Absolutely loved the soba here! I got the smoked duck one and my boyfriend got the tempura one. The soba is definitely delicious and really tasty, not too salty at all and we even enjoyed all the broth at the end. Service was quick and helpful even though this place is packed we were able to get a seat and the space is bright and clean! My only low point is the meal is definitely on the pricier side and I don't know if it was as filling based on the price but still delicious! read more

Sora Dining Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Excellent service and food with comfortable seatings, mostly for 2 seaters perfect for couples . read more

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My friend and I had a really outstanding Japanese meal at Sora. We had to line up for it (and we barely missed the first seating) but it was totally worth the wait. We shared the Karaage, tamago and tempura as appetizers and we both got the duck buckwheat noodle soup. I judge Japanese restaurants on the quality of their tempura and Karaage. The tempura here was excellent - very lightly breaded. We ordered the six piece and it came with two skewers of shishito peppers, one squid, one tofu, one scallop and one shrimp. The Karaage was crispy but not oily - perfectly executed. The tamago appetizer was also very tasty. The star of the meal was duck buckwheat noodle soup. The duck was really tender and it came with some really fresh wasabi. The dashi broth was nice and light. I loved the texture and "slurp" quality of the buckwheat noodles. This was just a great meal. Service was fast and efficient. We were in and out in less than an hour. The restaurant was nice and bright. We were seated in the bar counter and those were great seats. The line before they opened was long - we lined up 10 minutes before they opened and we barely missed the first seating. The restaurant staff were nice enough to give those in line some hot tea as well. It wasn't too bad though - the first people finished their meal in about 40 minutes. With tax and tip, this was about $65 per person - well worth the line for the great quality of food. Highly, highly recommended!!! read more

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I had high expectations for Soba Dining Sora because of all the hype on social media, but this visit was just... okay. Food (3/5): Honestly pretty overrated. It's not bad, just very normal and nothing really stood out. We order 2 Mix Tempura, 2 Chicken Karaage, 2 Duck with Soba Noodles, 2 Tempura Soba Noodles. Ambience (4/5): The space is really nice, clean, cozy, and well-decorated. Definitely a good vibe for dining. Service (2/5): This was the most disappointing part. We were seated right by the entrance, and our server (a guy) didn't explain the menu at all. We asked if the tempura included shrimp, he said yes, so we ordered the 9-piece mix... and it came with only one shrimp. When we tried to get his attention, he was chatting and laughing with another server and didn't respond, so another staff member had to step in and explain that we needed to pay extra for more shrimp. It also took multiple tries to get his attention he'd finish talking with coworkers first, then come over like "yeah what can I help?" which felt a bit off. What's surprising is I came here when they first opened and it was super busy but the service was great. Kind of disappointing to see how much it's changed in just a few weeks. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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I had the pleasure of dining here with a friend on a Thursday night around 5:30 pm! It's a new addition to SF Japantown. It's super popular on social media and people were already lining up 20 minutes before it opened. We managed to get there early and fall in line. Since they're a newer restaurant, they took each party one by one at the door. The staff are enthusiastic, friendly, and warm in greeting their customers. Each time a party enters, they bang a drum for the staff to welcome them in. It's a beautiful interior that's spacious for groups, solo diners, or pairs. Great wooden furnishing that gives off an authentic atmosphere. Since it's SF, the menu can be pricey ($$$). Service was quick, attentive, and efficient. We ordered the: - Seared Aigomo: Tender slices of duck with minimal fat, with shredded daikon, and mustard sauce. It was an alright appetizer; we couldn't really taste the smoky flavor but the mustard did enhance the flavor. 3/5 - Kashiwa Tamag: This reminds me of chicken noodle soup and soup is always warming on a SF chilly evening. The serving was great with lots of egg and chicken, but the broth wasn't to my liking; it was underwhelming and needed more seasoning. 3/5 I would try this place again but try a different dish. read more

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Very yummy soba. It is a very small place so I would try to make reservations ahead of time. We went on a weekday for dinner and it was fairly empty. The soba sets are so flavorful. It is kinda pricy but equivalent to sf prices. read more

