Kamakura Matsubara-an

This was a lovely lunch. The service and food was spectacular. Our waitress spoke excellent English.
I ordered the prix fix lunch menu which was a great way to sample what the restaurant had to offer.

Lovely spot. The food was amazing.
I ordered soba and the appetizer sampler. There was one appetizer in particular that lead me down the path of culinary delight and discovery – a small cracker (baked or fried) with what was referred to as «tofu cheese» on it. Absolutely unbelievable depth of flavor and texture. Impossible to find in the U.S. except for in the SF Bay Area.

Incredible soba! Yes, five stars for a noodle.
Kamakura Japan. A coastal town that exudes history and still retains its small town feel where narrow, curved streets looking more like walkways fronted by beautifully manicured gardens and traditional Japanese homes. Hidden in plain sight, Matsubara-​an serving freshly made by hand on site daily, soba.
The soba itself, made of a higher ratio of buckwheat flour to wheat flour (Kamakura style), mildly earthy, hint of bitterness, very toothsome with the right amount of surface imperfections to hold the outstanding house made tsuyu.
Order ala carte or as a set.
The set begins with a plate of seasonal starters.
Soba cracker with miso, warm roasted eggplant in citrusy sauce, raw maguro on mixed greens with a yuzu dressing, tofu with whole bean miso, simmered potato in bonito with cooked and pressed watercress in a sesame dressing, grilled mochi in dashi and steamed duck. All outstanding as singular flavors that when combined, showcases the season.
The restaurant also specializes in duck, their roasted breast of duck is phenomenal. Seasoned with salt and pepper the grilled mid rare with all subcutaneous fat melted away. Beef like texture with the mineral finish and gentle sweetness of duck.
The main attraction, soba, follows. Cold, add a bit of wasabi and spring onion then dip in the tsuyu and SLURP (air is important). The tsuyu has a freshness with the right a hint of salinity and citrus acidity to keep each a bite bright. The accompanying tempura, a seasonal mix of veg is as perfect as any. A light costing of batter is fried crisp with no residual oil. The flavor of each ingredient is prominent. A diner added pinch of salt enhances the flavor. The perfect textural foil against the soba.
Sobayu completes the meal.
Single beer, well chosen sake and shochu list. Very reasonable prices.
Outstanding service. Some English spoken. English menus available. The place is popular, expect a 15 – 30 minute wait. Sets, JPY2,800, JPY 3,200. Total for two JPY 11,500.
An outstanding traditional meal in the beautiful, historic town of Kamakura. Perfect.