Udon Maruka

Small & simple udon restaurant... but that doesn't stop a continuous line from forming, despite being a quick in & out place. They really only serve 4 styles - in broth or dip broth, either hot or cold. No english on menu, but its just one of those with a side tempura dish. Our chicken is full of white meat deliciousness. The base noodles are very reasonably cost, so your entire meal is usually not much more. So cheap!! Toppings include scallion, sesame seeds, hot spice & all the tempura flakes you can want. Seating is small but fast turnover.

A famous udon place in Tokyo. They are the top few ranking udon restaurant in tabelog. Basically is a must try place in terms of udon. We arrived at the shop around lunch time. And already have 20-30 people lined up waiting to be seated. So we waited for about 15mins to get in the shop, while waiting the staff would take your order and speed up the process. We ordered 2 cold udon one is a dipping udon. Just dip the udon into the sauce and simply mix up with some scallions. Which gives a refreshing flavour The other one is udon with cold soup. It is great too, the soup is refreshing, clear and you won’t see any oil on the soup which is very good. The udon texture is wonderful, chewy cooked just on point Overall is a really great place for udon. A recommended place to try in Tokyo！

I loved the udon here. It was the perfect consistency and texture, so so so bouncy and chewy. The flavors in my bowl were so perfect too - I got the soy sauce udon with a raw egg and green chilli peppers. It wasn’t too spicy and the egg was so creamy. The soy sauce was also slightly savory but very well balanced. I added a cheese chikuwa tempura which tasted really good too. Cash only though !!

One of the best udon’s I’ve ever had in my life. Came after finding it on Google maps, the reviews were not lying. Expect to wait, but not too long as the line moves fast. They take your order while you’re waiting and they serve it to you once you’re in the restaurant. The food is incredibly delicious. The service is amazing and all at an incredible price would definitely recommend.

I had the best udon ever at this restaurant! There are a lot of people eating there so you might queue, but everyone eats quite quickly so you don't wait that much! So it's not really a place you can linger but the food is really worth it. I wanted to go a second time but unfortunately it was closed, too bad! Would still recommend and I'll try to go again once I'm back in Tokyo to try their tempuras!

Waited a little bit to get into this Udon restaurant in Tokyo, Japan. However, the wait was well worth it as the Udon and Tempura was delicious. Prices were good as well.

とてもおいしいです！From Canada! The best udon I've ever had in my life. Waited about 30 minutes in line and ordered a niku udon with all sorts of tempura on the side for around 1600 yen. Words don't do this bowl of udon justice. It was generously topped with bonito flakes, tons of meat, and a very flavorful broth. The tempura is another story of its own... some of the best I've ever had in my entire life! Although a bit pricey, they are huge pieces of tempura and packed with flavor. I've never had such a juicy shrimp tempura until now. The staff are also kind and accomodating. There is an English menu and they even let us stay after closing mid-day. I HIGHLY recommend visiting Udon Maruka. I will be coming back every time I'm in Tokyo.

Delicious and affordable udon. The special pepper with eggs is interesting and not easily found elsewhere.

Udon was one of the things I was excited to have during this Japan trip, especially such a highly (#1 on tabelog) rated one. We had arrived at Maruka around 10:20a on a Thursday morning in Mid Nov 2025. There was a group of 4 ahead of us, that's it. By the time we entered, it was down the street a bit. By the time we finished and left, it was even longer. They are fairly efficient with seating and had taken orders for the 1st seating prior to opening. Since we were one of the first few parties to get seated, i was able to witness a "tradition" they do prior to serving. They serve the 1st portion? to a little shrine at the top of the shelves, just above the entrance to the kitchen, which was nice to see. Food came out fast as they had "prepared" earlier, serving the 1st party, then us. I had ordered the MARU-TEN UDON includes udon in broth (hot or cold) topped with a (HUGE homemade) japanese fish cake for ¥760 (seemingly a popular choice as the party ahead of us almost all ordered this item). For an extra ¥80, it upgraded the porton to a "large" (says medium in kanji). The CHIKUWA TEMPURA (Tube-shaped fish cake) was ¥250 and VEGETABLE TEMPURA was ¥450. With the udon, I had ALSO added a raw Jidori egg for ¥80. On such a cold morning, this HIT the spot for being simple, yet warm. Udon were nice and chewy. HUGE/THICK homemade fish cake covering half my bowl. The CHIKUWA tempura was unique. WAY lighter than the homemade japanese fish cake that came with my udon. You can see layers the "tube" after you bite into it. VEGETABLE tempura may change on availability/season. I had eggplant, sweet potato, and i think either a green bean or asparagus. forgot..... My friend had got the CHICKEN tempura which was also good. Dark and white meat pieces. CASH only. NO PICTURES of kitchen (many signs posted). Definitely a local place, out of the way of the usual touristy areas, which is great. Come and eat. Leave quick. Good and simple. Nothing to complain about. CHEAP ! 3 bowls of udon, 3 different tempuras, and some upgrades... ¥3640 (~$23 USD). Barely get 1-2 bowls of just udon in the US at that price. Gotta love it !

