I have a confession to make. Before visiting I-Naba, I hadn't eaten soba noodles in nearly two years...I've been thinking (but not really trying to look for) about finding places to eat soba in Vegas so when I heard good things about I-Naba, I decided to drop in for lunch.
It's a cute and casual little place that's easy to find, on the corner of Desert Inn and Decatur. There are potted plants lining the outside and scattered throughout the inside, which makes it seem very natural and neighborhood-friendly. The way tables were set up was very eclectic, lacking that straight-line formation most restaurants use.
The waitress was very helpful and friendly. I particularly appreciated the fact that she didn't judge me for smelling everything and just seemed to be amused by my quirks. Thank you, kind waitress. I tipped you well.
The menu is simple and there are neat little info cards on all the tables describing the nutritional value and components of soba noodles. Now this is what I'm talking about! Love it so much.
I could describe every aspect of I-Naba word-for-word...Except the soba noodles. I can't quite describe it. All I can say is that the noodles are perfectly firm and the dipping broth is mild but somehow maintains its flavor. I got the batteru combo so it came with cold soba and four pieces of pressed mackerel sushi. I normally don't like mackerel but this was just so soft and delicious.
When I finished my meal, the waitress gave me sobayu (the water used to cook the soba) which you mix with the dipping broth and drink it as soup. The sobayu on its own smelled very sweet and fragrant. I literally sat there and inhaled the steam for a good few minutes (this is where the waitress seemed amused). The resulting soup was all kinds of amazing.
Leaving I-Naba, I felt full but not overly full like I usually do after eating at a restaurant. What a refreshing change.