Stand Up Soba Bar, Yokosuka

"SAVE and STAND!"

Here's a peek at one of the smallest restaurants in the world--a stand-up soba noodle shop under the train station in downtown Yokosuka. This is a photo from the main entrance. About eight Japanese could squeeze in here at once and bump elbows while they slurp.

Here's the cashier--a machine! The genius in me matched the Japanese characters to the photos out in front to ensure my food was what I'd hoped it to be. Forgot your money? You can even pay with your Pasmo card--the debit card accepted by company that runs the train station above. 

The ladies work in a tiny space with about six square feet of room.  There are piles of noodles, scallions and serving containers stacked all around them. I figured I'd take a center seat so I can enjoy watching them dance around one another.

Aaaaahhhh...cold "soba" (aka buckwheat,) noodles with dipping broth at top right. I mixed in the wasabi and scallions and got a stinging surprise at the end of my meal! To the left, we have "negitoro," (minced raw tuna,) over rice with a little horseradish sprout and "nori," (dried seaweed,) on top. With free ice-cold water, a tipless society and tax already included, this satisfying and healthy lunch set me back a whopping $6.50. SAVE and STAND! That's my new mantra:)