When you're in Japan, you have to get some good and comforting udon! We decided to give Udon Maruka a try as they are rated #1 for udon on tabelog in Tokyo. We went to Maruka on Thursday and got there early -- around 10:15/10:30AM and there was one party of four ahead of us. They did give us menus ahead of time so we can figure out what we wanted to eat. All of the udon choices have English translations but the add on/toppings did not so you'll have to utilize your phone for some google translate. Someone also came out to take our order ahead of time before they opened their doors, which makes it extremely efficient. I decided to go for their kitsune udon, which is udon in hot broth topped with fried bean curd. I also decided to add a jiro egg to it, which comes raw. I didn't order any tempura items but my husband and friend did so I got to try theirs. I loved my udon -- it was warm and comforting. Flavors were clean and the fried bean curd was ginormous! It was so big that the egg came on the side for me to put in since there was no space for them to put it in. The udon was cooked perfectly with the best chew to them. The regular was a good portion size for me -- if you want more udon, you can order yours with a large portion or an extra large portion. There is also an option for a second helping as well. I got to try my husband's chicken tempura and that was delicious! They gave two pieces: white meat and dark meat. Both were tender and juicy! I got to try my friend's chikuwa tempura, which is a tube shaped fish cake, and that was super good as well! Definitely recommend. It's #1 on tabelog for a reason -- it is a pure local's spot. By the time we left, the line was down the street and spilled into the street after. So if you come, come early but I do assume the wait won't be long. Everyone eats quick and leaves quick.

Queued up for Udon Maruka around 10:40 AM on a Friday, and the line was already about a block and a half down the street, basically two full seatings' worth of people (around 50). Luckily, the turnover is impressively quick, so the wait moves faster than you'd think. Once you're about ten people from the front, a staff member hands you a menu (Japanese and English!) so you can order ahead. By the time you sit down, your food is only minutes away. Inside, it's all about efficiency and good vibes: two big communal tables that seat about a dozen each, with self-serve water pitchers and seasonings in the center. I went for the standard Kitsune Udon, topped with a giant, delicious, deep-fried bean curd. I also ordered the Chikuwa Tempura, Shrimp Tempura, and Vegetable Tempura, one piece, one piece, and three pieces respectively, and everything was fried just right. Portions are generous, the noodles are flawlessly chewy yet soft, and the broth hits that sweet spot of savory without being heavy. Come hungry, bring cash, and be ready for one of the best bowls of udon you'll find in Tokyo!

Good to know: - They do accommodate people as quickly as possible. There is a quick turnover. Despite that, do expect to wait outside- it's quite popular (probably because there is a university nearby). - They don't have an English menu, so expect to rely on google translate or other apps to read the Japanese menu. - It's a CASH only establishment. As you wait in line outside, the staff hands you a menu and takes your order outside, so that when you enter, your food will be shortly served. The staff are very efficient at their jobs - taking orders, prepping food and clearing the area for the next customers. As you enter, you are escorted to your seat. There are several long communal table with several seats on both sides. So you are sitting side by side even if you come in a group. There is a water jug that you and others can pour from. The utensils, napkins and condiments are all self-serve. And your ordered dish is served to you at your seat. I personally ordered the Niku Udon. I was quite hungry, so I knew I needed more protein/toppings. This udon came with loaded with sweet beef on top. The udon noodles are very soft/chewy. The broth was nice/warm. The bowl was decently sized - so it definitely satisfied my appetite. Most people do order a tempura or two on the side. I personally didn't feel the need. But I'm sure it would be great.

