TLDR: An affordable food spot that can easily trap you into spending too much money. You will get a good meal, but it's just a question of how much money you'll spend. Curry Nikutama (L): Is it good? Yes. The udon portion was solid, and the noodle bite was the perfect line between firmness and softness. The sukiyaki beef was sweet, not too fatty, and had an okay portion. The curry sauce (soup) was alright, the green onions and tempura crumbs will always be a welcome addition. Is it worth $16? Leaning towards no, because I think you could've made this at home for a significantly lower price. Shrimp Tempura: It's alright. Don't forget to get the tempura sauce Chicken karaage: It's a decently sized chicken finger that was quite good. It's juicy even though it's been sitting in the frying rack for a bit, and I think this is the correct option if you want chicken. Large chicken karaage: It's bigger but not necessarily better. You keep the same goodness of the smaller karaage but just make it a bit harder to eat given the size. It's double the price too, but I'm not sure if it's double the portion. Ambiance: Normal restaurant feel with a lunch room style of ordering. You can get an option to pick out some more stuff on the way to the cashier which is a nice addition. Service: It's basically self-service after you're done ordering. read more

Marugame Udon - Curry Nikutama Shrimp tempura Chicken karaage Large chicken karaage - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It's unfortunate they changed their menu. They completely got rid of the curry, instead made it tomato based. My daughter won't eat when we come here anymore unless the original menu is back. They also got rid of a really good rice bowl.... What a shame. read more

Marugame Udon - Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Marugame is always a great option for a quick eat. This location has friendly staff. I just wished it was a little cleaner, but other than that it's great! Love trying all their different broths:) I got the tan tan (you can make this a VEGETARIAN OPTION) this time, and it was BOMB! read more

Marugame Udon - i got the tan tan broth this time! - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I tried Marugame for the first time when I went to visit Oahu and it was delicious. I was excited to see they had a location nearby while visiting. The restaurant itself is in a great spot with plenty of parking. Upon walking in it felt kind of warm but I thought it was just behind the counter. I ordered my udon noodles with a seasoned boiled egg and got the shrimp tempura. The food was great and the staff were super nice. Once I sat down I realized the entire restaurant felt really hot. Eating hot soup in a hot restaurant is not enjoyable. The food and staff were awesome but it was way too hot for me. Although it was 80's outside it would've been a lot cooler eating outside than inside. For that reason only I probably wouldn't come back to this location unless the restaurant's AC worked well. read more

Marugame Udon - Nice location with plenty of parking - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Arrived 10 mins. before opening today and there was a line. Did not have the wait long before ordering - Large Nikutama with a side order of kitsune age along with tempura crab and sweet potato. Food was amazing and love the location and vibe. Got to try this when in South Coast!! read more

Marugame Udon - Large Nikutama, kitsune age, sweet potato and crab tempura. - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Yikes, the workers assembling the food in bowls seem really unhappy. I visited a couple months ago and again just yesterday, and it was uncomfy having my food made by people who appear so clearly miserable. Since it has happened on two separate occasions, I don't want to return to find out if it's a regular occurrence. For example, the worker who put toppings in the bowl aggressively threw down the tray and shoved the food at my mom. It didn't appear they did this due to a sense of urgency but rather because of a bad mood in general. Even when I dined solo months ago, I noticed the workers preparing the food were not friendly at all. Other than that, the food is fine. And the workers out in the dining room are efficient and helpful in assisting people to find empty tables to sit down at. But I'm done with Marugame for reals this time. read more

I failed to take pics cuz I was so hungry . I first tried Marugame Udon in Waikiki and loved it. So I had to eat it in Costa Mesa. I got the tonkotsu and a side of chicken katsu n sweet potato. The broth was magical. Top with green onion and katsu flakes! Tasty and warm for the rainy drive from Vegas. Line was long but moved quickly. Service was great, easy and painless! Restaurant was clean and tidy for a busy place just like the Waikiki location. Thank you Marugame Udon. We will be back and next time I'm taking pics! read more

Heck yeah, I love Marugame. It always feels like I won't have a table to eat at, given how long the line is and the number of people already eating, but I always seem to find a table. That said, the place is always packed, which says more about how good the place is than anything, and it feels like I'm in a food stall. I really do like the vibe. And of course, the udon is spectacular. I always love how you can peek in and watch the workers cook and prep. It gives shades of In-N-Out in the form of a Japanese restaurant. Quite the experience. Highly recommend! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Update! you should try the tomatoe curry udon it was so good and homie!! I saw it said seasonal so just wanted to add photos. read more