Usually on the weekends when we passed, the line was super long; this time when we passed at 3 PM on a Friday they had tables open so we had to try it. Love that they have 100% buckwheat soba noodles. Great flavor dipping sauce which you add broth to at the end and drink like soup. Tempura was crunchy. Cute interior and quick service. Overall great experience. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Soba and tempura - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

we waited about 1h15mins on a Sunday 7pm. I tried: - matcha beer (them whisking the matcha in front of us was nice) - dashi-maki tamago - kamo zaru soba (great flavor, loved that you could finish the dipping sauce with soup) while overall I enjoyed the food, I don't think it was worth the wait. it's also a slightly less authentic experience if you're looking for that read more

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This place is fantastic. Came by on a Saturday during lunch time and we were able to get seated right away. There was plenty of seating, both for small and larger groups. Loved the interior - lots of wood finishes, felt very cozy and clean. We ordered the following: - dashi-maki tamago: I was a little underwhelmed by this - the tamago was soft but it had very little flavor. the dashi sauce was interesting too, with how thick it was - ten zaru: dipping sauce was cold and refreshing, paired very well with the noodles. The tempura was perfectly fried - I really liked the tamago tempura, which was crispy on the outside but still maintained the fluffy egg inside - kamo zaru: this duck dipping sauce was by far my favorite - rich duck flavor, paired with duck slices that were tender and savory. also came with a small side of rice The soba noodles were chewy and delicious. Great service and staff were very observant and attentive - they also stepped in halfway through our meal to offer the soba soup. The portions were large but this is definitely on the pricier side. Regardless, would recommend a visit! read more

Sora Dining Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Such a great try! I came here at 11:30am on a Friday, and it was full, but no line! The line started forming around 12. A quaint space with lots of tables and bar seating, so perfect for a lil solo date, too. Kamo Zaru: 9/10! Perfect amount of noodles, meat, and broth! I'm used to the broth being cold, and even though it was warm, it was still delicious! Pairs well with the tempura. Sukui Tofu: 10/10! So refreshing, love the soy milk taste in it! Great appetizer. Overall, great service and would love to come back especially on another hot day. read more

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The moment you walk into Soba Dining Sora, someone strikes a drum. Every guest gets announced to the room. It's a small theatrical touch, and it sets the tone for a restaurant that takes its atmosphere seriously. The space earns that seriousness. Clean lines, restrained Japanese minimalism, and at late lunch, a staff-to-guest ratio that borders on the absurd. Water never ran low. Empty plates disappeared immediately. The attentiveness was genuine, not performative. The Ten Zaru sold me on the place. The Aigamo duck was the real story - tender, savory, and seared until rosy in a way that showcased the bird rather than hiding it. The tempura was properly executed, not greasy. The soba itself had good chew and cold-served structure. It's a composed, thoughtful bowl. Then the bill arrived. Nearly $30 for a soba set that leaves you genuinely hungry is a hard ask, especially in a city where that same money buys a filling ramen or a loaded rice plate. The yuzu cheesecake was pleasant but unremarkable and not worth the upcharge. Walking out $60 lighter from a lunch spot stings. If you're looking for a precise, beautiful soba experience and you're not watching spend, Soba Dining Sora delivers the atmosphere and the duck. Just don't come in starving and expect to leave satisfied without spending well north of $50. read more

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We had been wanting to try this place for a while, but there would be a long line every time we passed by. However, when we walked by last Sunday at around 3:30pm, there was no line and no wait. We walked in and were seated immediately. The restaurant is modern, warm, and inviting. We were seated at a table next to the window in the back. The window was opened and a nice breeze came in. The ambiance was perfect. I ordered the Goma Zaru, which came with a sesame dipping sauce. My bf wanted the Kamo Zaru, but unfortunately, they were out so he ordered the Zaru instead. We also got the 6 piece Kushi-Tempura and Tori-Kara-Oroshi. The Goma Zaru was light and refreshing. I really liked the sesame flavor. It was fun grinding the sesame seeds, and adding them to the sauce was a nice enhancement. The tempura was crispy and good. I thought the Tori-Kara-Oroshi was okay - not the best karaage I've ever had. Overall, we had a good meal. It was simple and refreshing, especially on a warmer day. read more