I got in line at around 10:30ish on a Friday and there were only two people in front of me! But within the next 15 minutes, there were at least 20 parties behind me. While waiting in line, you can take the time to figure out what you want to eat - but unfortunately the menu is only in Japanese. I ordered a kamatama udon with calpis butter and my husband ordered a kamaage udon with a few tempura to try. When we were seated, I was surprised that it's actually quite spacious inside with plenty of seating! In terms of the food, the udon noodle texture was amazing! I think the inital bites of my bowl were full of flavor but then it got a bit too much for me over time. The tempura shrimp was so good and the size of the tempura in general was really generous. If I come back, I would definitely try their classic beef udon!

Really delicious udon noodle place! Be sure to line up half an hour before they open for dinner at 5pm to secure you spot. The beef udon is popular, and you must get tempura on the side. Choose from shrimp or veggies. The noodles are perfectly qq and the broth is quite light. So good!

Great spot, I see why it's so popular. Definitely felt like a local spot for university students. There's no English menu, and it's a very long wait to get in. But really cool experience, and great udon.

Delicious! What more can I say. Everything from the fresh made udon to the sides that you pay 100-300¥ extra for was great. So glad we came here

Hands down, some of the best udon noodles (possibly the best) I have ever had. I did cold with dipping + fish cake. I would happily just eat those noodles alone again, they were that good. I watched them make the noodles by hand and they put so much care into presentation. We went twice during our two week vacation and hope to happily return someday.

I still dream of these pillowy noodles in a perfect savory broth, coupled by the largest and juiciest shrimp tempura I've ever had. I visited this place while not feeling my best, and the queue went so fast that we sat down within ten minutes! They started taking orders outside so once we sat down within 1 minute we had a steaming hot bowl of udon. I admittedly did not get a good grasp on the menu, but tried my best since the menu was in japanese and mentioned we wanted some tempura with ours to dip. The lady suggested one, which we accepted, and out came a steaming broth with udon inside, a raw egg, and green onions. We were told to wait to set the egg a little before mixing, and the udon had the perfect chew and pillowy goodness. The broth was very savory with sharp bites of scallion to cut through some of the fattiness of the egg, and I added some pepper in my bowl to gain a little bit of spice (spice being a variable word since I don't think there was a ton of spice...but still the floral and spicy kick of a red chili never hurts!). The best part though, was the shrimp. NEVER oily, and perfectly crispy and light at the same time, the shrimp was amazingly cooked and I found myself wishing I ordered another one. My boyfriend and I got two bowls, and it came out to less than $10! My standard for hot bowls of noodles for a cheap price definitely stepped up thanks to this place. A couple of notes - definitely bring cash! This place will set you back around 1000-2000 yen, which is not bad at all. I'd also recommend knowing what you'll get in advance, so take a look at a couple pictures on yelp to be able to point if you're not fluent in Japanese.

Udon Maruka was by far my favorite restaurant of the ones I visited during my short time in Japan (sorry, Afuri!). Not only was the food delicious, but it was fast + cheap. And there aren't many places I would recommend that fall under the "fast + cheap" category apart from In N' Out. But this is Japan and people here master just about anything they work on, so food from Japan deserves a category of its own. //pro-tip// Knowing the popularity of this place, my friends and I visited during non-peak hours, which I highly recommend because there was a line forming out the door when we arrived past the lunch hour. Supposedly, people wait about 45min rain or shine. To me, our wait felt shorter (maybe 30min?) because we spent some time in line deciding what to order. //food// Like many people have said in past reviews, there is no English menu. So we used a combination of the Google translate app and the recommendations of a nice Japanese lady who briefly explained the menu to us. The language barrier sadly kept me from fully comprehending what I ordered. I just ordered the meat option, which had thin slices of beef over Sanuki udon in a dashi broth with iriko (dried, fermented fish) sprinkled over it. The Sanuki udon is a chunky white wheat noodle with a chewy consistency. *ALWAYS* order the udon with a side of tempura. I ordered mine with ebi (prawn) tempura. I loved it! Judging by their quiet focus on the food, I can tell my friends enjoyed it as well. //two thumbs up// As for the overall dining experience, I would say seating was interesting. There were 5 of us and we were split between 2 tables (3 + 2). 3 of us were seated at a table accommodating 4 people and our 2 friends were seated at the table next to us accommodating 2 people. Unfortunately, no pictures were allowed in the restaurant. But aside from the fast service, this contributed to the quick seat turnover. We were in and out in ~30min, partly because we placed our order while we were waiting in line. Efficiency at its finest. At $10, this meal was worth the wait. When I come back, I'll be sure to drag some friends to visit it again with me!

