somewhat cozy setting. They have outdoor heating for most of the outdoor seating, but not all unfortunately. Didn't get a good look inside but they do have tables all around. You order and pay upfront before sitting down. The staff are very attentive and will refill your water right away. My only problem with the food is.. it's expensive even for Bay Area standards. Each soba we ordered was $25 before tax and tip. I know soba is more rare than ramen, but this is kinda crazy.

Walk in accepted but the wait time is long even though the line is not long. I got there in Friday afternoon and waited for almost 20 mins to order. The owner/ cashier was not nice, when we have 5 adult and 2 elders and order 5 main dishes and 2 side dishes, she was showing attitude. Food took appx 30 mins to arrive. The portion is small. I don't recommend the cucumber dish ($10)

I heard about this place from the Michelin guide and I am very glad that I was able to visit. This is the first time I've tried soba and was unsure of what you expect. At Soba Ichi you start by getting into line and ordering before taking your seat; there was two parties ahead near the time that they opened but I can see how this can be an issue during busy hours. The menu left me wanting more in the drink department for something more familiar such as an IPA but the food options were on point. I ordered cold soba tempura. The noodles were smooth with a little bite and chew to them. The dipping sauce was fantastic. It was not overly salted by any means and has tremendous depth of flavor to it. The assorted tempura consisted of a shisito, shrimp, squash, and a mushroom that was lightly fried to absolute perfection. The dish came with additional seasoning, onion, and wasabi. Service was excellent by keeping the water glass filled. I love this place and look forward to returning again soon.

Really nice authentic Soba place! We had the Mackerel, which I never had before, and it was really good. Definitely recommend it. You can ask for the fish itself to be fried after you are done with it. Even though it tastes good, it’s still pretty hard to it due to the bones 🦴 I had the duck soba and it was just ok in my opinion. I think the soba could use a little bit more flavor. The rice beer in the pictures was amazing!

+2

I really liked their cold soba with dipping sauce and garnishes, along with shrimp and kabocha tempura. The noodles had a nice chewiness and leaned toward a firmer side, which I enjoyed. The tempura was light, crispy, and not greasy. Highly recommended!

Was here for early dinner on a Saturday with a friend, the line for food was long but the food did not take long to arrive. Roadside parking is scarce so expect to walk a block or 2. As the name suggests this is a soba shop so expect most of the menu to comprise soba dishes (both hot and cold) and appetizers - just a single page. We had both the hot/soup soba and cold dipping soba and both are pretty good. The broth is not overly flavorful and the soba texture is good. The seared duck breast with meatball appetizer is really good too.

Good food, but expensive for what it is. Very authentic and has a similar flavor profile as some of the noodle places I've had in Japan. I ordered the duck soba and the soup was quite bitter and medicinal. I can see why some people like it but personally not for me.

This was a nice soba spot with good food and a very chill atmosphere. There is indoor seating and a larger outdoor seating area. You order first and then wait to be served. The fried chicken was tasty and very juicy. The soba was cooked perfectly and the dashi was good! Overall a great meal.

Ordered 4 items: Umeshu with soda, Tamagoyaki, Kamo Nanban, Hojicha gelato One star off as the duck breast slices still have unplucked feather on the skin that made the dining experience imperfect. Soba should have mixed with flour as I don't think it's 100% buckwheat based on the texture. The Hojicha gelato is surprisingly awesome!

i recommend coming some minutes before they open to avoid a very long line! i arrived 5min beforehand and there was already several groups in front of me. i ordered the corn korokke and the hot ebi ten soba. there was a tiny fly fried on my tempura lol but they quickly replaced it with a fresh set. the soba was okay, but i honestly think i’m just not a fan of soba in general.

Wee Khim Lee

Was here for early dinner on a Saturday with a friend, the line for food was long but the food did not take long to arrive. Roadside parking is scarce so expect to walk a block or 2. As the name suggests this is a soba shop so expect most of the menu to comprise soba dishes (both hot and cold) and appetizers - just a single page. We had both the hot/soup soba and cold dipping soba and both are pretty good. The broth is not overly flavorful and the soba texture is good. The seared duck breast with meatball appetizer is really good too.

yu cheung

Good food, but expensive for what it is. Very authentic and has a similar flavor profile as some of the noodle places I've had in Japan. I ordered the duck soba and the soup was quite bitter and medicinal. I can see why some people like it but personally not for me.

