Tsukesoba is a modern style of soba where the noodles are dipped into a variety of flavorful broths before eating.
At “Shibuya Tsukesoba Osaji,” (stylized with a “.” at the end) which opened in November 2024, you can enjoy innovative tsukesoba like nowhere else in a modern and stylish setting.
Traditional Japanese soba, such as zaru soba or mori soba, is typically enjoyed by dipping the noodles into a soy sauce-based broth with dashi.
Tsukesoba, on the other hand, has evolved to feature a more diverse range of dipping broths, often incorporating meat-based flavors like pork or chicken, or even spicy and creative seasonings.
“白麻辣肉野菜つけ蕎麦 角煮ごはんセット,” White Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba with Braised Pork Belly Rice Set 1,600 JPY (tax included)
Located slightly away from Shibuya’s bustling center, Shibuya Tsukesoba OSAJI is operated by the popular soup curry brand “Rojiura Curry SAMURAI,” which has around 20 locations in Hokkaidō, Tokyo, and beyond.
Their distinctive tsukesoba, which is made using the expert methods of “Rojiura Curry SAMURAI,” is already generating hype among food enthusiasts.
Vending machine for meal tickets
The “White Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba” packs a refreshing numbing spiciness!
The restaurant specializes in dipping broths prepared using soup curry techniques. Their bonito-based broth is made using dashi from a variety of boiled vegetables.
By boiling fresh vegetables and meat directly into the broth, multilayered umami and rich flavors are unlocked.
The most popular dish, “White Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba”, includes a vibrant assortment of ingredients: carrots, burdock root, daikon radish, cabbage, two types of green onions, dried daikon, and both pork belly and pork loin.
They use high-quality vegetables shipped directly from Hokkaido, a treasure trove of ingredients, ensuring a rich and natural flavor.
As the name suggests, the dish also uses mala (Szechuan-style numbing spice) oil, providing a unique tingling heat.
The noodles used are Sarashina soba, a traditional fine soba made exclusively from the core of the buckwheat grain.
When you dip them in the broth and take a bite, you’ll be surprised by the smooth texture. The noodles are perfectly coated with the complex umami of vegetables and meat, while a pleasantly stimulating spiciness and aroma wash over you.
This all makes for a truly one-of-a-kind sensational tsukesoba experience!
White Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba
With such a variety of ingredients, this tsukesoba remains exciting with every bite.
After finishing the soba and ingredients, add soba-yu (soba cooking water) from the black pot on the table to the broth, blending it to your preferred consistency.
Drinking it as a refreshing finishing soup is the customary style for cold soba. Soba-yu is the water used to boil soba and is known for its gentle flavor.
It’s also rich in nutrients that it absorbs from the soba during boiling.
The restaurant operates on a ticket system where you buy meal tickets from a vending machine. However, if you don’t specify when handing over your ticket, the noodles will be served cold by default.
If you prefer warm noodles, simply say, “atsumori de onegaishimasu” (“warm noodles, please”) when handing over your ticket.
“角煮ごはん,” Braised Pork Belly Rice
While the tsukesoba can be enjoyed on its own, pairing it with the “Braised Pork Belly Rice” elevates the experience. The tender braised pork belly and kimchi complement the rice perfectly, making for a satisfying meal.
Enjoy the “Black Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba” even more with delicious toppings!
The “Black Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba” is a stark contrast from its white counterpart in both appearance and taste.
“黒麻辣肉野菜つけ蕎麦 角煮ごはんセット,” Black Mala Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba with Braised Pork Belly Rice Set 1,700 JPY (tax included)
This dish uses darker, thicker noodles made with buckwheat husks. They have a chewy texture with the distinctive aromatic quality of soba. Aside from that, the dipping broth and ingredients are the same between the two dishes.
Various free toppings are also available at the table. These include chopped green onions that add aroma and fresh texture, ichimi tōgarashi chili powder to add spiciness, and homemade garlic vinegar that adds a refreshing garlic flavor.
(from the left) chopped green onions, ichimi togarashi chili powder, homemade garlic vinegar
Feel free to add the table toppings to the dipping broth whenever you want to change up the flavor. However, do note that the garlic vinegar has a big impact on the flavor profile, even in small amounts, so it’s recommended to add it little by little.
Unique spice and aroma: “White Curry Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba”
Another must-try is the “White Curry Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba.”
This distinctive curry tsukesoba is supervised by Rojiura Curry SAMURAI. The dipping broth is similar to a Japanese-style soup curry, blending curry oil with several spices.
“白カレー肉野菜つけ蕎麦 チーズごはんセット,” “White Curry Meat and Vegetable Tsukesoba with Cheese Rice Set” 1,400 JPY (tax included)
This unique tsukesoba features minced meat sautéed with spices, tomato purée, carrots, burdock, and more. With the addition of spices like kasuri methi, which has a nutty richness and sweet aroma, the flavor becomes absolutely irresistible.
This complex aroma of spices and tangy notes create a flavor that stimulates the appetite.
The dipping sauce has a well-balanced heat that isn’t overly spicy, making it enjoyable even for those who aren’t big fans of spicy food. Give it a try!
The set comes with “Cheese Rice,” where the rice is topped with lightly torched cheese. Dipping it into the broth creates a curry risotto-like experience, adding another layer of indulgence.
“チーズごはん,” Cheese Rice
Some people might worry about splashing broth on their clothes when slurping up their tsukesoba. However, there’s no need to worry as paper bibs are available in the restaurant. They’re free to use, so don’t hesitate to take one.
Also, water is self-serve. You can grab a glass while waiting for your food. Once you’ve finished your meal, please return your tray to the return counter located at the kitchen entrance, as that’s a rule of the restaurant.
Return counter
Be sure to check out the unique dipping soba that you can only experience at Shibuya Tsukesoba OSAJI!
Information
| Store name | 渋谷つけ蕎麦 おさじ. Shibuya Tsukesoba OSAJI. |
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| Address | Nanpeidai Nozaka Building B1F, 15-11 Nanpeidai-chō, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
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| Access |
Shinsen Station 3-minute walk from Shinsen Station North Exit
Shibuya Station（SBY） 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station West Exit
Shibuya Station（SBY） 13-minute walk from Shibuya Station West Exit
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| Phone number | 03-3464-5212 |
| Reservations | Not accepted |
| Payment |
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| Service charge/Table charge | None |
| Hours | Mon-Fri. 11:30-15:00 , 17:00-21:30 (last order 20:30) Sun. 11:30-17:00 |
| Closed | Saturday |
| Seating | 12 counter seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.instagram.com/shibuya.osaji/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of April 2025.