The best udon restaurant, hands down. Broth in Niku Udon was very flavorful, order the large bowl and you will be in heaven. Shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura was fried perfectly. Would have ordered a second bowl if curry udon was available! Next visit...

When I told my friend that the best ramen I've had in Tokyo is Hanamaru, she immediately told me to try out this udon place. There was a small line out the door when I arrived, but the line moves very quickly. The server will ask you what you want to order while you're in line and there's no English menu. I ordered the niku udon(肉うどん) The udon is firm and the texture is amazing. The udon came topped with bonito flakes, spring onions, and an excellent portion of pork. The broth was light and complimented the noodles perfectly. I also ordered a side of karaage which I dunked into the broth. It's a mixed bag of whether you're going to get white meat or dark meat karaage as I got one of each. Other tempura options are also available as I saw the person next to me get octopus tempura. I wish it didn't take me so long to find this place because I used to go to school right around the corner.

Smallish & simple udon restaurant... but that doesn't stop a continuous line from forming, despite being a quick in & out place. They really only serve 4 styles - in broth or dip broth, either hot or cold. No english on menu, but its just one of those with a side tempura dish. Our chicken is full of white meat deliciousness. The base noodles are under 500yen, so your entire meal is usually not much more. So cheap-ah!! Toppings include scallion, sesame seeds, hot spice & all the tempura flakes you can want. Seating is small but fast turnover.

3.7 stars. Got there around 5:35 right after they opened and there was only one person ahead of me. They were out of kitsune udon already somehow?? so I decided to get cold udon without toppings. The broth had a pronounced fishy smell and tasty-not in a bad way despite how that sounds. Surprising amount of green onion. Couldn't have asked for better noodles-great firm chewiness and good width, not too hard or soft. Very long. I don't think this was that much better than marukame or most chains. If this is the best udon in Tokyo (according to Tabelog), it's great for the price, but maybe udon is just not the kind of food that can blow me away. Definitely tasty if you don't have to wait. The line was crazy by 6:50 or so when I left.

A very popular "Kagawa" style Udon restaurant. I had a business meeting in Kanda, so I thought to check out this super famous Udon shop near Jinbocho station. Now, Udon fans in Tokyo are not as crazy as Ramen fans, so there isn't too many places with a long line. Maruka is special. There is always a line out the door. TIP 1: Expect a line and don't fear it. The line moves quickly. TIP 2: While in the line, choose what you want to eat. The store attendant will come around taking the orders. (This is partly why the line moves quickly) TIP 3: Go with Kitsune Udon. I have never seen fried bean curd (atsu-age) so big. It pretty much covered the entire bowl. TIP 4: Eat & go. Don't chitchat and stick around. There are people in the line waiting for a seat. Kagawa Prefecture in Shikoku Island is very famous for udon noodles. This Shikoku Island Style Udon is sometimes called Sanuki Udon. Characteristic is that the noodle is dense and chewy. Sort of like al dente of udon. It does not meat that more stiff the better. Kagawa people (and many Tokyo people) love their udon this way, but people in Kyoto or Fukuoka tend to like their noodles softer. It is really just a matter of preference. The chef here received training in Takamatsu, Kagawa, before opening this restaurant in Tokyo. While I though that the noodle here was good, I cannot say it was SO much better than the chain Udon joints. Places like "Hanamaru" or "Marugame" also makes al dente style Udon and is very good. One thing that Maruka has over these chain shops is that their tempura came to me fresh and crisp. At those chain places, tempura is pre-cooked and often is stale.

