Marugame Udon

Marugame always hits the spot. Gotta say this place is a little bit behind the Hawaii and Bay Area location, but better than the sawtelle one. Fast service and filling meal at a solid price point. The innout of udon for sure.

We had a good lunch here. There was a great authentic Japenease food selection. The staff was friendly and courteous. They processed our order quickly. The food was delicious. The tempura type food was the absolute best. It like being in Japan all over again!! The undon was especially good. The white rice with tempura flakes spread over the top was incredible.

Fresh udon and it tasted really good. Just the right amount of flavor and it’s not too bland or salty. Good the creamy, beef, and tantan.

Marugame Udon delivers on flavor and freshness, no doubt about that! The udon was absolutely delicious – rich broth, perfectly chewy noodles, and super satisfying. The shrimp tempura was light, crispy, and had just the right crunch. However, the seating area was way too cramped. It was a struggle to get to my seat, and the tight spacing made it a bit uncomfortable to enjoy the meal. If the layout were more spacious, the experience would be even better. That said, the food was fantastic, and I’d still recommend it if you don’t mind a bit of a squeeze. 4 stars for great food, but not-so-great seating.

Very good! Got a large miso udon. Loved how it was hokkaido style. Very filling. My husband got the tan tan and enjoyed it as well.

This location was 100% better than the UK Marugame I reviewed last time. Cold udon was firm and chewy like it suppose to. Squid and yam tempura was on par and fresh. Only the music wasn’t so loud. But overall restored my faith in Marugame outside of Japan and Waikiki location.

Marugame serves well-portioned meals. Every time I visit, the udon warms my heart and the accompanying tempura taste and feel amazing to have. There’s usually a line but it’s genuinely not super bad. I went at noon on Sunday and it was less than 15 minutes to get my food. 🍜 Nikutama (L) - I definitely underestimated the portions. Giant bowl of udon with a rich broth - think sukiyaki but less sweet. I really enjoyed slurping on the noodles. The beef is made in bulk so they’re cooked thoroughly but wish it was softer. I added Tempura crisps that melt away into nothing so enjoy it first! 🍗 Dark Chicken Tempura - the piece I got felt like a whole thigh. The tempura layer added a soft crisp vs the typical hard crunch of fried chicken. The chicken itself felt very well seasoned and not dry inside. 🍠 Sweet Potato Tempura - this tempura was great. The soft, warm sweet potato was wrapped in a light later of tempura.

This is third time I tried this place. Every single time it getting worse. This time I get number 2 (Creamy Broth) and the udon taste like plastic. This place is known for their udon but it taste like package udon you left in the fridge for awhile. The broth is creamy but on salty side. Shrimp Tempura is really small for the price. This place sitting is always crowded. It feels like you in sardines can. There are many better udon place around this area. This is place is mediocre and expensive.

Loved this place and I'd go back again! The sweet beef udon is SO good and same with the potato croquettes & sweet potato tempura. I personally don't love the Egg Tempura, but my boyfriend does. Love the affordability and efficiency here too - it's a great place to grab a quick bite!

My first time, and it was good! Now I know why their locations always have long lines. The tan tan, marked as spicy and vegan was really good. Flavorful broth, not too spicy, more like a mild-medium, and it comes with plentiful veggie toppings. The udon noodles were the perfect texture. Still a bit of a bite to them, and not overly done. The portion was big too. It can get busy, but going on a weeknight you can get lucky finding a table. Service is quick and employees are friendly.

My sister and I were craving some udon, and Marugame hit the spot! The Nikutama was reasonably priced, had a fairly generous serving of meat, and the soup base was flavor-packed. The noodles were a bit too long, chewy, and starchy for me, but it was still good. There was no wait time despite it being peak dinner hour, and you don't need to really "wait" for your food once seated. You're captivated the entire time standing in the assembly line haha; it's an experience itself. I love being able to self-serve myself, water and all. Only complaint was the tables were only 1-2 ft apart from ea. Still enough room to go through but a bit awkward squeezing through someone else's table.