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I had been wanting to try this Soba restaurant for a while now, since my husband and I are fans of Hinodeya next door. I had a random Thursday off, and was happy to have finally dined here. Found great parking at lunch time, weather was perfect, and there was no line at all. In fact, the restaurant was almost empty except 1 other customer at 11:30am when I arrived. Wonderful! I got the Ten Zaru Soba ($26), which was the cold soba with tempura. I was able to order quickly, and my food came quickly too. Soba was good, tempura quality was really good. I really enjoyed the tofu tempura. I do remember the shrimp tempura being quite small. The variety of tempura was good, but I wish the portions were bigger for the price. The cold noodles were good and refreshing, but not as quite as great as the Sobakatsu up the block. I think not waiting in line beats waiting in line for just slightly better soba, though. My dish also came with complimentary scallop fried rice, which was just okay. My dish also came with freshly grated wasabi, which was SO good! Definitely took me back to Japan for a second. Ambiance was beautiful. All the furniture was modern Japanese, clean, and warm and inviting. I don't know what was here prior, but it seemed like they had gutted the whole thing and started fresh. Felt and looked so nice! Overall, good soba, but my entire bill came out to over $34.85 with tip. This just seemed kind of crazy being that it was just a lunch, and I had only ordered one item. I can't say I'm dying to return, but I'm really glad I tried it once and for all. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Ten Zaru Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Sora Dining Soba is unfortunately one of my first dining misses in 2026. I had high expectations due to how much social media content I've been seeing from Bay Area food influencers around Sora. My friends and I queued up at 5:00 p.m. on a Friday night and were the first in line. By 5:30 p.m. when the restaurant opened, a line had formed that wrapped around the side of the restaurant. I would definitely would recommend stopping by early to get in line if want to make first seating. After we sat down, we promptly placed our orders. My wife ordered the hot Kamo Namban while I ordered the hot Kashiwa Tamago. We also shared a 6-piece Kushi-Tempura set, Age-Dashi Tofu, and Tori-Kara-Oroshi. The meal started off strong. The tempura arrived first and it was absolutely amazing. The tempura is light and crispy, not oily, the the matcha salt on the side is fantastic. The agadashi tofu -- a dish I typically do not order at Japanese restaurants because I dislike the slimy texture coating the tofu, was amazing here: the outside shell of the tofu remained crispy despite sitting in a bowl of broth. The only miss from the appetizers was the Tori-Kara-Oroshi. The pieces of fried chicken were cut too small which ultimately resulted them in being on the drier side compared to your typical karaage. If you're looking for the moistness and juiciness of popcorn chicken, you'll be disappointed with this dish. Moving on to the soba, the soba I had was easily some of the most disappointing soba I've ever had in my life. The texture of the soba noodles was absolutely dreadful: the noodles was soggy and everyone's noodles were broken into small pieces measuring no longer than 1-inch. From other reviewers who have dined here, I see that noodle texture is a common criticism. The type of soba they make here is juwari soba, which is made of 100% buckwheat flour, as opposed to nihachi soba, which is a 80% mix of buckwheat flour and 20% of wheat flower -- the soba that most American diners are more familiar with. Juwari is far much more pronounced in buckwheat flavor, but because buckwheat is gluten free, the dough is delicate and isn't able to develop enough strength to stick together, making it easier for them to fall apart in the noodle making and cooking process. That said, doing a deep-dive across the Internet, I checked out many other videos and photos of juwari soba being prepared and confirmed that the small strands of soba I was served here is not normal. Juwari soba CAN be prepared in long strands like nihachi soba, but it takes a lot of skill. The texture was such a miss for me, I honestly found it difficult to finish my meal. The rich, bonito broth my noodles were served in were a bit on the salty side, and the "tender chicken thigh" described on the menu was misleading and nowhere to be found. The pieces of shredded chicken in my bowl had about the same moisture and texture of chicken breast. The chicken did not have the fattiness of your typical piece of chicken thigh. The advertised fluffy egg was also unremarkable for me. When I read "fluffy egg" in the entree description, I envisioned an egg prepared with the softness of a tornado egg. I blame myself for making this assumption, but the egg in the dish took on the texture of egg in egg drop soup that sat around longer in the broth before was stirred around. Last but not least, the tip situation is out of control. The mobile payment device you're presented with at your table when you pay starts out with 20% tip selected, and the other pre-set options are 22% and 25%. I honestly can't remember the last time I've seen 25% as a pre-configured option. Overall, Sora Dining Soba was a enormous miss for me. With so many other delicious noodle options nearby in Japantown, like Udon Mugizo or Marufuku Ramen next door to it, Sora really needs to step up in a massive way if it wants to attract customers with its soba. For me, it's a one-and-done until I see massive improvements on the soba texture. If you're on the hunt for the best bowl of soba in the Bay, venture across the Bay to Soba Ichi -- you won't regret it. For me, this place averages out to a 2.5, but rounds down to a 2. read more