One of the biggest highlights of my Japan trip. Excellent udon. Lots of menu options. Highly suggest adding karaage chicken on the side - they make it with a light panko breading that is cooked perfectly. Quick, efficient service ... if there is a line/queue don't let it discourage you, it will probably move quickly and the food is well worth it. Although the menu is in Japanese, there is a sign next to the door with several options in English.

Well worth the quick wait in the fast moving line (where towards the end they bring you a menu (all in Japanese though there is a partial English-Japanese menu next to the door, and take your order). I shared the kamatama hot udon with an egg quickly scrambled in, green onion, and yam, with soy sauce on the side to be added to taste; the bukkake cold udon with shaved bonito flakes, green onion, grated daikon, and little micro green sprouts; and a shrimp tempura on the side. The total for all this was $15 USD (1500 Yen). The tempura was quite large and not oily though the batter was a tad thick. The two udons were fantastic: al dente, as is the kagawa style, subtly balanced flavor wise and nicely paired with fresh, simple ingredients, and slurp-worthy. I had wanted to try the kitsune large tofu udon but it wasn't available today. At the table you can add vinegar, freshly ground toasted sesame seeds, tempura flakes, and chili powder seasoning. There's also water jugs you can use to refill your water glass, and Kleenex on a little bench underneath the table. This place is popular for good reason.

Maybe we got lucky, but out of the two weeks, we never had to wait in line for food anywhere...except for the sushi place and this udon place. I tried to come before their open time but was late by 15 minutes and in line we were! BUT THE LINE MOVED FAST so didn't need to wait toooo long. People literally eat & go for this place. Slurp slurp slurp and outta there! As we were waiting in line, the waitress gave us menu...to pick our dish first. BUT THERE IS NO ENGLISH MENU. So we used google translation to figure out what we want. Or I guess you can go on Yelp & choose a picture. I went with NIKU udon for $6ish. That's beef udon btw. Boyyyy were they generous with the meat!! I'd suggest someone else order a plain udon & get half of this beef. It was toooo much for me! I can see why people loveeeee this place. The broth is AMAZING. Udon was delicious too! You can also order tempura on the side. Their tempuras are the best! It's made when you order so it came out hot & crunchy. The shrimp was soooo good & decent size. We didn't like the veggie tempura too much. It was some weird veggies.

Highest rated udon in Tokyo and and fifth nationally (three of which are in Kagawa). Still not an udon expert, but thought it was very good though a bit saltier than it needed to be. Triple tempura because I did not have lunch. All were good, but the chicken in particular was delicious because it was marinated in black pepper before frying, which made it taste like karaage (a good thing).

Probably the best Kagawa-style Udon you will find in Tokyo. This place is good for a quick lunch so I would not recommend coming here for a long leisurely lunch and chat. The restaurant turnover is incredibly quick, so even if there is a long line, the wait is never too bad. Personal favorites of mine here include: "Kamayamatama" Which is soupless udon noodles topped with beaten egg, grated Japanese Nagaimo (a mountain yam that becomes thick and viscous when grated), scallions and a dash of wasabi. This is my usual order. "Bukkake Udon" (Summer only) A chilled soupless udon noodle dish topped with grated daikon, vegetables and scallions. Cooling and slightly spicy, it is perfect for hot days. "Niku Kare Kama" Curry udon with a nice curry sauce topped with their signature stewed beef. Their curry is fragrant and wonderfully smooth. Served with chili powder and optional pickled shallots, this is good for cold winter days. For sides (Extra cost) I usually order the vegetable tempura (vegetables vary depending on season) as well as the sudachi (a tart japanese citrus fruit) The noodles here have a fantastic texture - they are bouncy and chewy which makes slurping them up extra fun. Definitely a good lunch spot!

If you're looking for somewhere where you leave thinking that was good but don't feel a big urge to go back, this place fits the bill. It's definitely delicious, so hopefully there won't be the usual long line when you go. 『美味しかったな！でも、また行かないといけない気持ちがあまりない』って言いたくなったら、ここはいいです。絶対美味しいですので、人が少なかったらいいね。

Loved this place! Not only was the food delicious but it was also such a great experience. My boyfriend and I got the Niku udon - it had sliced fatty beef, bonito flakes, green onion, fresh udon noodles and a flavorful broth. You have the option of adding tempura bits, sesame seeds, furikake spicy seasoning and vinegar. I recommend adding them, they're very good. We got a side of shrimp tempura too. Wow it was fresh and huge! Overall a place that I know we will crave when we leave Tokyo. I definitely recommend.

