Meiji Seimen Costa Mesa

Love this place. First time here. Super authentic legit Soba / Udon place. All hand crafted. Chicken Tempura Curry Udon / Shabu Shabu Spicy Udon / Classic Tempura Udon. All fantastic. Does justice to our 10yrs in Japan. Wish we lived closer to here. But will mos def. Shout out to Scarlett, my number one fan for reading this ;-)

We came here to try their cold soba noodle, the sauce is ice cold and savory which we like a lot. Their noodle is house made and is chewy. The chicken carriage is surprisingly good, very juicy and crispy, also came in with a lot of pieces. Tempura was okay, it doesn’t come with any sauce but you can ask the server to grab you tempura sauce.

I had been wanting to visit this place for a long time but always hesitated because of the long wait. Luckily, I was first on the waiting list and got in as soon as they opened. One of my friends, who is an expert in Japanese cuisine, insisted that the best way to judge a good udon restaurant is by trying their basic udon. After taking a bite, he paused for a few seconds and then praised it as the closest taste to authentic Japanese udon he has had outside of Japan. I ordered the Nabeyaki Udon, Shabu Shabu Udon, Chicken Karaage, and a Tempura Set to share with my friends. The tempura set, in particular, was absolutely amazing and highly recommended. The chicken karaage was also delicious. For the Nabeyaki Udon, I chose the medium spice level, which had a nice kick and was full of flavor. This place is now officially my favorite udon restaurant, and I can’t wait to come back. Highly recommended!

This is my second visit and it's just as superb as the first. I'm picky and have complaints at every restaurant I go to, but for this place I have NO NOTES. On my first visit I got the curry udon and I thought there was no way to top it. Today I tried the special- kimchi udon. I would eat that every day for the rest of my life and die happy. The broth was so flavourful and complex. The udon noodles are perfection. Every ingredient went together so well. I'll be here every chance I get. come early- there will be a wait-list

I came here on a busy Saturday afternoon based on a friend's recommendation from like a year ago and I'm glad I did. If you're coming in a group of 3 or more you should definitely put your name on the yelp wait list ahead of time. However, if you're dining solo and there is a counter spot they can take you right in. Sometimes dining alone has some benefits. Atmosphere is definitely got the vibes of a small family-run Japanese restaurant with just enough seats and some wood countertop seats. Service was fast and friendly. I ordered their kaarage chicken and beef Curry udon. Their kaarage was crispy, juicy and large chunks...if I wasn't doing yoga after this I would have had a beer. The curry udon was very flavorful and filled with tons of beef, green, white onions and some nice chewy udon noodles. If I'm back in this area later in the summer I'll try their cold udon dipping noodles. Good portions for the food, prices were okay, but not the cheapest. I'll be back for more if I'm in the area.

This place is still my favorite place to get udon but wish they put the prices on the menu. Some items were a little unclear. Best to ask the waiter. Besides that, everything else is pretty spot on. The line is not too bad.

Tip: Add yourself to the Yelp waitlist ahead of time and check in when you arrive at the restaurant. The restaurant itself is really small, so there'll most likely be a long wait during prime time. Scan QR code available to view menu. Service and food delivery time were quick. Started off with the fried chicken appetizer, and it was good. Lightly battered, yet crispy chicken served with a side of sweet chili based sauce. For entrees, we had the Shabu Shabu udon, Nabeyaki udon, and a small bowl of Sukiyaki Beef Curry. They were all quite tasty and filling. My favorite was the Nabeyaki udon, which was flavorful with a slight hint of spice. It was plentiful enough to maybe share. Overall, it was good and worth the wait.

