Monday started off blazing hot. Satoshi had the day off, so we headed to Umeda for some errands.It actually took us several years to visit this soba shop. Makino is located near Nishi-Umeda in an area called Fukushima.
If you took a look at this shop from the outside you might just walk right past it. You can't tell it was a soba shop.
Inside the interior was clean. There were 3 tables of 4 and 3 counter seats. There was no smell of re-used oil and most of all, no smell of tobacco.
Someone once told me that you can tell a true soba shop, if the owner doesn't allow smoking. The same goes for sushi shops. (I know of one soba place that won't even allow his customers to wear perfume!)
Anyway, this place is known for their cold sudachi (lime) soba. When we got there, it seemed as though everyone ordered the same thing.After ordering though, we were a bit disappointed....The bowl was so small!
The noodles were nice, a bit chewy and the broth ice cold. Perfect for a hot day. But at 1100 yen (about US$11) a bowl, it was expensive.Satoshi could have order an oomori (larger portion), but wasn't willing to add 400 yen (about US$4). He was so hungry, he even ate his sudachi (limes), rinds and all, and immediately said, "we need to have something afterwards".
And so we did, we walked to nearby Herbis, a shopping area in Nishi-Umeda, to their food court.
We popped into a shop called Harbs. Harbs is a Japanese chain, so you can probably find something close to you. The slices of cake at Harbs are humongous by Japanese standards.I remember when we first moved to Japan and found this place. I felt at home with their "American sized" pieces of cake. We hadn't been here for several years and were shocked at the prices. Most of the cakes run from 600 yen (about US$6) a slice to 1200 yen (about US$12)! And coffee is 600 yen (about US$6) a cup!
After our "soba appetizers" though, we were ready to eat anything! I ordered the blueberry tarte (900 yen a slice! US$9) and iced coffee (600 yen--about US$6) and Satoshi went for the lunch set (1400 yen...about US$14).
Satoshi's lunch set came with his choice of pasta, a salad, a half slice of cake (he chose marron (chestnut)) and a drink (coffee/tea).He says he got the best deal (although tons of food!) My tarte was whipped so it was very light. I also loved all the fresh blueberries on top.
After our second "lunch", we walked around Herbis. This shopping area is very high end. Most of the shops look like this.One of the funny things I always see are "salarymen" (salesmen/businessmen) sitting anywhere and everywhere, papers spread out, on the cell phone, doing business. This guy was lucky, at least he had a seat to sit on, most of the guys are crouched down with their papers on the ground.
As we walked back to the Hankyu Station, we noticed it was really dark! We could smell rain coming. And sure enough, it came down in buckets with thunder and lightning.Apparently, all of Japan was raining and flooding...scary stuff!
Despite everything that day, it was still a great foodie Monday.Makino
6-11-13 Fukushima
Fukushima, Osaka
Phone: 06.6453.2828
Open 11:30-14:00 (or until things run out)
18:00-22:00 (or until things run out)
Closed Wednesdays
HarbsHerbis Plaza B2
Nishi-Umeda, Osaka
Phone: 06.6341.0901
Wow Kat - That was some sticker shock...I'm not going to grumble about prices around here for a while.
ReplyDeletewhat a fun day! that blueberry tarte looks delicious! i can't believe it was $9!
ReplyDeleteI couldn't either, Genki, but it was really good :)
ReplyDeleteYou have so much good stuff where you are Kirkk :)
Take care you two.
Kat
That lime soba sounds really interesting, as I don't see much on cold dishes like that. I think I'll try something will angel hair pasta...I have a bag of limes waiting in the fridge.
ReplyDeleteThat really is a small bowl! And it's realy funny that Satoshi ate all of the lime slices; it made me laugh. It sounds like he was eating them more out of frustration than actual hunger, too. Food prices are insane everywhere, huh. My favorite Fuji apples are $2.99/lb at Safeway, so I settled for Braeburns at 2.29/lb. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see what you will come up with, Rowena :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Hi Anon,
ReplyDeleteActually we kept peering over at other people to see if they were eating the limes too. Our Fuji apples are between 178 yen and 198 yen each (about US$1.78~1.98). I don't think we get Braeburns here.
Take care.
Kat
that lime soba is sooo tempting for summer!! how was the taste?? a little bit sour blended with dashi flavor? and chestnut cake.hmmmm you just made my day :-)
ReplyDeleteGreat looking second lunch. I like how the piled on the blueberries!
ReplyDeleteYes Dhanggit, it was a little tart from the limes mixed with the dashi, but ice cold made it perfect for summer!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori, the piled on blueberries was a nice change.
Take care you two.
Kat
Wow Kat! I have never had soba before , but that lime looks amazing! YUM! Your cakes look great too! :)
ReplyDeleteHi kat, Goodness gracious that is expensive ! did it take one slurp to finish it ? ;) speaking of blueberries, safeway has a great sale just $5 for a good sized basketful. Going to try some ice cream.
ReplyDeleteHave a great day.
So were other people eating the limes, too, or was Satoshi the only one?
ReplyDeleteThanks JennDZ, I hope you get a chance to try soba, it is really delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, blueberry ice cream sounds nice, Shar :)
As far as I could see, others weren't eating the limes, just Satoshi, Jenster :)
Take care everyone!
Kat
I love lime and I am going to have to try it with soba noodles--yum!
ReplyDeleteI hope you like it Deb!
ReplyDeleteTae care.
Kat