Eki Soba, a stand-up soba noodle restaurant located on the platform of JR Himeji Station, is a beloved Himeji soul food beloved by locals and tourists alike. Its greatest appeal lies in its innovative and unique style, combining Chinese noodles made with kansui (alkaline water) with a Japanese-style dashi broth. While it may seem like a mismatch at first glance, this exquisite combination creates a taste that's both nostalgic and new. The convenience of being able to eat casually on a station platform is also one of the reasons for its popularity.

The menu focuses on classic stand-up soba dishes like tempura soba and kitsune soba, all served with this unique noodle and broth combination. The tempura soba, topped with freshly fried shrimp tempura, is a signature Eki Soba dish. The crispy tempura combines with the Japanese-style dashi broth and Chinese noodles to whet the appetite. Since it can be enjoyed without leaving the ticket gate, it's the perfect stop between transfers, or the beginning or end of a journey.

There's also a "Grand Festa" store in the Festa building in front of the station, but while the taste is the same, I recommend the one on the platform if you're feeling like it. Mood is key.

[Fun Fact]
Ekisoba first appeared in 1949 (Showa 24). It was created during the postwar food shortages using Chinese noodles, which were readily available at the time.