very good food. I love da nikitoma and da tan tan. very chill vibes and it's very cool here

This location is always super clean and really good service + food! Parking is tricky, but worth it. They have a kiosk for to-go orders too :) read more

Love how there's a location much closer to me! It's much more spacious inside compared to the South Coast plaza location which I really like. I came when it opened so there was no wait. I like ordering their simple items-- this time around I got a small kake udon with a seasoned egg, 2 shrimp tempuras, and the iced calamansi drink. Overall, I thought the food was decent. I wish the broth had more flavor as it was bit on the watered down side, but the pepper flakes helped add to it. I like the tempura as always. I was surprised about the calamansi drink. It was a good balance of sweet and sour. Would come again for my udon craving fix. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Came for lunch & there was no wait. Line moves quickly. Restaurant was spacious and there were plenty of tables. Water and tempura sauce is self service. I ordered the Nikutama cold udon. Udon had a good chew and cooked perfectly. The sauce was slightly sweet. Tempura was nicely battered and crispy, but tempura sauce was overly sweet compared to the Costa Mesa location. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama cold with Zucchini Tempura & Pumpkin Tempura - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

They got rid of the tomatama curry, so I decided to order another dish and it wasn't good at all. I'm not coming back. read more

Service was fine and potato croquette was super yum but the beef udon genuinely had me projectile vomiting in my bathroom sink 4 hours after I finished eating. I think a lot of restaurant with meat soups hurt my tummy and I'm sure the vegetarian options are fine, but the meat is definitely something to be wary of. read more

Love it here! Great food and options. Always a great time, quick service! We like how we can pick and choose the items we like and portion sizes read more

I am usually not a big fan of udon, but Marugame Udon is a restaurant I would recommend to friends and family. The restaurant is clean, spacious, and operates in a streamlined fashion with workers splitting evenly across each station to keep the cooking process smooth and efficient. On top of the fast service, it's cheap and delicious. There are also varieties of tempura add-ons that are freshly fried and up for grabs. I ordered a large curry udon, chicken katsu, shrimp tempura, and tamagoyaki. The udon was coated with the flavorful curry sauce, and I enjoyed every bite. The chicken katsu was one of THE BEST I have ever had. It was crispy on the outside and juicy inside. In contrast, the shrimp tempura and tamagoyaki were okay, nothing stood out to me. Moreover, the difference between regular/large was unnoticeable (content-wise) aside from the bowl size. I would come back for a regular portion next time. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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Consistent and delicious. This is true for all of their locations, but I think the biggest upside is unlike everything else in diamond jamboree it's very quick to get in and get your food. So for all you fellow wait-list quitters like me and my wife were on a Friday night, it was the perfect way to make sure we weren't starving before we headed home. But even off of a Friday night, it's definitely worth adding to the rotation when you're in the area. And I'm a sucker for a server yourself tempura! read more

This is the second location I've been to, and the food is consistent. The vegan tan tan udon is my go-to and it never disappoints. I usually get looks of awe from others who dine with me, at the volume of veggies in the dish. For a regular size, it's a very filling meal. Most diners opt for that size and it's definitely generous enough for one person. Don't forget to add the help-yourself togarashi near the water station. Service is fast with their ordering system, making it a fast lunch option for the area. Employees are friendly. Parking can be hard to find for the center, but there is a parking garage too. read more

Marugame Udon - Tan Tan (Vegan) - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

For the price and speed, it's excellent. I'd give it 4.5 stars if I could. None of the CA locations compare to Waikiki, but so thankful they have locations out here. The tempura is always great. Wish the udon was served just a little bit hotter. This location is located in a shopping center with lots of great Asian food/drink options. Free parking. Gets very busy on weekend nights. read more

Wow!! This is our first time here, I didn't know what to expect, actually I thought this is like a sit down place with wait staff comes to take your order, but it's not...this is like Cafeteria style where you get a tray and let the server know what you want and everything is self served!! I totally loved it because it's different and I feel like if you are in a rush and crave for Udon or Tempura this is the place(if you are in Irvine...lol)! I love there are disposable noodle soup spoons!!!! And if you can't finish there are to-go containers already at the utensil section and yep, when you are done...there is a section where you turn the trays in. The place was totally clean!! And yes, the Udon was delicious!! Oh! And there is a sauce bar too for your tempura and all! I just love it!! read more

