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    Marugame Udon

    3.7 (923 reviews)
    Open 11:00 am - 10:00 pm

    Order Marugame Udon Takeout or Delivery

    Marugame Udon Photos

    MARUGAME UDON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Casual
    Trendy
    Good for kids

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    Photo 1: Montage of images from Marugame Udon
    Ed U.

    There are over a thousand locations of this familiar chain worldwide, and I remember how the Waikiki restaurant in Honolulu looked like a crowded temple of worship for native noodle lovers. I could see how this particular location would be a big draw for hungry Cal students because the prices don't break the bank. Jamie W and I decided to come here after the gym because we figured we could afford the extra carbs. We're delusional that way. It's quite a huge space in here, and ordering à la carte was quite a coordination effort, especially if you're trying to dodge instant gluttony. After some hemming and hawing, I started with the cold $5.99 BK Udon Bowl with tempura flakes, sliced green onions, minced ginger, and an ample slice of chashu. I had them add the $1.99 Seasoned Soft Boiled Egg Half (Photo 8). I also went for the $2.99 Steamed Vegetables to offset the carbs (Photo 7). The result was probably enough of a meal, but of course, I had to peruse the tempura parade. I went for the $2.29 Shrimp, the $2.29 Potato Croquette, and the $1.99 Zucchini Slice (Photo 9). I thought I may have overdone it until I saw a young skinny Asian girl carry a huge pile of tempura on top of her udon bowl. I guess hungry students know a good deal when they see one. Too bad they don't have Ozempic tempura. Gurrrl, you gonna eat all that? FOOD - 3 stars...fresh udon, the rest is passable AMBIANCE - 4 stars...spacious in here SERVICE - 3 stars...not much on guidance TOTAL - 3 stars...you like tempura? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/FAuydPsGO4

    Chad S.

    The best thing about Berkeley that all the foodie spots in downtown walking distance from any point staying in downtown. Over weekend cousin wedding we all meet lunch at Marugame Udon. It was the first time for me. My cousins all been before reason picked it. They are known for fresh Udon noodles made daily. Definitely can tell fresh not pre made. It open kitchen almost cafeteria style. Once pick menu item. She puts flavor broth choose in bowl then choice noodles nice hot, and proteins also toppings. It built right in front of u. Cool. U get bowl (also serve rice style bowls) also fried sides tempura more individual add on if u want as side or app. Next assortment of bottle drinks iced down if want or fountain machine as option. U pay cashier at the end of the line. I got curry based Udon. It was really good. I loved the curry and noodles were very legit. I got the big bowl. Surprise but that was lot of food. I like the interior very much Japanese vibe. It open seating u find spot sit. The staff friendly and awesome. Great spot for tasty bowl of Udon noodles!

    Emily N.

    Big restaurant with lots of seating and quick service! Marugame Udon is always a solid place to get good and cheap udon, Berkeley branch had no wait on a weekday. Food is great as usual. Will come again.

    Regular BK, sweet potato and pumpkin tempura with tempura sauce
    Melissa N.

    First time at this location and it's just as tasty as my usual haunt. The Bk just hits the spot, it's so flavorful and they perfect amount of food. This was the first time I was ever asked if I wanted it hot or cold, I've only ever had it hot. They even offered to remake it if I wanted to try it cold instead but I wanted a hot soup. Will have to come back to try it cold! Got my usual pumpkin and sweet potato tempura. Don't sleep on the tempura sauce, those little containers aren't big enough so I just grab one of the big paper cups. I could drink that sauce. Street parking only but both my friend and I got spots right next to the entrance without issue.

    Cheese Katsu Tomatama Curry Rice
    Alex S.

    If you want a simple but comforting bowl of Udon, this is the place. I would rate 3.5 stars if I could; the food is yummy, but the prices have steadily increased. Still a very decent spot for udon. I recently tried the new tomato curry udon, and it was quite delicious; I would recommend it. 8/10 - tomatoey slightly spicy Japanese curry, bouncy noodles, with some melted cheese; the katsu is a bit dry tho

    Edison H.

    Not the same I remembered it to be. I prefer the new Alameda location to this one. The curry nikutama didn't quite hit the same here. However, I would say Marugame is still a good option in the area. The dining area is spacious and great for small groups.

    #2. Creamy broth
    Aerielle S.