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Traffic has slowed down quite a bit since it opened back in 2019. Or maybe it's just because of the day and time? My kiddo and I came here right before noon on a Monday. There was no line, and a few parties sitting down. I ordered my usual - regular kitsune with the green onions and tempura flakes ($9.65). I also added a shrimp tempura ($2.29) and zucchini tempura ($1.99). I do like to sprinkle shichimi and add a small dollop of grated ginger, too, to give it a kick and a different flavor. Nothing has changed much throughout the years, which is a good sign. Prices have gone up, and the sides have gotten smaller, but still a healthier and cheaper option than most fast food places these days. Service is quick, staff are friendly, and there are new menu items to try. IMO, the closest parking would be the parking lot in front of Claim Jumper and the formerly Forever 21 location. Enter the mall between the 2, and go down the escalator in front of Din Tai Fung. read more

i liked the structure of the restaurant where it's kinda like a cafeteria line and you tell them what you want and go down to grab the tempuras that you like. overall very reasonably priced and yummy food. the potato croquettes were the best out of all the fried foods and sweet potato was not bad just a little dry. Definitely a go to for reliable fast and easy udon place! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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My friends said this is a chain? Nevertheless, I was excited Marugame Ramen joined the Diamond Anton Plaza. First time trying "Build Your Ramen" --- sort of concept similar setup like Chinese fast food/cafeteria style. Currently for the month of March -- coupon special all noodles comes with free homemade drinks! As a ramen enthusiast, welllll just eating, always on the lookout for new spots to try! Marugame Ramen's "build your ramen" concept is a must-try. When you walk in, you're immediately greeted with a modern board of options so get in line and order up. What sets Marugame apart from other ramen spots is the customizable approach -- you get to build your sides from scratch but be careful that you don't end up with $20 bowl! Here's how it works: 1. Choose Your Broth & Spice Level: They offer a variety of broths like Miso, and Tonkotsu. 2. Pick Your Base: You can choose the main ingredient- egg, pork, etc. 3. Add Your Toppings: This is where it gets fun! From traditional toppings like soft-boiled eggs and chashu pork to my favorite sweet fried potatoes and shrimp tempuras. 4. Add extra condiments l: For those who like to add garlics and spicy salt to suit your taste. 5. I also go their signature lemonade. They also have matcha. I ordered Tonkotsu broth sweet tofu, a soft-boiled egg, and a sprinkle of green onions -- extra spicy. The broth had a deep, comforting flavor, and the noodles were perfectly chewy. You "clean up" your own table by bringing all items -- including bowls back to the return kitchen area. Overall, not bad for fast food. read more

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This place is known for their Udon and it lived up to the hype. From what I heard, the line to get the food is usually long, but moves fast. We got lucky and went on a day that wasn't busy with no wait time. The inside of the restaurant is pretty small with limited seating space, but usually easy to find seats. The design of the store is very Japanese inspired. We ordered 2 Nikutama and the total came out to be $33 after tax and tip. The nikutama soup was sweet and flavorful. The sweet beef combined with the soup was delicious. If you want delicious udon, this is the place to go. They had so many other dishes to try so I'm definitely coming back. Hope that the lines aren't long. read more

Marugame Udon - Menu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ordered the Nikutama Udon and it was so comforting with chewy noodles and a really flavorful broth. I also grabbed a shrimp tempura on the side and it was light and crispy. The atmosphere is clean, bright, and busy in a good way. It feels casual and easy. The line moved quickly and the service was fast, which I appreciated since I just wanted something quick to eat. It's a nice grab and go spot when you want something tasty without a long sit down meal. I'll definitely be back to try more. read more

Ok I absolutely love this place, always hits the spot and especially those potato croquettes like come on they're so good. I got the kitsune udon this time because I love the tofu and we also got a creamy tonkatsu which also never disappoints. There's plenty of seating in the back and it's a seat yourself situation after the very kind staff makes your bowl in front of you so it's a very chill experience! I will always recommend this place go get yourself some yummy udon. read more

Marugame Udon - Creamy Tonkatsu + Potato Croquette - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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So so good! I always kill my bowl (pictured). The veggie tan tan is delicious, spicy, and flavorful and the udon is the perfect consistency. For the amount of food you get, it's also very affordable at around $15 per person. Quick service, efficient, and reliable. read more

Marugame Udon - After - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I love this placeeee. This is my fave udon spot. The noodles are chewy and the perfect texture. I like to try something new every time I come. My top favorites are the chicken katsu curry and the beef udon. I also love their tempura. The line can get long but it moves quickly and the seats will open up. read more

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This place is alright and affordable. However, it isn't as good as the other Marugame Udon locations or nearby restaurants. The food just isn't as fresh and hot. I feel like they would benefit by cooking in smaller batches. But, overall it's still pretty tasty, you get a nice portion and the line moves quickly because it is cafeteria style serving. read more