Sam

This was a nice soba spot with good food and a very chill atmosphere. There is indoor seating and a larger outdoor seating area. You order first and then wait to be served. The fried chicken was tasty and very juicy. The soba was cooked perfectly and the dashi was good! Overall a great meal.

Sonia Garcia

i recommend coming some minutes before they open to avoid a very long line! i arrived 5min beforehand and there was already several groups in front of me. i ordered the corn korokke and the hot ebi ten soba. there was a tiny fly fried on my tempura lol but they quickly replaced it with a fresh set. the soba was okay, but i honestly think i’m just not a fan of soba in general.

Angela Leung

Ordered 4 items: Umeshu with soda, Tamagoyaki, Kamo Nanban, Hojicha gelato One star off as the duck breast slices still have unplucked feather on the skin that made the dining experience imperfect. Soba should have mixed with flour as I don't think it's 100% buckwheat based on the texture. The Hojicha gelato is surprisingly awesome!

Pedro Vicente

Really nice authentic Soba place! We had the Mackerel, which I never had before, and it was really good. Definitely recommend it. You can ask for the fish itself to be fried after you are done with it. Even though it tastes good, it’s still pretty hard to it due to the bones 🦴 I had the duck soba and it was just ok in my opinion. I think the soba could use a little bit more flavor. The rice beer in the pictures was amazing!

Yummy and awesome spot! Really delicious food, but the soba noodles are not gluten free. They are made with 20% flour and 80% buckwheat and it wasn’t clear online. There are other options - I got the sashimi and a really great salad, but wish I could’ve had the soup. Great place though

I had high expectations for this restaurant but it didn't quite meet the bar. The restaurant ambiance is cute with lots of outdoor seating as well as a smaller indoor space. You line up outside to order first before you sit down. We got there at 6:30pm on a Friday night and there were still lots of open tables. We ordered their duck soba (roughly $25). After sitting down, it took a while for the food to come. While the soba + duck meat + soup were good, it didn't really impress. The soba noodle itself didn't stand out, the portion size was fairly small for $25, and there wasn't anything else beyond the noodles and a few slices of duck meat. From a service perspective, there wasn't much to comment on. The server only came when the food was ready and to clear out the table. Didn't really check in on refilling water or anything. Note they also have a cake fee if you bring a cake for a celebration ($3/pp). Overall, the food is good tasting and the ambiance is nice, but it's a bit overpriced and left me unimpressed. Would probably rate as a 3.5. Still worth trying out once.

Unique smoky broth with handmade soba. Charming wooden tables and good overall ambiance. Lots of people with their dogs tonight which was fun, lots of flies not as much, but other than traps or maybe some aggressive cleaning, not much to be done about them flying about. I usually don't give a review after one experience. However it wasn't an inexpensive meal ($90 - 2 small apps, 2 soba, 1 beer, 1 dessert and tip) I rarely comment on price, especially in the Bay Area, but somehow what I spent didn't match up with the experience for me. It's primarily self service as you bus your own table with multiple trips for all various dishes and glasses, listen for your number to be called to awkwardly balance trays back to the table. They also really dropped the ball tonight. We took our time eating and had to ask after the meal was done for our dessert, and after another 10-15 mins my wife went and had to ask again. At least she really enjoyed the mango pudding. All in all this is a bit nitpicky. The food was good and there's a lot of good things happening there. I'd still go back, but honestly not with a ton of enthusiasm.

Great service, food was okay. Long wait and we left a bit hungry. Bought their soba ice cream to-go, it was great! It reminded me of honey smacks cereal lol

Quaint. Lots of traffic on the week night we were there. Old style charm in a 'hidden' spot in Oakland. Cozy dining room perfect for conversation.

I've never spent $24 for a plate of soba, 1 shishito pepper, and 2 shrimp, and I don't intend to again. While the on-site prepped soba noodles are nice, it's more than 2x overpriced. With no effort whatsoever, I could make something that's 80% as good. If I tried a little - 90%, and still be under $24/plate. We did enjoy the duck appetizers. I can't do that at home. The salad was comically overpiced. When it came out, they brought two plates of it. I thought we'd ordered 1 and they split it for the group. No, this was 2 orders. They're charging fine dining prices for food that is good, but not fine dining good. The decor is offputting. I felt like I was in a cleaned up junkyard: chainlink fence entrance, barbed wire, overgrown weeds poking my back, picnic tables, sheetmetal + bamboo awning, spider webs. For the price, I expect a better dining environment. So should you.

