Marugame Udon

This place was a big hit when it first opened where lines were formed around the block and everyone was talking about this place. Upon arrival, I waited in line for a bit, but I do not mind since I am a very patient person. Finally when I entered the shop, I was met with the aroma from their soup bases. You order in line with many options to choose from, such as you can have a plain udon, have one of their specialties or add some of their freshly fried tempura items to your udon. The vibes do give you a bit of an authentic taste of Japan. Everything was made to order which is always a plus for me. And the staffs were welcoming, well trained and understanding which made my visit a satisfying one. I recommend this place to anyone on a limited time, if you need a quick bite or if you are looking for a laid back spot. I might be back to tryout the other options they have to offer.

I’ve been trying to find the best udon in San Francisco and I think I found it at last. Broth with real umami depth, udon with the right texture, and, though it was not one of my criteria, at a reasonable price. Let me put it more simply: it’s just as good as what you get in Tokyo. I also appreciate the no-fuss dining hall experience, the quick ordering, and just the general unpretentiousness with a complete focus on what matters: the best damn udon in this city.

Delicious udon and the ordering process was fun that they made the order right in front of you with this semi self-serve style. The soup broth was clear and flavourful. Curry soup was tasty and flavourful as well. There were plenty of side dishes to choose from, though unfortunately, most of the time, those side dishes were cold and weren’t yummy. There’s usually a long line up in front of this restaurant, especially during peak dining hours, but they serves pretty quick, so the wait time won’t be long.

This place never disappoints! The noodles are delicious, and reasonably priced. I like going here after shopping or just hanging out with friends. It’s nice how you can see the fresh noodles getting made and the self serve tempuras. Definitely recommend going here.

This place never disappoints! The noodles are always fresh with the perfect texture, and the broth is rich and flavorful. It’s quickly become one of my go-to comfort spots—great for a cozy solo meal or even a break from running errands. Highly recommend!

Quick, simple, delicious - would visit again when I’m craving udon and tempura. Prices are very good but variable as the tempura is a la carte and quickly adds up. Great udon options from kake, nikutama, curry, etc. The tempura were delicious and fresh. The line wasn’t too bad on a Friday night around 7 PM, the line moved quick and we waited about 15 min. It’s a bit cramped inside for seating but gets the job done. Parking is also hard to get but we ended up parking behind the mall and walked to the front.

My go to Japanese comfort food Udon place. Best Udon in the Bay Area. I always order the regular size Curry Nikutama. Always made fresh and don’t have to wait long for the food and seating. Price is just right. I also been to the Berkeley location about 10 times. Taste is very consistent.

My favorite restaurant in the city. Come here for fresh, delicious udon and tempura made right in front of you (especially the Nikutama and Shrimp Tempura). Service is fast and there’s lots of seating.

No line and service was quick and easy. Udon, tempura, and croquette were all delicious!

Marugame Udon at Stonestown Galleria is a lively and bustling spot, but thanks to its large dining area, finding a seat isn't usually an issue. The setup is efficient, with an open kitchen where you can watch fresh udon being made, adding to the experience. While the prices are a bit on the higher side for udon, the quality and comforting flavors make it worth it. The noodles have that perfect chew, and the broths are rich and satisfying. It's a great option when you're craving a solid bowl of udon and don't mind the food court-style ordering process.

Pretty good. I like the udon noodles a lot more than I liked the katsu. Quite busy and the employees were fast and friendly. Did a great job of cranking out the food.

My husband and I have passed by here dozens of times but always skip it due to the line. But after a morning at Golden Gate Park, we figured we'd give it a try and found ourselves near the front of the line on a Saturday afternoon. I had no concept of what the restaurant was (other than it served udon), so we got to know the menu. I was pleased to see there were a few non-sauce/broth options since I'm picky with those and decided on the teriyaki bowl. I was also pleased you could get it with since I did want to give them a try. We grabbed some gyoza and a few of the tempuras. Even though it was busy we were able to grab a table quickly. I thought the tempura and gyoza were fine, but I really enjoyed the teriyaki bowl. My husband got one of the recommended udon bowls and loved it. Our eyes were definitely bigger than our stomachs and the portions are big, so I had leftovers for lunch the next day which were just as good. Would I wait in a long line for this? Maybe, but I would definitely return again.

