Shopping Guide
Gluten Free Bar Hapa! is an Italian restaurant which serves gluten-free soba pasta made fresh at the bar. It will begin serving “Chilled Capellini Fresh Soba Pasta” (1,200 yen, tax included) from July 15 to late August as a way to better introduce its customers to buckwheat flour!
Coinciding with this, any group of three or more who order drinks between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. will also receive one buckwheat galette! You can choose between a Japanese dessert galette, salad galette, and ham and egg galette.
■ Gluten-Free Fresh Soba Pasta Made with Buckwheat Flour
**Gluten-Free**
Food without gluten is popular among top models and athletes. It’s also effective as a diet and is very compatible with Japanese cooking, so it’s increasing in popularity in Japan, too.
Fresh Soba Pasta
Most of the gluten-free pasta in Japan is made using rice flour and brown rice flour, making buckwheat products uncommon. In response to that, this restaurant made the first gluten-free fresh soba pasta in Japan that they know of on June 17 to capture the health and beauty of soba. It uses Rutin (Vitamin P) and Vitamin E for a product with numerous health benefits. After the end of September, you’ll also be able to order it through their mail-order site.
Merits of Eating Soba
Buckwheat flour ingredients includes Rutin, which has antioxidant properties like polyphenol, can be used to prevent diseases like stroke or high blood pressure, and is even used as a medicine in the West. Vitamin E also has the ability to get rid of agents in the body which may cause illness or early aging. To promote its absorption, it’s also smart to eat foods with Vitamin C (used in collagen for its anti-aging properties which help fight against wrinkles and freckles) after buckwheat including kiwi and acerola.
■ Four Styles with Different Textures and Flavors to Enjoy
1. Chitarra
A slightly thick pasta with a square-shaped cross-section. It’s great with thick bolognese and cream sauces.
2. Short Pasta
Rustici is a short pasta which is unusual in Japan. It’s compatible with a wide number of dishes including salads and soups, and is even great for snacky dishes or with curry in place of rice.
3. Fettuccine
A popular pasta, thick and flat.
4. Linguine
Unlike round spaghetti, linguine has an elliptical shape. Though that may not seem like a big difference, it creates a great difference in texture (making it more noodle-like). It’s great for rich or cold sauces.
■ Take in the Scent of Fresh Buckwheat Pasta at Gluten-Free Bar Hapa!
The pasta is made fresh in-store every day, giving it a flavor that you won’t find anywhere else. The sauces are also made using gluten-free ingredients, prepared with great time and effort. The restaurant easily accessible, only a 1-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station using the JR Sobu Line. Its interior has a Northern European look and high ceiling, making it a very open and comfortable space.
Shop Details
Name: Gluten-Free Bar Hapa!
Location: Solution Asakusabashi East 1F (right entrance)
Address: Asakusabashi 1-29-1, Taito-ku, Tokyo-to
Access: 1-minute walk from JR Asakusabashi
Business Hours: Mon. to Sat. from 11:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. (last order at 10:30 p.m.; closed Sundays and holidays)
Average Prices:
- Lunch: 1,000 yen - 2,000 yen
- Dinner: 3,000 yen - 5,000 yen
Source: @Press