We were a group of five and ordered five appetizers, three desserts, one soba each, and one drink per person. Even after all that, we were still a bit hungry, and the bill came out to over $50 per person. The soba was quite mild in flavor, and the tempura was decent. Among the appetizers, only the salmon was really good. Overall, the food was just okay. We had to wait in line for a long time, and the service was very slow.(the cucumber appetizer, you could make it at home, don’t deserve it)

My favorite foods were the Kamo Korokke and Beef Tataki Salad with Yuzu Dressing. I also ordered roasted duck Soba (Kamo Namban), but the smell of the duck was too strong for me. I should have ordered a normal one. I tried my friend’s cold Soba, and it was delicious. Cold soba might be better than hot, even in cold seasons.

L

My favorite foods were the Kamo Korokke and Beef Tataki Salad with Yuzu Dressing. I also ordered roasted duck Soba (Kamo Namban), but the smell of the duck was too strong for me. I should have ordered a normal one. I tried my friend’s cold Soba, and it was delicious. Cold soba might be better than hot, even in cold seasons.

Rachel Hayes

We were a group of five and ordered five appetizers, three desserts, one soba each, and one drink per person. Even after all that, we were still a bit hungry, and the bill came out to over $50 per person. The soba was quite mild in flavor, and the tempura was decent. Among the appetizers, only the salmon was really good. Overall, the food was just okay. We had to wait in line for a long time, and the service was very slow.(the cucumber appetizer, you could make it at home, don’t deserve it)

I have this place on my wishlist for a long time but it was quite a disappointment. The appetizers were pretty good tho the portion size was sad. The problem was the noodle. I grew up eating soba noodle. The noodle is supposed to be chewy and has a smooth texture. But the noodle here was nothing like that. My friend ordered the duck soba and the duck breast tasted sour? We double checked with the waiter and they replied in there was no problem with it. But to me it tasted horrible. Very overpriced as well considering there’s not much garnish The only thing I’ll highly recommend is the mochi as dessert. Very very chewy and good flavor.

Food was not bad, the appetizers we ordered were lukewarm as if it was cooked hours ago and kept reheated. The soba dishes were fine, but it is nothing special. I recommend finding somewhere else to eat. Service was fine, and water was never refilled (I even paid with tips ahead of time). They don’t check on you. Overall I wouldn’t come back again, especially for the current pricing.

William Alexander

Food was not bad, the appetizers we ordered were lukewarm as if it was cooked hours ago and kept reheated. The soba dishes were fine, but it is nothing special. I recommend finding somewhere else to eat. Service was fine, and water was never refilled (I even paid with tips ahead of time). They don’t check on you. Overall I wouldn’t come back again, especially for the current pricing.

The reason I give 2 stars is for the horrible attitude of the Japanese waiter/manager/owner who was working there. There was a long line of people waiting to order and give him all this abundance and I watched how he responded to each customer with a big chip on his shoulder. We are coming to give you money and eat at your place and then you give us this stuck up attitude, where is your Japanese formality. Glazing is second nature to your culture. “Kill them with kindness” is the Japanese way. Tables are sticky there.

Food took quite some time to come for our table of 6 and despite this it was not very hot. Taste is a bit disappointing, the broth was extremely salty, it almost tasted like soya sauce was spilled. If you ever had soba in Japan you would be questioning some of these other reviews.

[Too Long Waiting] We arrived before 6 PM but weren’t able to place our order until 6:30. While the appetizers came out fairly quickly at 6:38, we had to wait another 40 minutes for the main dishes, which didn’t arrive until 7:16. [Food Quality] We ordered the Tamagoyaki, Kamo Misu Aburi, Ebi Ten Seiro, and Nishin Soba. The Tamagoyaki was mediocre — honestly, you can find better versions at many sushi spots in the Bay Area. The Kamo Misu Aburi was tasty but too salty on its own. It would’ve been much better if served with some rice or bread to balance it out. The Ebi Ten Seiro was also good, but the tempura portion was confusing. It came with 2 shrimp and 1 shishito pepper, even though the menu said “with 2 shrimp & shishito tempura,” which made us expect 2 shishito tempura as well. The Nishin Soba was unfortunately the weakest dish. The herring was overly sweet and had a strong fishy smell, which made the broth unpleasant. I ended up adding all the shichimi just to mask the off-putting flavor.

