Soba Boro is a traditional Japanese cookie that is made with soba (buckwheat) flour and lots of egg. The texture is similar to biscotti. It is a traditional Japanese confection and unlike many Japanese confections, it is quite cheap. It is also non-perishable so if you are looking for a light weight, easily transportable foodie souvenir on your visit to Kyoto, give soba boro a try!
I didn’t realize but I buy soba boro (蕎麦ぼうろ) fairly often. I like them. My dog likes them. I think that they have a distinctly Japanese taste yet are not challenging to the non-Japanese palate like tea ceremony namagashi might be. I reviewed Kyoto handmade soba boro ice cream here on KyotoFoodie and that is some wonderful stuff!
While soba boro is not a distinctly Kyoto confection, there are a number of shinise shop in Kyoto that are famous for them. One of my favorites is located near the Kyoto Gosho Imperial Palace and is called Kawaramachiya (丸太町かわらまち屋). In addition to soba boro, Kawaramachiya also is famous for their soba manju confections.
How does Soba Boro Taste?
Soba boro has a very pleasant taste and texture and is not high in calories, for a sweet. It is hard and crispy but far less dense than traditional biscotti. Though it is very crunchy, it melts upon meeting the mouth very quickly. The soba and sugar creates a slightly earthy and caramely taste.
ingredient list:
wheat flour, sugar, egg, soba buckwheat flour
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English:
English menu/signage: none
English website: none
Service/Staff: so-so
Price: 300 – 1,500 yen.
Location and Access: Kawaramachiya is located on Marutamachi Street between Teramachi and Kawaramachi Streets, on the south side of Marutamachi. The closest station is Jingu Marutamachi Station on the Keihan Railway, just across the Kamo River. The Marutamachi subway station on the Karasuma Line is about a 10 minute walk to the west. Many bus lines pass through this neighborhood too.
Address: Kyoto-shi Kamigyo-ku, Marutamachi-dori Kawaramachi Nishi-iru, Shintomi-cho 331
(京都市上京区丸太町通河原町西入信富町331番地)
Telephone: 075-231-2146
Near Sightseeing Spot: The Imperial Palace (5 min. walk to the north-west) and Shimogoryo Jinja Shrine and Teramachi Street
Map:
View OpenKyoto/KyotoFoodie Map in a larger map
Thank you for the very informative and interesting blog you do! The photo’s are wonderful and enjoying Japanese cuisine here in Seattle when I get a chance….this blog is very helpful….Keep up the excellent work! Corie from Seattle
I have a recipe for soba boro and would like to make soba boro ice cream, but I could need some more information, please… 🙂
Is this just a vanilla ice cream or pure milk-cream?
Do you think,the broken cookies made the light brown color of the ice cream, or is this something else?
Mhmm, Japanese cookies and cream…
I was very in love with this ice cream as I was in USA.I would like to show German readers the Japanese version,most people here even don’t know the original.
I already made soba boro once, the taste is rather similar to a cookie called “russian bread” in Europe, I’m curious if you know it.
Beautiful packaging, as always,Japanese really know how to pack sweets.
Thank you,
Regards
Amatō
your dog has good food taste 🙂
I love them!