The Japanese have this obsession with soba noodles and given its health benefits, their love is quite justified. Kanei restaurant in Kyoto is home to some of the best soba noodles in the prefecture especially given the fact that they are all handmade. A humble eatery with a no-fuss exterior, you will not realise the magic this place holds when you see it from the outside. Located in a quiet residential area, it has no markings of being one of the most celebrated restaurants in the city. However, you might have to stand in queue for hours to get one of its 16 seats—a clear illustration of its popularity.

Overlooking a sublime garden, Kanei has an entirely handwritten menu (in Japanese) and every dish is presented with this daintiness that is exclusive to the nation. With everything from chicken to duck soba soup, each spoonful is like a warm hug from your grandmother and is packed with a multitude of flavours. Remember to eat the soba while it is hot else the noodles start tasting painfully soggy. Despite the fact that the portions are small and the owners speak little to no English, you will go back home satisfied. There is a reason why this place has earned a shining Michelin star for itself.