Thomas McPherson
Google
This small local restaurant specialises in humble udon. Philosophically, it’s very much a slow food experience, something to keep in mind if you’re in a large group, or are in a hurry. The whole process was like a meditation.
One sees the udon prepared from beginning to end: dough goes through the pasta machine, its cut, cooked, dunked in iced, and served personally to each customer by the chef with eating advice he lovingly imparts, something my like:
“Udon: vertical! Japanese radish: across! Japanese sudachi lime, all! One, two… voila! Do not mix! Take two strands at a time, and eat!”
The atmosphere in the shop is wonderful which heightens the experience. The beautiful staff are present, attentive, and friendly. As a result, customers are somehow involved - the act of eating here is a ritual, like eating at your grandparents, not just a commercial transaction. The whole thing has an air of introspection, if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing.
And of course, it’s bloody delicious.