    The atmosphere is very lively! Great place to eat solo or with friends. Like a huge cafeteria. I ordered the number 2, creamy broth. The broth, egg and udon tasted great!! However, I was disappointed by the charsiu, it was too sweet. The fireball chili paste was an extra $0.75 (which I did not know) and it added some fun heat but I would not get it again. The shrimp tempura was crispy and tasted fresh but the yam tempura was sooooo dry. It was hard to swallow even after dipping it in the broth. Felt like I was eating a boiled egg yolk. Also, the tempura sauce was so sweet, I did not enjoy it. There was also lots of small flies near the tempura sauce station. I believe they're attracted to the sugary taste of the tempura sauce. Very off putting watching all those flies. When I was paying, the cashier inputted my order then he started chatting with another worker and took a while to get the payment screen up. I was surprised he was still chatting with a worker even though I was standing there waiting to pay.

    Melody L.

    Marugame is a popular udon chain in the US with fast service and serving delicious udon bowls! Marugame Udon operates through a cafeteria-like format where you pick your udon flavor of choice, get asked if you want green onions and/or tempura flakes in your bowl, and then slide your bowl down the metal railings to pick up any additional tempura sides. After that, you pay at the counter with your completed bowl and you pick where you want to sit in the restaurant. They have a series of different udon types to choose from. My favorite is their Cold Nikutama which is a bowl with udon, simmered onion beef, savory sauce, and a silky soft boiled egg on top. I like to get my bowl Sakuna Style (meaning I ask them to add both green onions and tempura flakes when offered). The tempura/sides bar includes a large variety options including shrimp, sweet potato, and an assortment of other vegetables. They're all kept under heat lamps to guarantee warmth, and the prices for each side is clearly listed. Since it's cafeteria style, the service is always fast and efficient. Ambiance-wise, the restaurant has nice decor and plenty of space. I'd say it has become pricier over the years, but it remains a good fast bowl of noodles and soup. Great spot I'd recommend anyone to check out!

    Dianna H.

    Good spot for a quick and casual meal in Berkeley. I dropped by for lunch on a Saturday around 2 pm and it wasn't crowded at all. This location is massive and has a ton of both outdoor and indoor seating. It was a hot day outside, so they had AC on full blast. I've been to the Marugame in SF, so I knew what to expect. They make your bowl in front of you super quickly as everything is already cooked. I got the creamy broth (tonkotsu) udon for $13.55 and added one piece of shrimp tempura for $2.29. I was tempted to get some more fried items, since everything looked so good, but ultimately limited myself to just the shrimp as I wasn't super hungry. I really enjoyed my bowl of udon noodles. The tonkotsu broth was creamy, the chashu tender, and I loved the crunchy fried bits you can add for free. Marugame is great for a casual meal whether you're dining alone or with a group! Perhaps half the customers were eating on their own here, so it's very friendly for all group sizes.

    Curry beef udon
    Krys P.

    We didn't realize that, but this place is more a fast food set up instead of a full sit down restaurant. Once you enter, you get to the serving line and order your noodles. You can order it plain with no topping if you prefer to get the tempura, or one of their offerings with flavored broth and toppings. I tried the tonkotsu udon, which has the char-siu and egg in a rich creamy broth just like your regular bowl of ramen, and doesn't pale in comparison either. My husband got the curry beef udon and totally enjoyed his. We love thick chewy noodles and this really hit the spot on a slightly cool day. We also tried a few of the tempura veggies, which were somewhat mediocre. The batter was really meh, not lacey and light like the better places, and the sweet potato itself was dense and hard. They have bottled drinks before check out, but there's a water fountain if you prefer to skip some plastic. Also, a minor thing but I wish they don't put the shichimi tougarashi in a big industrial ketchup bottle. One squeeze and I got five times what I need. Feel bad about all the waste but using a spice bottle with holes on lid would have made a lot more sense.

    Large Nikutama
    Kevin C.

    Came here with my brother on the 4th of July and it was pretty quiet inside with only a couple of other customers. The two staff members working were friendly and welcoming, and the place looked clean and well kept. They have a gender neutral bathroom and the usual self serve setup for water, sauces, and utensils. You can also use the kiosk near the entrance if you want to order takeout, which is a nice option. I usually go to the Marugame at Stonestown Galleria since it has been my go to for something quick, easy, and consistent. This time I ordered my usual large Nikutama. It looked the way it normally does, but the taste was off. The BK sauce they were using that day had a strange flavor that made me feel nauseous after just a few bites. The noodles were also not great. They were soggy and broke apart too easily when I tried to pick them up with chopsticks. I also grabbed a tamagoyaki which tasted like it had been sitting out too long. It was dry and chewy and clearly not fresh. I ended up leaving most of the food. The one thing that stood out in a good way was the Big Chicken. It was freshly made, crispy, and definitely lived up to the name in size. That was the only thing that felt like the Marugame quality I am used to. Overall, this visit was a bit of a letdown. The food just was not as good as what I normally get at the Stonestown location. Next time I am craving udon, I will probably just stick with that one instead.