Marugame Udon at Stonestown Galleria is a solid choice for fresh, affordable udon with a fast and efficient ordering system. The cafeteria-style setup, similar to Chipotle, allows you to customize your meal as you move down the line, and with a constant flow of customers, everything is made fresh to order. The efficiency of this place stands out--not only do they have a smooth ordering process, but they also warm up the bowls using the same boiling water from the udon station, keeping everything piping hot. One of my favorite perks is the option to add extra udon noodles on the side, making it easy to get a more filling meal without breaking the bank. Their tempura selection is solid, with staples like shrimp, sweet potato, and vegetable tempura, but I really wish they had burdock tempura to round out the offerings. Seating is plentiful, with tables both inside and outside. The staff keeps the dining area impressively clean, with someone always tidying up, which makes the experience more enjoyable. Another nice feature is their mobile app, which includes a rewards system. It's a great way to earn points for future visits, making it even more worthwhile for frequent customers. My go-to order is the large Nikutama Udon. The combination of tender beef, slightly sweet soy-based broth, and chewy udon noodles is already fantastic, but mixing in the yolk from the lightly poached egg makes the broth thick and creamy, adding an extra layer of richness. If you're looking for a quick, filling, and affordable udon meal, Marugame Udon is a great choice. While it's not perfect, it delivers on freshness, efficiency, and value, and the rewards system is a nice bonus for regulars. I'll definitely keep coming back!

I've been to Marugame a few times and it always hits the spot as a comfort food place. Really like that there was a lot of seating here at Stonestown and good service. I got the nikutama udon soup and it was good, nothing amazing but a solid bowl of udon. What I do really like is the rewards system they have because you don't need too many points to be able to get some offer!

This is a good place to eat when you are in Stonestown. It's nice to have a fast casual restaurant here because I can eat simple food that is ready quickly and a comfortable spot to sit. I like getting the side of veggies, broth, and gyudon rice bowl. For the udon, I like the curry one.

Gotta love getting sick on Christmas week! Ordering Marugame Udon through Doordash comes to the rescue. Udon really hits different when you have a cold. Marugame in this Stonestown location is also always thriving every time I pass by and for food reason. Its in a very convenient location and they have good quality in udon. I recently ordered: - Tonkotsu Udon Large ($13.95) - Gyudon ($11.55) Even though the order was delivered from quite a distance, the food was still hot and I like how their pack their take out orders. For the udon there is a bottom layer of the udon noodles and then the rest of the ingredients on top like the pork and boiled egg on top. The Tonkotsu Udon has a nice creamy broth with a lot of flavor. The egg is boiled longer than my preference, but it was still good. The udon noodles were really satisfying to eat. They were soft and easy to eat. The pork is also very tender and flavorful. The beef Gyudon is an easy skip personally. It just tastes like the frozen gyudon that you can get at 99 Ranch. Not that i's bad, but for the price it just isn't super worth. You're better off mainly just ordering their udon. Would recommend Marugame!

Marugame has been around for several years now, and I'm happy to see how they've become more efficient with the ordering, paying, and dining experience. With the prime location (near a few schools and part of Stonestown mall), I imagine Marugame will stick around for a long time. Marugame used to only offer udon in a dashi-based broth, but now there's curry sauce, tonkotsu broth, and rice options. I've tried the curry and the tonkotsu, and they're just ok. I'd recommend sticking to their signature dashi-based broth, which is light with the perfect balance of salty and umami. The udon is perfectly bouncy and chewy, and they have great QC as they weigh their udon portions on a scale. The tempura options are extensive, and my favorites are the shrimp and Japanese potato. Service is quick and friendly. There's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. During peak hours, it may be a little difficult to grab a table, but the turnover is quite high here, which I appreciate.

