Introducing Soba Kappo DAI-DAI
Soba, buckwheat noodle or paste, is one of Japan’s three most popular dishes, along with Sushi and Tempura. Of these three, Soba is the most common and simplest, and is therefore considered the most philosophical food that attracts many connoisseurs who liken it to the pursuit of Zen.
Mr. TAKAHASHI Kunihiro, 79, of “OKINA DARUMA,” is revered by many as Japan’s best Soba master. Mr Takahashi has served his Soba noodles to world leaders including U.S. President George W. Bush, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the 34th G8 Summit held at the Windsor Hotel Toya, Japan in 2008.
Thirty years ago, MORI Yamato, now the owner chef of DAI-DAI, approached Master Takahashi with his high-school student ID, begging for the opportunity to become his apprentice. After graduating from high school, he trained under Master Takahashi for four years, and since then has honed his skills in Soba at famous restaurants in Tokyo and Saitama prefecture. He maintains a strong and long-standing relationship with Master Takahashi, and whenever he hears about Master’s Soba events, he always attends and they make Soba noodles together. He says those occasions are still the most precious times which remind him of his culinary beginnings with the Master.
According to Mori, “Soba flour and dough differ every day. It’s simple and therefore difficult. That’s why it’s so rewarding.” Mori is now a true Soba artist, and the quest for Soba is what drives him everyday.
Iron Chef WAKIYA Yuji, who is an unrivaled Soba lover too, fell in love with the aroma, flavor, texture and smoothness of Mori’s Soba. Wakiya loves sophisticated Kappo cuisine along with good Sake, and tops it all off with great Soba noodles. Whenever possible, Wakiya, a master chef of Chinese cuisine, dines at Soba restaurants not only in Tokyo but on business trips, and has secretly dreamed of opening his own Soba restaurant for many years. He now hopes that not only he, but also his customers, can enjoy a blissful Soba experience in Ginza.
In December 2023, Wakiya gave one floor of his newly built GINZA Wakiya building to Yamato MORI to open Soba Kappo DAI-DAI.
