faustine margo
Google
after previous positive experience from the main branch in Osaka, i missed eating the udon, and would like to try the Ginza branch.
the interior setting is different, the Osaka branch is more traditional restaurant and the Ginza branch is more like a pub or bar. nice view from a high floor with dim lit, fine dining style setting, perfect for a night out with families or friends.
one similarity was, the forever long queue, on most lunch, afternoon or dinner time. i WAS LUCKY at the time, the big crowd was nowhere to be seen, so i quickly race to the counter table with a few group from the same elevator to register my name. Alas, the staff was nice enough and gave me a table to sit.
why the 1 star??? unfortunately, i came for the food, and i found the food was completely the opposite, feels like i taste the imitation or the downgraded version of the Osaka branch. could it be just me? not sure if they run differently by different management, way of cooking style or ingredients selection. the udon noodle comparatively, was similar, but the tempura was more oily and the base soup, taste like an instant low grade dashi with lots of MSG instead of real seafood broth. bottom line, for a japanese standard, the udon noodle is ordinary, where you can find in other hundreds udon stalls everywhere, minus the fancy big bowl and fine dining setting. also if you are not a big eater, the double or triple size, would not matter as you can only eat so much and the number of prawn tempura is still the same.
with the way the staff tried to rush me by collecting the bowl and utensils too soon (my waiting time for the udon is longer than my time eating it) made me feels like i am just numbers to them, yet who can blame them? almost 9pm, people are still queueing up. and read how they reply the critics, a similar template sentences, one for all. *sigh* 🥲😓😪😮💨
- do not expect any improvements anytime soon-
overall, if you come to have a budget day or night out with families or friends and food quality is secondary, patience for long hours waiting is your master skill, you would love to be here. but for me, this is not the place i would want to visit again and again.
NOT RECOMMENDED