I've been here a few times already and their home made udon tastes amazing for the price! There is always a line out the door, but the line moves fairly quickly. No reservations allowed here as its a cafeteria style inside. Everything is self serve and you bust your own table. They recently added the option of fireball, which gives your soup a nice spicy kick to it, but also quite salty. My only complaint is that their soup is very very salty, even without the fireball. I always come home needing a huge glass of water after eating here. It's so salty that next time I plan to bring some hot water with me in a thermo so I can pour some into my soup. I've seen a lot of complaints in the reviews about the temperature of the soup and I also felt the same when I ate here a year ago. I ate here again a few days ago and I felt like the temperature of the soup was much hotter this time and I usually prefer my soup on the hotter side. Overall, a great option for a cheap and delicious place for homemade udon!

My go to Japanese comfort food Udon place. Best Udon in the Bay Area. I always order the regular size Curry Nikutama. Always made fresh and don't have to wait long for the food and seating. Price is just right. I also been to the Berkeley location about 10 times. Taste is very consistent.

One of my favorite place to get Udon. Their sweet beef it's one of the kind, it tastes amazing with the bone broth. The service its quick, they make it in front of you after you told them which Udon you want. Then there's the side dish you can add onto your Udon. Definitely recommend to have while you are in Stonetown.

Quick and easy udon spot with lots of options for different broths, flavors, and toppings. The lines always long but the assembly style service makes it go by quickly. I love the texture of their udon and you can't go wrong with any of their broth bases because they all taste rich and flavorful! Tempura was okay, they were crispy and light but they also sit there for a bit so they aren't all warm. If you like spicy, I thought the spicy paste was worth it for a little kick since most of their broths are on the sweet side.

Marugame is one of my all time top comfort foods. I would come here all the time during undergrad in SoCal, and I'm so happy that there have been more locations opening up here in the Bay Area in the past few years. I've tried almost everything on their menu, but my favorites are their kitsune udon, tonkotsu udon, and chicken katsu curry bowl, along with the potato croquette, sweet potato tempura, and chicken tempura. There can be a line here at peak meal times, but the line to get your food and pay moves pretty quickly, and there are always open tables for you to sit at once you have your food. I love to watch the chefs making and prepping the udon noodles and tempura as I move through the line- they've really perfected the process. Very reasonably priced bowls that always hit the spot! (though I wish their additional toppings were cheaper, such as the veggie add on for $2.5+ and the $2+ egg)

This place always hits the spot when I'm in the mood for some soup and udon noodles! My go to order is their Tonkotu since I love the savoryness of this soup compared to the other udon with sweet beef. I do like their Nikutama dish, but sometimes it can be a bit too sweet for me. I love getting some sort of tempura with my udon and this time I got their chicken tempura, which was tasty! I also love getting their zucchini tempura. Service is quick. Lines could get long during peak times, but it moves fairly quick. Plenty of seating inside and some seats outdoor as well.

A go to udon spot for me especially if I'm in the Stonestown area. Came with a group of 5. Line was less than 10 min long which was great. On that note, be prepared for a possible line during peak hours. Made my way through the ordering line. Opted for large nikutama, which is always my go to. Served with sweet beef and a soft boiled egg. Savory, sweet, warm, and comforting. Perfect for a cool day but I'll eat it on a warm day too. Service is primarily self operated. You carry your own tray of noodles down the line, add your own sides, and bring it to a table. There's a station for utensils, napkins, water, and togarashi. When you're done, you self bus. I always recommend getting a large size as it usually only about $1-ish more. I always have frozen udon noodles at home so my tip is to take the broth home and get one more use out of it.

Very quick and convenient udon fix, go to spot for a quick lunch! Their portion sizes will definitely get you full and if you want more they have a variety of tempura options. Service is here is basically ordering at the window and they'll get you your bowl within a minute for you to pay at the register. It's always bustling here no matter the time but there's usually enough seats to even when busy as people are in and out relatively quickly. I usually get the nikutama udon but they've added rice bowls now as well which was quite filling. Definitely a great addition to the menu. They don't skimp at all, my rice bowl was super stuffed with rice, a fat cutlet, and a good amount of curry sauce to accompany it all!

