Behind the Counter at a local Japanese Handcrafted Soba Restaurant in Asakusa
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Today I’m taking you behind the counter in Japan at Tanso An Kenjiro, a handcrafted soba restaurant hidden in the backstreets of Asakusa. For the past 18 years, this local Japanese restaurant has been serving handmade soba, seasonal dishes, and carefully selected sake, earning a loyal following among neighborhood regulars and visitors exploring Tokyo. This Japan food documentary follows Ken san, who once studied English in California and worked in the sports industry before discovering his passion for Japanese cuisine at the age of 30. He apprenticed at several renowned soba restaurants, as well as establishments specializing in oden, Okinawan food, and traditional Japanese cuisine, experiences that continue to shape his menu today. The shop offers two styles of soba: Inaka and Seiro. Inaka soba uses the outer layers of buckwheat, giving it a darker color and rustic flavor, while Seiro soba is made from the inner grain, creating a lighter and more refined noodle. Small changes in temperature, humidity, and quality of the ingredients can dramatically affect the final product, which is why mastering soba takes years. The shop also embraces the tradition of sobamae, where guests enjoy small dishes and sake before their noodles, a practice dating back to the Edo period and still cherished in Japan today.
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Tansouan Kenjiro Soba Restaurant Asakusa
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49 Comments
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I like this video series!! thanks
I like this kind of Boss
Retired at 52, making $45k weekly . But the money isn't the real blessing-it's the family that stood by me when life was at its hardest. I'm living the exact life I used to pray for.
If you're still fighting your battles, don't give up. Your season is on the way.❤️”
04:25 🙁
Such lovely footage! I share my life stories on my channel, any views or comments will mean so much to me.
My husband has a Japanese friend, if you want an authentic or exceptional experience when in Japan, always go to the fly in the wall, where locals eat and usually in back streets, same goes for the rest of the world. I used the same advise where I live in Australia, went where the Japanese population where I live go, in a backstreet and it was very popular with them, they were there for over 30yrs but they recently retired, I was very sad to see them go along with other people, sushi and sashimi so fresh along with other foods and noodles made daily, and the only restaurant Ive been to in my country that use actual wasabi and not the horse radish alternative, you saw them prepare it in front of you and it was mind blowing flavour like I have never tasted before, I hope and wish their family the best and they are doing great today <3
Always love watching these around dinner time 🙂
Yo i missed so many of your videos i legit thought you weren't making them anymore because your channel wasn't showing up on my feed anymore. Glad to see your still at it!
Such a wonderful video, this whole amazing crew truly looks like they love what they do, and the compliments they receive are incredible, well deserved!
💜
What a great place! Cool owner as well
Soba is my favorite
Watching him make the soba noddles felt amazing like calming
I like this guy, so chill and laid back
thanks for sharing this Paulo, another hidden gem to visit when i go there with my wife
another entry to "places to eat in Asakusa"
I have been to some of the restaurants/shops that you featured and they were amazing. I will definitely visit this one on our next Japan trip.
I'm 28 and havent achieved anything I could be proud of, been trying to do better. Watching these episodes for as long as I remember it's inspiring how much they have achieved and how far they have gotten in a span of years, truly inspiring.
👌👏
So Tan meaning in anime hell paradise is reall 👀
8:28 ik that from hells paradise
Does the Owner (especially his smile) remind anyone of Chester Bennington from Linkin Park? 😮😅
That waiter is gorgeous 🤯
Soba making looks beautiful ✨
I love soba but may I ask who is the lady in 11:04😅
Will definitely go here when I come back to Japan. I LOVE soba so much, i have been eating it almost everyday. I got store-bought ones and even the dipping sauce. But since the guy said this is one of the best, I’ll certainly pay a visit!!! ❤
what a friendly boss
Bro you gotta check out the indian restaurant called the spice magic at
3-18-2 Omachi Nishi, Asaminami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
15:07 What did he mean by "headhunter" ? I'm so confused and curious at the same time. 😅
I've been watching these 'Behind the counter' videos for so many years and while all of the restaurants showcased were amazing, this shop is something…There's just something so warm about the people in this restaurant that it instantly brings smile to your place. Also, the place looks so cool!
My dream is to be able to watch a video without profanity someday.
That seemed like a fun and happy place to work, the food looks delicious too.
I love the cheerful, happy vibe in their shop☺. It's like all of them spreading happiness to the max level😅. Especially Ken-san. I would visit their shop someday when I'm in Japan.
Emi is hot 🔥
I'm not sure why, but this video has brought me to tears. I love every single one of these behind the counter episodes, yet this one has touched me in a way I didn't know was possible. Feels very nostalgic! I wish for this restaurant and the apprentice leaving soon to have a prosperous lifetime ♥ Love from Canada
Great video. Love Tenzaru Soba (Soba and Tempura) Wish there was place like this where I live with the same type of people and environment making hand made soba noodles
Really great. I love that there is a deeper sense of meaning in what people do for a living and that respect is extended to their customers. This is highly evolved spiritual and cultural concept that the West should take not of.
Thanks Paolo.
Can you do an video on what its like in the day for a kid with autism or a teacher who teaches autistic children in Japan ?
Is it cool to visit this spot without knowing Japanese?
Just noticed this was a behind a counter. This vid kinda felt like a day in the life. Nice vid as always Paolo!
I hope to visit this restaurant one day! <3
Ken-San is so humble and friendly, the spec girl is cute too 🥰 My go to list if I drop by at Asakusa again 😋
I really hope to be able to visit Japan one day❤
Using old newspapers to prevent the soba noodles from sticking is a definite health code violation. The dough has moisture that can cause the ink to leach. You really don't want to know what that ink is made of.
This has been my favorite episode and I think my favorite shop featured yet. Such a happy friendly group of people. Makes me wish I lived there.
This feels like a repost.
Yooo, he's such a vibe owner and also his partner. WOW 🎉😂❤
Paolo, you do such a great job bringing these types of videos to us. The owner and his family are simply full of life. That man didn’t stop smiling even for one second. What a wonderful family!!!! You did good by gifting them and introducing them to your hot sauces.
So we're just gonna skip over the "I'm a headhunter" comment like it's nothing. 😳