Soba @ Tei-An
Okonomiyaki, sushi, inari-zushi, soba: these are some of my very favorite meals. My Japanese heritage comes from my dad’s side of the family. Growing up, my Obachan (grandma) cooked delicious, authentic dishes that inspired my life-long love of Japanese food. When the new Japanese eatery Tei-An recently opened in the One Arts Plaza boasting handmade buckwheat soba noodles, I made it a must to check it out. What could be more enticing than a perfect bowl of soba?
Though there are other offerings (sushi, rices boxes, etc.), soba is the star at Tei-An. The noodles are served in the traditional style: plain with sauces for dunking. I chose the soba sampler to maximize my sauce options. While the noodles are traditional, the sauces certainly aren’t. Local southern inspirations have woven into the menu with sauces like Texas pecan, walnut, and creamy yam. These were served side-by-side more traditional flavors like black sesame and tentsuyu tempura. The sauces were flavorful, well-balanced, unexpectedly thick, and coated the noodles well.
The noodles themselves were perfect canvases. They were firm, but not in the same al dente sort of sense that other noodles are. Making pasta by hand is a labor of love, and in this case it was certainly appreciated.
At the end of my meal, the waitress showed me how traditional Japanese diners finish their soba meals with a teapot of steaming water. You pour the hot water into each of the little sauce cups and then drink the liquid like a soup. Soba-yu: lovely (and resourceful)!
So far, I’ve only had nice things to say about Tei-An. But to be fair, there are a couple things I need to mention. I said that soba is the star on the menu and I recommend that you stick to it. My mom tried a crab rice box that was really flavorless and disappointing. Strike one. Also not working in Tei-An’s favor is their portion sizes. I NEVER finish my meals. I actually hate it when I eat out and get a plate larger than my face filled with food. But at Tei-An, as I finished my entire serving of noodles, my eyes were already roaming to other plates at my table. Unfortunately, theirs were almost empty too 
For the price, you should at least leave feeling like you had an all-around satisfying experience. Strike two.
Fortunately, there’s no strike three. Despite the hiccups, I had a good time at Tei-An. It’s not the best soba that I’ve had but the sauces were innovative, the noodles delicious, and the service ridiculously kind. (See the card they left on the table they reserved for us.) Also, I want to add that their decor is very chic. It’s modern and earthy and the same time with exposed concrete walls, a slate fountain, etc. Try it at least once. And then get dessert on your way home…
Price: $14
One Arts Plaza
1722 Routh Street | Dallas, TX 75201
214.220.2828
Similar Posts:
What a coincidence. DMN just reviewed Tei-An today as well. I dropped by Tei An right when they opened, and had the same thoughts about portion sizes. I mean, I don’t eat that much, and it took about $40 to fill me up. Still, I thought the process of picking up the noodles, swirling them in sauce, and then slurping them down was a fun experience.
how funny! that is such a coincidence! i liked their review, but i think their ratings ended up being a little high for the overall experience…
i think you and are in more in accord!
Michelle, I must admit I love Japanese places, but I can rarely make it past the sushi bar. Sounds like it’s about time for a fresh fish fix!!
I’m actually kind of glad to hear that the portions are small. Noodles generally fill me up really fast. I work downtown. So, if I can sneak away I’ll have to try this for lunch sometime.
The portion size isn’t as big of an issue with the soba noodles (enough to hold over an average appetite) but the appetizer serving sizes are pretty shocking. I’ll have to post the photos sometime.
you didn’t like their desserts? I thought the black sesame mousse was one of the best I’ve had in Dallas.
luniz,
oh no! i didn’t even try their desserts. i was just meant that you’ll have room for dessert after your meal
usually, i don’t!
good thing to know that their black sesame mousse is delicious though. it sounds so interesting; i will definitely have to try!
Actually, I was full after my meal there because we filled up onigiri before hand. $5 for two isn’t too bad in my opinion.