From the name of the restaurant, you could tell noodles are the main attraction here (soba is a kind of Japanese noodles.) Located in the East Village a stone's throw from Cooper Union and Astor Place, it sits on a kind of restaurant row. There are sushi places (one owned by the same partners as Soba-ya), a diner, a Tibetan restaurant, a Tapas place, and a take-out counter selling fried Japanese croquettes.
Getting back to Soba-Ya, this is a santuary from the hustle and bustle of city life. Through the doors, you see a nice rock garden water fountain. Then you through a second set of doors, you are greeted by the staff in their enthusiastic welcomes. On the right of the door is the noodle making station. A guy literally stands behind the counter and uses different rolling pins to make the noodles.
Tables are small and somewhat intimate. There are a few nice booths tucked away to the side that give some privacy, good for groups of four or two on a slow night. There is also a bar at the back for loners.
The menu is quite simple. There are appetizers and these change quite frequently. Grilled eggplant with miso sauce, fermented beans, sashimi, marinated sardines, all are good and worth trying.
However, the main attraction and reason for coming are the noodles. There are both soba (thinner noodles in buckwheat or white) and udon (thicker white noodles.) In the summer, cold soba is a big hit. These come on a grass mat and you dip them in a sauce as you slurp them up. I usually get the duck or kitsune (tofu skins) udon. These come in clear broth and either spinach or leeks. The broth is light and very flavorful. The udon is chewy (as in Italian al dente...) and fresh. All in all, the perfect meal.
At the end of your meal, they clear the table and bring you small cups of excellent green tea. This is not a burnt diluted tea you normally get. This tea is brewed and has a rich green color and deep taste. Even on a hot summer day, this will quench your thirst and bring your meal to a close.
On a side note, I've sat next to a few famous faces in the past year here. Celebrity photographer Annie Leibowitz sat next to me with a few of her friends one night, while Lauren Hutton was there right before the time of her motorcycle accident. Usually, there is a fair share of Japanese faces. You may have to wait if you come during prime time such as 7 or 8pm for dinner or weekend lunches.
Credit cards are accepted and no reservations are taken.