Marugame Udon - Sweet Beef Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My family and I decided to stop by and try this place since it's been in my bookmark for sometime. I like that the menu is simple and not too overwhelming with options. There are good options for Vegan and non-pork which tends to be an area of needed improvement for other noodle/ramen places. I got the miso udon with beef, and I thought it was super tasty. My sister got the tantan, and I almost wish I got that! The point is any soup you end up choosing, I believe it'll be good. The staff are quick. And although seating is a little narrow, there is plenty. I do think the tempura options that are served are way too expensive. Overall I would come back read more

Marugame Udon - Miso Udon with Beef - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Marugame Udon offers square shaped noodles that allow for the savory broth to stick to the noodles for a sensational flavor experience. I ordered the Tonkotsu Udon and it was delicious! It was topped with half of an egg, a slice of chashu, green onions, and tempura flakes. I think I would have liked it better without the tempura flakes since they get soggy in the broth, but it didn't really take away from how flavorful my dish was. The service was quick and accommodating. I arrived to SoCal pretty late due to traffic, so I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find any open restaurants. The ambiance is very cute and the seating options are great for individuals or groups. read more

Marugame Udon - Tonkotsu Broth - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Marugame is definitely the best udon spot. This location in particular is very small, crowded, and difficult to get seated. The walk ways aren't very accessible because of how narrow it is. I came here with my 93 year old grandmother and she was having a difficult time walking through because people could easily bump into her. I wish they had some reserved seating for disabled but I didn't see anything like that. The workers were very nice, and the bussers were on top of everything as they were very helpful. You could never go wrong with the food, it hits the spot every time. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

0 stars if I could. We ordered the nikutama udon which is usually our favorite. Found a very, very long piece of hair in our udon. The staff was very rude and offered no words of apology and just snatched the bowl from my hands and slammed the new bow down so hard the broth spilled all over the tray. Won't be visiting again, which is such a shame because this was one of our favorite spots. read more

Even though it can get crowded, the line is constantly moving. They are so quick and efficient. Lots of seating, but gets crazy when tables are full. Self cleaning after and staff is always cleaning the area and checking. Food is always good as well! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A few notes to self for the next time I'm here: - always order the Beef in the dashi broth ($11.65), you always think you want something more, but you're a classic at heart - when you think you want sweet fried tofu, remember you can add it as a side to your beef for $3.55; don't forget it's served cold though - seasonal veggies can also be added for $2.95, unfortunately it's also served cold, so order an extra side of dashi broth for $3.95, you know you'll finish it read more

Marugame Udon - Beef Udon - taken March 2025 - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

One of the best udon I've ever had! I went around 1:30pm on a Saturday and the line wasn't very long. Ordering went smoothly; you order your meal first and then get extras on the way to the cash register, just like at a cafeteria. You then pay and find a place to seat. Luckily, there was plenty of seating as people eat quickly and leave. I ordered the nikutama which included sweet beef and boiled egg. It was so good! The udon noodles were so chewy and the beef was tender. I also love how they give you additional toppings for free. I definitely would come back here again! Highly recommend if you want good udon. :-) read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Still consistently delicious; got the cold nikutama and it was yummmmm, as always; they have a deal with essentially bowl of udon in the house sauce and one tempura for under $10; in this economy that's a win read more

Whenever I crave udon in OC, I always head to Marugame in South Coast. If you go during the weekend or busy times, be prepared to queue in line for a while. However, once you get in, you can select from the udon. We always pickt the standard and curry dishes. The flavor is great, the udon noodles are al dente, and portion sizes are generous. With the reasonable prices, definitely a must try if you're craving a quick Japanese dinner. Ambiance is casual, you order at the cashier, and find your own seats. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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One of the best udon in town, same level with Meiji, though this location gets a lot more crowded than the Diamond Jamboree location for obvious reasons. Recommend going with curry beef udon + egg + either shrimp tempura or tamagoyaki tempura. read more

My favorite udon!!! First tried this place in Hawaii and was blown away. When I saw they had one in OC, I went immediately. Fast service and even though they are always packed, people move in and out fast. They have a variety of affordable udon options along with a hot food bar with tons of tempura to choose from. They also have a self serve sauce/ additional topping bar. My go to is the curry but I also love some of the other soup variations. The regular size is enough to get me full and it's also reasonably priced. There are also options to add things on if you choose. Since opening, they also expanded their menu to have more than udon but I haven't had the chance to try any of those. This place is also awesome because you can see everything being made! The entire place had a vibe that is very well set up for enjoyment. I will be back to try more options!!! (But it will be hard to stray away from my go to because of how delicious and flavorful it is). read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

