Although I am DEVASTATED that the fish cake tempura is no longer available, Marugame Udon remains a solid choice for a casual comfort meal. I used to come here a lot during my college days, and the line would be out the door. However, on this Monday night, I was able to waltz right in. In addition to udon, they also have other options such as tendon and curry, but I’ve only ever gotten the nikutama udon. A regular size is enough for me because I always go overboard with the tempura.
After you order your bowl of udon (or whatever you got), the tempura are laid out for you to grab. Be careful, although each piece is only around $2, they stack up quick if you have hungry eyes (like me). My favorite piece used to be the fish cake tempura, but it’s no longer there. I live down in OC, so I would usually go to the South Coast Plaza location, which also didn’t have it. I thought that the Sawtelle location might still have it, but the girl at the front said they discontinued it over the summer (so sad!) please please please bring it back. But aside from that, the imitation crab tempura was very good and similar. The taste is the same as the fish cake, but the texture is different. Stringier instead of condensed and solid.
My bowl with 4 pieces of tempura cost around $25. It’ll be cheaper, obviously, if you don’t take as much tempura. But in my opinion, the tempura is the best part. There’s so many fun ways to eat it. On its own, it’s slightly crisp. Dipping it in tempura sauce makes it a little sweet. And letting it soak in your udon broth gives you a satisfying, soggy, soup filled bite. The udon itself is decent.
If you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit, and even if you have, Marugame is a solid choice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Melissa Quinto
Walked by and remembered our experience in Honolulu. Grabbed a quick bite to try something new. Overall, still good but we’ll stick to our favourites.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Brad Pearson
My wife and I tried the katsu curry udon and it blew our minds. Such unique flavors brought together in such a perfect dish. It was perfection all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Ipek Kahraman
While the food here was good, the service was shockingly rude and completely ruined the experience. Another customer cut in front of me in line, and instead of addressing it, the employee working (tall, wearing a red bandana) claimed he never saw me and proceeded to call me a derogatory name. There was absolutely no apology or accountability for this disrespect. It’s a shame that such poor treatment tainted what could have been a decent meal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
K. M.
Still think about their udon often. Very good, very reasonably priced.
michael jung
Food was bussin
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Sky Thai
Convenient and fast cafeteria-style Japanese udon spot! This food chain is worth checking out if you’ve never been. Their broths and udon noodles are made well and they have a good amount of fried add-ons that you can choose yourself. Seating is first come, first served so if it’s busy it can be a hard to find a table. Service is standard for a place like this.
Nice udon, nothing special. Cute concept of self-serve tempura sides. Pretty spacious.
Although I am DEVASTATED that the fish cake tempura is no longer available, Marugame Udon remains a solid choice for a casual comfort meal. I used to come here a lot during my college days, and the line would be out the door. However, on this Monday night, I was able to waltz right in. In addition to udon, they also have other options such as tendon and curry, but I’ve only ever gotten the nikutama udon. A regular size is enough for me because I always go overboard with the tempura.
After you order your bowl of udon (or whatever you got), the tempura are laid out for you to grab. Be careful, although each piece is only around $2, they stack up quick if you have hungry eyes (like me). My favorite piece used to be the fish cake tempura, but it’s no longer there. I live down in OC, so I would usually go to the South Coast Plaza location, which also didn’t have it. I thought that the Sawtelle location might still have it, but the girl at the front said they discontinued it over the summer (so sad!) please please please bring it back. But aside from that, the imitation crab tempura was very good and similar. The taste is the same as the fish cake, but the texture is different. Stringier instead of condensed and solid.
My bowl with 4 pieces of tempura cost around $25. It’ll be cheaper, obviously, if you don’t take as much tempura. But in my opinion, the tempura is the best part. There’s so many fun ways to eat it. On its own, it’s slightly crisp. Dipping it in tempura sauce makes it a little sweet. And letting it soak in your udon broth gives you a satisfying, soggy, soup filled bite. The udon itself is decent.
If you’ve never been, it’s worth a visit, and even if you have, Marugame is a solid choice.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 4
Service: 4
Walked by and remembered our experience in Honolulu. Grabbed a quick bite to try something new. Overall, still good but we’ll stick to our favourites.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
My wife and I tried the katsu curry udon and it blew our minds. Such unique flavors brought together in such a perfect dish. It was perfection all around.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
While the food here was good, the service was shockingly rude and completely ruined the experience. Another customer cut in front of me in line, and instead of addressing it, the employee working (tall, wearing a red bandana) claimed he never saw me and proceeded to call me a derogatory name. There was absolutely no apology or accountability for this disrespect. It’s a shame that such poor treatment tainted what could have been a decent meal.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 1
Still think about their udon often. Very good, very reasonably priced.
Food was bussin
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 4
Convenient and fast cafeteria-style Japanese udon spot! This food chain is worth checking out if you’ve never been. Their broths and udon noodles are made well and they have a good amount of fried add-ons that you can choose yourself. Seating is first come, first served so if it’s busy it can be a hard to find a table. Service is standard for a place like this.
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 3
Fresh and good choices
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Soooo good!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Sooo good!!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Love the kitsune udon!!
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Kitsune
So good
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Great place to eat ramen
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Ramen
this scratched a craving i didnt even know i had. got the nikutama - which was an umami bomb, lots of caramelized oniony flavors. so much meat too
potato tempura is a superior hashbrown in every way
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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