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Came to this location even after trying the South Coast Plaza location and was pleasantly surprised. This location is MUCH more comfortable to be in. Many more tables and space to not feel cramped compared to the South Coast location. The staff were super friendly and quick to help given we came around 5pm, a little before the full dinner rush. I ordered Nikutama Udon Large and a bowl of Katsu Curry while my girlfriend ordered a Regular size Nikutama Udon with a Potato Tempura. Nikutama Udon were both amazing and very flavorful. Great portioning and was super satisfying to eat during the cold rain. The curry was unfortunately underwhelming. The curry they use is more liquidy because I believe it's the same curry used for the Udon. It is not as flavorful when put on top of the rice. I personally have tried the Curry Udon before and it was good just for the udon. The Katsu on top though was very crispy and warm which was great. The Potato Tempura was nicely warm and crispy and rich in flavor. I believe we got a fresh batch on those. Overall the experience was amazing just will skip out on the curry rice next time! read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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A classic experience on udon & tempura & always loved how simple/fast it is to get your order & start eating asap! I would still consider Meiji & Hako a step above Marugame for flavor/quality, but Marugame always has hit the spot for a quick meal! Favorite: Nikutama Soup was great, Udon Quality was good, but Tempura was not on point. The Udon & Soup was great but the tempura size & batter was not as consistent + much smaller than the South Coast & Sawtelle locations. Parking at Diamond Jamboree is generally difficult, especially on weekends, employees are amazingly nice, & very clean restaurant. read more

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walked in and was happily greeted by employees, the food was really good and fresh!! excellent service and good vibe overall. shout out the the 2 employees at the register mikey and allen !!! definitely would come again read more

Marugame Udon - #7 - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Fresh and delicious udon! Enjoyed the chicken Katsu curry with udon and Creamy Broth Udon-Tonkotsu Style udon. The service was quick with counter ordering. And the restaurant was clean with simply decor. read more

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I'm so happy they' opened one in Irvine! We are always in the area and I've been a fan of Marugame for years. My favorites are the vegan option and the curry one. Customer service was top notch and I really loved how inviting and friendly the staff was. I'm already looking forward to my next visit. Something to note- parking is always a little challenging here. There's a parking structure in the back of the restaurant with several floors. read more

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The nikutama udon was great, but the chicken marsh curry was very lacking. The curry was poured over the rice vs being in a separate container which left the rice soggy. Also, the amount of curry was lacking. Definitely will not order the chicken katsu curry again. read more

Haven't been to Marugame in years, but thought I would give it a shot again when I heard they opened in Irvine. This particular location is in Diamond Jamboree (aka bad parking plaza, aka rich Asian kids cars spotting, etc.) - replaced the old Aijisen ramen. They are still in their grand opening phase, but overall the taste and quality of the udon is good. Chewy noodles, great tasting beef, good broth. Really a good chain with great quality. No line when I went. I was a bit surprised by the employees when I walked in because 20 employees greeted me. Looks like a ton of employees in training right now. Menu is straightforward. Something they can look at improving - at the register they are basically upselling you (ex. do you want a drink, do you want spicy, etc.) - the way the spicy bomb/spicy thing sits by the register right now with NO sign gives an incorrect impression to customers that it's free. I'd suggest putting a small sign in front of it indicating what it is and how much it costs. Me being a super frugal/cost conscious Asian I already knew it wouldn't be free - but I did hear/see a few customers confused about it. Overall good udon and would come back! read more

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I've been to several Marugame locations, and out of all of them I think that this one is a bit lackluster. I got the Nikutama while my boyfriend got the Tonkotsu udon. The broth was good, but the noodles were a bit too soft for my liking than the nice chewy bouncy texture they have at other Marugame. The service was fine, and the restaurant itself was clean. The pineapple sunrise drink just kinda tastes like koolaid fruit punch to me. It was not worth it. Overall, pretty good though. I liked the self-serve toppings of green onions and tempura flakes. read more