With just two weeks away from heading onto our Japan trip, I thought it would be fun to stop by an authentic Japanese spot for dinner. I love the traditional decor when you enter plus the warm greeting you get right at the start. I've had their udon's here a few time and decided this time I'll try their curry udons. You tell them the udon you want at the front of the line and work your way down grabbing additional fried items if you'd like. When you get to the end, you'll pay there and add any additional drinks or hot paste. I paired my udon with a side of potato croquette and sweet potato tempura. The curry udon was so flavorful and for a regular size, it was quite filling. I love the potato croquette -- which is essentially deep fried mashed potatoes. I got full quite quick, so I love that they have togo containers that you can grab on your own. Seating is open and is first come first served. When you finish, you can either return it to the dish up station or a server/busser will come around and grab your tray. This place is located in South Coast Plaza on the first floor right below Din Tai Fung. Definitely give this a try if you don't feel like waiting in a long line and want some tasty Japanese food. read more

This noodle shop in the mall is no frills yet affordable and delicious. The udon soup bases range from very simple broths to spicy tan tan which is what I ordered. You can also add custom ingredients a la carte after picking up your bowl of udon. One of my worries in seeing the rows of full tables was trying to find seating for ourselves, but after you pay, they have a host that finds you empty seats, a great convenience after picking up your tray of hot soup. For casual dining, this is a pretty good option. read more

Long lines always but it moves pretty quick. Cafeteria style ordering. We got the dashi and curry. Super fresh noods w/ really good texture. Flavor is good too. Seating seems hectic but they have a good system to get you in and out. read more

Marugame Udon - Curry with beef - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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One of my favorite Japanese food spots in the OC. Always have had a great experience here after many times. On this occasion I had the nikutama udon which was delicious and had plenty of great toppings. Beef, egg, and udon is always done right here! One thing to note is that it is always a bit crowded inside but I've always found seating each time. The prices have gone up as well in recent years. Service is usually great here! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Love love love Marugame! The first time I ever had it was when I was vacationing in Hawaii. The udon is made fresh right Infront of you. Every order is prepared as you go. There are also lots of options of tempura. Everything that I have ordered was absolutely delicious. The service is super quick and friendly. It's really cute inside but sometimes it's hard to find somewhere to sit. I just wish there was more space. read more

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This was my first time at this location. The line wasn't so bad for a Sunday at 12pm. We probably waited around 15-20 minutes. We got the Nikutama, Tantan (Vegan), Karaage, sweet potato and squid. The food was good as usual. I do wish for my Nikutama i had more broth. I felt like this location was the smallest I've ever been to. It was very narrow and it felt like there was always someone walking by. When you order the udon, they ask you if you want the tempura flakes and green onion. I thought that was weird because usually it's self serve. But I think they do that to ensure no traffic around the sauce station. I also thought it was nice that the workers would help you find a table. Versus other locations they make you look for one and sometimes that gets hectic. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama, Squid, sweet potato, Tantan and Karaage - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Nikutama udon at Marugame Udon always hits the spot! This location of Marugame isn't my favorite to dine at, tucked inside South Coast Plaza with no outdoor light. Even so, it's a reasonably priced quick meal at this mall (what indoor mall doesn't have a food court?). Can't wait for them to open closer to me! read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

A classic and never a miss honestly, this place saves me every time I get tired of shopping! I love how fast it is to get your food and there's always open seating now. My favorite is the cold nikutama but since it's getting colder perchance I'll switch to hot again! read more

5/5 Got the nikutama udon, curry nikutama, and some croquettes. There were all delicious! The noodles were chewy, the broths were flavorful, and the croquettes were crunchy. Everything tasted great! There was a long line, but service was fast and it moved quickly. We were directed to an empty table right after we ordered. Utensils and various condiments were self-served. Good seating area, people eat and clean up right after so it's easy to find seats. I would definitely come back here again! read more

Marugame Udon - Curry nikutama and nikutama udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Disappointed by my first time visit. Ordered food to go via their app. The nikutama udon was missing the egg entirely. The noodles were over boiled and soggy. The broth was tepid and the meat a bit too sweet. The potato croquette was delicious. The parking was free and easy which was the saving grace. I think the products most likely taste much better if it's eaten inside the store. I wouldn't mind giving it another try in the future. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama udon - missing the egg - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The udon here is simply divine. Superb. Exquisite. Well, you get my drift. After I ate here for the first time udon supplanted ramen as my favorite noodle and it hasn't looked back. Add some tempura in there for a nice crunch! Get there before the lunch and dinner rush as the line can get long, but if you don't heed this warning then waiting is worth it. read more

Marugame Udon - Entrance - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California