    Wan-Yu L.

    I used to love this Marugame location when they first opened a few years back, but I was very disappointed by my latest visit. The noodles tasted both undercooked and overcooked at the same time. The broth and toppings were lukewarm. The dining space is generally messy due to the quick turnaround rate, which is not very pleasant. I would much rather travel further to get good udon than to dine here again.

    Nikutama udon
    Mel J.

    We arrived for dinner at 6:15pm on Friday and the restaurant was quite busy. Fortunately, we got a street parking nearby the restaurant. The service was good and prompt. My only complaint was that they need to clean the table as it was very sticky. - Nikutama udon: the udon was perfectly cooked and chewy. The beef slices were the best! They were tender, sweet, and in good portion. The poached egg was good too to be mixed with the dish. The tempura crumble gave a crunchy texture to the dish - Chicken katsu curry: the portion was quite generous. The chicken katsu had crispy coating and tender meat. The curry sauce was just okay & nothing special. - Sides: tamago tempura & shrimp tempura were crispy and good.

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    9 months ago

    Didn't open at the open time, I ordered on DoorDash but they won't let me in that clearly staffs are inside working.

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    Page 5 of 24

    Marugame Udon Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Marugame Udon

    Is this related/affiliated to Marugame Udon in Honolulu?

    Yes they are, same place

    Is the tempura batter made with egg/milk?

    Just tempura flour and water

    Are there any vegetarian or vegan options? It seems they all use bonito in the dashi?

    Hey Katie, great question, I believe the bukkake udon would be vegetarian since in its description it does not state any meat used to make the broth. Hope this answers your question!

    Just wondering if anyone knows if this location has "curbside service"?

    Unfortunately no. They are set way back from the street. So you have to park and then walk.

    Are their musubis and onigiris back?

    I didn't see any of those when I was there last weekend. Their selections are limited due to Covid

    Do they have an outdoor setup that is protected in case of rain?

    The outdoor seating has a canopy or umbrellas over the seating to shield the sun from diners. In the event of rain, there is not enough seating enclosed to protect diners from getting wet.

    Is this place open during this pandemic?

    Yes I went there last Friday and they are open. You may want to call ahead to order or reserve some time to wait for your order, as with the new health practices in place orders will take 15-20 minutes to make.

    Anyone know if they're open on New Year's Day?

    What's the difference between curry udon and the curry nikutama?

    The curry udon doesn't have meat and the curry nikutama has beef in it.

    How's the Red Cayenne Chicken Udon?

    Are they open today 10/11/19?

    They did on soft opening on 9/24/19 where they are only open for dinner (4pm to 10pm) until 10/28/19. Their grand opening will be on 10/28/19.

    How long the queue is?

    Tuesday 5:00pm = 5/10 minute wait Friday 6:15pm = 1 hr wait Avoid 6/7 pm if possible

    Do they have vegan/vegetarian options?

    Based on traditional udon recipes, the kama age should be vegan, though the dipping sauce may not be (traditionally contains dashi, bonito fish flakes). I imagine you could supplement this well with tempura veggies or the fried tofu.… Read more

    What are their hours?

    Right now, since they're having their soft opening, the hours are: Monday - Saturday = 4:00pm -… Read more

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    Kirala - Lunch special Bento box

    Kirala

    3.9(1.9k reviews)
    1.0 miSouth Berkeley
    $$

    Still all these decades later, Kirala meets the mark. We sat at the sake bar in the back with two…read morekids and it worked well. Service by Taka was great - attentive and quick. Only lag was when we ordered 2 nigiri at the end and it took a really long time but I think the sushi chefs lost the order or something. Delicious sukiyaki, chicken skewers, cold tofu, salmon rolls, hamachi sashimi, Ikura and uni, tuna and Ikura nigiri, and hamachi Kama (not sure why they charge $21 and then $7 for a large when it is two small dollars that came out though). Decent wine selection - Chardonnay was good. Restaurant itself is fairly loud, especially with a baby that kept crying. But it might have been crying because it was loud. Owners should consider the Constellation System by Meyer Sound to make the dining experience more enjoyable for patrons. As this is a longtime bastion of Japanese food in the Bay, they should really invest in the sound portion of their restaurant. Prices have gone up since the last time I was here but it's not totally unreasonable. Good quality food and service. Love this place.