My family and I decided to stop by and try this place since it's been in my bookmark for sometime. I like that the menu is simple and not too overwhelming with options. There are good options for Vegan and non-pork which tends to be an area of needed improvement for other noodle/ramen places. I got the miso udon with beef, and I thought it was super tasty. My sister got the tantan, and I almost wish I got that! The point is any soup you end up choosing, I believe it'll be good. The staff are quick. And although seating is a little narrow, there is plenty. I do think the tempura options that are served are way too expensive. Overall I would come back

My favorite udon!!! First tried this place in Hawaii and was blown away. When I saw they had one in OC, I went immediately. Fast service and even though they are always packed, people move in and out fast. They have a variety of affordable udon options along with a hot food bar with tons of tempura to choose from. They also have a self serve sauce/ additional topping bar. My go to is the curry but I also love some of the other soup variations. The regular size is enough to get me full and it's also reasonably priced. There are also options to add things on if you choose. Since opening, they also expanded their menu to have more than udon but I haven't had the chance to try any of those. This place is also awesome because you can see everything being made! The entire place had a vibe that is very well set up for enjoyment. I will be back to try more options!!! (But it will be hard to stray away from my go to because of how delicious and flavorful it is).

Whenever I crave udon in OC, I always head to Marugame in South Coast. If you go during the weekend or busy times, be prepared to queue in line for a while. However, once you get in, you can select from the udon. We always pickt the standard and curry dishes. The flavor is great, the udon noodles are al dente, and portion sizes are generous. With the reasonable prices, definitely a must try if you're craving a quick Japanese dinner. Ambiance is casual, you order at the cashier, and find your own seats.

Long lines always but it moves pretty quick. Cafeteria style ordering. We got the dashi and curry. Super fresh noods w/ really good texture. Flavor is good too. Seating seems hectic but they have a good system to get you in and out.

One of my favorite Japanese food spots in the OC. Always have had a great experience here after many times. On this occasion I had the nikutama udon which was delicious and had plenty of great toppings. Beef, egg, and udon is always done right here! One thing to note is that it is always a bit crowded inside but I've always found seating each time. The prices have gone up as well in recent years. Service is usually great here!

Nikutama udon at Marugame Udon always hits the spot! This location of Marugame isn't my favorite to dine at, tucked inside South Coast Plaza with no outdoor light. Even so, it's a reasonably priced quick meal at this mall (what indoor mall doesn't have a food court?). Can't wait for them to open closer to me!

With just two weeks away from heading onto our Japan trip, I thought it would be fun to stop by an authentic Japanese spot for dinner. I love the traditional decor when you enter plus the warm greeting you get right at the start. I've had their udon's here a few time and decided this time I'll try their curry udons. You tell them the udon you want at the front of the line and work your way down grabbing additional fried items if you'd like. When you get to the end, you'll pay there and add any additional drinks or hot paste. I paired my udon with a side of potato croquette and sweet potato tempura. The curry udon was so flavorful and for a regular size, it was quite filling. I love the potato croquette -- which is essentially deep fried mashed potatoes. I got full quite quick, so I love that they have togo containers that you can grab on your own. Seating is open and is first come first served. When you finish, you can either return it to the dish up station or a server/busser will come around and grab your tray. This place is located in South Coast Plaza on the first floor right below Din Tai Fung. Definitely give this a try if you don't feel like waiting in a long line and want some tasty Japanese food.

This was my first time at this location. The line wasn't so bad for a Sunday at 12pm. We probably waited around 15-20 minutes. We got the Nikutama, Tantan (Vegan), Karaage, sweet potato and squid. The food was good as usual. I do wish for my Nikutama i had more broth. I felt like this location was the smallest I've ever been to. It was very narrow and it felt like there was always someone walking by. When you order the udon, they ask you if you want the tempura flakes and green onion. I thought that was weird because usually it's self serve. But I think they do that to ensure no traffic around the sauce station. I also thought it was nice that the workers would help you find a table. Versus other locations they make you look for one and sometimes that gets hectic.