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Came here in a rainy day and this meal really hit the spot. We got here early because this place has limited seating and there was already a line at 4:30 when they open at 5:30. Staff are so friendly and helpful and greet everyone at the door with a smile and a tap of their gong. We all ordered variations of the soba with either the sesame, duck or tempura. The soba noodles were perfectly cooked. I could come here every day. Their appetizers should not be missed either. My ultimate favorite was the fried tofu and the fresh tofu. The fried tofu was perfectly crispy with no oily heaviness. It melted in your mouth. The fresh tofu was soft and silky and really complimented the fried tofu. Will definitely come back again and again. read more

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Is Sora good? Yes (Tho the execution is not there yet). Would I return? Yes.... IF someone else is paying! Because it's $$$ (my lunch was $52+ after tax, sf mandate, and tip) and this heffer was contemplating going to Super Mira afterwards for a snack because I wasn't full. From the team behind Japanese chain: Hinodeya Ramen, Sora is their first US location serving Soba, 100% Japanese buckwheat noodles (housemade). Available in hot and cold versions, the soba is gluten-free and healthier than ramen. There's only one other soba shop in the city (Sobakatsu) so there's been a lot of hype. The good thing is there's about 3x the amount of seating than Sobakatsu and the line moves fast because customers were mindful about not lingering. At least on my visit. F O O D * Seared Aigamo: Duck ($18) Rave reviews for this but I thought it was fine, tender with a nice smoky flavor. Supposedly, it's finished in a broiler but the skin was soggy and needed to be rendered more. * Goma: Cold Soba Noodles w/ sesame dipping sauce ($21) The goma sauce was deliciously nutty and taken to the next level with the DIY freshly grounded sesame seeds. So aromatic! The cold buckwheat noodles had a nice, chewy texture with a distinct earthy flavor but was choppy. IMO, the portion is snack-sized compared to Sobakatsu. After finishing your soba, they offer you sobaya, hot, starchy water used to boil the soba. You pour the water into the dipping sauce, creating a comforting broth to end your meal. Trying to limit my salt so I passed on it. S E R V I C E Friendly and enthusiastic staff. They're new so food takes awhile to come out. A M B I A N C E Great remodel from the previous Aloha Warehouse, sleek and modern with an open kitchen, slated wood panels, and paper lantern light fixtures. Maybe because I was seated at the counter near the expo but it felt very chaotic esp with the amount of foot traffic, drum, and loud irasshaimase as each customer enters. Overall, Sora is off to a good start. Not expecting an American sized meal but I hope they figure out a better price to portion ratio so customers leave full without making their wallet cry. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Seared Aigamo Duck ($18) + Goma Cold Soba Noodles w/ sesame dipping sauce ($21) - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

Yum!!! So delicious! The soba noodles tasted so fresh and tasty! We got the order with tempura and the tempura was sooo good too! Highly recommend! Will be back. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

It's okay. We liked the hot soba better than the hot soba at another nearby place. However, we preferred the cold soba and tempura at another place nearby. We got the 6 piece tempura and I didn't like the offerings. They deep fried cherry tomatoes, brussels sprouts, fish - these were meh. I liked the scallop and shrimp tempura offering though. I suggest keeping an sauces from one dish in case you want to use it for the next dish. I liked the sauce from the chicken karaage better than the sauce for the tempura (too sweet). Luckily I was able to go on a weekday night so there wasn't a long line like there is on the weekend. read more

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I was excited to try Sora as there aren't many soba spots in the city but left pretty disappointed as the noodles were a letdown. We came about 15 min before opening on a Saturday morning and there was already a line forming. Luckily we were able to be seated in the first wave and my friends and I ordered a different sobas to try. We shared a nine piece tempura to start and that was our favorite part of the meal. The tempura is lightly breaded, nicely fried and has a good crunch without being too oily or heavy. I especially enjoyed the squid, shrimp & pepper, and tofu pieces. Then we got our soba which I ended up ordering the hot duck soba since the weather was so cold but really regretted it as the broth was nice and rich with a distinct smoky flavor but the actually noodles were overcooked, gummy and breaking apart. I also tried my friend's sesame cold noodles and while the noodle texture was better we thought it was still overcooked without the nice chew of a good soba and the sesame sauce was lacking flavor. Overall for a meal that's easily over $30 per person just for the soba not including any apps, this spot is too pricey for the mediocre food unfortunately. read more