You can never go wrong with Marugame! I'm not sure if I've just been oblivious all this time, but I only recently noticed they actually weigh your noodles to ensure an accurate serving every time--pretty impressive! I usually stick with the Nikutama or Curry Nikutama (it's always a tough choice because both are so delicious), but I got to try the Chicken Katsu Teriyaki with Udon in dashi broth, and I've got to say, it was pretty darn good! The Iced Matcha was refreshingly perfect as well. We did ask if they could do half matcha, half calamansi, but unfortunately, that request was turned down a bit firmly. I've heard it's a great combo, though, so maybe next time I'll just order both and make my own concoction lol.

Overall, it was a decent spot for a fast-casual meal. The tempura was probably the best part, I got the egg tempura and really enjoyed it. I got the miso udon and my partner got the curry noodles. I was honestly pretty disappointed by mine, both my partner and I agreed that it was very bland. The redeeming quality was the noodles, they were nice and chewy and homemade. I did try my partner's curry, and his meal seemed a lot more flavorful. It is order at the counter service.

Nikutama all the way. This is one of those places I rarely go to because it's always there and there's always a long line. But every chance I get to go, it hits the spot! I've probably ordered to-go from here more often than dining in, but nothing beats it when it's hot and fresh. The line really isn't too bad because it moves fast like cafeteria style. You order at the station, they make the bowl of udon in front of you, and then you pay and seat yourself. Simple, efficient, not fussy. I've never not had a seat available even when it's a full house. This is meant to be a quick meal, so tables open up very often.

Feel like there's never really long wait at this location anymore, now that there are so many different locations, which is great! Got two different udons and several different tempura items. Really wish the pricing was way more affordable, but the portion size was surprisingly quite a bit. Had enough to take home enough food for one more decently sized lunch. Will come back in the future when in the area.

Solid marugame place. They expanded quickly but I like this location more than some of the others. The noodles are fresh and don't break apart like some other locations. I also like their tempura but it depends on how fresh they make it. There's usually decent seating. You turn your own tables but overall the turnover to get a table is pretty quick.

Marugame Udon delivers a great dining experience with fresh and flavorful food in a welcoming atmosphere. I ordered the Nikutama Udon and Chicken Katsu Curry, along with Shrimp Tempura, Potato Croquette, and an iced Calamansi-ade, and I was overall very pleased. The Nikutama Udon was delicious, with perfectly cooked noodles and a savory broth enhanced by tender, flavorful beef. The Chicken Katsu Curry Udon was satisfying, but the curry sauce was a bit too liquidy and lacked any noticeable spice--it could use a touch more depth. The Shrimp Tempura and Potato Croquette were crispy and not overly greasy, adding a nice texture to the meal. The iced Calamansi-ade was refreshing, providing a tangy and sweet balance to the savory dishes. The atmosphere was lively but not overwhelming, with clean tables and a well-maintained dining area, which added to the experience. The service was good and the staff greeted us as we entered and at all the different stations the people were helpful. Overall, it's a solid spot for fresh and quick Japanese comfort food, and I'd happily return!

Quick and yummy, exactly what I expect from Marugame! There was lots of seating available. Restaurant is located outside of the mall next to Chipotle.

Love Marugame Udon! Udon was so bouncy in their flavorful broths. Tan tan is actually soy meat and we were so happy our vegetarian eater was able to get something different. All the tempura was hot and crispy, staff were awesome and helped us with our bowls when we were done eating. Can get super busy and that means very limited seating space as you have to wait for tables to free up but there is an outside seating area.

A nice spot for a quick and simple bowl of udon. The udon is made in-house and served in a cafeteria fashion: you go up and tell them what you want and then pay for the bowl, and then find a seat to eat the meal. Ordered the Nikutama udon and the sweet beef was tender and flavourful. I really appreciated the onsen egg in the bowl. The broth was flavourful enough to complement the udon bowl without being overwhelming. In terms of tempura, I ordered sweet potato and tamago. Both were generously sized. I've never tried tempura tamago before and very much enjoyed it. Overall, the tempura was very filling but not as crispy as I would have liked. Since this is a self-serve cafeteria style restaurant, there isn't much service to the meal.

Great place to get udon or a rice bowl. It is made to order cafeteria style. The service is quick but this place gets busy so arrive before the lunch and dinner crowd. Affordably priced too. There is a self-serve tempura before you get to the cashier at the end.