Pretty good spot for udon and tempura. If you don't want to wait you can order to go and take home. My go to place for some quick take out

Such a good place to eat! The udon has a good chew, the broth has great light flavor and the tempura has the perfect crispy texture. Fast service and lots of seating! Tends to get very busy so during the weekends, prepare to wait in a bit of a line :)

Service was very attentive and quick. We ate right before they were closing but everything was still very fresh. I love their chewy udon noodles and crispy tempuras! It's def our go to after a long day of shopping at south coast plaza.

Great spot to get your udon fix. It's made to order, right there in front of you. So it's basically an assembly line. As you're waiting, take a look at the menu to decide your base and basic toppings, i.e. tempura flakes, green onions, veggies (additional fee). Once you get your udon bowl, you can add other sides, including shrimp tempura, other fried veggies, croquettes, etc. You pull up to the register with drinks available for purchase. Further down is a tap water station and all your utensils and to go containers. Very self sufficient! Then it's open seating. Place usually has a very fast turnaround, so typically by the time you finish paying, someone is heading out. The workers pace the line depending on how busy it is. You bring your trays to the back and that's it! Located in the South Coast Plaza mall, first floor, right across from Uniqlo and directly below Din Tai Fung.

1. The beef udon was comforting and delicious! 2. The spot has fun casual vibes! 3. There are only indoor seatings! 4. The staff are friendly and efficient with the customer flow! 5. The restaurant does have their own restrooms for customers! Note: Tables are FCFS, but they discourage a party saving a table before someone ordering first! Photo: Beef Udon

Disappointed by my first time visit. Ordered food to go via their app. The nikutama udon was missing the egg entirely. The noodles were over boiled and soggy. The broth was tepid and the meat a bit too sweet. The potato croquette was delicious. The parking was free and easy which was the saving grace. I think the products most likely taste much better if it's eaten inside the store. I wouldn't mind giving it another try in the future.

I've been to their other locations, but this was my first time to this location. Wasn't too busy when we arrived. They had signage that stated they were only accepting cash today and not credit cards. How incovenient! Cash made things slower too. Some people were saying their credit cards went through. However, for most of us, we had to pay cash since our credit card transaction wouldn't go through on their machine. They were having issues with their machine. This was definitely a bottle neck. The staff members were nice. They helped us get seated too. The booth seats were all torn. Not a good look for a restaurant. Should get that fixed. By the time we sat down, our broths were lukewarm. The tonkatsu base was good if you add the bean sprouts, bok choy, and corn. They give you these items in small cups as you make yourself through the assembly line. The tempura-- most were good except for the sweet potato one. We each got a piece, and they were all dry, stale, and too thick.

I love their dashi broth udons (I order beef with kitsune) but every time I order it there isn't much broth compared to the noodles. The store is a bit tight, but I've never had a problem with getting a seat so I respect the hustle!

Fresh Tasty Udon and sides served quickly at fast food prices. Cant really complain. Line went fast. Ordered the popular Nikutuma. Came with sweet sliced beef like and soft boiled egg. Very good and hit the spot. I also tried the Tempura zucchini (very good) and potato croquet (its ok). My only critique: they serve tap water which is unacceptable for good asian restaurant. Spend a few bucks and get a filter. 4 stars.

This place is well-maintained and fast at accommodating parties of 2-6 on average. The servers seem to go above and beyond at ensuring that customers get seated quickly and the tables are cleaned for the next group of people. A good recommendation is their fan favorites: the Nikutama and the Tonkotsu (always a 10/10). Most of the menu are variations of the two and offer different types of broth. If you try the curry options, it may be a hit or miss as you can spend money at specialty shops that are more well-known for their curry udon/ramen. One of the servers, Jessica, ensured my group had a good experience (e.g., assisting in delivering our trays to the table, friendly interactions, etc.). I've been to a few other locations and this was the first time the service ensured my party's needs were met. Go here if you have a craving for noodles and need it quick.