Meiji Seimen, a famous Japanese restaurant in Costa Mesa, is a hidden gem for authentic Japanese cuisine. Nestled in an old-fashioned plaza, the restaurant's unassuming exterior belies the incredible dining experience inside. Ambiance and Seating The restaurant is small and cozy, but the limited seating can lead to long waits during rush hours like weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays. To save time, it’s highly recommended to join the Yelp waitlist before heading over. Due to the tight seating, pets and dogs are not allowed, but the amazing food more than makes up for it. What We Tried Cold Spicy Soba: This might just be the best soba in town. The dipping sauce is flavorful with raw egg and elevates the dish, making it a must-try. Pairing the soba with a side of tempura adds an extra layer of texture and taste—highly recommended! Sukiyaki Beef Curry Bowl: A fantastic combination of sukiyaki-marinated beef bulgogi and perfectly seasoned curry over rice with raw egg. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a hearty and satisfying dish. Specials and Desserts Meiji Seimen frequently offers specials, like the Creamy Lobster & Scallops Udon and Kimchi Nabe Udon, which are January 2025 highlights. Their menu also includes a selection of hand-made desserts, which are absolutely worth trying for a sweet ending to your meal. Service The staff are friendly and efficient, serving dishes quickly despite the restaurant's popularity. Tips Arrive early or use the Yelp waitlist to avoid long lines. Pair your main dish with tempura for an enhanced dining experience. Don’t skip the desserts—they’re the perfect complement to the meal! Though the seating is tight and the location modest, Meiji Seimen stands out for its incredible flavors and welcoming service. It’s a must-visit for Japanese food lovers in Costa Mesa!

Review for Meiji Seimen Meiji Seimen, a famous Japanese restaurant in Costa Mesa, is a hidden gem for authentic Japanese cuisine. Nestled in an old-fashioned plaza, the restaurant's unassuming exterior belies the incredible dining experience inside. Ambiance and Seating The restaurant is small and cozy, but the limited seating can lead to long waits during rush hours like weekday evenings, weekends, and holidays. To save time, it's highly recommended to join the Yelp waitlist before heading over. Due to the tight seating, pets and dogs are not allowed, but the amazing food more than makes up for it. What We Tried Cold Spicy Soba: This might just be the best soba in town. The dipping sauce is flavorful with raw egg and elevates the dish, making it a must-try. Pairing the soba with a side of tempura adds an extra layer of texture and taste--highly recommended! Sukiyaki Beef Curry Bowl: A fantastic combination of sukiyaki-marinated beef bulgogi and perfectly seasoned curry over rice with raw egg. The flavors blend beautifully, creating a hearty and satisfying dish. Specials and Desserts Meiji Seimen frequently offers specials, like the Creamy Lobster & Scallops Udon and Kimchi Nabe Udon, which are January 2025 highlights. Their menu also includes a selection of hand-made desserts, which are absolutely worth trying for a sweet ending to your meal. Service The staff are friendly and efficient, serving dishes quickly despite the restaurant's popularity. Tips Arrive early or use the Yelp waitlist to avoid long lines. Pair your main dish with tempura for an enhanced dining experience. Don't skip the desserts--they're the perfect complement to the meal! Though the seating is tight and the location modest, Meiji Seimen stands out for its incredible flavors and welcoming service. It's a must-visit for Japanese food lovers in Costa Mesa!

Shabu Shabu Udon (3/5): The udon noodles were nice and chewy. The mild spice is a true mild level, despite how red the chili oil makes the broth look! I knocked 2 stars off this dish because of how chewy the beef. I was expecting it to be more tender and soft. Fried Squid Legs (5/5): Super yummy appetizer! It had the perfect amount of batter and was very crispy. The restaurant is small and there's usually a wait so definitely get on their Yelp waitlist! Service is fast and friendly. There's also plenty of parking in the front lot.

Prefacing that I'm not a huge udon lover. Long wait time but if you're there with your party you can get in within 30 minutes. Small shop, good service. + Karaage ($9.50): massive, juicy pieces. Not super crispy (7.8/10) + Tempura Zaru Udon ($16.25): udon was decent, definitely more al dente than usual, handmade! Tempura was disappointing, very average (7/10)

We knew this place was popular, so we were extremely happy to be able to sit within a couple of minutes of arriving for lunch. Here's what we ordered... -Sansai udon: The udon noodles and broth were fantastic. I just wished the vegetables were seasoned a bit. -Tempura udon: Delicious -Inari sushi: Very good Service was excellent and the atmosphere of the restaurant was very casual and relaxed. We tried going back a second time a couple of days later for dinner, but didn't even park the car as we saw many people standing outside waiting to be seated. We'll go back for sure the next time we're in the area.

Cozy restaurant with limited seating but they have yelp check in. Service was great. Servers were nice and food came out quick and very hot. The fried chicken was huge and juicy. It was crispy and goes well with the tangy sauce. The udon was perfect. The Nabeyaki has a subtle sweet flavor. Got the shabu shabu beef spice level one. Came with a good amount of meat but will have to get level 2 spice next time. Solid udon place and I would come back for their seasonal and monthly items!