    Kirala isn't just another Japanese spot for us--it's a reminder of how far we've come. My wife used…read moreto only treat herself to Kirala when she was younger--on special occasions when a bonus check came in. Now, we get to dine here as a family, and that nostalgic treat feels all the more satisfying. Food (4 stars) + Ribeye teriyaki was a hit--tender, cooked to perfection, and the kids loved it! + Lamb chop was a standout--one piece, but perfectly grilled, juicy, and tender. I could eat 2 of these with a bowl of rice and it would be a hearty meal! + Chicken karaage was solid--crispy, good portion, and a nice appetizer. It's basically a Japanese version of chicken strips that is way better than nuggets. + Salmon sashimi for the kids never disappoints. ~ Chirashi bowl was fresh and filling, though standard compared to other spots. There was a lot of rice which if we knew that we probably would've skipped the extra bowl I ordered to eat with my lamb chops. For the somewhat premium pricing, I wish they provided fresh chopped wasabi. ~ Stuffed mushroom skewer was just okay--tasty but nothing special. I guess for mushrooms it does taste kinda like a chicken meatball which could be a good thing. Service/Ambiance (4 stars) + Attentive and thoughtful service, especially accommodating a broken foot. They let my family wait at the bar instead of standing. + Ambiance is that classic Japanese vibe, busy but comfortable. Maybe not high-end, but definitely a place that feels special--especially now that we can afford it!

    Photos
    Kirala
    Kirala
    Kirala

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    Tsuruya - Black garlic Tonkotsu with Hokkaido noodles. I added spinach and spicy paste. Yum!

    Tsuruya

    4.7(175 reviews)
    0.0 miGourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley
    $$

    WHEN: Sat @6pm…read more PARKING: There is metered parking around, and is free after 6pm. It may be a bit tricky especially around meal time, but keep circling and you'll find a spot near by enough. This cute little ramen shop has such perfect lighting coming through thanks to thier skylight. We weren't actually hungry so we shared the following: TONKOTSU - $16.50 (Regular) Pork Belly Chashu, Bamboo Shoots, Red Onion, Wood Ear Mushrooms, Green Onion, Ajitama Egg. You get a choice of noodles to pick: 1.) Hakata - Thin Straight 2.) Sapporo - Medium Thick Wavy Figured since it's my first time here, I choose the most basic version of their bowl of ramen. I chose Sapparo and for some reason expected it to be thicker/wider, but regardless it was still good! The presentation of this bowl is just gorgeous, served on a small wooden platter. The red onion is chopped, and the pork Belly is quite tender. Regarding the egg, you get just half. Overall this bowl of ramen is creamy, rich, and the right amount of flavor and salt. But still make sure to drink at least a glass of water! CREAMY CHASHU PORK CROQUETTES - $8.50 I have never seen anything like this so I must give it a try! It actually didn't come out piping hot, so I was able to drive in right away! It was definitely creamy (like ramen) and had pieces of the Chau's pork, encased in a crispy and warm batter that was deep fried. It also comes with a katsu sauce and I really enjoyed it. The staff was friendly and didn't make us feel bad for ordering enough of just one, but man I was so full. Had to walk around downtown Berkeley for awhile.

    When a ramen restaurant has only two main items (pork and chicken) on the menu you know they are…read moreserious. And I gotta say I am pretty impressed. U must go with the black garlic flavor tonkatsu. The charred pork chashu is really flavorful. The chicken is really tender, almost fully cooked but not quite (perfection). Full party need to be present to be seated, otherwise u need to wait outside.

    Photos
    Tsuruya - Interior

    Interior

    Tsuruya - Matcha Panna Cotta

    Matcha Panna Cotta

    Tsuruya - A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

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    A deliciously crunchy and savoy chashu pork croquettes! Warm and healing vibes on the first bites

    Mensho - Signature Smoked Toripaitan Ramen

    Mensho

    4.5(643 reviews)
    3.3 miPiedmont Ave, North Oakland
    $$

    Stumbled upon this ramen place that happened to have a michelin star/ guide for the last three…read moreyears! The wait was about 30-45 mins for a party of two at 7:30pm on a Saturday. Considering other reviews, I don't think we waited too long. We ordered two of their top ramens, although the matcha duck one was enticing, I did like the Garlic overload on my ramen. The fried enoki mushrooms were also good, I just wish the portions were a bit bigger for both dishes. Staff was also quick and helpful going through the menu with us first timers. We sat at a shared table but I like how they had a divider to separate the spaces. Pretty small restaurant and they only have street parking so if you want to try, I recommend going early! We were lucky to snag a spot right in the front!