My sister brought me here. I wanted some soup for this cold weather we are having in LA. So it's really simple . They serve you . Menu is at the front of the line and you pick what kind you want and they do it for you. They have side appetizers for you too, and you can pick and the prices are listed there as well. Then you seat yourself. It's really nice and modern inside

Absolutely thrilled - love Marugame Udon. Had it for the first time in a while in Hawaii and ended up back here soon as the opportunity presented itself. Was a little nervous when we got there because all the tables were occupied and I wasn't sure any of them were going to clear up by the time we got our meals. Anything you get here is gonna be a hit. I really like their broth and all their tempura options go so well with the udon. Tempura has a nice crunch and the udon is the perfect texture. By the time we finished getting our bowls, tables had actually cleared up as well. Marugame Udon staff definitely have their system on lock. Would come again!

I was in the area and decided to stop by here for a quick lunch. This place ran similar to their Honolulu location and the food was similar too! The bowl is prepared in front of you and they ladled heavy spoonfuls of the tempura and scallions right before handing the bowl over. They announce when the fried sides are fresh. The sides did not taste like they had been sitting out getting stale, which is a plus for me! I chose calamansi drink from their summer options and it was refreshing. Now for seating, I was a little worried if I would be able to find a table. It was busy and this is definitely a place you'd want to savor your meal be eating in a rush. I worried for no reason, a number of tables cleared out by the time it was my turn for to pay. Yummy bowl of hand-made udon and I could walk it off at the mall. Would dine here again.

This place is very similar to Marukame Udon in Honolulu, Hawaii & we had to try it! My family of 3 went into this restaurant around 11:45 PM on a Tuesday afternoon - not busy at all. The workers were welcoming & provided such a helping hand when dealing with our 1 year old. There wasn't a line & lots of tables available during the time we went. It is like a cafeteria style line where you order the udon of your choice & the employee will hand you a tray for you to grab your fried tempura sides. After obtaining your sides you are greeted by the cashier to pay then find your seats! The ambiance is homey - reminded me of Japan with the sweet workers & service is impeccable. Always checking in on how things are going & asking what could be done to improve your experience! Tables and cleansed thoroughly after each use & workers also help with finished trays if they aren't too busy! I really enjoyed my curry based nikutama! The curry alone was so yummy! I loved the savory taste & the noodles were freshly made which made the experience 100x better! The matcha was pretty great too! We will surely be back!

This place is one of my favorite to order ahead from. Very professional staff. This great experience is probably a result of management. Usually places to eat with some many young people aren't the best in my opinion but this staff is on point. Big shout out to JESS, I had an issue with my online order and she without question fixed it got everything ready and did it in such a quick time. When I told her my issue, I can tell she was listening attentively and she quickly found a solution. This is why I keep coming back.

This is a place that I've experienced over the last 20 years! This is the first time I've been to this location at South Coast Plaza, but I'm very familiar with the location out in Hawaii. Alternately, they are essentially the same but different if you know what I mean. I do still love the fact that the udon is made in house! It still carries that same unique smell that only comes with this place. The service here was what you would expect nothing out of the ordinary. It does seem a little bit cramped without feeling cramped. Maybe because it is inside of South Coast Plaza and it's a very, very busy all the time. I definitely suggest eating here on half hours. But as far as the food, it is always good!

I had issues with their hours before, but I decided to give them another chance. For the past few months, I've been ordering through their app, and I haven't been disappointed once. The order is always ready right on time, well-packed, and includes all the condiments. I often place big orders with a lot of customizations, and they get every detail right, which I really appreciate! I love their noodles so much that I don't even feel the need to try other places nearby. When you earn a loyal customer's trust, you earn their business.

