Date Soba

Historic noodle shop in Okayama that has earned a devoted following not just for its handmade soba but for its show-stopping demi-katsudon, a golden-fried pork cutlet draped in a rich, dark demi-glace sauce and served over steaming rice. The combination of crispy tonkatsu with the Western-influenced sauce is a hallmark of Okayama's yoshoku food culture, and Date Soba is widely considered the best place in the city to try it. The soba noodles, made fresh daily, are also excellent when ordered as a set alongside the katsudon. The shop has a straightforward, retro atmosphere with counter and table seating, and it gets crowded during the lunch rush, so arriving just before noon is wise.