Sandra MillerCold soba on a hot day or a steaming bowl on a chilly one? Either way, there’s something oddly satisfying about that first earthy, nutty bite of buckwheat noodles. If you’ve been searching for the best soba in Indianapolis, you already know it is not as easy as it sounds.
The city has a strong mix of Japanese restaurants and Chinese restaurants, but only a few places really get soba right. It comes down to texture, broth clarity, and that clean, balanced flavor that keeps you going back for another slurp.
We hit the local food scene to slurp our way through the top contenders. Here is where you can satisfy those noodle cravings with the finest bowls around town.
How Much Does Soba Cost in Indianapolis?
Soba noodles in Indianapolis generally cost between $9 and $14 per dish at local Japanese restaurants.
| Dish Type | Average Price |
| General Soba Noodles | $9.00 – $14.00 |
| Zaru Soba (Cold) or Tempura Soba | $8.95 – $10.95 |
| Other Noodle Dishes (e.g., Ramen) | ~$11.00 |
1. Sake Maru
Website: https://sakemaruindy.com/
Address: 5320 East 82nd Street Indianapolis, IN 46250
Contact: (317)-516-5113
Hours:
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thur: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Fri, Sat: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM
- Sun: 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Stepping into Sake Maru immediately sets a polished tone, blending an upscale dining room with the warmth of a family-run atmosphere. The menu is chef-driven and focuses on fresh, well-prepared Japanese dishes.
Their extensive menu covers everything from pristine sushi to comforting noodle bowls, making it easy to satisfy a whole group.
Presentation is great too, and most dishes arrive looking as refined as they taste. That attention to detail, combined with consistently fresh ingredients, is a big part of what makes the experience feel elevated.
That said, takeout customers sometimes hit a snag. The kitchen can struggle with accurate wait times, meaning your to-go order might involve lingering in the lobby longer than expected.
If you have the time to dine in, the upscale ambiance and outstanding service easily make up for it. They’re really good at making you feel welcome from the moment you walk through the door.
Price is good for the location and ambience.
Went here for my husbands bday. It was a great place great food great atmosphere we went during happy hour so we’re able to try a lot of food. Price is good for the location and ambience. They sang happy birthday song and got this a fruit plate which was very kind of them it was fun for kids.
-IndieFoodieSari | Google Review
quality of the food and price
Absolutely incredible! Went here for the first time for our anniversary and we were blown away by the service, quality of the food and price. My partner and I both got drinks, 2 bowls of ramen and a sushi roll for $75. Delicious food, will definitely be back!
-Kortney Leech | Google Review
2. Asaka Japanese Restaurant
Website: https://www.facebook.com/indyAsaka/
Address: 6414 E 82nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46250
Contact: (317)-576-0556
Hours: Thu-Sat 5:00 PM – 9:30 PM, Sun 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
Asaka Japanese Restaurant is an unapologetically traditional spot that’s rooted in recipes from Kumamoto, Japan. They focus heavily on authentic flavors and a genuine family-operated charm.
The modest, casual dining environment keeps prices incredibly affordable while serving up comforting bowls of traditional soba and ramen.
During a recent visit, we grabbed a seat at the counter and immediately noticed the rich, earthy aroma of their broth simmering away.
Because the restaurant is quite small and highly recommended by locals, securing a table during peak hours can be a challenge. You should definitely anticipate long wait times.
The queue management sometimes feels a bit disorganized too, when the dinner rush hits.
Despite the tight quarters, the deeply satisfying, home-style food makes braving the crowds completely worthwhile.
Well worth the money
I tried here for the first time on a Friday night. Their ramen was rich and warm, you can order extra noodles for $3, which was well worth the money. The Las Vegas Roll is shown in the picture, it is a deep fried roll, and I loved it. You might have to wait a little before you are seated because seating is limited. But I would highly recommend this place.
-A K | Google Review
Noodles PERFECTLY cooked
If you LIVE ABOVE A SMALL SUSHI SHOP IN TOKYO then I would forgive you for skipping Asaka. Otherwise you need to get over here RIGHT AWAY. The sushi is prepared (by hand) as it would be overseas, so be prepared to wait – and then to eat a SURPRISING AMOUNT of HIGH-QUALITY fish. I wish I had room enough for you to hear about all the different ramen and udon dishes, with earthy umami broths and noodles PERFECTLY cooked. The drinks are ones you won’t find anywhere else in the city. Get ready for your mouth to feel like it’s in Japan.
– Sri Kumar | Google Review
3. Izakaya Japanese Restaurant
Website: https://indyizakaya.com/
Address: 7325 E 96th St Indianapolis, IN 46250
Contact: (317) 915-8988
Hours:
- Lunch Hours
- Mon – Fri: 11 am – 3 p
- Dinner Hour
- Mon – Thur: 3 pm – 9:30 pm
- Fri: 3 pm – 10:30 pm
- Sat: 11:30 am – 10:30 pm
- Sunday: 11:30 am – 9 pm
Craving a little entertainment alongside your meal is a great reason to seek out a dynamic dining room. Izakaya Japanese Restaurant offers exactly this.
