This time, I visited the soba restaurant “Sobadokoro Higashitei” located in Higashine City, Yamagata Prefecture. It’s within walking distance from the Yamagata Shinkansen’s Sakurambo-Higashine Station, making it convenient not only for travelers on business or sightseeing, but also for many local customers.
In this article, you’ll find an overview of Higashitei’s menu, a guide to the “Second Parking Lot” that first-time visitors often struggle to find, and a detailed tasting review. If you’re looking for meat soba near Sakurambo-Higashine Station or want to know where to park during busy hours, this guide will help you choose the right place.

What kind of restaurant is Sobadokoro Higashitei?

Sobadokoro Higashitei is a soba restaurant located about a 5‑minute walk from Sakurambo-Higashine Station. Although it sits in the station-front area, the exterior has a calm, traditional Japanese look. During lunchtime, the parking spaces in front of the restaurant often fill up quickly.

At Higashitei, you can enjoy the typical inland‑Yamagata style of eating cold meat soba even in winter. Inside the warm restaurant, you can relax and savor a chilled bowl of meat soba—one of the charms of this place.

Since it’s within walking distance from the Shinkansen stop Sakurambo-Higashine Station, it’s a convenient choice for travelers without a rental car, as well as for businesspeople looking for lunch during a work trip.

Introducing the menu at Sobadokoro Higashitei

Higashitei’s menu centers around soba, udon, and Chinese-style noodles. Even the regular portion is quite generous, but for those sharing with children or wanting a hearty meal, large (+150 yen) and extra-large (+400 yen) portions are available.

The signature dishes: “Meat Soba” and “Tori-Chuka”

The most popular item is, of course, meat soba. You can enjoy the firm, chewy texture of oyadori (adult chicken) along with rustic, firm soba noodles.

For ramen lovers, the must‑try dish is Tori-Chuka. It’s a uniquely Yamagata-style bowl where Chinese noodles are served in a soba-style broth—light yet full of umami.

We actually visited Sobadokoro Higashitei! — Visit Report

I visited Higashitei during lunchtime in February, when patches of snow still remained. Compared to peak tourist seasons, this time of year tends to be calmer.

Even so, customers began arriving steadily right after opening, so depending on timing, it may get crowded early.

If the parking lot is full, head to the “Second Parking Lot”

The parking area in front of the restaurant holds around a dozen cars, but on busy days it fills up quickly. Especially during the cherry-picking season (mid‑June to early July), many visitors come from inside and outside the prefecture, making the area crowded. Knowing the location of the Second Parking Lot beforehand will give you peace of mind.

Second Parking Lot

The second parking lot is located about 80 meters from the restaurant (roughly a 3‑minute walk). The route is very simple:

1. Turn left at the traffic light in front of the restaurant
2. Walk straight for about 80 meters
3. You will see a sign for the “Second Parking Lot” on your left

If you expect crowds—especially during the cherry‑picking season—it’s smoother to head directly to the second parking lot from the start.

Counter Seats Perfect for a Quick Lunch

Right near the entrance, you’ll find counter seating. Each seat has a partition, allowing you to focus on your meal without worrying about the person next to you.

It’s a convenient setup for those who want to enjoy a quick bowl of meat soba alone during a business trip or squeeze in a simple lunch break.

Tatami Seating for Families with Children

On the right side of the restaurant, there is a tatami seating area where you remove your shoes. The spacious tatami floor is perfect for laying down a baby or stretching your legs after traveling. Child-sized chairs are also available.

Kids’ Tableware Available at the Self-Service Corner

The self-service corner provides not only water and tea, but also kids’ plates, spoons, forks, and short chopsticks.
This thoughtful setup is especially helpful for parents.

They also sell take‑home snacks such as fried soba and crispy chicken skin for 100 yen each.

Trying the Popular Dishes at Higashitei!

After placing my order, the dishes arrived shortly. The service felt smooth and efficient.

Chewy and Satisfying “Cold Meat Soba”

The classic cold meat soba features dark-colored, thick country-style soba noodles. Firmly chilled, they have a strong, satisfying bite.

The broth is rich with chicken flavor but not overly fatty—light enough that you’ll want to keep sipping. The topping uses parent chicken, known for its pleasantly firm, chewy texture. It’s a dish you’ll want to savor slowly.

Great for Those Who Prefer Ramen: “Chashu Ramen”

If you’re in the mood for ramen rather than soba, Higashitei also offers Chinese-style noodle dishes. I tried the Chashu Ramen.

The broth has a pleasant seafood-based dashi aroma with a nice depth of flavor. The noodles are smooth, medium-thick, and easy to slurp together with the broth. The char siu slices are generously sized and tender.

My Recommendation: “Gesoten Meat Soba”

The Gesoten Meat Soba comes with meat soba plus a side of squid tempura. In Yamagata’s inland region, it’s common to hear that “tempura soba means geso-ten,” and this dish reflects that local style.

The geso tempura is delicious on its own, but I also recommend dipping it lightly into the meat soba broth midway through your meal. The added richness from the tempura coating creates a pleasant shift in flavor.

If you feel that “meat soba alone might not be quite enough,” this combination is an easy choice.

Access & Store Information

Higashitei is about a 5‑minute walk from Sakuranbo-Higashine Station.

The restaurant mainly operates during lunchtime, so be mindful of the hours when planning your visit.

Summary

Sobadokoro Higashitei is conveniently located within walking distance of Sakuranbo-Higashine Station, making it an easy stop for travelers, business visitors, and locals alike. You can enjoy classic Yamagata dishes such as cold meat soba, as well as ramen options like Torichuuka and Char Siu Ramen.

The cold meat soba stands out with its firm texture and refreshing broth, while the variety of noodle dishes ensures there’s something for everyone.

During the June–July cherry season, the area tends to get crowded, so knowing the location of the Second Parking Lot will make your visit smoother. If you want to enjoy your meal at a relaxed pace, consider timing your visit accordingly.

Click here for Higashitei’s store information