I had udon starting from the Hawaii location. It's a place I truly love, so I had many breakfasts there when I was in Hawaii. However, these days, the original vibe of this place seems to be fading. Compared to Hawaii, the variety of tempura has decreased, and it doesn't taste as good anymore. The udon itself also tastes bad! Really bad! Today, my udon broth was lukewarm, and the noodles were undercooked. As someone who wanted the chewy texture of properly cooked udon noodles, I was deeply disappointed! I'm not sure if I'll keep coming back in the future...

Food - same quality as when we tried it years ago but the tempura choices now is pretty narrow Service - courteous and helpful staff Ambiance - restaurant now is a little messy compared to years before

Came here on a Friday night and I ordered the tonkotsu udon. It was flavorful and the ground pork was a bit soggy for my taste. There also wasn't that much chashu and I wish there were more pieces included. The noodles were fresh and chewy which I liked. The servers were really nice and helpful with cleaning our table and taking our trays when we were finished with our meal.

At Marugame, we met for a date, Her smile made the udon taste great. With a glance and a grin, The sparks did begin, As we shared every bite on our plate. Her laugh, soft and sweet in the air, Matched the warmth of the broth we did share. With each tempting bite, The mood felt just right, Udon and chemistry -- perfect pair!

Marugame is super consistent and reliable with the food they provide. Their udon always tastes fresh. Service is standard for any restaurant chain. Ample seating inside and outside. My go to order is the Nikutama Udon. I don't crave Marugame all the time but when I do, it always hits the spot!

This was my first time trying this location. I tried them for the first time ever in Hawaii. Although they stay busy and bustling, the staff has a great system to keep the line moving along. I got the tonkatsu, and shrimp tempura (for the second time), along with the chicken katsu. They are a consistent restaurant! It tasted just how I remembered when I first tried it in Hawaii. Savory, rich broth, bouncy noodles and crunchy and lightly flavored tempura. I really love how efficient the flow of the restaurant is and there is lots of seating! Great place for dinner after shopping.

I didn't used to like udon since all the ones I've tried have been tasteless. Since then, I've been back to eat a few times at Marugame. I am enjoying it now. The udon here is pretty good. The noodles are soft but not too chewy or soggy. The soup is not too salty as with many other udon soups. The taste of the soup is fully soaked into the noodles as well. The egg is soft and runny, reminding me of the texture of pudding and the meat is good too. Their matcha drinks are still tasty and their tempura is always so perfectly crispy without being dry. Their quality is on point here. 5 stars udon!

So the first time I had the sweet beef curry udon, and it was very good. It was so so flavorful. I came back a couple more times and had other options which were mediocre . My last visit I came and got the curry beef udon. There was a lot less beef and the flavor was very watery so basically they're not consistent. I'm not sure if there's more than one Chef they definitely need to be more consistent with the flavor and quality.

Marugame in San Francisco is a fantastic spot for delicious and satisfying udon. I always get the nikutama, and it never disappoints--rich, flavorful broth with tender beef and a perfectly cooked egg that adds a creamy texture. It is an assembly line, so you are able to watch them make the noodles fresh, and assemble your bowl. They even have an assortment of tempura which I always enjoy. The udon noodles are always fresh and chewy, making each bite so satisfying. The portion sizes are generous, and the quality is consistent every time I visit. The casual, fast-casual style makes it easy to grab a quick and comforting meal. Overall, it's a top-notch spot for udon, and I highly recommend

You can never go wrong with Marugame! Came here on a chilly night and the hot broth was the perfect way to warm up. The noodles were chewy and not overcooked! You can't beat the price and quality of their udon, hence why there's always a line out the door! It goes by quickly though and there's always a couple seats available as people go in and out of the restaurant within 20 minutes.

Marugame udon is my favorite place for fast and fresh udon. The menu is simple and the service is fast. I absolutely love the tempura flakes and green onion that they generously sprinkle on your meal. I've tried both katsu curry and udon, and I'd definitely encourage you to stick to the udon here. The katsu is ok but definitely not their specialty. The chicken is a bit thinner than I'd like for my katsu. The udon is always fresh and flavorful - a perfect meal on a cold day. The self service tempura and fixings like ginger and chili flakes are always plentiful and clean. I also love that they make it easy to pack up your food to go. Great quality for a great price.