They blend traditional Japanese cuisine with a fun Western flair, offering everything from lively hibachi grills to an extensive sushi bar.
Their dinner menu specifically caters to noodle fans, featuring multiple pan-fried yaki soba options and a comforting seafood soba noodle soup.
Many of these entrees arrive as bundled meals with soup and salad, making the dining experience feel full and satisfying.
The energetic atmosphere does come with a few drawbacks during the weekend rush. Service consistency can dip when the dining room is packed, leaving some tables feeling slightly rushed or neglected.
Additionally, the premium attached to the hibachi-style setting means the final bill might lean a bit higher than your average casual noodle joint.
Customer service was great and atmosphere very inviting
My husband and I had date night our first time ever there it was a great experience. We didn’t do the Hibachi experience but could still order from the menu it was awesome food was very good and tasty, customer service was great and atmosphere very inviting. We tried the Sake (hot) and I had tried a Saketini whoo too strong for me would recommend this place to anyone!!!
– Monique Moorman | Google Review
The food was amazing
They played with my kids and interacted with them. Our son is special needs and they let him know each time they were going to do something so that he would not be alarmed. The food was amazing. I would definitely recommend it!
– Misty Walters | Google Review
4. Tomo Japanese Restaurant
Website: https://indianapolistomo.com/
Address: 9803 Fall Creek Rd., Indianapolis IN 46256
Contact: 317-598-5566
Hours:
- Tuesday – Friday: 11:00am – 3:00pm
- Dinner
- Tuesday – Thursday: 4:30am – 9:30pm
- Friday: 4:30am – 10:00pm
- Saturday: 12:00noon – 10:00pm
- Sunday: 12:00noon – 9:30pm
Tomo Japanese Restaurant focuses on fresh, high-quality cuisine with an incredibly wide menu that appeals to just about any craving.
One of the highlights is their noodle section, especially the yakisoba options, with the chicken yakisoba often standing out as a strong value pick for a quick lunch.
Their lunch specials are also a big draw, making it easy to get a filling meal without spending much.
A friend who frequents this spot actually told me their chicken yaki soba is an absolute steal for a midday meal.
That said, the broad menu can sometimes lead to inconsistencies in the kitchen. Some dishes may come out a bit under-seasoned. Ingredient textures can also vary depending on what you order.
Even so, the friendly atmosphere and flexible takeout options make it a dependable spot for an easy, no-fuss Japanese lunch.
The food is great and the service is fast.
You can’t beat the hospitality this restaurant provides. We do not frequent this place, as it’s a bit of distance from our house, but the waitress never fails to remember our orders. The food is great and the service is fast. It’s a great option on holidays when other restaurants are shut.
– dana h | Google Review
Customer service and high quality food
This is a great family run restaurant. We go here almost weekly because of both their wonderful customer service and high quality food. For affordable, good sushi and hibachi between Lawrence and Geist areas this is the only place I would recommend, and it is a strong recommendation. They also do carry out, no matter the order size I’ve never had to wait more than 15 minutes for pick up.
-rosalyn campbell | Google Review
5. Minazuki Sushi Bar
Website: https://minazuki-sushi-bar-indianapolis.cloveronline.com/menu/all
Address: 3905 W 96TH ST, INDIANAPOLIS, IN, 46268
Contact: (317) 222-4830
Hours: Mon-Sun 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Minazuki Sushi Bar stands out for its inclusive approach to Japanese dining. It offers a menu that accommodates gluten-free and vegetarian diets without losing its focus on traditional flavors.
The setting is intimate and cozy, giving it a quiet, authentic feel that pairs well with both sushi rolls and hot entrées.
Portions are also generous, which helps the overall value feel strong for the price.
The experience is especially enjoyable when dining in, where dishes arrive at their best texture and freshness straight from the kitchen.
That said, delivery doesn’t always hold up as well. Some customers have noted that delicate ingredients can lose freshness during transit, which affects the final quality.
Service can also feel less smooth during busy periods, particularly when handling menu questions or concerns.
Food is amazing quality
This is a great restaurant. Food is amazing quality. Service is nice. It’s small and cozy. Not too busy anytime I’ve visited. The staff is kind. The decorations are so beautiful. I’ve never been to Japan but this is how I imagine a small family restaurant would feel. I got tea and they brought out a whole pot. It was actual tea leaves not tea bags. The food quality is amazing. Presentation is so gorgeous.
– kelsi wagner | Google Review
Very welcoming, efficient service.
Excellent across the board. Ordered a variety of entrees, rolls and sashimi and everything earned stellar reviews. Appreciated the really generous amount of soft shell crab in the rolls. Very welcoming, efficient service. Ordered takeout but the dining room looked like a nice, comfortable place to sit over a meal. Was looking for a new option in the area after another longtime sushi place closed and Minazuki will become a regular stop.
-Graham Hays | Google Review