    Had been hearing a lot about this place, so we decided to give it a try. We came on a Friday night…read moreand it was extremely crowded, we ended up waiting close to an hour for a table. To start, we ordered the enoki chips and corn ribs, which were both really good. For our mains, we tried the duck ramen and tonkotsu ramen, and both bowls were flavorful. Overall, we enjoyed everything we ordered and could see why the restaurant is popular. That said, after such a long wait, we didn't feel like the food quite lived up to the hype. While it was definitely good ramen, it wasn't memorable enough for us to feel that it justified waiting nearly an hour.

    Photos
    Mensho - Waiting area

    Waiting area

    Mensho - Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Spicy garlic karaage fried chicken

    Mensho - Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

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    Hokkaido Uni Mini Rice Bowl

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya

    3.9(442 reviews)
    0.6 miDowntown Berkeley
    $$$

    Top contender for Japanese cuisine in Berkeley--equal parts sophisticated and scrumptious…read more Highlights include: - Sea Bean & Corn Tempura: a savory funnel cake worthy of a Michelin star thanks to its texture and the side of matcha salt - Salmon sashimi: succulent with fresh wasabi - Wagyu Shime Special: insane price for insane flavor--a generous portion of veggies and wagyu in a big ol' iron bowl of bubblin' broth

    Ate Christmas dinner here with my mom as our celebration tradition is usually a Japanese…read morerestaurant. The ambience was intimate and cozy yet elegant, and the staff was very attentive and kind. I loved the decorations, the plates and silverware, and the food was just as intentional in flavor and selection. For appetizers we had: Anchovy Stuffed Olives Tempura - Tempura Spanish alives stuffed with anchovies $9 Kombu Tsukudani - Premium Hokkaldo kelp, say sauce, bonito, shiso, sesame seeds, enjoy with sake or rice $6 For our meal we had: Saba Bouzushi - House-cured saba mackerel bouzushi - stick-shaped sushi, also called battera, served with shiso, sesame, scallions, topped with Hokkaido shiraita kombu, ten pieces $29 Gindara Yuanyaki - Local black cod marinated in soy sauce and shikuwasa Okinawan citrus juice served grilled $34 Steelhead Trout Nabe - Norwegian ocean trout raised sustainably in the clear, cold ford where the seawater meets fresh meltwater from the glaciers in the mountains. Enjoy the rich flavored, melt-in-your-mouth fish, hotpot with dashi broth, mushrooms, napa cabbage, burdock, clear noodles, tofu, mizuna, scallions, yuzu kosho $39 We've been to many izakaya spots and this place had some of the most unique flavors I've tasted. The Saba Bouzushi stood out to me because it reminded of Filipino paksiw but as a roll! The Gindara was buttery and soft and had a yummy smoky flavor. The Nabe was perfect for a rainy evening - hearty, fresh, and so well balanced in flavor (I loved the yuzu kosho the had us add for a citrusy, peppery flavor)

    Photos
    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Inside

    Inside

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Chicken Karaage

    Chicken Karaage

    Fish & Bird Sousaku Izakaya - Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

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    Takeout Basque Cheesecake ($15) - good but the slice is very small. Doesn't have a strong cream cheese flavor.

    Sakana Sushi and Roll - Small Sashimi Combo

    Sakana Sushi and Roll

    4.8(285 reviews)
    2.1 mi
    $$

    I'm surprised that I haven't written a review for Sakana in Kensington yet. My wife and I have…read morebeen coming here for a few years now and they have yet to disappoint us. Everything we have had has been fresh, delicious, and well presented. The sashimi, specialty rolls, baked rolls (cooked ingredients besides tobiko), nigiri, and vegan/vegetarian rolls have all been excellent. I like the purple rice they use (sushi rice mixed with black rice) as it helps them stand out in both flavor and healthy offerings. The service is consistently on point too. Our servers have always been very courteous, attentive, and hard working. I appreciate that they can offer this level of food and service in a casual environment. I heard that they opened up a location in Albany within the last year or so that we have yet to visit. They do a great job and we're looking forward to dining with them for years to come.

    Overall 4.5/5 stars…read more Pros: The quality of the fish was very fresh. They have unique purple rice in their sushi rolls. The sakana roll was definitely unique in flavor and had chunks of mango in it. Portions are huge. (For 2 ppl I think 3 rolls shared would be enough) Amazing service from staff. Cozy small mom and pa spot. Cons: Parking is small and very limited. Space is small not too much seating. Some rolls were too saucy like the Bay Scallop (Baked) one

    Photos
    Sakana Sushi and Roll - Inside

    Inside

    Sakana Sushi and Roll - Hamachi Kama

    Hamachi Kama

    Sakana Sushi and Roll - Negihama Roll (front) and Avo Tuna Roll (back)

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    Negihama Roll (front) and Avo Tuna Roll (back)

    Marugame Udon - japanese - Updated June 2026

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