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Alright soba spot, especially considering soba choices in SF are very limited. I was worried about the huge wait others have mentioned in reviews, but it was fine with going right when they open. I went as a solo diner, on a rainy Wednesday, and no one was in line at 5:15pm (15 minutes before they open). The first person hopped in line at 5:25pm and there was a small line of five of us by the time they opened their doors. There was still at least one empty table open nearby me, until 6pm. The staff were super nice and gave us hot tea while we waited in line outside. Interior is very much all a warm wood, modern vibe, with a mix of table and bar-style seating. Staff were friendly and attentive, with a rotating mix of servers stopping by my table throughout the meal. My order came quickly, maybe less than 10 minutes of me placing my order. I ordered the kake soba, the Sora chips, the three piece tempura, and a yuzu soda to drink. The yuzu soda is nothing special, but exactly what I wanted. The three piece tempura, surprisingly, was more than three pieces and fantastic tempura. The Sora chips came with a jelly-like dashi dipping sauce which was fun and delicious, but I feel other reviews had hyped them up too much. I do not recommend the Sora chips for solo dining as they are best for sharing. The kake soba was just okay. Not quite enough chew to the noodles and they mostly held together okay in the broth and I only had a couple break. The broth itself was good, and I'm really glad it was hot. Overall, considering Sobakatsu is around the corner, I'm glad Sora has far more seats. Sora has great ambiance and service, and almost hits the mark on the food. I'll have to try the cold soba next time and hope the noodles hold up better. read more

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I solo dined here on a Tuesday night and was very surprised, no line and several open tables during my meal! The restaurant is small but not like only-12-seats small, so there was still a decent amount of tables. It was cold out so I opted for hot soba. I wasn't in the mood for duck so I chose the tempura, but I heard duck is popular and I'dlike to come back to try it. The tempura had a really interesting mix of items - green beans, shiso leaf, eggplant, fish, scallop, and shrimp. The portion was just right for me to finish everything, so that may be small for others. I thought everything was good but a little pricey for the portion. I went to the restroom before my food came and when I got back, my food was waiting for me. I do wish they waited until I sat back down to give me my food. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Hot tempura soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

We came on a Sunday 6:30pm, rainy day - it was a 35-40 minute wait to entry. Might be longer on a non rainy day. There is no sign in or Yelp waitlist. I was happy to see about 3x more seating in here compared to Sobakatsu around the corner, to help meet the demand of authentic soba noodles. the interior was new and clean. Space may feel tight for larger/taller people depending on your proximity preferences. Ten Zaru (cold): soba noodles were squishy, and the tempura was delicious especially when dipped in their special matcha salt. Kamo namban (hot): soba noodles were fragile, lost its squish/bounce, and was hard to pick up with the chopsticks, they kept breaking. The duck was okay. Cold soba had better noodle texture and flavor in the dipping sauce. Go for the cold! Sora chips appetizer: nice thick texture and crunch, just what I like! Comes with a light dipping sauce. Best to share this. Dashi maki tamago appetizer: yum in the form of soft omelette pieces. Would recommend. Total at the end was $96 for two or $48/person. The suggested tips at the end is calculated after tax + SF mandate, and the lowest selection is 20%. If you base it off the subtotal, their lowest option is about 22% - something to note in case you're wondering why the bill was higher than expected. The wait was a bit longer than expected but the tents provided coverage for the rain and the complimentary hot cup of green tea provided extra comfort. Servers were very nice and friendly. 5 for the service, 4.5 for the food, 3.5 for the portion size/value, or 4.0-4.5 on average. Would come back as long as the wait is under 30 min. read more

