For those who think that Dallas is full of Texans wearing cowboy boots and Tex Mex restaurants Tei An will come as something as of a surprise. Full of Japanese (which is always a good sign) given 5 Stars by the Dallas Morning News, this is an extraordinary place to eat and one you may well want to visit if you visit Dallas, and if you can get in.
The menu, to those who are not experts in this type of culinary experience can be a little confusing. I didn't have a clue what Soba was when I went however I have now done some research and discovered that Soba is the Japanese word for 'Buckwheat', and is synonymous with fine noodles, eaten with chopsticks, and served hot or cold. We tried both, with chicken and broccoli, with and without a deliciously flavoured broth, and both were excellent.
Quoting from the Dallas Morning News:
".......chef-owner Teiichi Sakurai makes sublime soba (he learned the craft at Tsukiji Soba Academy, where he studied with Inouye), but because soba is just one of many things the 2-year-old restaurant does brilliantly."
Also voted No 21 in the Top 50 Most Interesting Restaurants in Dallas in the Dallas Observer this year.
There are many items besides noodles on the menu at this elegantly appointed restaurant, including white seaweed salad and tempura, but you really need to know your way around it to get the most out of it, which probably means visiting several times. Book before you go.
Tei An DallasOne Arts Plaza
1722 Routh Street,
Dallas 75201
(214) 220 2828