I took a bus from Nishinasuno Station to Shiobara-onsen Bus Terminal. I tried Shiobara’s famous “Yakisoba in soup” & went on a “Tote-yaki tour②.”

A 40-minute bus ride from the west exit of Nishinasuno Station

Now that it’s April and the weather has warmed up, I decided to visit the Shiobara Hot Springs Village for the first time in a while.

This time, I tried Shiobara’s famous “Yakisoba in soup” and also went on my second “Tote-yaki tour.”

Please see this article for my first “Tote-yaki tour.”

Basic information on the “Yakisoba in soup”

When people hear “yakisoba with soup,” you imagine most think of certain instant foods, like “cup yakisoba.

But Shiobara’s famous “Yakisoba in soup” isn’t served with soup on the side—instead, the yakisoba is actually immersed in the soup.

It looks like “soy sauce ramen,” but as the sauce flavor gradually seeps into the soup, it transforms into a truly one-of-a-kind taste!

The “Yakisoba in Soup” restaurants I visited this time

There are four restaurants in Shiobara that serve “Yakisona in soup,” and the following two are located near the bus terminal.

• Kamahiko
• Kobaya shokudo

Kamahiko

• Name: Ganso* Yakisoba in soup Kamahiko
• Address: 2611 Shiobara, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
  • 9 minutes on foot from Shiobara-onsen Bus Terminal
• TEL: 0287-32-2560
• Business hour: 11:00-14:00
• Regular holiday: Wednesday
• Menu：Yakisoba in soup (900 JPY)
• Payment method: Cash only

*The word “Ganso” means the “the pioneer” or “the Founder/Originator” in Japanease.

When I arrived around 11:30 on Saturday, there was already a line.

I waited about 40 minutes to get in, placed my order, and my bowl arrived in about 10 minutes!

It looks like ramen—maybe because Naruto, which is boiled fish paste, is on the food—but…

The chicken bone broth gradually blends with the spicy sauce.

The noodles were thin and curly, and they went perfectly with the soup!

Since the flavor is quite mild, I recommend adding some of the “garlic chili” seasoning on the table if you prefer stronger flavors!

By the way, the meat in the food was chicken, not pork.

Kobaya shokudo

• Name: Kobaya shokudo
• Address: 795 Shiobara, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
  • 3 minutes on foot from Shiobara-onsen Bus Terminal
• Tel: 0287-32-2371
• Business hour: 11:00-15:00
• Regular holiday: irregular holiday (You should check before visiting)
• Menu: Yakisoba in sopu (Regular size, 850 JPY)
• Payment method: Cash only

When I arrived around 13:00, I was able to get a seat right away.

My order arrived in about 8 minutes!

This simple yakisoba, made with just pork and cabbage, was served in a broth.

The noodles were medium-thick and straight, with a firm texture.

They’re really satisfying to eat!

The sauce had a sweet Kansai-style flavor, and the balance with the acidity was just right!

You can also enjoy a refreshing taste by drizzling some “chili vinegar” on top.

The “Tote-yaki” shops I visited this time

I’ve already eaten two servings of “Yakisoba in soup,” so I’m about 60% full, lol.

But since I still have a little room left before I’m 80% full, I went on another “Tote-yaki Tour Part 2”!

The two “Tote-yaki” shops I visited this time are as follows.

• Tasuke Soba Yudukamiya (Map #3)
• Imai-ya Seika (Map #1)

Tasuke Soba Yudukamiya

• Name: Tasuke* Soba Yudukamiya
• Address: 771-2 Shiobara, Nasushiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
  • 20 seconds on foot from Shiobara-onsen Bus Terminal
• Tel: 0287-32-2127
• Business hour: 11:00-15:00
• Regular holiday: Irregular holiday (You should check before visiting)
• Tote-yaki: Maitake mushroom tempra soba mix tote (500円)
• Payment method: Cash only
• Remarks: Eat in available

*The word “Tasuke” is a Japanese that signifies “help from many people” or “diverse forms of assistance,” carrying connotations of “support,” “aid,” and “assistance.” It is used in personal names, business names, and product names for items designed to provide support in various contexts.

The tote-yaki consisted of a crepe-like wrapper filled with tempura-fried maitake mushrooms, buckwheat noodles, and vegetables such as carrots and mizuna.

The maitake mushroom tempura was seasoned with curry and salt, while the vegetables were dressed in a mayonnaise-based, salad-style sauce.

The flavor was so addictive that I polished it off in no time!

Imai-ya Seika

• Name: Imai-ya Seika*
• Address: 786-8 Shiobara, Nasuhiobara-shi, Tochigi-ken
  • About 2 minutes on foot from Shiobara-onsen Bus Terminal
• TEL: 0287-32-2301
• Business hour: 6:30〜17:00
• Regular holiday: Once a month; the day is no fixed (You should check before visiting)
• Tote-yaki: Kuromitsu (Japanese black sugar syrup) kinako tote (500 JPY)
• Payment method: Cash only
• Remarks: Eat in available

*The word “Seika” means “Confectionery shop” in Japanease.

A sweet tote featuring hot spring manju, fresh cream, red beans, kinako, and black sugar agar.

The dough was light and fluffy.

The natural sweetness was just right—not too sweet at all.

It was absolutely delicious.

That’s the kind of “Tote-yaki” you’d expect from a traditional manju shop!

Access

For directions from Nishinasuno Station to the Shiobara Onsen Bus Terminal, please refer to my previous article (Tote-yaki Tour Part 1).

Summary & my impression

Today was a truly satisfying day thanks to the “Yakisoba in Soup” and my “Tote-Yaki Tour.”

I ended up eating way past the “80% full” mark, so it was definitely a day that’ll make me gain weight (lol).

The remaining two shops serving “Yakisoba in Soup” are a bit far from the bus terminal, so it’ll be tough unless I change where I get off the bus.

Only five shops left on my “Tote-hashigo”!

I’m hoping to check them all off next time.

Since some shops don’t open until May, I’ll make that my goal for next time.