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Known for its 100% Japanese buckwheat soba noodles, Sora has opened its first U.S. location in San Francisco's Japantown! The soba is made fresh and focuses on the lightness and purity of the dishes. You can order it cold with dipping sauces or hot with Kansai-style broth. It's a great choice for the cold weather we've been experiencing but prepare to wait in line! The space has a lot of small tables and there are no reservations. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Sora is a delightful addition to the Japantown area. The soba dishes are perfectly portioned so that you end up filled, but not overly so. Would definitely recommend trying the Kawashi Tamago. It had a nice light broth with egg and green onion. The soba noodles have a nice texture, and the wheat noodle was clearly high quality. This sister restaurant to Hinodeya has a location in Japan, but this is its first foray into the US. Definitely worth a visit for the food, atmosphere, and service. They are still working on the kitchen prep, so please be patient when ordering, as the main dish does take some time to prep. read more

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*3.75 / 5* STARS. Rating this a little harsher since I've tried both sobakatsu (around the corner) and soba ichii in Oakland and I've grown to love soba. In general, soba is a very light and refreshing meal, so the quality of the noodles is the biggest factor for me and while fresh and light - it didn't quite have the "bounce" or "chew" I was hoping for. Would come back for another try if the wait isn't too long Food 3.75/5 overall - Soba noodles - 3/5. The noodles were missing that springy bounce chew feel. I could tell they were fresh but seemed sort of slippery and almost too wet. Tempura: 4/5 I enjoyed the variety of tempura that came with the set and how light the batter is, however wish I got more shrimp/squid rather than egg(?) and fish Chicken appetizer - 4/5. I enjoyed how light the batter was and juicy the meat- but there were some really small pieces of chicken that just felt like I was eating a ball of fried batter with no meat. Ambiance 5/5 - brand new store space that is very spacious and larger. Saw at the kitchen counter and saw into the kitchen. Clean and modern/minimalist Service 5/5 - servers were very attentive and even had asked if I was ready to get the main soba entree after I finished my chicken karage appetizer. Noticed when I finished my meal and brought the soba-yu broth to mix with the dipping sauce without me needing to ask read more

Sora Dining Soba - Zaru ten - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It's worth the hype and worth the wait!!! Second weekend from opening and we only waited 1 hour under the tent in the rain. Got the duck soba and it was so so good. My daughter got the classic ten Zara soba to dip the noodles in and that was also good. The tempura was actually one of the best we had. I like the dining accessories - you know the wooden box with the togarashi. Walking in, the decor is sleek simple and modern with wood panels and all. I like the light oak furniture. Everyone was really polite and friendly staff. On the way out when I spoke in the little Japanese I know and told the chefs "totemo oishii desu", they smiled said thank you and responded to me to come back again. read more

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What did I just eat? So confusing Came in for lunch and was greeted nicely. Staff were very nice and attentive But why the 2 stars Because it was very expensive for what it was. Table of 4 seemed to have been forgotten. Food was mediocre at best. Ordered duck cold soba, duck warm soba, chicken and egg warm soba, tempura warm soba, tamago and caesar salad. Caesar, over dressed salad, romaine lettuce not of great quality. Tamago, warm, savory and not sweet, swimming in a pool of starchy sauce Duck cold soba, soba was very broken up, no noodles were longer than 3 inches. Duck was very thin, not so much flavor. Duck warm soba, same as above, just in large warm soup Chicken and egg warm soba, pretty poor Tempura warm soba, tempura were very disappointing. Likely because was fried at wrong temp. Batter on the eggplant tempura was soggy with oil and inedible. Appetizers came fast, but soba came very much behind. We sat at 1130, ordered at 1140, didn't get our soba until 1215 and it wasn't busy. Overall, will not return read more

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Sora Dining Soba is a fantastic spot for thoughtfully prepared Japanese comfort food in San Francisco, with welcoming staff and a relaxed vibe. I've heard that lines can get quite long so may have just lucked out as there was a table available immediately even though I arrived around peak lunchtime. Every dish we tried was well executed and genuinely delicious. The kushi-tempura was fried expertly so it was crisp on the outside without feeling oily and really let the ingredients shine, while the dashi-maki tamago was incredibly fluffy and packed with savory umami flavor in each bite. Of course, the star of the meal was the zaru soba, to which I added a side of the seared aigamo duck as part of the kamo zaru set. The noodles had that perfect, slightly firm texture you only get from 100% buckwheat, and they paired so well with the hot dipping sauce. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for excellent soba and classic accompaniments like tempura. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Kamo Zaru - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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It was such a popular place; we waited around 45 minutes. The wait was really worth it though! I loved the freshness of the soba and how everything came out quickly. I ordered the Ten Zaru which came with soba, tempura, and a cold dipping broth. The dashi was light and refreshing and I enjoyed the unique tempura offerings like the brussel sprout tempura. We also got agedashi tofu and tori-kara oroshi chicken. They were both fried lightly, but the chicken could have used some more seasoning. This is a great soba spot, but the wait can be a little long. Also if you're going with anyone allergic to nuts or seeds, you should be careful with the soba. My friend has a seed allergy and we didn't realize that buckwheat is a seed. read more