One of the best OC local eats. I would even say that this is a hidden gem. There is always a small wait to go in. Plenty of parking outside. Small interior, but always packed. Great music, ambiance, and staffs. The food is always amazing. The curry udon was so warm and comforting, definitely one of the best I've had. The dipping noodle is packed with flavor, and they really hooked us up with how much noodle they brought out (we did get a large, but even the server said this is a lot of noodle ) Highly recommend.

This place doesn't look like much at first - it's just a line of people waiting before the doors even open. Honestly, you might wonder if it's worth the hype. But once you're there, the energy of the crowd starts to build, and by the time you sit down, you're fully caught up in the anticipation. The food? Let's just say it's the kind of meal that makes you rethink what great cooking really means. We started with the fried squid legs - crispy, perfectly seasoned, and a great way to kick things off. Then came the Tem Zaru Soba and the Nabeyaki Udon - the soba was refreshing and light, while the udon, upgraded to a large, had the kind of rich, comforting broth you'd want on a cold day. The Amadashi, with its perfectly balanced flavors, stood out as well. And dessert? We couldn't pass up the Yuzu Sorbet and the Shiratama. The sorbet was bright, tangy, and refreshing, while the Shiratama added a soft, chewy finish to the meal. Every dish felt like it was made with care and attention, and the flavors were rich yet perfectly balanced. It's the kind of cooking that doesn't need MSG to enhance the flavor - everything just speaks for itself. Sure, there's a wait. But here's the thing: that wait somehow makes the first bite even more satisfying. It's not just about the food; it's the whole experience of being part of something special. If you think fresh, thoughtful cooking isn't exciting, this place might just change your mind.

Popped into this small restaurant for lunch on a weekday. We were able to snag the last table. There is an extensive menu with different combos or single dishes available. Our order was taken quickly and the food delivered shortly after. I appreciate the speediness here! I ordered the shabu shabu udon while my brother ordered the egg toro & mentai udon along with a curry bowl. My portion was perfect size, leaning towards the larger end. There was a generous portion of meat and the warm soup was cozy and flavorful. I really enjoyed trying the curry, just a tad sweet. I personally didn't love the grated potatoes in his udon, but he seemed to enjoy it!

There's not many udon spots that do it like Meiji Seimen! My friend and I tried this spot on a Wednesday night and we were so excited. There is limited indoor seating, so there was a little bit of a wait, but no more than 15 minutes. I got the tempura udon with the poached egg and the karaage to share. The karaage is one of the best I've had and it was really good with the squeeze of lemon. The udon was so tasty and the broth was so comforting and flavorful. The tempura was a nice added crunch to it and the poached egg was a great added protein. Overall, a delicious dinner and wonderful place to grab a bowl of udon. Parking was plentiful and the staff was very nice. They work really quickly to make sure people aren't waiting for long. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a comforting meal.

The udon here is top tier, and always love coming here on a cold day and have that udon craving. Their spice levels are also no joke, and has me in tears sometimes when I am eating it, so be careful with it. The service is pretty quick when you actually get to sit down, but the line to get in is insanely long all the time. This is also paired with how small the restaurant is, maybe only around 8 tables inside at most. You do have to wait outside, so either be smart and waitlist on Yelp, or get ready to chill in your car for a while.

Craving for a good Soba and Udon for dinner at cold evening. Meiji Seimen is the place to go. Good to have Yelp Waitlist. Join the waitlist while walking around at South Coast Plaza. By the time we arrived, we confirmed thru the app that we are onsite and soon we are inside already. Fast and quick service. It was so fast, once you finished eating or almost finished, the check is arrived on the table right away. Ambiance has not change a lot for many years. Some side items has been off the menu. Main popular menu is always there, including look after seasonal menu.

