Driving the S2000 for Sarashina’s Chilled Tanuki Soba in Gifu: Parking Battles & How to Order Right

2026年4月26日

Let’s get straight to the point. Food reviews aren’t exactly my specialty. But if you’re asking whether this is good or bad, it’s overwhelmingly “good.”

Today, I fueled up the S2000 and headed to “Sarashina” out in Gifu Prefecture. Ever since I moved to Nagoya, the killer phrase “chilled tanuki soba” has been ringing in my ears. As a noodle enthusiast, there was no way I could just ignore it.

By the way, following last week, I was given the green light to do whatever I wanted this weekend, which is why I’m out here making these moves…

…Well, let’s not overthink it right now.

Anyway, as usual, I kept the dashcam rolling and stuck entirely to local roads. I actually put a decent amount of effort into the editing this time. Well, decent for me, at least.

It’s a simple video: local roads, arriving at Sarashina, introducing the soba. If you have absolutely nothing better to do, give it a watch.

Honestly, video editing is still tough for me. I have massive respect for people who can put these together smoothly…

■ The Parking Strategy: How Not to Fail

I arrived at the shop right in the middle of the lunch rush at 12:30 PM. This is where you hit the first hurdle—a trap for first-timers. The parking lot right in front of the shop is an absolute war zone.

Trying to squeeze a lowered S2000 with a heavy clutch into a tight space while bathing in the pressure from the line of waiting customers is way too risky. So, I went with the solution of parking at a nearby paid lot from the get-go. Walking a bit and working up an appetite is infinitely better than scraping a bumper to save a few coins. And sure enough, the front of the shop was packed with cars and people.

■ The Fear of the “Extra Large” vs. A Noodle Lover’s Pride

Normally, I have a strict policy against waiting in lines at restaurants, but today was an exception. I burned time and premium gas to get here. I braced myself and joined the queue, but the turnover was surprisingly fast, and I was seated in no time.

I took my seat and glared at the menu. Obviously, my sights were set on the “chilled tanuki soba”—that was a given. The issue was the size. As a self-proclaimed noodle addict, I’d normally order the biggest size without hesitation. But this was my first time here. What if I order the “Extra Large” and they bring it out in something the size of a washbasin? Leaving food behind is something my pride simply won’t allow.

So, I played it safe and went with the “Large.” Knowing your stomach’s limits is just part of being a responsible adult.

■ The Verdict: The Sweet and Savory Fried Tofu Steals the Show

And then, it arrived: the chilled tanuki soba (Large).

As the weather heats up, these perfectly chilled noodles just slide right down. It’s served “bukkake” style (broth poured over the noodles), but the real star of the show isn’t just the soba itself. The sweet and savory seasoned deep-fried tofu (age) sitting on top—it’s absolutely insane.

The crunchiness of the tempura bits (tenkasu), the refreshing bite of the green onions, and the rich, sweet-and-savory flavor of the fried tofu. They all hit you at once in a perfect holy trinity. I know I said I’m bad at food reviews. I lied. It’s simply “incredibly delicious”—that one phrase covers it perfectly. They even have sobayu (soba boiling water) on the table, which is an irresistible touch for true fans.

To tell you the truth, it wasn’t quite enough food for me. I should have gone for the Extra Large, but keep that between us.

■ Heading Back

I left the shop completely satisfied, but there was no way I was getting stuck in the same local road traffic on the way back. I decided to hop on the Nagoya Expressway to head home… and that’s when I got attacked by something unbelievable inside the tunnel.

A “dinosaur.” I’ll save that story, complete with video evidence, for another time. S2000 vs. Dinosaur—brace yourselves for the deathmatch.

Author of this article

Buri-shabu

Mid-life salaryman by day, surviving the pharmaceutical trenches with logic. But the moment I step out, I’m a "fanatic" devoted to my S2000. 20 years together—VTEC kick is pure ecstasy.