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Sora Dining Soba is one of the newest additions in Japantown. I saw it on social media and had to check it out. I went during opening hour at 5pm for dinner. The line wasn't too long, I waited for around 20m before getting seated. We got a cold Tempoura soba and a hot duck soba. Unfortunately, it didn't live up to the hype in my opinion. The soba noodles were short and and soggy texture. I was hoping for more of a chew but it wasn't the case. The tempura and the smoked duck were pretty mediocre as well. I couldn't taste the smokiness in the duck as it looked pretty bland and straight from the fridge. I had a very high expectation of this place but the quality of the food did not live up to the price. It was expensive too! I likely won't come back given the price and the quality of the food unfortunately. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Cold tempura soba - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Just had an incredible meal at their first US location! This spot brings a true Japanese atmosphere with delicious soba, especially their dashi specialty. We enjoyed the Kamo Nanban, a hot soba dish featuring tender duck in a light yet deeply umami dashi, followed by the Goma Zaru, a cold soba served with a rich sesame dipping sauce that adds a comforting, hearty depth compared to traditional dashi. Tip: Try both the hot and cold soba, paired with a fried appetizer, to create a well balanced meal with contrasting temperatures, textures, and flavors. The manager shared that the owners aimed to recreate the same experience as dining at their locations in Japan-both taste and visuals and they've done just that. A must visit for anyone seeking truly authentic soba noodles. I'll be back! Cheers! read more

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The restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing inside. Was my second time going and the soba was consistently good. I think the appetizers might be the things that really shine here. The egg roll and agadshi tofu are very good! read more

Sora Dining Soba - agedashi tofu - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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In a city lacking of good soba options, we finally have a new spot from the team behind Hinodeya Ramen. Just be prepared to wait in a line to get a seat inside. For appetizers, the Sukui Tofu is excellent. With a delicate soy milk broth, it's paired with soy sauce and salted matcha for a unique, clean, and refreshing dish. Sora soba features 100% buckwheat noodle, which focuses on maintaining a chewy texture. Definitely go for the cold noodles as they can get quickly soggy in warmer broths. While the first few bites were excellent, one thing that slightly detracted from the experience was that the noodles themselves weren't all full length strands. Some of the noodles were cut segments, about 2-3 inches which made it harder to pick up and less satisfying to eat in the broth. That being said, the flavors of the soba and sides were simple, clean, and fresh. The tempura was great, especially the sweet tamagoyaki tempura. Certainly worth the wait and definitely one of the best soba options in SF. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Ten Zaru - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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Newly opened up, Sora boasts long lines consistently throughout the day. So, when my mom and I passed by on an early Saturday morning and saw empty seats, we took our chance to try it out. The restaurant is packed with seats, and you can directly hear the conversations of the seats adjacent to you, and the tables barely fit two sets of the soba (which means you better finish your appetizers by the time your food comes out!). Overall, it makes the dining experience uncomfortable since it's so cramped. We ordered the egg and karaage appetizers, both of which are soggy and have simple taste profiles. Not sure I'd get them again. I ordered the cold soba with duck, and my mom ordered the warm soba with tempura. The tempura was decent, nicely crispy and not too oily, with a good assortment of things. The soup base for the warm soba was bland compare to for the dipping soba. They don't give many pieces of duck, but they were cooked well and rich. The noodles themselves just fall apart, not sure if it was just a bad batch though. There must be something I'm missing since there's always people queueing up to try this place, but I just don't think I'd risk it again considering the price. read more

