On my most recent visit, I tried the kamo seiro soba (cold soba with duck) for just 1,120 yen. It came with a warm, flavorful dashi broth, slices of shimeji mushrooms, mitsuba (Japanese parsley), and tender duck meatballs. The soba noodles were thin but had a great chew to them, and the nutty buckwheat flavor worked perfectly with the rich duck dipping broth. A sprinkle of sansho pepper on top made the flavors even better.

Since Kawasemi also has a reputation for great tempura, I ordered the tempura moriawase (mixed tempura set) with crispy shrimp, squid, vegetables, and mushrooms. The dashimaki tamago, a thick rolled egg flavored with mitsuba, was another tasty item that was perfect for sharing.

Even though the soba is very reasonably priced at around 1,000~2,000 yen, Kawasemi's stylish interior and careful food preparation make it feel like a step up from your average soba shop. The warm wood tones and counter seating create a relaxing, almost zen-like atmosphere for enjoying your meal. Just keep in mind that it gets busy soon after they open at lunch time, so it's best to arrive early to get a seat.

Kawasemi is located just a 10-minute walk from Meguro Station, down a quiet side street. The peaceful residential area and nearby Meguro River make it feel like a hidden escape from the busy city. It's a great spot for a solo meal or a casual business lunch, offering a combination of delicious food, nice atmosphere, and good value that's hard to find elsewhere.