Delicious udon and soba! Small inside but they have a waitlist and an iPad to check in once you arrive. Got the: 1. spicy egg soba with grated yam: 10/10 - blew our minds how good it was - Comes with a small bottle of spicy sauce so you can control how spicy it gets 2. Curry udon with pork, medium spicy: 8/10 - pork was a little overcooked as it was the slices like you get in Shabu Shabu - Curry was decent, but was not aware that medium spicy (which wasn't even spicy by the way) constituted "spicy soup" which was an extra $1.50 3. Assorted tempura: 10/10 - tempura was perfectly minimally breaded - had 2 pieces of pumpkin, 2 pieces of juicy fresh shrimp, 2 green beans, a fried onion slice, and 2 jalapeños Parking: - shared parking lot with other businesses in the strip mall - There's another strip mall next door if this lot gets full. Pro tip: Highly recommend that once you have checked in on the iPad, don't wait inside your car. Instead, wait by the door as he takes people in by their place in line and whether they are standing in front. We ended up skipping a couple people because we were the only ones standing in front of the door even though we were second to last on the list.

First time visitors Located in small parking lot Yelp waitlist check in 5 mile radius! FYI, upon arrival you just check in on the yelp app physically outside the door indicating your whole party is there otherwise you may get skipped Sister location in Tustin Oki Doki :) Cozy small hole in the wall gem :) bar sitting for 4 small tables with multiple dividers that was reconfigure for party sizes 2 and more Indoor dining only and can order online for to go options Pleasant service. Menu is out front on a tv scrolling repeatedly and QR Codes are available everywhere udon, soba, small bites, salads, multiple desserts, monthly specials, and wide variety lunch specials Order the fired chicken that came with 6 good size dark meat with lemon and chili sauce - very fresh tasty, good crunch, juicy and tender - very Shareable or to add to your curry like we did! Katsu curry - meat was cooked well and udon quality was lovely with green onion and fried bean curd strips and onions, it would appear the curries had diff level of spice but might be additional charge Chicken tempura curry udon very similar to the fried chicken just the batter but just as juicy and tender and plump came with 3 pieces and the udon freshness and quality easily to slurp and bite and picked up the curry flavor nicely The flan!!! Amazing! Caramel custard goodness would come back just for that! Service was wonderful, efficient, friendly, kept refilling water, and checking back Very family friendly, date night, come by yourself, group outing, easy to share, and quality and experience to certainly there. Would come back to venture for the monthly specials, the flan, and try more things :)

Came in on recommendation and it was pretty good! Hole in the wall, quaint place. Seems super authentic as well and gets quite busy so join the waitlist on Yelp prior to arrival and check in on the iPad when you get there. We ordered the tempura udon, tempura appetizer, and small curry bowl. It was pretty good and the service was very fast ! Idk if I would go out of my way to get this but it was yummy to try.

It's been over 10 years since I last came here, and boy, the menu has changed. This is located in a small strip mall off of Baker Street, between Fairview Road and Mendoza Drive (Mendoza forms a T-intersection with Baker). There are several strip malls between Fairview and Mendoza, and Meiji Seimen is kind of half way between the 2 streets. They don't take reservations, but you can put your name down on Yelp's waitlist to save time, but make sure you still can arrive in a timely manner as the wait time can change. They do have a waitlist at their door, too, that you can sign in to. Parking is kind of limited, so I do suggest calculating time to find parking, too, as this restaurant is pretty popular and parking can fill up. There were already people waiting in line on a Wednesday evening at the end of August. There were 6 of us, but my BIL was able to get here early to put our name down close to 6:30pm. We waited maybe 30 minutes to get a table. Around 5 minutes before being seated, the owner(?) came out and asked us if anyone one of us wanted the August special as it was going to be sold out. We asked for one order and he kindly obliged and saved it for us. **It looks like their monthly specials are served only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and limited to 10 servings per day for dinner (as of August 2024). September's special was cream sea urchin udon, October's matsutake mushroom udon, and they will serve a Halloween special udon on 10/31. For starters, we ordered karaage ($9.50) and takoyaki ($9.50), then ordered the August special as mentioned above - the rib and intestine yaki udon ($28.00), inaka soba ($15.25), chicken tempura curry udon ($18.75), sansai udon ($15.00) + 3pc fishcake ($0.75) and 1 pc shrimp tempura ($2.50), tempura zaru ($17.25), and shabu shabu udon ($18.75). The karaage and takoyaki were the usual fare, but still piping hot and tasty, and my tempura zaru was yummy. The soba had a nice chewiness and the tempura was light and crispy. The special yaki udon was really good, too (should be at $28.00 lol). The beef was a bit chewy and hard to break down a bit, but the dish included kimchi and vegetables, which mixed well together. The chicken tempura curry udon was good, but personally not for me. The amount of sansai in the sansai udon was kind of sad...not as plentiful as in the picture. Overall, food was pretty good, and service was friendly and nice. I'm glad that this place is doing well. Definitely, would like to return and try other menu items.