Was craving udon so we stopped by Marugame to try. I got the Kitsune and my boyfriend got the Tonkotsu. The kitsune broth was delicious, and the sweet tofu flavor was a pleasant surprise! The tonkotsu broth was good as well. I loved how we can also get tempura on the side, but its an extra charge. Tempura was pretty expensive ($2.5 for one shrimp, and $5 for chicken katsu). Service was great but inside was crowded so if you're coming on a weekend, expect to wait a bit

Marugame serves well-portioned meals. Every time I visit, the udon warms my heart and the accompanying tempura taste and feel amazing to have. There's usually a line but it's genuinely not super bad. I went at noon on Sunday and it was less than 15 minutes to get my food. Nikutama (L) - I definitely underestimated the portions. Giant bowl of udon with a rich broth - think sukiyaki but less sweet. I really enjoyed slurping on the noodles. The beef is made in bulk so they're cooked thoroughly but wish it was softer. I added Tempura crisps that melt away into nothing so enjoy it first! Dark Chicken Tempura - the piece I got felt like a whole thigh. The tempura layer added a soft crisp vs the typical hard crunch of fried chicken. The chicken itself felt very well seasoned and not dry inside. Sweet Potato Tempura - this tempura was great. The soft, warm sweet potato was wrapped in a light later of tempura. Ambience: it'll feel like a food court, you can hear the kitchen, the dishes, the ipad kids at the next table, the people waiting for seats

Sometimes I feel pretty lucky to have a mall like South Coast in my county, not because of the shops per se (some of these designer brands are out of my tax bracket), but because it's home to some pretty good spots for Asian food, Marugame being one of them. PARKING: Lots of mall parking and never had a problem finding a spot. WHAT I ORDERED: Curry Nikutama, assorted tempura, chicken katsu THE FOOD: Yum! This was definitely the move. The curry was just the right thickness and was very flavorful and rich. Definitely made for a great combination with the chewy udon, which was cooked perfectly. The beef was deliciously tender as well. The tempura was pretty good too. I got the chicken katsu which was a little more dry compared to if you were to go to an actual katsu place, but it wasn't bad. Our three pieces of tempura + the udon actually ended up being the perfect size to split between two people. SERVICE: Rather than sitting down and having your order taken, you get in line and they make your food as you order. After you grab your bowl of udon, there's a little section to grab pieces of tempura too (my favorite part). At the end of the line, you pay and then you can look for a place to sit. Doesn't take too long. There's also a self-serve area where you can grab sauce, pepper flakes, grated ginger, and cups of water. VIBES: A little loud, but a good place for friends and family. Not really fancy - more of a casual place to eat. BOTTOM LINE: A solid dinner choice for a mid- or post-shopping trip meal!

Fast service, curry udon was a solid 8/10, noodles chewy and broth tasty. Croquette was not what I expected, almost mochi like in texture. Great place to get a quick bite to eat in the mall

Good for a quick meal if the line isn't too long. You can get your food very quickly because it's essentially like a cafeteria line, but if it's busy it might take a while to actually sit and eat. I got the beef udon and loved how light yet flavorful the broth was. They have a wide variety of tempura you can add on the side. The batter was light and crunchy. They also offer the crunchy leftover tempura bits free of charge.

My bf loves this udon so much that he can't stop talking about it! I usually award him by letting him enjoy his bowl of udon every times he wins a bet or just simply spoil him! We usually choose a weekday for a quick bite since it easily gets insanely packed on the weekends! I've tried mostly all of their udon but I just like to stick with the Nikutama just because I don't like my broth too rich like their famous Curry Nikutama, which is my bf's fave! The Tonkotsu is also an interesting choice but beware it will only come with 1 piece of chasu pork! I'm a fan of Miso broth; but however, Miso Udon isn't my cup of tea in this case; could because I prefer my udon with clear broth than thick like ramen. The tempura is an exotic add on! My temptation is to usually grab a bunch of everything on the counter since it looks so pleasing under the heating light! They also provide tempura sauce on the counter so you could get as much sauce as you want! Service also a plus! I usually don't expect much at a self-serve restaurant but this place is wonderful! Staff upkeeps each of the tong and each time a customer uses. They even offer to put the tray back for customers even tho customers are supposed to clean after themselves! The kitchen staff is also very friendly and full of energy with their "irasshaimase" greeting! Keep it up with the spirit guys!