Soup so delicious! Noodles perfect! Niku udon add shrimp tempura amazing! Love this place!

Arrived at 11:30 AM on a Tuesday in the summer, waited in line behind about 30 minutes behind about 30 people, and had some fantastic noodles. The line moves fast because the diners mean business. Everybody is slurping away, not distracted by conversations. Great place to get your own slurp on. I had the kamatama (hot udon with egg, scallions, scallions, and wasabi), which was delicious. Worth the wait.

Okay, you want a perfect Udon with the Tempura. This is the place. You may have to stand in line. But, it is worth the wait. Udon is a fast food. So, be ready to eat and leave. The noodle is mochi mochi. The broth is great.

Cute little local place! There is no English menu and very little time to look at a menu, so I just ordered the first udon my phone translated and it tasted great! Cozy atmosphere, good food, great prices.

Delicious! What more can I say. Everything from the fresh made udon to the sides that you pay 100-300¥ extra for was great. So glad we came here.

Killer UDON. I ordered the egg on egg UDON. Masago UDON with Egg broth and it tasted like no other UDON I've had before. The NudLs were perfect. Slurp slurp. The stock was creamy thick from the egg and flavor was slight sweet and savory. I loved this place. The bowls are huge. It's a lot to finish. Sharing is caring, so I recommend you split a few items rather then everyone getting their own.

Don't let the line scare you away, it moves fast and the wait is definitely worth it. The udon here is great for both winter and summer as they have both warm and cold udon. I ordered the udon with beef with is about 680 ¥

The best udon place! The noodle, soup, variety everything is great. The line is long and we have to wait but it deserves. I usually order Niku udon. Beef on top of udon. Also I add tempura. You should try all.

It doesn't have enough space for everyone most of the time so you have to be quick to finish the dish. I had KakeUdon and the taste was awesome:-) It is worth a visit. お客さんの回りがとても早いお店です。評判のお店だけあってうどんもこしがあって美味しく、満足です。

Joined the queue 5 mins before they even opened; only waited for 20 mins. Seated right by the kitchen under the guy rolling out the dough and cutting the udon...noodles were perfectly chewy, broth on point, tempura was bitchin. The waitress was very kind and helped us order in English.

November 2017 Twice Read about this udon restaurant and decided to go on a weekday evening. Waited in line, where they hand you a menu beforehand, for them to open the restaurant for the night shift. When I asked what was recommended, I was told the kake udon with their various tempuras. (2nd Visit:)Weekday dinner time, no line. -Kake udon: Udon and broth flavor was solid. -Shrimp tempura: One of the best shrimp tempuras I've had, paired wonderfully with the udon. (2nd Visit) -Niku udon: Their udon broth with bonito flakes and sukiyaki type thin sliced meats. Enjoyed this more than the kake udon. -Shrimp tempura: Not as hot and crispy as last time, but delicious nonetheless. -Chikuwa: After I learned that this was a specilaty here, wanted to give it a try. Didn't disappoint. Delicious! Really well flavored. Although I feel it wasn't exactly fresh out of the fryer (shrimp included.) They might've mistimed the udon and tempura. Overall, I wasn't too impressed. (2nd Visit:) Enjoyed the niku udon more than the kake udon. The tempuras weren't consistent in quality, but still scrumptious. Try the kake udon if you want to taste the foundation of the broth. Would I go back? I'd like to understand the hype of this restaurant. Next time I'll get the chikuwa and niku udon. (2nd Visit:) If I'm around the area, sure. Won't make a trip specifically for this place, Do I recommend this place? Hard to say. The udon noodle here is awesome, but I've had better flavored broth elsewhere. Give it a try if you're near the area.

Best udon I've ever had in my life. The line moves very quickly so don't feel too sad if you see that the line is 20 people deep. I had the shrimp tempura udon and got to sample my boyfriend's vegetable tempura and both were amazing. The broth is flavorful, the noodles had the perfect consistency, and the tempura was fried perfectly. You must come here for udon if you are in Tokyo! Highly recommend.