This place is just so solid, 5/5 across the board for food, service, and ambiance. I will always come back here for soba and udon. Unassuming venue from the outside and location, but cute, intimate restaurant for up to a small group. There's a happy hour you can partake in as well. The food is delicious, I try something new every time but the egg tororo and mentai cold udon is my go-to. Good karaage and calamari as well. Potential drawbacks just being long wait times during busiest hours, cannot accommodate large groups, and once or twice they've run out of a particular draft beer.

If you're an udon lover, Meiji Seimen in Costa Mesa is the place you need to try! This is our family's favorite spot and the first place we think of whenever we're craving udon. What makes it so special? The quality here is incredible. The udon noodles are always fresh, perfectly cooked, and have that ideal chewy texture. But the real star of the show is the broth. I've honestly never had a broth like this anywhere else--rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying. You can tell they've perfected the recipe, and it's what keeps us coming back time and time again. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, and the staff is always so welcoming. It feels like a place where both the food and the people are genuinely cared for. If you want udon that's truly unforgettable, Meiji Seimen is it. Don't miss out on this gem!

Cozy Japanese spot with udon and soba noodle bowl options Fried squid legs-- crispy, well-seasoned with the perfect amount of chew. If I were dining alone, I could have polished off the whole order by myself. Curry Udon with karage chicken!! The chicken karage was juicy, lightly breaded and so well-done. It's best had right away before the breading gets soft from sitting in the curry. Next time, I'd probably ask for the katsu to be served on the side so I could prolong its crispiness and take bites of it throughout my meal. The curry sauce was thick and was sweetened by lots of caramelized onions. The inside is small, but service is fast. The walls are plastered with posters of their dishes so you can drool over the images while you wait for your food to arrive. They also offer a limited quantity of certain specialty dishes that change by month! For the month of August, it was a crab cream udon!! They also offer specials for lunch and depending on the day of the week which gives customers a reason to keep coming back!

Small place that is serving up some big flavors with homemade noodles. Ordered their Beef Shabu shabu

This place was perfect for a cold day. Service was great and everyone was very friendly. Shabu shabu udon: delicious! the broth was hot and flavorful and warmed up your whole body. The beef was fatty and delicious with the dipping sauce. I wish the noodles were more chewy but other than that, it was great! Katsu curry bowl: Their curry was amazing as well. The katsu was fatty and perfectly crunchy. The rice was soft and cooked just right. Tempura zaru soba: The soba was light and nice. It wasn't too heavy, but the flavors were definitely there. The tempura was fried amazing and was crunchy in every bite.

Sorry not sorry but it was whatever. Meat udon $19 Plain udon $11 Shrimp temp and tiny chicken bowl (we are now in the in n out line because my husband is starving) Tax and tip $63 holy moly!!! Def not worth it The noodles were tough and the broth was not the best, not the worse. It was nice to try but not for that price.

Tip: Add yourself to the Yelp waitlist ahead of time and check in when you arrive at the restaurant. The restaurant itself is really small, so there'll most likely be a long wait during prime time. Scan QR code available to view menu. Service and food delivery time were quick. Started off with the fried chicken appetizer, and it was good. Lightly battered, yet crispy chicken served with a side of sweet chili based sauce. For entrees, we had the Shabu Shabu udon, Nabeyaki udon, and a small bowl of Sukiyaki Beef Curry. They were all quite tasty and filling. My favorite was the Nabeyaki udon, which was flavorful with a slight hint of spice. It was plentiful enough to maybe share. Overall, it was good and worth the wait.

I was craving udon and Meiji Seimen really hit the spot. Ordered the nabeyaki and level 1 spicy shabu shabu with beef. The nabeyaki had a subtle, but sweet flavor while the shabu shabu was bold and delicious. I preferred the shabu shabu and will definitely get that again in the future. The fried chicken kaarage was also delicious! Big an juicy with a nice crunch. The sauce that it came with was also sweet but balanced. Service from the staff is super nice and the udon comes out very quickly! I also love the vibes inside, as it feels like a Japanese restaurant I went to growing up.

