Hi, it’s Yuki the tour guide or an experimentalist who tried pepperoncino's sauce on half of a whole cabbage he eats everyday. Now it is the end of the year in Japan and you will see something special on the dinner table—soba noodles. Let’s dive into what soba is and why it’s a beloved tradition in Japanese. But why we talk about this in our e-bike tour? Yes, although we do not include going to a soba restaurant in our e-bike tour, we know a really good soba restaurant on the way and can enjoy one for your lunch. Therefore, I thought it was nice to learn about your potential lunch, right?
What Is Soba?
Soba is a type of thin noodle made from buckwheat flour, often served either chilled with dipping sauce (the second picture) or in a hot broth (the third picture). Since it’s a versatile dish enjoyed year-round, we usually eat cold soba in summer and hot soba in winter but I prefer cold soba and would like to eat it with wasabi so I always go with cold soba.
The Cultural Significance of Eating Soba at Year-End
On December 31st, many Japanese families sit down to enjoy toshikoshi soba (year-crossing soba.) This is a rare time that I get to eat kake soba, since toshikoshi soba is meant to be a hot soba. But why soba? The tradition stems from several symbolic meanings tied to the noodles and here's some:
・Longevity and Resilience, and Letting go of the Past
Soba noodles are long and thin, symbolizing a long and healthy life. Eating them is believed to bring good fortune and longevity into the New Year.
A Tradition Worth Trying on Our E-bike Tour
If you’re visiting Kyoto, don’t miss the chance to try soba at one of the city’s many traditional noodle shops. Pair it with our e-bike tour to discover Kyoto’s culture while enjoying its culinary delights! Book your tour for your unforgettable experience in Kyoto