Sadly, it feels like the quality of Marugame Udon has declined over the past couple of years. I recently ordered the Nikutama Udon, which used to be one of my favorites, but it didn't live up to my memories. The noodles were still fantastic, but the broth lacked the rich, savory depth I remember. To add to the disappointment, the tempura pieces I selected were a letdown. They had no crunch at all, which is such a crucial part of the experience, and overall, they were quite sad. Maybe I caught them on an off day, but it was definitely a miss this time. That said, the service remains top-notch. The staff are friendly and efficient, and I've always enjoyed the ordering process(moving through the line, exploring the options, and watching the chefs prepare the noodles). Do keep in mind that weekends can get quite busy. Finding a seat might be tricky, and you could end up waiting a bit for a table. While I still appreciate Marugame Udon for its convenience and service, I'm hoping my next visit will be better.

The noodles are good but I would not recommend getting the tan tan noodles. It was my fault bc I didn't read the fine print on the menu. The tan tan noodles doesn't use actual ground meat, instead they use texturized soy protein/vegan option. I personally don't like fake meat so it wasn't really pleasing to eat. Also, I've tried tan tan noodles before elsewhere and the flavor profile of Marugame's tan tan noodles were not it lol. My bf got the Nikutama Noodles and the flavor for this one was good. Just don't get the tan tan noodle. We also got the tempura but honestly we both like lightly battered/crispy tempura but the batter was on the heavier side so it was a bit oily. I personally think Marugame is overhyped.

This place is always consistent. The udon has a great chew to it and the quality for it being a chain udon place is great! The only negative is the line is similar to cafeteria style so you may be stuck in a pretty long line, and you're left to fend for your own table. Luckily, they don't allow people to reserve tables while someone from your group goes to wait in line...so it truly is first come first serve. The tempura is cooked fresh and you're able to select as many or as few as you want. They have a great selection of tempura options as well. The regular size udon is more than enough especially if you're grabbing 2-3 pieces of tempura.

I haven't been here since it opened and I'm glad to see some of the changes to it! I got the Large Tonkotsu and shared with my boyfriend. We got a selection of sides and honestly got too much! The udon was pretty rich and filling. I would reconsider choosing so many sides because we ended up having to to-go 2-3 pieces home anyway. The soup and noodles were deliciously made with so much flavor. I couldn't get around the pork tasting too much like pork here (if that made sense LOL). I would've done better with just the Shrimp Tempura along with my udon. The large was enough to share with two people because we got significantly full after just finishing our portion. The wait could definitely be scary, but there are a lot of seats in the back. Unless you are going here during peak lunch/dinner hours, a quick stop here to try it out wouldn't hurt!

Favorite udon franchise! Always quick service, it's like a cafeteria line (grab your bowl on a tray, then slide down to grab tempura/sides/drinks, then slide down to cashier to pay). Would recommend having someone save a table if you can because it's free-for-all seating. Reasonable prices ($12-15/bowl). Good portions. Thick & bouncy udon noodles with rich broth! I love the fireball spice (can share with 2-4ppl, depending how spicy you like it. I like spicy, but I only use 1/3). Tamago tempura is my favorite side! It's thick, soft, & sweet. If you're looking for crunch, the potato croquette is yum too!

Best udon place in OC! Highly recommend! We love the Kitsune and their chicken karaage! There's always a line so get in line early!

