01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
The moment a bowl is handed over the counter, the sheer volume of pork and chopped green onions covering the surface catches the eye. The undisputed headliner at Nanten, located just outside Shiinamachi Station, is the house meat soba or meat udon. Bite-sized pieces of sweet-savory pork are piled on so generously that the noodles beneath are completely hidden from sight, yet the broth remains gentle and round, balanced without harsh soy sauce sharpness. As you work through the bowl, the pork fat and rich juices seep steadily into the soup, enriching the light dashi broth with layered depth.
For those looking to indulge in meat to the fullest, the double-meat option provides a substantial upgrade by doubling the pork portion. Conversely, the mini-meat choice allows a lighter serving when your appetite calls for something modest. Adding an egg creates another dimension: breaking the yolk coats the sweet-savory pork and broth in a velvety richness.
Beyond the classic niku soba, the menu offers a diverse range of toppings and combinations, including meat curry udon, cabbage, and tempura, with individually wrapped onigiri available to round out a larger meal. A distinct second-serving arrangement also exists for the original diner to order an additional bowl of either the same or another noodle variety, providing welcome reassurance for heartier eaters.
Orders are prepared and served with remarkable speed, sustaining a relaxed dining scene where patrons slurp down noodles at the standing counter or on benches out front. Operating from 5:30 in the morning until 1:30 late at night, the stall provides hot, comforting bowls at virtually any hour, whether for an early breakfast or a late-night bite.