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We stumbled upon this soba noodle spot while vacationing in San Francisco, and I'm so glad we did. We ordered a variety of dishes, and honestly, I wasn't even that excited at first -- some of the options felt a little intimidating if you're not super familiar with soba. But wow, was I wrong. This ended up being one of my favorite meals of the entire trip. The noodles were comforting, flavorful, and absolutely perfect for the rainy SF weather. What really stood out were the spices they provide on the side -- being able to customize the heat and flavor took everything to the next level. Every dish we tried hit the spot, and the whole experience just felt warm and satisfying. When we return to San Francisco, this will 100% be a must-stop for us. Highly recommend if you're looking for something cozy, delicious, and a little different The Service was also amazing. Thank you for having us. Definitely worth waiting in line for! read more

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Ambiance: very clean and well lit inside. Service: first thoughts were the staff were very welcoming and friendly. Appetizer: Age Dashi Tofu: 3/5 - lightly fried tofu with dashi broth. This was pretty good and filling. $12 Food: I ordered the Tem Zaru (cold soba with tempura). I'd give it a 3/5 only because of the tempura. The tempura was fried perfectly - batter was light, and not oily. It reminded me of the tempura I had from Japan. Cold soba noodles were a miss for me. The noodles kept falling apart and breaking into smaller pieces. Overall, I would say the food was decent, but I think for $26 it was a bit steep. read more

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It's been on the bookmark list for some time. It's been over 4 months since my last visit to J Town. I was glad that my schedule worked to stop on a Tuesday afternoon. I actually planned on eating at a rotation spot but remembered that this place had not opened for business yet. Walking through the plaza, I was surprised that there was no line and, peeking in, the restaurant had a few available tables. My friend texted me that he just parked so I walked to the greeter who led me to two counter seats. There were only three other diners here as I sat and studied the menu. Being a warm day, my lean was towards the cold soba. After my friend arrived and I read the item descriptions, I knew what I would try. I ordered two items to share besides my meal. We started with the Dashi-Maki tamago (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=BZ6TskSueI5Cz-BaTpYyww), fluffy omelet made with rich Sora dashi broth. Served warm with a touch of refined dashi broth; this is a light starter that requires delicate chopsticks skills to eat. The green onions and bits of shishito pepper gave a pleasant contrast to the soft egg. We also tried the Umami Caesar salad, half portion (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=vZGS6lxZ1URPwvThF3_gZw), described as One of our most popular salads. Cheese-flavored dressing topped with bonito flakes and fragrant roasted buckwheat. The waiter offered to split the order prior to serving. I enjoyed this especially with the lack of greens in the other dishes. The bonito flakes work well with the Caesar's (think of it as the sub in for anchovy). The half portion was plenty as a starter. Originally leaning towards a cold soba (the traditional style), I pivoted to the Kamo Nanbam (https://www.yelp.com/user_local_photos?userid=saJuyv784apZzH--psHZ3Q&select=k-C2p0MTsg34otJqPqiRMQ); hot soba served with juicy slices of seared duck and grilled green onions. A timeless soba classic. My 1st reaction was, wow, that's not a very big bowl. As I worked on it, alternating bites from the duck, with or without radish and/or wasabi, the bowl started feeling endless. The dashi broth was slightly warmer than lukewarm but it was clean and tasty. The portion is certainly filling even without the salad and shared app. Service was friendly and efficient as several staff members checked on us regularly. The dining room stayed pretty much full with an open table or two being available periodically. I would return and try other menu items and will recommend this to a friend who is a huge duck fan. Always nice to try new businesses and cuisines. read more

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Their tempura is off the charts. Shisito pepper & shrimp combo was absolutely fire. Tamago tempura is pretty uncommon in the states so that was a treat too. Plus bacon wrapped zucchini? Everything was light, perfectly fried and well seasoned. I'd go back for that alone. The dipping broth and the kamo namban broth were delicious as well. Pretty traditional dipping broth (though I would've loved some shredded daikon to put in it) and the kamo broth was so hearty and warm. But, unfortunately, the noodles were incredibly disappointing. They were not chewy and broke apart too easily -- especially in the hot kamo broth. It seemed like they might have been old? Definitely not as fresh as they should've been for the prices. Finally, make sure to get there early! There is a long line (even on rainy days) so you'll want to plan for that. read more

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Delicious!! My friend and I accidentally went here after mistaking it for a different soba place, but we were so pleasantly surprised! Service was top notch, and the inside of the restaurant was so cute and well decorated. The soba noodles were great. We both got the cold soba with tempura. Some of the best, crispiest tempura I've had. Definitely returning. read more

Sora Dining Soba - Well decorated inside - Japanese Near Me - San Francisco, California

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