Overview Reviews
As a food reviewer for FlavorGoo, I recently explored the culinary delights of SOBAR, a charming spot nestled in Los Angeles. Specializing in Japanese noodle bars, SOBAR elevates traditional flavors while embracing modern dining necessities. The atmosphere is intimate and welcoming, equipped with ADA-compliant features ensuring accessibility for all guests.
SOBAR stands out for its commitment to inclusivity, offering vegan options alongside an array of flavorful dishes. I particularly appreciated the QR code menus and the flexibility of payment methods, including digital wallets like Zelle and PayPal. The dedicated outdoor seating, heated and covered for comfort, enhances the dining experience even further.
Service here is attentive, underscoring the Asian-owned ethos of providing a personal touch. If you’re in the vicinity, don’t miss out on their happy hour specials. SOBAR is not just a dining destination; it’s a delightful experience that captures the essence of modern Japanese cuisine.
Additional Services & Amenities
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Featured Insights
1
Authentic Flavors and Generous Portions
SOBAR excels in delivering authentic Japanese soba with generous portion sizes. Diners rave about the rich flavors and the option to mix dipping sauces, creating a customizable and satisfying meal experience.
2
Intimate Atmosphere and Attentive Service
The cozy, intimate setting makes SOBAR perfect for small groups or couples. Customers appreciate the attentive service, ensuring a delightful dining experience from the moment you walk in.
3
Accessible and Convenient Amenities
SOBAR is committed to accessibility, featuring ADA-compliant facilities, including restrooms and parking. With options for takeout and delivery, as well as a welcoming space for dogs and outdoor seating, convenience is prioritized.
Customer Reviews & Ratings
I am in shock that this hidden gem is exactly that, hidden. I was the only person that was having lunch today here and I'm sad to see it. The flavors were on point, the ambiance was nice, the pricing was fair, and the portions I got were surprisingly big ( and I eat a lot ). Definitely check this spot out next time you're craving Soba! Everything I tried, I would order again.
Very cute little resturant. Street parking only, which can be tricky when busy. I ordered the zaru chilled soba with two different dripping sauces. I liked that there was an option to try to different dipping sauces for an affordable add on rather than having to choose one. I really enjoyed the shiso dipping sauce and next time would only order that one. There are some hot soba dishes available for those more into warmer noodles. I have not found many soba specialty restaurants around. This was a delicious meal, the service was speedy, the atmosphere intimate and inviting. I can't wait to go back and try their hot noodle dishes!
This experience and meal was awesome. I don't know much about soba so take it with a grain of salt but it seems ultra authentic. I tried to have the most traditional experience and from what I've read and seen, it really nailed everything. During my visit, it didn't seem that busy but food took a little longer than I would have expected. Service was really friendly and nice. They helped me through the menu. They have tons of options for all different types of flavors. A little more expensive than I would have guessed but nothing crazy. Will definitely be back if I'm craving soba
We made reservations for NYE and it was an amazing experience. Their reservation system is phone call only, and their staff are kind and patient! PARKING: only metered street parking but after 6 PM parking is free. FOOD: entrees were $25+, appetizers and drinks ranged anywhere from $6-20. The portion size of their soba is sizable, definitely to make someone full. We ordered two sides the season pickled vegetables and the albacore sashimi which put everything over the top. Location/seating: Mainly "bar seating" around the kitchen/prep table. It's a very intimate setting, patrons were mainly couples or small groups. They have 3 "regular" tables near the window.
Super cute soba noodle bar in Culver City. We made a reservation for lunch when they opened at noon. There was one person running the front of house and the bar who is extremely attentive and friendly. We ordered one of the traditional lunch set (zaru), one lunch special with hot soba and tempura and one ribeye niku soba. We really enjoyed the noodles and noticed the zaru noodles were different from the others (both were delicious). The lunch set came with a tempura hand roll and some additional smaller dishes like salmon and duck that were amazing. While the prices are a bit high for soba, the quality and service match. I can't wait to go back.