This location clearly puts a high priority on service, and the staff is energetic and personable. I enjoy the system they use to serve the food so I can select some of the additional tempura toppings myself. Soup was delicious and the large portion size filled me up. My only complaint is that I think the noodle to meat ratio in my bowl favored the noodles too much, so towards the end I got tired of eating just noodles. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

I tried the dashi broth and thought it was a little too fishy, so I got the vegan broth. That was so tasty and spicy. I got a side of sweet beef and added it on and that was great. You must add the ginger on it, for better favor. The best thing of course, is the noodles. The texture is unlike anything else. read more

We took the family out for dinner and got lucky with a big table. This location is smaller than the one in Torrance. Food was tasty and service was friendly. But the pickup process needs improvement. One bowl was meant for someone who ordered earlier, and another was for someone behind us. Staff gave us the wrong items while we were still in line. Overall, it's a good spot for a quick family meal. read more

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Curry nikutama udon is the way to go, wouldn't go with anything. Tempted on ranking this place before Meiji Seimen for udon. Recommend adding shrimp tempura to your udon. On a side note, don't order their lemonade, it tastes like powdered lemonade with a cup full of sugar. read more

Food was okay. Staff was attentive during ordering. The issue was the price. I think the pricing of everything was much too high. Eel came from a hot box and sukiyaki beef comes from a bin. I would think with this, pricing would be more reasonable. Sanukiseimen in the Mitsuwa food court is much better in quality and price. Tempura price was higher than expected too Seating was good and there's enough space for a stroller. Self serve area for sauce/ginger/water was very unique and convenient. read more

Best udon of my life. I would come here every day if i could. they give you the udon broth meat & egg and it's cafeteria-style, so u can add whichever other toppings you'd like. calamansi was delicious too! workers were super friendly & restaurant was clean and pleasant read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama and Calamansi - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

There was virtually no wait and it was perfect for a cold night! Got the #5 and a potato croquette. Everything was fresh, hot and the croquette was crispy. The garnish needed a refill but I asked and they quickly took care of that with fresh ingredients. Tables were clean in all locations. Utensils area was well kept as well as the free water dispenser. Everyone was super friendly and helpful. Highly recommend! read more

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I went to Marugame Udon at South Coast Plaza with my friend, and honestly, this place never disappoints. I got my usual -- the Nikutama (regular size) -- plus four shrimp tempura. This is my go-to spot whenever I'm craving udon, especially on a rainy day. Warm broth + good noodles = perfect weather combo. The location is on the second floor in the corner, and ordering is always super easy. You walk up, tell one of the cooks what udon you want, they make it right in front of you, place it on a tray, and then you move down the line to choose your sides. They have a solid variety too: shrimp tempura, big chicken katsu, tempura crab cake, and more (all paid separately). The Nikutama is always delicious -- tender beef and a broth that hits that perfect sweet-savory balance. But let me talk about that shrimp tempura... it's one of the best sides here. Always crunchy, never soggy, and seriously addictive. The dining space isn't huge, but they make good use of it. It does get busy (and it filled up fast while we were there), but that's just how you know the food is worth it. One thing I love about Marugame: if you have leftovers, they provide bowls, lids, and bags over by the water station so you can pack your food to go. Super convenient. Overall, this place is consistently great -- affordable, comforting, and perfect now that we're finally getting winter weather. I 100% recommend it if you're craving a warm, flavorful bowl of udon. read more

Marugame Udon - Shrimp tempura & Nikutama (regular size) - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Kiosk to order take-out is on the left side when you enter the restaurant. I ordered and waited by the table next to the cash register. The cashier saw I was sitting for awhile and offered a free drink. Very sweet guy. The food was nice to eat on a rainy day. They added green onion and tempura flakes to the bag so only thing you had to grab was the chili flakes and grated ginger. Will definitely return! read more