We went around opening and was 9th in line, but only waited around 15-20 minutes for a table. The Yelp waitlist is super convenient! I got the regular kake udon, which was super good and filling. The broth is really flavorful and salty. Loved that. You can't go wrong with kake udon really.

This place is pretty good for some udon/soba. I got the tempura Zaru and i thought it was pretty satisfying, especially with the hot weather. The udon was nice and bouncy and the sauce was nice and salty. The tempura was great as well, though I wish it came with some sort of sauce or radish to dip into. Service was great. They kept coming to fill up our water. Overall a good spot for a lunch if you're in the area. I know that this place does get busy so I would recommend getting there around opening time so you don't have to deal with the crowd.

This is one of our favorite udon restaurant ever! We ordered the Shabu Shabu Udon & the Fried Chicken Rice Bowl that were both so tasteful. They make their udon fresh everyday which is so crucial for deliciously chewy udon! Definitely recommend this place for if you're craving some comfort food. Also, make sure to place your name on the waitlist prior to coming to the restaurant because the wait can be quite long. Love this place!!

Udon is a lifestyle and Meiji Seimen is here to enable you. So in case you don't know, you should get udon here. If you don't know what, then ask yourself: do I want light or heavy? I got the chicken tempura curry udon and whew that was nice and filling. The chicken tempura was crunchy and juicy and the curry with udon was nice and heavy/soothing. Can't complain about hot udon on a cold day (or hot day, it all tastes good nonetheless). If you're feeling lighter, there's also the kake udon or this mentaiko type udon with a lighter broth. Also good without making you feel like a fat slob. Either way, you're in for a good time here if you're willing to wait as this place gets pretty busy especially on weekends.

Food: 10/10 Service: 9/10 Ambiance: 8/10 Food was really good, and the price was good as well. The people were kind and the place was really cozy and cute! Just a little small hahaha

We waited for 50 minutes. I ordered nabeyaki udon and my friend had shabu shabu udon. I have to say the food itself is soso. If you like more chewy udon, you probably won't like it. But, the service is great. Waiter and waitress are nice. Nice environment too. Feels like in Japan.

If you want a nice fresh bowl of udon be sure to check this restaurant out. They're known for their udon and it does not disappoint! It's such a simple and comforting meal, doesn't get any better than this on a cold day. The workers are super nice and go above and beyond. It's a smaller restaurant with limited seating and can often be busy, so expect a wait on the weekends. ig: @cravingswithcat

Really enjoyed Meiji!! Stopped by on a Saturday around lunch time. There was a bit of a wait - around 15-20 minutes. Plenty of parking around the restaurant. We ordered the tempura zaru (cold udon), inari, and fried chicken cartilege. Everything was absolutely delicious - the fried chicken cartilege especially. Next time, I'd probably order just the zaru (without the tempura) since it was a lot of fried things, but already thinking about coming back! Service was very quick, nice atmosphere, on the casual side and a good place to catch up with someone.

A warm hearty bowl of udon on a cold night is all I need sometimes and this is my favorite place to get it! Last night the broth was a little on the salty side and the noodles were slightly too firm, but maybe it didn't taste the same as I remember from previous times because I'm recovering from illness. I also got the fried chicken and that was nicely crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Service was quick, you'll only wait long for seating because it's always busy here, but you can join the waitlist online to minimize the amount of time you'll wait out in the cold. Interior is warm and cozy. I love it here!

The udon and soba here are absolutely delicious! I've tried both, and they're consistently great. The seasonal spicy soba was perfect for a hot summer day--the dipping sauce was flavorful, and the noodles were perfectly chewy. However, I do wish they offered more options with protein, as most of the menu is quite carb-heavy. The mackerel is a must-try if you're looking for more protein. It was perfectly charred and made for a great side to complement the soba. The tempura is also excellent--light and crispy, just as it should be. The restaurant is cozy, so the wait can be long at times. I recommend using their online waitlist to avoid a long wait. Fortunately, once you're seated, the food comes out fairly quickly, and the waiters are friendly and attentive. One thing to note is that the price can add up quickly if you like to add toppings, which I usually do. Despite that, it's worth it for the quality and flavor.

