Tsukiji is a fish market. Fresh fish are gathered from all over Japan. The En-Eat editorial staff has received an earful of information that "there is a very tasty soba (buckwheat noodle) with eel tempura on it that may be the longest in Japan" in Tsukiji. How long is that...? Hmmm, I'm curious...!


If you are curious, you should check it out. That's why we actually went to Tsukiji to check it out!


Arriving at Tsukiji!

Our destination is Choseian. Walking along Harumi-dori toward Kachidoki, you will see a sign that reads "Soba" (buckwheat noodles). There is a menu, but you cannot see the entrance from the street, which makes you feel a little uneasy. Passing by an apartment building, you see it! Choseian!



We arrived a little after 1:00 p.m. on a weekday, and the restaurant was full of customers. There seemed to be more local businessmen and people working in the place than tourists. This is promising. The menu is quite extensive. The recommended menu was also posted inside the restaurant, which moved me for a moment, but then I heard a voice from heaven saying, "Remember the purpose of this interview! I came back to myself and ordered the cold "Anago Nanban" (1,050 yen). I also wanted to try the oyster tempura soba...


I ordered a bowl of tempura, although it seems that it is possible to order tempura separately. I prepared a tape measure and was ready to measure the length of the soba. As I waited excitedly, the soba was finally delivered! Doudou!

Anago (conger eel) also arrived!


Oh, oh, oh, oh! So long! It was so imposing, so overwhelming. The weight of the firm conger eel was so great that the tempura was lying diagonally in the bowl, so I went to the trouble of lifting it up. Here we go. Then... it was heavy! My hand shakes holding the chopsticks.


From the moment the dish arrives, you can already smell the aroma of the crispy fried batter. The first bite is a soft and fluffy conger eel in a crispy batter that does not betray expectations. Can you feel it? My mouth is happy.

After tasting the natural flavor of the conger eel, I tried the part soaked in the dipping sauce. Ah, bliss. The gentle taste of the mentsuyu blends well with the light and delicate conger eel tempura. It is exquisite. To be able to enjoy extra-large fresh conger eel tempura at such a reasonable price...that's what Tsukiji is all about. Tsukiji is a wonderful place.


The cold soba noodles were thin but firm, and the aroma of buckwheat flour wafted through my nose. Quite delicious. At the end of the meal, I was served soba-yu (buckwheat water), which filled my heart with a warm feeling.

So, what about its length?


Now it is time to announce the results of the measurement. As usual, I came alone for the interview. After the soba arrived, I somehow managed to set up the bowl so that I could measure the conger eel by myself, while holding back my hunger and propping it up against the edge of the bowl. Now, it was time to use the measuring tape I had brought with me. Camera in one hand, measuring tape in the other. It looks a little weird, but I don't care. Now, the length I was curious about...dang! 22 centimeters!


22 centimeters is like a woman's shoe size. Everything in this dish is conger eel, all the way to the tip! No matter which side of the tempura you eat it from, it is still a conger eel. It is also a luxury to eat fresh fish with tempura. You may not have the image of soba in Tsukiji, but I would definitely add this restaurant to my list of must-visit places.

Incidentally, this restaurant also offers delivery of soba in the traditional shoulder-carrying style. I did not see it that day, but I would like to encounter it someday in Tsukiji.


En-eating Echan
En-okuetu E-chan is the "shadow editor-in-chief" of En-okuetu. He is a chirpy Edo child who lives in Chuo-ku and visits Tsukiji at least three times a week to enjoy eating and walking around the area.