Seikichi Sobaya Honten
Founded in the Meiji era (as Kato Sobaya), a soul food of Honjo residents. Features a slightly sweet chicken-based soup with 'sine niku' (tough old chicken—'sine' means 'can't bite through' in Akita dialect). Opens at 6 AM—holidays get very busy. Locals say they've eaten here for 'over 50 years.' TripAdvisor #1 in Yurihonjo. Ramen DB records it as the originator of 'Shinai Chicken Chuka Soba.'
Yahoo rating 3.95 (70 reviews). Tabelog 3.51 (259 reviews). TripAdvisor #1 in Yurihonjo. Strong local soul food support: 'A shop Honjo residents have visited since childhood.' 'Can't park at lunch, it's so busy.' 'Sine niku and the slightly sweet soup is the taste of Honjo.'