Nobiko image

Nobiko

Restaurant

Cozy Japanese vegan restaurant serving soups with homemade udon noodles, tempura & desserts. People often mention udon, good, vegan, menu, restaurant, Japanese, nice, Udon, broth, love,


Address

Josephskirchstraße 25, 51103 Köln, Germany

Website

www.nobiko.de

Contact

+49 221 16868666

Price rating

$ $$$

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (625 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 2 to 10 pm
  • Monday: Closed
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Friday: 5 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 2 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: udon (13) good (10) vegan (10) menu (8) restaurant (8) Japanese (7) nice (7) Udon (6) broth (6) love (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 2/5 Pipra Manacus M. 2 years ago on Google
    From a Japanese perspective, it wasn't very good experience. Unfortunately, due to covid measurement, we could only pick up. I ordered Kitsune Udon. The staff was unfriendly, when we asked a few questions when picking up, she wanted us to leave quickly. The place and the website, and even choices of plates, menu designed had a Japanese vibe, and I was sure that a Japanese person was involving, and I wanted to ask if there is any Japanese working there. She just said "not anymore." Flavor wise, to be honest, other than tofu part, I can cook it better. Their udon was handmade and that part was nice, but it was too soft in the way コシがたりない, they should've pressed the dough harder. The soup was terrible, they used too much Kombu as dashi and left it too long for sure, it turned out really bitter and really strong taste of Egumi. I could barely finish it. I hope they can improve it because the interior design looked nice.
    10 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Rony W. 1 year ago on Google • 275 reviews
    Delicious alternative and small Japanese style vegetarian Udon 🍜 restaurants. A healthy and friendlier meatless world. Definitely worth to try fair prices
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Nai-An C. 4 months ago on Google • 326 reviews
    My bf ordered the largest menu, its amount turned out even a bit smaller than my smallest menu… it’s totally not worth it. The food itself was well-prepared, and the powder for Udon is also pretty nice.

  • 5/5 Lauren 1 year ago on Google • 190 reviews
    I'm not vegan or vegetarian, but the Udon dishes at Nobiko are delicious. Minor point, but I do wish that there was an option to make certain dishes spicier.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 SOLANA 2 years ago on Google • 55 reviews
    First time going to a vegan restaurant and was definitely impressed. The portion filled me up and the broth was very tasty. I got a mushroom special and really loved it. The servers were very friendly too. Would love to come here again. We could pay with card.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 John P. 3 months ago on Google • 149 reviews New
    A perfect hidden gem in an almost secret location. The food was really good and the portions were generous. There is a seasonal menu and specials but the speciality is definitely udon (the tempura was also good though). The service was friendly and welcoming. The place filled up really quickly - deserve reserve in advance!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Wei-Ting L. 2 months ago on Google • 143 reviews New
    I had a Shiso-soda and spicy TanTan udon. I liked the drink. It was refreshing and not too sweet. The broth of the udon was tangy but not my favorite.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 Neeraja K. 4 years ago on Google
    It was a disappointing experience. I visited this place with my friend after looking at the high ratings and very good reviews it has. The first impression after entering the restaurant was pleasant. The place looks cozy, the ambience is warm and welcoming and it has a vibe of a student place. I really liked their menu card. It had few options but that covered a good variety of udon. I ordered a big bowl of rice with tempura and sauce and my friend ordered a platter as he was really hungry. We had to wait for more than 45 minutes to get our dishes and we thought- wow, something good is on its way! Boy were we disappointed. First of all, for a “big” bowl of rice for 6 euros and the “platter” for 12 euros, the quantity felt really less. My rice bowl had plain rice, soy sauce and tempura, that’s it. The tempura was too oily. With every bite the oil was oozing out. Same with the platter. The oil made me feel pukish. To get over that taste, we ordered chocolate cake and tiramisu. The tiramisu had a crispy layer and runny cream. The chocolate cake was dry. I don’t know if it was just a bad day for them or we expected a lot. But for the time and money we spent, the experience didn’t feel worth it.
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Julian C. 4 years ago on Google
    Great, fresh food. The whole menu seems to be vegetarian or even vegan. Semi self-service with below average speed. Very nice staff, although the place itself is a little strange; no music, cold lights, and the whole interior seems to be assorted from bulk waste. The walls are plastered with (very) left-leaning posters. Tries very hard to be different and quirky, but there are worse things to aspire.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Vanessa S. 5 years ago on Google
    I love every vegan place, because having it means people are trying to make our planet a little healthier one. I found this restaurant nice, in the sense that it is cozy sitting there, there is nice music and relaxed people hanging out. It made me feel at home in the middle of Köln-no-where-land. However the food... I didn’t find it very tasty, to be honest quite tasteless. I tried both Udon and Tendon (the broth didn’t deliver at all and the udon didn’t help, the tempura was fine, but with white rice?). Pretty inexpensive, but cash only :-/
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 iLL s. 6 months ago on Google • 116 reviews
    vegan udon cravings in cologne? this is your place. i had the red tantan udon. not as spicy as i'd like and the soy chunks were a bit dry. the trick is to soak the chunks in the broth for a while for them to soak up the flavour of the broth. the broth itself is quite flavorful, with hints of ginger and creamy soy milk. i also had a hot tea and a mochi for dessert, coming down to less than 25€. i went alone on a sunday around 6pm and it was quite full. there were a few tables already reserved, so highly advisable to make reservations if dining with a larger group. but dining solo should be fine if. you don't mind sitting on the counter by the window.