I went to Meiji Seimen for lunch recently. The inside reminds me of a small restaurant that you would find in Japan. I ordered the Shabu Shabu Udon, Cold Soba, and Chicken Karaage. The shabu shabu udon was extremely flavorful. The broth was a deep, rich, broth and the noodles were cooked perfectly. They provide you with a great amount of beef as well. I will say that next time, I probably won't make it spicy because it takes away from the broth's richness. The chicken karaage was great, and I really liked that the chicken still had some skin on, adding extra crispiness. I'm not normally a cold soba fan, but this restaurant converted me. The dipping sauce was great, and the noodles also had a great temperature and texture. The wasabi didn't have as much as a kick as I wanted but that's a personal preference. The service is great, and the waiters are super friendly. I will say that because the restaurant is a bit smaller, you can expect a longer wait during peak hours.

I got the Spicy Shabu Shabu Pork Udon and it was so flavorful. It was my first time here and we were able to check in within 5 miles of radius! Wait was not long and we got seated pretty quickly. We also got fried chicken for appetizers and it was so tender, fresh, and juicy. It is a smaller restaurant but nothing will stop me from coming back.

This is hands down my favorite spot for udon in Orange County. My friend and I started with the takoyaki, and it did not disappoint. The outside was crispy, the inside was perfectly gooey, and it came out fresh and hot--exactly how takoyaki should be. For my main dish, I went with the nabeyaki udon in the spicy soup. I'd highly recommend going for the spiciest level (level 3) if you like a kick--it's the perfect balance of heat and flavor. My friend ordered the shabu shabu udon, which was packed with meat, making it super satisfying. We finished with the yuzu sorbet for dessert, and it was the perfect refreshing end to the meal. I can't wait to come back and try the karaage chicken and soba noodles. The service was friendly and the atmosphere made it an enjoyable experience from start to finish!

One of the best udon I ever had, definitely hand made noodle. Restaurant is small but probably not friendly for big family or those with small kids. Would love to come again to try more dishes.

Been coming here for a while now since 2019. Took my gf here to try for the first time. Even though she's not a big fan of udon, she really likes noodles here. The simplicity and complexity the soup contains is so addicting. Pretty sure there's MSG, but the "dashi" speaks for itself in the broth. We first started off with the chicken karaage, which tasted amazing. It was crispy and thick. The sauce it came with was savory. Good combo. I ordered the beef udon and my gf ordered the curry tofu udon. Both were delicious. Never had the curry udon before but the spices created a nice umami effect. As for the service, it was good and quick. It was busy that day we came so we got seated in pretty fast. It's cool they have these wooden dividers to give the tables some privacy despite the small space in the store. Btw, don't forget to come in during happy hour. Alcohol and the chicken karaage dish is on sale for cheap. Something I wouldn't miss out if I was to come. People come check out authentic udon!

Came here on a Saturday night, the wait was about an hour at 8:45 PM for a group of 8. Note that you do have to call for groups with more than 6 people. The restaurant was very accomodating which was much appreciated! It's a very small restaurant so I can see how valuable it is to ensure people arrive on time or else they'll lose their spot. Parking was plentiful and you can join the waitlist via Yelp! The udon was firm, chewy, and delicious! The broths were rich, hearty, and hot. Excited to come again and try the other items on their menu. Katsu Curry Udon - 8.5/10 Tempura Udon - 7.5/10; soup base wasn't mindblowing but the tempura was good Chicken Karaage - 7.5/10

My favorite udon stop in this general area. Feels very homey and authentic - that said, limited seating so get there before prime eating hours and/or sign up for the Yelp waitlist ahead of time. The karaaage chicken is a great appetizer - thin crispy outer layer, fresh and tender chicken. My friends enjoyed the shabu shabu and chicken curry udons. I was feeling something lighter so I got the Nabeyaki which had delicious broth, shrimp tempura and veggies. Comes out scorching hot so be careful! It is an additional charge to add spice, and approximate price per bowl is ~$20 overestimating. You can add whatever toppings you want for additional cost. Overall a great experience and very friendly, quick service. I would say the portions are quite large - most of my friends shared and I had half to-go for a whole other meal. They have a few happy hour deals as well so come check it out!

