So-men Sososo Kenkyūshitsu (そうめん そそそ 研究室)

So-men Sososo Kenkyushitsu

When it comes to noodles in Japan, most people probably think first of ramen, along with traditional Japanese noodles such as soba and udon. However, somen (そうめん) is another noodle that has long been enjoyed throughout the country. Typically served cold with a light dipping sauce called tsuyu and accompanied by condiments such as green onions, myoga ginger, grated ginger, and shiso leaves, it is particularly popular during the hot summer months. As a result, it tends to receive less attention from international visitors than ramen, soba, or udon.

Located on the 6th floor of Shibuya Hikarie (渋谷ヒカリエ), a large mixed-use commercial complex directly connected to Shibuya Station, is a restaurant called So-men Sososo Kenkyushitsu (そうめん そそそ 研究室). Specializing in somen, the restaurant offers visitors an opportunity to experience this traditional noodle in a way that goes far beyond the simple dish many people associate with summer.

The term kenkyushitsu (研究室) means "laboratory" in Japanese. This laboratory theme extends throughout the restaurant, where staff members wear white lab coats and both customers and employees are treated as fellow researchers exploring new possibilities for somen. The menu encourages experimentation by allowing customers to choose from different types of somen noodles, portion sizes, sauces, ingredients, and toppings.

For those who are unsure what to order — or simply do not want to spend time building their own combination — the menu includes a "Research Report" featuring recommendations developed by the staff, such as Pork, Fried Tofu, Cheese, and Kujo Green Onion Curry Somen (豚とおあげチーズ九条ネギカレーそうめん) and Mentaiko Somen (明太子そうめん). In addition, customers can choose from classic signature dishes such as Chicken Salt Somen (鶏塩そうめん) and Mushroom and Egg Somen (きのこ卵とじそうめん), Shibuya-exclusive menu items such as Cheese Keema Curry Somen (チーズキーマカレーそうめん) and Carbonara Somen (カルボナーラそうめん), as well as a variety of à la carte options. The restaurant also currently offers a seasonal dish, Cold Crunchy Tomato Somen with Tomato Soy Sauce Sorbet (トマトザクザク冷製そうめん～醤トマトソルベを添えて～).

After being seated, customers can place their orders by scanning the provided QR code, although staff members are also happy to take orders directly.

Ordered:

Carbonara Somen

Normal Operating Hours: 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Acceptable payment method: Cash, JCB, Mastercard, Visa, American Express, Diners Club, UnionPay, Discover, Kitaca, Suica, PASMO, taica, SUGOCA, nimoca, manaca, ICOCA, HAYAKAKEN, iD, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy, mercari Pay, FamiPay, au Pay, ANA Pay, K PLUS, atone, pring, Ginko Pay, PayPay, Rakuten Pay, Alipay, d payment, WeChat Pay