Honke Owariya

Lauded for its Japanese soba noodles, Honke Owariya is a Kyoto institution and the oldest soba noodle restaurant in the city. First opened in 1465 as a confectionery, Honke Owariya started serving soba in the 1700s, and it is now revered for its horai soba, cold noodles served with toppings including shiitake mushrooms, omelet, sesame seeds, shrimp tempura, wasabi, nori, Japanese leeks and daikon. There are a few locations, but this is the original and most atmospheric (it is located in a traditional wooden house). Honke doesn’t take reservations, but it’s worth waiting in line at lunch to experience a Kyoto classic.