I've been to the South Coast/Costa Mesa Marugame several times and it's usually a solid 10/10--especially the Nikutama Udon, which is my go-to. I'll sometimes even get an extra side of kake broth when I'm craving something simpler. Unfortunately, this Diamond Jamboree location was a major letdown. The entire place felt dirty--tables had trash and leftover food on them, the tempura station was covered in crumbs, and the food prep areas just didn't look clean. When the guy was grabbing noodles from the pot, water splashed onto the back of the guy in front of me and even hit my face. Not super sanitary. They give you the option to order in person or at a kiosk if you're taking food to go. I used the kiosk to avoid the chaos, but 15 minutes after the pickup time, we had to ask what was going on. The cashier said they were short on udon and were prioritizing in-person orders over kiosk ones. That honestly made no sense to me--shouldn't the order of food prep be based on who ordered first, not how they ordered? Giving 2 stars because I love Marugame usually, but this experience fell way short in terms of cleanliness, organization, and customer service. read more

Marugame Udon - Fresh tempura station - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

One of my favorite udon spots and this was my first time at the Irvine location! I usually get the Nikutama but saw they had a new Tonkotsu broth. It was delicious and very filling. There is plenty of seating at this location and it wasn't too busy for a Friday around noon. read more

Marugame Udon - Creamy Broth Udon-Tonkotsu Style, Sweet Potato Tempura, Zucchini Tempura - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Food is good really great employees here and GM so on top of all beef and shrimp tempura are my fave

Worth the hype!! I always get the veggie tan tan and even my non-vegetarian friends attest that this is one of the best things on the menu. The portion is hugeeee and priced very fairly, especially when these days it feels like every one person meal is $20 minimum. Flavors are so bright, spicy, aromatic, and salted well!! It's hearty and will keep you coming back for more. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

First time having udon ever! It is a very sweet noodle soup. The place is packed! Looks like it is always busy. They do offer a student discount for those who decide to go. When you first go in, it is not like your usual restaurant. At the front, you choose your noodle/bowl and go down the line to get your add ons/toppings. Great experience and food I shared with my friend :) read more

Went to Marugame for udon and accidentally built the ultimate boss-level noodle bowl. Zero regrets read more

Marugame Udon - Beef Tomatama Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Damn this spot is nummy! Fast paced ordering, topping bar, great oriental atmosphere. Very efficient and delicious. read more

Marugame Udon - Damn this spot is nummy! Fast paced ordering, topping bar, great oriental atmosphere. - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

Overall, the restaurant had great service and is clean. I ordered the Chicken Katsu with rice, and a side order of Shrimp Tempura. I took off a star because the rice was clumped together and "wet", rather than firm, chewy individual grains of rice. The tempura was also soft, rather than crispy or flaky. This is still a nice spot to grab a quick bite to eat. read more

Marugame Udon - May 2025 - Chicken Katsu $11.95 - Shrimp Tempura $2.25 - Green Tea $3.50 - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

I've been to their Costa Mesa location a handful of times, and finally got the chance to visit their Irvine location now that I live closer to that one. I came during midday on a weekday, so it was pretty empty, but their welcoming was still very inviting. This location has a kiosk for you to order if you're only taking out. If you're ordering to dine-in, then you'd go through the line. My favorite thing about this spot is the affordability! A bowl of udon is anywhere from $7-11. I got the curry udon, which was so comforting on a cold day. There's also a hot bar, where you can grab various tempura-ed items. I got the potato croquette, tamago stick, and sweet potato tempura. You pay once you get to the end of line, and then head over to the water, sauce, and utensil station. The store itself is pretty spacious with lots of 4-seaters. When you finish eating, there's a tray drop off area towards the back to bring your finished bowls to. Love how similar to Japan Marugame is! read more

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We came here for the anniversary of event around 1pm. The line was out the door all the way to the patio, but we were helped quickly. I ordered two udons with sides, i got the seasoned egg and the kitsune. The price wasnt too bad and the employees were super friendly. the restroom and the entire dining area was clean. i liked how they have free water on the side for you to get without asking. i always get the potato croquette, and decided to try the shrimp, spam, and fried banana this time ~ super delicious read more

Marugame Udon - beef udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California

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vegan tan tan udon is kinda spicy but likee pretty good. The vibe inside is okay, the service is good, it's just like udon fast food. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Irvine, California