  • 5/5 Samuele M. 4 years ago on Google
    We found this vegan restaurant by luck and I am very grateful for it. I cannot recall the names of the dish but it was absolutely fantastic. All the ingredients fit the dish perfectly and the noodles were also a great addition, I particularly love the way they made their noodles. So if you happen to be in Cologne and around this area, go check it out and you won't regret it. Once you are there ask to the people to the counter, who will more than happy to help you with your choice.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Max van C. 1 year ago on Google
    We get take-away often, and it’s always super tasty! Especially love the Golden Tan Tan.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jordan C. 1 year ago on Google
    Seriously the best udon noodle soup I've been eating in my life. The meals and drinks are completely homemade!!! You better try this place :)
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sarah S. 2 months ago on Google • 47 reviews New
    Love this place! Great little vegan Japanese restaurant in Kalk, Cologne. Everything is vegan and mostly udon noodle dishes! We had the miso udon bowl with a side of tempura and kimchi. So good! Would highly recommend. Do book ahead as this place is always busy!

  • 5/5 Rowan S. 8 months ago on Google • 33 reviews
    What a hidden gem! It is such a cute and cozy place with wonderful food. A lot of options and good prices. We enjoyed it a lot!

  • 5/5 rushi s. 1 year ago on Google
    Super delicious and fresh food More than 12 varieties of Udon Noodles Japanese syle bowls with different broths Would definitely visit often!

  • 5/5 Eric L. 5 years ago on Google
    This place is a rebel, from its local history to its proposal as business and social hub. About the food, A+ for a casual dinner (which I only had), super tasty japanese oriented, with almost exclusively European products. It is important to let you notice that forget about meat here, and you will forget it tho... Lecker!

  • 3/5 THQ 7 months ago on Google • 16 reviews
    Food is tasty and is completely vegan friendly which is nice. But overall it was nothing special. The place is located in a ghetto like area. The way there was not pleasant. Rather small restaurant. Would recommend if you love handmade udon noodles otherwise look for a place in a more safe and less ghetto like area

  • 5/5 Bence P. 6 months ago on Google
    Delightful, cosy atmosphere. Great food at a good price. Great service

  • 5/5 Valeria H. 2 years ago on Google
    It is hard to recommend something, because everything in their menu is just fantastic. You can't miss their summer menu. Everything there is just an amazing experience. And the cakes! It is hard to find such good vegan cakes, but here you don't miss the flavor from non-vegan cakes. Simply my favourite restaurant in all of Cologne. Plus the staff is super friendly, and the place although small, is very cozy.

  • 5/5 Brenden G. 2 years ago on Google
    Great udon. I love the specials, like the korokke and melonpan when they're available.

  • 4/5 Jaku B. 4 years ago on Google
    Good idea for vegetarians, acceptable prices.

  • 4/5 Enrique P. 2 years ago on Google
    Good japanische noodle or ramen restaurant. Alternative atmosphere but cool. Something different you can't miss. Food and service was excellent


Call +49 221 16868666 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Paid street parking
    • ✓️ Difficult to find a space
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Healthy options
    • ✓️ Late-night food
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible toilet
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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