Excited that a location opened up near me. I first experienced Marugame Udon when it opened in L.A. and then a few years later tried the Costa Mesa location. I came to this one on a Friday morning at 11 for an early lunch right as they opened. I was one of the first few customers and there was already a line forming. I think they need to do a better job indicating where the line starts because it was really unintuitive. They had the line forming behind on the side of the exit for some reason so when we were allowed in, everyone went in the wrong direction lol. Anyways, even though there was a line, it moved pretty fast because all the food was pre-made and it just required assembly. Service was fast and everyone was friendly. I had the tonkotsu udon. It seemed like they had a lot less options for tempura. Not sure if it was because I was there so early or something. Food tasted good though.

We finally had the chance to try this place out, and it did not disappoint. The ordering process is straightforward: get in line, place your order, and then find a seat with your food. We opted for the tonkotsu ramen, which was a great for any ramen fan--rich, creamy broth with perfectly cooked noodles. The curry nikutama was another highlight; it was savory and bit smoky. We chose the regular sizes for both which turned out to be just right. We also ordered a couple of tempura pieces. The options included shrimp, squid, zucchini, sweet potato, and potato croquette. Each tempura was crispy and delicious. Overall, this spot is a must-visit for comfort food lovers!

Delicious food! The curry tonkatsu rice bowl was flavorful and filling! Tonkatsu was crispy on the outside and soft inside. Perfect with the tempura sides. Love the quick service and friendly staff. Great meal!

There's always a line but it moves fast, but getting seats and eating inside might be difficult. You line up and tell them which entree you want and then you get the pick your sides on your own. I got the miso beef udon and a vegetable croquette. The miso beed udon was a little too salty, but had a very good mixture of textures. The tempura flakes and corn went very well with the udon and beef. The beef was tender and the udon was chewy and springy. And the vegetable croquette was crispy on the inside and very soft on the outside, I wish I had gotten another one.

One of my favorite udon places! Whenever I'm looking for something filling and delicious in South Coast, I stop by here. The portions are big for a decent price and the food is delicious. There is many types of udon but my favorite was the curry, and there is many side dishes you can add. It's usually sort of crowded but the wait isn't long.

The udon here is simply divine. Superb. Exquisite. Well, you get my drift. After I ate here for the first time udon supplanted ramen as my favorite noodle and it hasn't looked back. Add some tempura in there for a nice crunch! Get there before the lunch and dinner rush as the line can get long, but if you don't heed this warning then waiting is worth it.

This is an excellent outlet of this fabled fast food restaurant. It's very simple, go in, order up, take it, grab some tempura, off you go. They do have something for every taste form heavier curry (my favorite) to light dash but it's the udon. It is easily the best udon out there and that they are so good as to match any of their other outlets speaks highly of them. The tempura is good but inconsistent in terms of what they get and how they fry, but in many cases it's still good. Highly recommend the regular chicken and the shrimp. Ambiance is a nice fast casual place and the employees are friendly and helpful. Definitely a worthwhile place to go to.

I've been eating here almost every week lately and my absolute favorite is the cold nikutama udon! The broth is so savory yet light at the same time. I ask for the beef on the side instead of in the udon bowl because since it's a cold soup the beef fat starts to solidify a bit into the broth. I always gotta get shrimp tempura too for some variety. The service is fast despite having very long lines during the weekends. You don't ever have to worry about not having a table by the time you pay for your meal because there's plenty of seats for everyone.

Marugame offers speedy service and high quality udon and tempura. My only complaint is the complete awkwardness is getting a table - your essentially standing around on guard other patrons eating. Of course they are not to blame the size of the location only allows for so many patrons though as a result during lunch and dinner dishes there is virtually no seating. The price is justifiable definitely more expensive than others for udon and tempura but for the location speed service and quality I feel it both justifiable and filling. I personally would not order takeout here just because the quality is not the same and often things have been missing in my order but besides that and the lack of general seating marugame is a great option.