Gen
Soba · Nara · Michelin One Star · Chef Head Chef (name not publicly disclosed)
One-Michelin-starred soba restaurant hidden in a Naramachi historic machiya townhouse on sake brewery premises, with tatami seating overlooking a serene garden. Gen (玄) has held its Michelin Star since 2013, serving 100% buckwheat seiro soba including the purest form — mizusoba — where noodles are tasted in cold water alone, no sauce.
23-2 Fukuchiincho, Nara, 630-8231, Japan, Nara
- Michelin 2025
- Michelin 2024
- Michelin 2013
- #89 Asia's 50 Best 2026
Menu
Wines
- Nara Sake (900) — Curated selection of locally brewed Nara sake — one of Japan's oldest brewing regions, pairing naturally with soba.
Cocktails
- ビール
Dishes
- Soba Tofu with Sea Urchin (1800) — Buckwheat tofu topped with fresh sea urchin and yuba (tofu skin) — a refined specialty that transforms humble soba grain into a luxurious starter. Highly recommended.
- Soba Set (Mori + Side) (1800) — Seiro soba with a seasonal side dish — traditional combination popular at lunch service.
- Duck Soba (1600) — Hot soba in rich dashi with sliced Yamato duck and spring onion. A seasonal classic when duck is at peak quality.
- Seiro Soba (Zaru Soba) (1200) — Chilled 100% buckwheat noodles served on a bamboo tray with a light soy-based dipping sauce. The most popular preparation — showcasing the springy texture and clean buckwheat flavor.
- Inaka Soba (1100) — Hot soba noodles in a full-flavored broth. Rustic and warming — the heartful counterpart to the cold preparations.
- Seasonal Tsukidashi (800) — Small seasonal starter plate — reflects the soba kitchen's attention to seasonal produce and traditional kaiseki-influenced opening bites.
- Buckwheat Snacks with Miso (600) — Crunchy buckwheat bites flavored with Nara miso — a traditional pairing with sake, reflecting the soba culture of the region.
Phone: +81 742-27-6868
¥¥
Related restaurants
- Award-winning restaurants in Nara
- Soba Yuki — Tokyo
- Tamawarai — Tokyo (1 Michelin stars)
- Muku — New York (1 Michelin stars)
- Jingumae Higuchi — Tokyo (2 Michelin stars)
- Honmura An — Tokyo