"There’s no better place to stare into a bowl of dashi broth and get meditative than at this counter-service spot in NoPa. While we can’t promise the Fukuoka-style udon will provide the answers to your life’s problems, we can promise that you'll be thinking about the chewy noodles and broth for days on end. There are nine options here and each of them tastes so fresh that it’s like sticking a straw into Ocean Beach. Try the curry for its thick wagyu beef broth that’s loaded to the top with vegetables, or get the fukuoka signature, a cold bowl of soup that gets the fundamentals right. No matter what you choose, each bowl is the perfect dining companion any night of the week." - julia chen 1, lani conway, ricky rodriguez