Udon noodles are inarguably the best type of noodles for soup. They’re thick and chewy and infinitely yummier than their inferior cousin, the ramen noodle. Mark my words, ramen is trending downwards and udon is on the rise.

So, if you’re looking to hop on this Udon train with me, one of the best places to get some is Marugame Udon. Marugame Udon is the largest udon noodle restaurant chain in the world, with over 1,000 locations worldwide. But only 6 locations in the continental United States, 4 of which are in the greater Los Angeles area. I went to the Marugame Udon located on Sawtelle in West LA.

Marugame Udon is set up in a cafeteria style. You grab a tray and order your preferred style of Udon at the counter. Once you receive your soup, you continue along the row to a tempura station where you can chose from a variety of fried protein and vegetables. Tempura is a Japanese cooking style which involves the battering and subsequent deep frying of different foods (typically vegetables and shrimp). It’s lighter and crispier than American deep fried food. The Udon is made to order right in front of you, using noodles that are freshly made every day.

Perhaps the best part is that it is all really affordable!

I ordered the #9 because it is the most popular according Marugame Udon. It is udon noodle soup with sweet flavored beef, a soft boiled egg and kake sauce. I chose to have it hot, although you can also have it cold if that’s what you prefer. It was amazing! The broth was rich and flavorful and the noodles were perfectly chewy. I’m always a fan of a soft boiled egg and I also really enjoyed the sweet flavored beef, although it definitely does make the entire dish a bit sweet. I was a fan of the balance of sweet and savory, but I’ve got a sweet tooth. You might want to choose a different dish if you prefer your food distinctly savory. For tempura I went with shrimp, zucchini, and sweet potato. It was all great, but the star of the show was definitely the udon. I’m already looking forward to my next bowl!

https://marugameudon.com/new-sawtelle-menu/

2029 Sawtelle Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025