food was decent. refreshing bowl of noodles but I would not go out of my way it was pretty busy when I got there. you order at the counter and waited maybe 30 minutes to order, no problem. however after I ordered it took 54 minutes to get the food. 54 minutes!! I understand it is a locally small business dealing with recent large crowds. there needs to be a better system to indicate what the wait will be after you have already ordered and paid for your food, because near an hour is too long

Hyungsuk Yoon

[Too Long Waiting] We arrived before 6 PM but weren’t able to place our order until 6:30. While the appetizers came out fairly quickly at 6:38, we had to wait another 40 minutes for the main dishes, which didn’t arrive until 7:16. [Food Quality] We ordered the Tamagoyaki, Kamo Misu Aburi, Ebi Ten Seiro, and Nishin Soba. The Tamagoyaki was mediocre — honestly, you can find better versions at many sushi spots in the Bay Area. The Kamo Misu Aburi was tasty but too salty on its own. It would’ve been much better if served with some rice or bread to balance it out. The Ebi Ten Seiro was also good, but the tempura portion was confusing. It came with 2 shrimp and 1 shishito pepper, even though the menu said “with 2 shrimp & shishito tempura,” which made us expect 2 shishito tempura as well. The Nishin Soba was unfortunately the weakest dish. The herring was overly sweet and had a strong fishy smell, which made the broth unpleasant. I ended up adding all the shichimi just to mask the off-putting flavor.

Daniel Liao

Food took quite some time to come for our table of 6 and despite this it was not very hot. Taste is a bit disappointing, the broth was extremely salty, it almost tasted like soya sauce was spilled. If you ever had soba in Japan you would be questioning some of these other reviews.

Billy Davies

food was decent. refreshing bowl of noodles but I would not go out of my way it was pretty busy when I got there. you order at the counter and waited maybe 30 minutes to order, no problem. however after I ordered it took 54 minutes to get the food. 54 minutes!! I understand it is a locally small business dealing with recent large crowds. there needs to be a better system to indicate what the wait will be after you have already ordered and paid for your food, because near an hour is too long

I don’t normally write reviews but I had to. My gf and I tried this place and the soba was fine. But afterwards we left feeling really nauseous and just all around queasy. Not sure what they served but it did not agree with us. This was the first shared meal of the day for the both of us and we had plans to go out later that night but ended up staying in due to how we felt. Won’t be going back

I usually review only Asian or South Pacific restaurants. I dislike and usually won't do negative reviews. I believe there's enough people who will do negative reviews if there is really a problem. Soba hand made in Japan is a star circling a star. the foods accompanied with the soba should shine as bright as the soba. I was disappointed there was no 100% buckwheat and yam soba. Due to a survey I try to be gluten free. I found no 100% gluten free buckwheat on the menu. Yes there is an appetizer buckwheat soba only but did not say gluten free and I suspect it had wheat as a binder. I can only quote Shakespeare Much ado about nothing. I enjoy soba but I won't be back to this restaurant.

This place is extremely overpriced for what it is. A tiny bowl of noodles with 5 small pieces of duck should not cost almost $28. The food wasn’t even anything special. You can go to any pho or ramen restaurant and get a larger bowl of noodles for half that price. I won’t be recommending this place to anyone.

I had a high expectation for this restaurant. I got to the restaurant at 4:43pm on Saturday. There were about 25 people ahead of me. The restaurant opened right at 5PM. I was able to order at 5:45pm. I ordered Halibut Pressed Sushi, Ten Seiro and an Asahi draft beer. They gave me the Halibut Pressed Sushi as I was ordering the foods. But the Soba took me another 35 minutes (6:25pm). Basically it took me an hour and 25 mintues to eat. I have tried many different soba before including ones in Japan, but the dipping sause was a bit salty. I liked the noodle though. I don't think the soba was worth the wait.

Food is good everything I’ve been here but I am now unfortunately gluten intolerant now. The website had no information what the soba noodles were made of and no mention of gluten or gluten-free. I called the restaurant directly and had asked if the soba noodles were 100% buckwheat, and the woman on the line had said it was. After a long wait in line, I got to the front. When I had gotten there and asked to double check, I was told it is not gluten-free and contains wheat along with soy in the broth.