Journeys in photographs and words.
The front of the eatery, with its Tenmaya Shokudo sign
The front of the eatery, with its Tenmaya Shokudo sign

An old-fashioned neighborhood eatery in Namikata, Imabari, serving chuka soba, okonomiyaki, udon and soba. The chuka soba comes in a clear broth with kamaboko and green onions; I had it as a set with fried rice. Check the current opening days and hours before you go.

760-1 Kobe-ko, Namikata-cho, Imabari, Ehime

Sources: tabelog.com hitosara.com

This moment in the journey

Lunch at a homey eatery

For lunch I stopped at an eatery in Namikata on the way back, an old-style place whose sign also promises udon, soba and okonomiyaki. Plates were stacked in the kitchen, an old Sapporo Beer fridge and an electric fan stood inside, and menu boards lined the wall.

I ordered the set of chuka soba and fried rice: a clear broth with kamaboko and green onions, and straight, thin noodles. Having lunch like the locals, in a place that perfectly fits the phrase "neighborhood Chinese diner." It was tasty and relaxing.

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Lifting noodles from a bowl of chuka soba with kamaboko and green onions
Lifting noodles from a bowl of chuka soba with kamaboko and green onions
The eatery's kitchen, stacked with plates and utensils
The eatery's kitchen, stacked with plates and utensils
Inside the eatery, with a Sapporo Beer fridge and an electric fan
Inside the eatery, with a Sapporo Beer fridge and an electric fan
Eating the chuka soba and fried rice set
Eating the chuka soba and fried rice set
A close-up of the chuka soba in a red bowl
A close-up of the chuka soba in a red bowl
A close-up of fried rice on a dragon-patterned plate
A close-up of fried rice on a dragon-patterned plate
The eatery's interior, with menus and ornaments on display
The eatery's interior, with menus and ornaments on display