When we go back to Japan, we always make a point to stop by our favorite soba restaurants. There's something special about starting with small dishes like Dashimaki-tamago (Japanese omelet), grilled duck, or tempura, paired with cold sake, and finishing with perfectly made soba noodles. When I saw the menu at this restaurant, I was thrilled--it offered a lineup of small dishes that pair wonderfully with sake and homemade soba, making it a promising spot for an authentic sake/soba experience. We enjoyed the tempura and karaage, and the soba noodles were perfectly cooked and delicious. However, the Dashimaki Tamago (Japanese omelet) was disappointing--it lacked the dashi flavor and saltiness we were expecting. (For context, we recently did a taste test of Dashimaki Tamago at Kyoto's Nishiki Market, which is an amazing place to experience authentic flavors.) The service could use some improvement. All the food arrived before our drinks, which interrupted the ideal pace of the meal. They have a great sake selection though. Another issue was with the soba dipping cups. We ordered two servings of cold soba to share among four people, but they only provided two dipping cups and gave us bowls to share. This felt awkward and inconsistent with how this would be handled in Japan. Typically, everyone should have their own dipping cup with condiments, especially when sharing noodles after drinking. The decor is clean and modern but not comfortable. Also, it looks uninviting from outside. Overall, the food quality and flavors were decent, but I wish they paid closer attention to these finer details, which are so essential to the authentic soba dining experience. For soba and sake lovers in the U.S., it's worth a visit. That said, my family told me that I can make better Dashimaki Tamago, tempura, and soba at home.
Lovely restaurant with minimalistic interiors (bar-style seating) and kind service. The food is presented beautifully and delicious! The dashi omelette was fluffy and light - perfect starter to share. The scallop shiso soba is my favorite dish here - the shiso dressing adds a herby and umami kick, delicious when poured the soba noodles with the scallop and shiitake mushrooms.
Went here for dinner with friends the other night for the first time. It was my first time at a udon shop so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised by the flavors. The shop is quiet and clean, and service is very friendly and fast. * We ordered from their specials menu which featured an appetizer plate of a variety of small bites including salmon and beef and it was soooo delicious. This was probably my favorite part of the whole meal. The pickled cabbage was perfectly crunchy and tangy, and each bite of the appetizers were filled with flavor. Stupid me didn't take a picture of the specials menu because I was too hungry but please refer to my included photo! I highly recommend it. * Agedashi nasu - Eggplant in a light dashi broth. It wasn't super memorable to me, I thought the flavor was quite plain to be completely honest. I would recommend skipping this. * Mongo Ika squid tempura - The squid itself was really good! It was fresh and tender. But the batter was really plain also unfortunately. Its served with some salt and a lemon wedge but I thought some spices were missing and wasn't super impressed. I've had better. * Kami Negi Soba - The soba was good! The flavor of the broth was actually really delicious. It had a very soy, umami flavor that was perfectly salted without being overly salty. The grilled duck was a good addition too, although I felt like it was slightly chewy. The soba was served cold and intended to dip. It had good texture and was perfectly formed and firm which I also liked! Overall, I thought this place was good but it didn't justify the price. A lot of the flavor was lacking a little in the apps except for the special, but the udon itself wasn't too bad.
Holy cow this place was good! Came in for the lunch special which is a screaming deal. I had the lemonade, chicken Katsu app and the ribeye soba. The lemonade is house made and sparkling but so bright and delicious. The chicken Katsu was crispy and moist -- though I wish I had an option for a sort of dipping sauce. The ribeye soba was a great portion size and came with a beautifully poached egg. The service was quite nice and the owner was greeting people throughout our time there. Regarding the ambiance, it is a more group-style setting so not super intimate if you wanted a table to yourself. There was a whole bunch of us seated around a bar but they will, of course, seat you with your party.
Josh B.