What is Niigata's specialty, Hegi Soba? 6 famous restaurants recommended by local JAL staff!

What exactly is "Hegisoba"? We will introduce the characteristics and history of Hegisoba, as well as six famous restaurants recommended by staff at the local JAL Niigata branch.

*Prices include tax.

What kind of food is "Hegisoba"?

Beautiful "Hegisoba" is served bite by bite in a large bamboo steamer called "hegi." Characterized by a smooth texture and firmness, it originated in the Uonuma region in southern Niigata Prefecture, where the textile industry thrives. In the Uonuma region, which was a textile town and where merchants from Osaka and Edo came and went, it was customary for each household to make soba noodles and serve them to guests on special occasions.

People would compete with each other in making soba, and as they honed their skills and invented new ideas, they started using funori seaweed, which is used in weaving, as a binder, and this unique elasticity was born. The method of rolling the soba around and serving it, called "teburi" or "taguri," is also said to have originated from "kazeguri," a method of twisting and spinning threads used in weaving.

If you want to eat Hegi soba in Niigata! 6 recommended restaurants

There are many famous "Hegisoba" restaurants in Niigata Prefecture. The taste, menu lineup, and locations vary, so choose a restaurant based on your taste preferences, the people in your travel party, and your itinerary.

"Kojimaya Sohonten" | A long-established soba restaurant that invented the nori seaweed binding method

The first place we would like to introduce is Kojimaya Sohonten, a long-established hegi soba restaurant that is loved by a wide range of generations, from children to adults.

Kojimaya Souhonten was founded in 1922. The area is known for its thriving textile industries, such as Echigo Chijimi and Akashi Chijimi, and the founder, Jutaro, noticed the seaweed "Funori" used to glue threads, and came up with the idea to use it as a binder for soba noodles, which were also cultivated in the area.

Instead of using wheat flour, they use only boiled and dissolved nori seaweed as a binder, and their Hegi soba is made from buckwheat flour ground in-house using a stone mill, giving it a smooth texture and a chewy texture. They have continued to refine their manufacturing method, and the traditional taste has been handed down for over 100 years since their founding.

A word from JAL staff!
"Whenever I have a family get-together, I always stop by here. The food is consistently delicious and loved by both tourists and locals."

Kojimaya Main Branch

"Wataya" | A famous restaurant that continues to be loved in the birthplace of Hegi soba

"Wataya" in Ojiya City is also a long-established store that was founded over 100 years ago. It is a popular store that is visited by many locals and tourists alike.

In Ojiya city, where Wataya is located, it is customary to eat soba noodles with Japanese mustard instead of wasabi.

During the hot summer, the restaurant also recommends the refreshing "Cold Bukkake Soba with Lemon," served with lemon and plenty of grated daikon radish.

The store also sells frozen soba noodles and dried noodles, which last longer and are recommended as souvenirs for your trip to Niigata.

A word from JAL staff!
"What I like about this place is that they don't just serve hegi soba, they also serve bukkake soba and rice bowl dishes."

Wataya Main Store

"Shiozawa Soba Restaurant Tabata-ya" | Hegi soba with a refreshing aroma of the seashore

The hegi soba at Shiozawa Soba Restaurant Tabata-ya is characterized by its greenish noodles with a faint sea scent. The noodles, made by specialized craftsmen every day, are renowned for their firm texture.

The elegantly flavored soup, made from bonito flakes, dried bonito flakes, and dried mackerel, further enhances the flavor of the noodles.

If you want to enjoy the scent of the sea even more, we recommend the "Hana Hegi Soba" topped with plenty of seaweed.

They also offer rice bowls and set menus that use rice from Uonuma, making this the perfect restaurant for when you want to enjoy the flavors of Niigata.

A word from JAL staff!
"The noodles are handmade every day and have a unique chewy texture that's addictive. They also have a wide range of side dishes, which is great."

Shiozawa soba restaurant Tabata-ya

"Suzakaya Soba" | Perfect for a quick lunch or a soba noodle dish

Suzakaya Soba is located at Niigata's gateways, such as in front of Niigata Station and Niigata Airport, making it an attractive location for a convenient stopover during your trip.

The noodles, made from unpolished buckwheat (buckwheat seeds with husks still attached) grown on the Ojiya plateau, are chewy and have a refreshing taste.

In addition to soba, they also have a wide selection of Niigata's local dish "Noppe," Tochio's specialty "Aburage," and sake that pairs well with soba, so it's the perfect place to stop by for a quick drink in front of the station.

A word from JAL staff!
"Because we are open until late at night, our Niigata branch members often finish their meal with a healthy bowl of soba noodles, rather than ramen."

Suzakaya Soba Niigata Station Branch

"Nadaiki Soba Yoshiya" | The spicy flavor will become an addictive taste

"Nadaiki Soba Yoshiya" was a restaurant that was loved by the painter Taro Okamoto during his lifetime.

The soba noodles, made from locally grown unpolished buckwheat and ground on a stone mill, are a little thicker than those at other restaurants. They have a smooth texture, are easy to swallow, and are satisfying to eat.

In the past, wasabi could not be grown in this area, so mustard paste is used as a condiment. It has a sharp kick, but also a mellow flavor that is unique to this region, and you can enjoy it to the fullest.

A word from JAL staff!
"There will inevitably be long lines, especially on weekends, so we recommend you visit early."

Yoshiya

"Original Ojiya Soba Kadoya" | A long-established soba restaurant founded in 1889

Ojiya has long been known as a producer of high-quality soba and is known as a soba spot due to its abundance of natural spring water. The original Ojiya Soba Kadoya has been preserving the taste of soba here for over 130 years.

Not only are the noodles characterized by their firmness and chewiness, born from techniques handed down for generations, but the broth is also carefully prepared. The broth is made from shaved dried bonito flakes from Makurazaki and stock, which enhances the flavor of the soba.

A word from JAL staff!
"You can also order soba online, so you can enjoy the restaurant's flavor at home."

Original Ojiya Soba Kadoya

Let's go on a trip in search of local gourmet food

"Hegisoba" has been loved for many years in Niigata, a treasure trove of gourmet food. Please enjoy the local flavor that can only be tasted here. Niigata also has many other local delicacies such as ramen and seafood. Why not go on a trip in search of exquisite gourmet food?

The hidden ramen kingdom! A gourmet trip around Niigata's top 5 ramen and the best bowls

Niigata City ranked first in the nation in 2021 in the ranking of eating out expenses for Chinese noodles (Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications Household Survey/Announced in February 2022). Niigata Prefecture, home to many ramen lovers, is characterized by a variety of ramen rooted in the local climate and characteristics. You can learn about the climate of Niigata through ramen.

ontrip.jal.co.jp

Head to Sado for delicious fish! 4 recommended sushi restaurants

Sado Island in Niigata Prefecture is known as the largest remote island in the Sea of Japan. Surrounded by the sea on all sides, it has a favorable environment where a variety of seafood is landed throughout the year. Here are four recommended sushi restaurants on the island where you can enjoy the deliciousness of the seafood.

ontrip.jal.co.jp