JPN: Oraga Soba (おらが蕎麦)
Moreish deep-fried chicken chunks atop a bed of cold 'soba'!
Managed by Gourmet Kineya, Oraga Soba is a casual chain restaurant that prides itself in serving handmade soba (Japanese buckwheat noodle) at wallet-friendly prices. Besides offering a selection of hot and cold soba, the atmosphere shifts slightly in the evening with additional offerings like kushikatsu (Japanese deep-fried skewers) that pair nicely with drinks.
I just found out from their website that they provide menu in both English and Mandarin Chinese, so don’t hesitate to ask for one if you need it.
Negitoro Don and Soba Set ¥960 (~S$8.80)
Taste: 7.5/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is ねぎとろ丼定食, which includes a minced tuna rice bowl and your choice of either hot or cold soba. I'm a cold soba person, so I naturally opted for that. The noodle was firm and springy enough for my liking, paired with dipping broth that was well-balanced. As for the rice topped with minced tuna and spring onions, the fish was fresh, but lacked in the melt-in-the-mouth quality that makes a great negitoro don stand out.
Cold Soba with Chicken Tempura ¥870 (~S$8.00)
Taste: 8/10
The Japanese writing of the dish on the menu is 冷し鶏天そば. A seemingly popular choice among diners, the refreshing cold soba dish came with grated radish that brought everything together beautifully. The star of the show, however, was the quintet of deep-friend chicken chunks. With a crisp exterior that wasn't greasy, they were so tender and juicy. Pika's advice: Consider going for an upsized bowl for an additional ¥200 (~S$1.85), which gets you eight chicken chunks and 50% more soba.
Tofu with Beef Tendon ¥430 (~S$3.95)
Taste: 7/10
The Japanese writing of the drink on the menu is 牛すじ豆腐. The side dish of slow-simmered beef tendon featured flavourful soy sauce-based broth, although it was a bit of a pity that the beancurd didn't soak up much of the flavours.
Melon's Rating
Taste: 7.5/10
Ambience: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Overall: 7/10
Each table has got a complimentary jug of cold hojicha (Japanese roasted green tea).
Oraga Soba
(おらが蕎麦)
1-10-1 Hashimoto-cho
2/F ASTY Gifu
Gifu City, Gifu
Japan
(Daily: 11.00am - 10.00pm)
*Prices quoted are nett prices.
Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)
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