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Restaurant

Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar - Northcote

257 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Recommended by 45 people

Updated

Find Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar - Northcote

257 High St, Northcote VIC 3070, Australia

Directions ↗
+61 410 729 706
HoursMonday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Tuesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Wednesday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Thursday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Friday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Saturday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM Sunday: 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

*Opening hours may differ during holidays.

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About Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar - Northcote

Stone-milled buckwheat noodles take center stage at Shimbashi, where an entirely gluten-free Japanese kitchen eliminates dining anxiety. Daily in-house noodle craft anchors the menu, turning Tasmanian buckwheat into firm, springy strands for hot bowls and chilled seiro sets. Celiacs and diners avoiding wheat dive into rarely accessible dishes—crisp tempura prawn, panko-crusted chicken, and rich curry broths—without second thoughts. Tapas and noodle bowls pair naturally with curated sake flights or tart umeshu, rounded out by a scoop of hojicha ice cream dusted with roasted buckwheat.

  • Fresh In-House Soba: Fresh noodles are hand-crafted daily using 100% stone-milled Tasmanian buckwheat for cold seiro dipping sets and hot broths.
  • 100% Gluten-Free Menu: The kitchen runs an entirely gluten-free operation, making battered tempura, katsu, and savory noodle broths safe for celiacs.
  • Sake Flights & Izakaya Drinks: Tapas plates pair with curated sake tasting flights, umeshu plum wine, and Japanese highballs.
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What's On at Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar - Northcote

Upcoming events, special menus and other reasons to plan a visit.

No events or specials listed right now.

Why Dine at Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar

Discover why diners choose Shimbashi for authentic, stone-milled soba, dedicated gluten-free craft, and izakaya dining.

  • Entirely Celiac-Safe Japanese Dining

    The entire kitchen operates without gluten, enabling diners with celiac disease to safely enjoy dishes like tempura, katsu, and soba that typically rely on wheat.

    100% gluten free and serves traditional soba and other dishes like tempura that are not normally gluten free.

    Sarah Joshi

  • Comprehensive Multi-Allergen Menus

    The menu accommodates multiple allergen sensitivities simultaneously across cold and warm soba bowls, tapas, and teishoku sets.

    Plus, everything is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, so everyone can enjoy!

    Vyen Shin

  • Daily Fresh Stone-Milled Soba Craft

    Buckwheat noodles are stone-milled and prepared fresh in-house every day, delivering distinct aroma and springy al dente texture across warm and dipping preparations.

    they make them fresh every day using traditional methods and top-notch buckwheat from Japan.

    Alan Chow

  • Mastered Textures and Broth Pairings

    Guests explore warm and chilled soba paired with intricate broths like spicy wagyu red dragon alongside light, crisp tempura.

    the soba noodles were perfectly cooked, the tempura light and crisp, and the wagyu curry rich and comforting.

    Leon B

  • Transportive Izakaya Atmosphere & Sake Tastings

    The intimate Northcote space evokes traditional Japanese dining culture, complete with curated sake flights and house-paired umeshu.

    As soon as we entered we felt transported back to the cute quaint restaurants of Japan. We ordered their sake tasting set, which increases with complexity with every shot.

    Sandy Wu

  • Passionate Sake and Beverage Guidance

    Knowledgeable staff guide guests through tailored selections of sake and sweet-tart plum wines designed to highlight noodle and tapas flavors.

    The choice of sake is remarkable, with carefully selected options that highlight the flavors of the dishes. The staff is passionate and takes the time to share personalized recommendations.

    fitou 54

House-made stone-milled buckwheat soba specialties

  • Red Dragon Soba

    If you are looking for something with strong flavours then definitely try the red dragon! This was one of my top dishes of the night.

    Lisa

  • Roasted Duck Soba

    the duck soba is a must order, it was so flavourful and rich in umami.

    Sandy Wu

  • Seiro Soba

    The sesame in the dipping sauce was fragrant and delicious.

    Y

  • Tempura Soba

    Each dish was beautifully presented and tasted fresh and satisfying—the soba noodles were perfectly cooked, the tempura light and crisp

    Leon B

Other favorites

Izakaya tapas, appetizers, and traditional desserts

  • Salmon Carpaccio

    The sashimi was absolutely divine, I savoured every bite.

    Olivia Hall

  • Karaage Chicken

    Super hot & crispy chicken.

    Sandra Nguyen

  • Miso Fried Eggplant

    We started with the miso fried eggplant which was so tender and coated with a sticky miso sauce.

    Sandy Wu

  • Hojicha Ice Cream

    That icecream is delicious! It’s hojicha flavour (roasted green tea) with some roasted nuts, sauce and powder on top. The icecream itself is not too sweet

    Wineboyo

Beyond the menu

Thoughtful craft, allergy-conscious hospitality, and authentic izakaya touches.

  • Daily In-House Stone-Milled Buckwheat Soba

    House-made noodles are stone-milled and rolled fresh daily from 100% Tasmanian buckwheat flour, providing a dedicated gluten-free texture that avoids pre-packaged alternatives.

  • Dedicated Allergen-Safe Kitchen Operations

    The entire kitchen operates without gluten, dairy, or nuts, allowing guests to order traditionally gluten-heavy Japanese staples like tempura, karaage, and katsu without risk of cross-contamination.

  • Curated Sake Flights & Umeshu Pairings

    Staff guide diners through progressive sake tasting flights and curated selections of umeshu (plum wine), tailoring drink pairings to noodle temperatures and broth richness.

  • Roasted Hojicha Ice Cream with Buckwheat Crunch

    House desserts incorporate Japanese culinary craft, featuring roasted Japanese tea (hojicha) ice cream garnished with roasted buckwheat kernels for a distinct nutty crunch.

Before you head over

Practical planning and ordering tips for dining at Shimbashi Soba & Sake Bar

  • Order Gluten-Free Staples with Confidence

    The entire food menu is gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free, making battered dishes like tempura and katsu safe for celiacs to order without worry.

  • Round Out Meals with Tapas for Larger Appetites

    Individual noodle and bento portions lean on the lighter side; consider pairing a warm or chilled soba with tapas like karaage, gyoza, or sushi rolls if dining with a hearty appetite.

  • Dress Warmly for Winter Visits

    Winter drafts can enter through the front entrance, so bundle up warmly or ask for a table situated away from the main door on colder days.

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