Fun, delicious restaurant with a cool ordering system. Really good chicken katsu and udon! I wasn't the biggest fan of the curry but the other broth I tried was awesome. I would come back

After having almost their entire menu, my favorite entree is the Nikutama Udon. I like to get a large, paired with an extra side of beef, which is easily two or three meals for me. I also like the shrimp and tamagoyaki tempura. My partner normally orders the Kitsune udon, but asked me to remind him to try the Beef Udon next time.

Best udon in sf. Must go. Came at around 3pm on a Saturday and there was no line. Got the curry dish was extra katsu chicken.

Back again for udon because Hubby didn't feel like his usual Panda Express. We've had dinner at the Marugame in Honolulu this year and the place is a messy zoo but the udon there tasted much better than the udon here. I tried the miso vegetarian udon with extra green onions, and spicy "beef" sauce. Added a fried shrimp and sweet potato and my fav Calamasi drink. Hubby always orders the tonkotsu udon. I felt my noodles were a bit too soft from cooking too long and the broth was not hot enough. Furthermore, the tray the staff handed to me was dirty with wet tempura batter bits still stuck on it. The tempura dipping sauce for the shrimp didn't have enough umami, it tasted watered down. At least the tempura tasted better than our last visit. They only had one person washing dishes in the back. Maybe it would help if they hired more students who are working there. I'm sure a lot of high school students wouldn't mind having a part time job since minimum wages have gone up. Tables still had either grease spots or bits of food on it. I saw only one person wiping tables. It's still quite popular with lines on the weekend. But not really a bargain for so-so tasting food when it's about $20 pp.

Great service great food. Highly recommended. Noodle is always freshly made to order. Tempura is fried using new oil. Umami flavor for every bite

My Hubby's belly is always happy leaving here with a belly full of broth and udon. Curry Nikutama is a hardy broth and more than filling. Beef Nikutama is a lighter broth and soul soothing. Everything is delicious and prepared upon order. The tempura calamari is light and cooked perfectly. It pairs well with any soups. We always love it here.

My partner and I were in the area for a class a couple of times (read: a 30 minute walk away), and I made him walk with me to Stonestown to get Marugame both times. It's so consistently good and reasonably priced. Don't skip this.

I love Marugame Udon and wish there were locations in the Midwest. We came on a weekday for lunch and had to circle around the parking lot a few times before were were able to snag a spot. Once inside there was a line but it moved pretty fast. You can also watch them make the udon by the door while you wait in line. It was pretty busy so some of the tables were sticky/dirty as the workers couldn't keep up with cleaning them. It is self-service so you have to fetch your own utensils, water, napkins, etc. I had a large nikutama udon (sweet beef and soft boiled egg) and shared it with my toddler and it was enough for the two of us. The udon was cooked perfectly and the broth was flavorful. We also had a potato croquette, sweet potato tempura, and shrimp tempura which were all crispy and delicious.

This place was too busy on a Saturday for lunch. We went there during lunch and Oh boy the line was long, the place was crowded, tables were too close to each other. The big hit were noodles prepping and cooking fresh in front of you. Then there are choices of different kind of soups then there are tempura like shrimp and veggies. The additional scallions was free. This place is lije cafeteria style that you lined up and irder your udon soup, or rice over meat then get your own utensils. This place is not for me because I go to a restaurant to be served, enjoy the place and meal. It is a production setting and this place is not for me.

We loved this place when we went to Hawaii, and were so happily surprised when we found out it was in sf. The udon is made fresh and you can tell. The broth is so flavorful. Very much like the one in Hawaii. They have tempura too.Highly recommend this place.

This place can get BUSY! Worth trying to beat the dinner rush - we arrived around 6:15 and had no line but then 30 mins later it was out the door. Ordered the vegan tan tan with extra sweet tofu. Big portion size, solid flavor, spice was felt and on point. Mixing up the soup and vegan meat made it hard to enjoy because the soy crumbs were so tiny and got lost in the broth but when you finish the entire bowl *wink wink* you get to enjoy it without missing a crumb.