1. The udons were warm and comforting! The Nabeyaki Udon had a lot of vegetables as well as a hearty broth! The Braised Pork Belly came with a side of wasabi! 2. The spot has fun casual vibes with a small interior! 3. There are tables and counters seatings inside! 4. The staff were friendly and quick with our orders! 5. Parking was easy at opening! Note: There is a single customer restroom available! Photo: Kake Udon, Braised Pork Belly, and Nabeyaki Udon

Decided to stop here for a quick lunch because we were in the area. Located on a strip mall, parking was plentiful. Got on the waitlist via Yelp and checked in once we got there. The wait itself wasn't bad at all despite very limited seating in the restaurant. We ordered the Shabu Shabu udon and the fried chicken to share. Chicken was very juicy, crispy, and had a great flavor to it. The dipping sauce for it was a mix of soy, sweet and sour, and sesame. It was okay, I preferred dipping my chicken into the udon broth over the dip. The Shabu Shabu udon was pretty solid. The broth was the star of the show because it was super flavorful with the perfect level of spice (level 1). The beef was good. The udon noodles itself were thicker than what I'm used to, but had a nice chew to them. Overall, the food was good and the staff are friendly. Some of the tables are really close together and you end up hearing other people's conversations. Maybe something can be done an out this. Probably would come back but wouldn't go out of my way to do so.

Karage - a very nice and light batter. Chicken was still juicy and tender. The sauce it came with was very interesting. It was as if kikkoman came out with a sweet and sour sauce, it had like a soy sauce base but I was a fan Nabeyaki - this was very yummy. The noodles themselves were cooked pretty well. The soup was nice and light and there were a lot of toppings The service was pretty good and the food came out pretty fast

Small Restaurant, with most tables seating 2-4 people, and 30 seats in total, don't recommend for large groups. Best know for their udon noodle soup - we shared 3 items in total Sansai Udon (Mountain Vegetables) - loved the earthy umami of this dish, just what I was craving. Shabu Shabu Udon - thinly sliced beef (or pork, your choice!) safe option for first timers Fried Squid Legs - easy to share appetizer, came out crispy and piping hot.

It's criminal that I haven't written a review for Meiji, I'm literally a regular haha. My go-to order: Beef Shabu Shabu Udon lvl 2/3 Spice (depending on my mood) with an ajitama. Truly a life-changing bowl of noodles, its so rich and hearty, the bowl is always hot, spice is perfect, there's so much body and complexity in the broth. All of their appetizers are delicious but here are my go-to's: fried chicken cartilage, fried squid leg, or grilled beef tongue. Their consistency and service is amazing, love the ambiance, very intimate, it's a super small restaurant and it gets busy FAST, especially on tues/wed when they have their limited monthly specials. I think that's my favorite part about Meiji, the fact they have monthly dinner specials so I'm not always getting the same order is fun and exciting, and they're ALWAYS delicious! You'd need to get on the waitlist before it opens if you want a chance at getting it because there's always a line :( I never leave disappointed, and I'm a huge fan. If Meiji has a million fans, I'm one of them. If it has 0 fans, I must've died. 100% ride or die Meiji stan.

BEST UDON IN ORANGE COUNTY The shabu shabu + chicken karage is what I usually order and it's so delicious. Great service and great atmosphere. Be sure to get in line via yelp waitlist since there's usually a bit of a wait. Highly highly recommend

Just like any other udon place. Not sure why the wait is always so line but to be honest there was nothing special about this place in my opinion. I ordered the shrimp tempura udon and I personally think marugame udon is better. The udon noodles were mediocre. Overall, just another average udon place. The restaurant is really small inside. Definitely not worth an hour long wait.

This is a fantastic establishment for handmade udon. I ordered both the cold udon (grated yamaimo, mentaiko, and egg) and the hot shabu shabu udon with beef. The texture is highlighted with the cold udon especially; firm yet chewy. The hot udon will lose some of that chewiness but it is still enjoyable and has a nice bite to it despite the introduction of heat. The soups and sauces aren't overly salty which is important when consuming a large amount of udon as your palate will be overpowered and fatigued. Our waitress was excellent and offered superb service despite the restaurant being so busy and congested. Because this establishment is so popular and relatively small, get there early and expect to wait.

Came here on a Saturday night and we were we surprised by what this restaurant has to offer. The restaurant vibe feels like I was back in Tokyo. We ordered fried squid, Curry Udon, and Duck Zaru. We enjoyed every bit of the food here. The squid was crispy, the Curry Udon was dense, yet savory, and the Duck Zaru was light, yet umami. As for service, employees were quick and efficient taking orders.