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Super great place to grab a quick and delicious meal. The udon noodles are always fresh and bouncy and all of their tempura is very tasty too. My go to is the shrimp tempura BK, it's light and filling and you can also make it a cold noodle dish which is perfect in the summertime. This place is set up like a cafeteria so the service is very quick and efficient. All of the workers are friendly and attentive. Sometimes they will offer to take your dishes for you when you are done with your meal.
The bolognese udon was a total game changer and quickly became one of my boyfriend's favorites. My go-to is still the tonkotsu udon, which is consistently delicious every time I visit. Since the bolognese udon is more of a saucy noodle dish than a soup, we also ordered a side of kake udon to enjoy alongside it. The employee preparing our meal was also very generous with the tempura flakes and green onions, which made the meal even better.
This place makes fresh noodles on site. The service is pretty fast since you order and they give you your dish when you order. They have a variety of fried appetizers under heat lamps that you can grab like gyoza, chicken katsu, tempura, potato croquette etc I got the sweet beef and onion udon soup. It was pretty good. Had a good savory broth with a little sweetness from the caramels onion. I like how they put green onion and wonton pieces in the soup to give it a little crunch. I really like chicken katsu, but the texture of this chicken was a little Odd. It has this rubbery texture to it. Overall, it was pretty good, but I wouldn't wait in a long line for it.
After my original lunch plans at Din Tai Fung fell apart because of the two-and-a-half-hour wait (what was I thinking showing up without a reservation? I stumbled upon Marugame Udon...and I'm so glad I did! The ordering process is quick and fun, almost like Chipotle but for udon. You start by choosing your noodle bowl, then customize it with toppings like green onions, tempura flakes, and a seasoned soft-boiled egg. Trust me... get the egg! They also have a tempting tempura station with shrimp, crab, vegetables, and other fried goodies if you want to add a little extra to your meal. I ordered the curry udon, and it was fantastic. The curry was rich, flavorful, and comforting without being overpowering. The udon noodles had the perfect chewy texture that every noodle lover hopes for. Every bite was warm, satisfying, and exactly what I was craving. The line moved quickly, the food was fresh, and the whole experience was easy and efficient. Sometimes the best foodie adventures happen when your original plans don't work out, and this was definitely one of those times. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in San Diego!
Always get our Udon and Gyudon cravings here. I wish they didn't stop serving the Gyudon bowl with rice but that's how it is, restaurants make changes. But still happy atleast they still serve it by offering Nikutama Bento. Long line but line goes quick. Staff kept the tables clean. Been to Japan numerous times, this is the spot closest to authentic Japanese Udon/Gyudon. Recommended!
The udon here is amazing they are consistent every time i come, always on point never missing a beat with the rich broth and buoyant udon great after a long day swimming with the fishes. Fast efficient service with everything you need available on the side. The location is inside a mall which makes it a little bit of a journey but it's worth it. Clean dining area brightly lit cool ac makes this bowl of udon hit juuuuussssst right.
I didn't know what to expect , I was in the mall and decided to try it. It was so delicious. Very flavorful. I tried something simple. Bolognese Udon. but I can't wait to go back. The service moved fast. And they were friendly. There's seating inside and a few tables outside. The price is very good. I passed this place all the time. I'm glad I tried it.
I've never really liked udon but this is the place that made me change my mind! There can be a line but we usually go off peak hours so it's not too bad. My order is usually a beef nikutama, sweet potato tempura, tamagoyaki tempura, and a calamansi drink. The most recent visit I tried their bolognese and immediately regretted it lol - def would stick with my usual!
Currently on the keto diet but some friends wanted to go here. I asked if I could swap out the noodles or rice on any dishes and they couldn't do it. Everything would be an additional cost. I got the Bolognese with a side of veggies. It was actually really tasty! Definitely rich as they have a cream sauce base and then put the meat sauce on top. The meat was a little sweeter than I was expecting but not overly so. The veggies were unsalted which I appreciated since the meat was on the saliter side so when I mixed it all together it was perfect. Didn't have to wait at all on a Wednesday night around 6:30 but we did have to sit outside since all the inside tables were taken. No heaters outside so bring a jacket if you're going at night.
Ordered a quick bowl of udon to go and ate it at some nearby tables. The to go window was quick. At first, the broth was missing. Luckily we were close by and as able to go back and get it. The noodles were perfectly thick and chewy. The broth was so rich and savory. Also ordered some fried gyozas and a croquette to try, and those were just as flavorful and tasty. The lines are definitely not as long as it was when it first opened. If you chose to dine in, the process appears to be pretty quick and smooth. Nice casual ramen spot, so good.
Came on a Friday night around 8pm and this place was CROWDED! The line was out the door and all the tables (outdoor + indoor) were occupied. Luckily, the line moves quickly. If you're completely new to Marugame Udon, it can be confusing at first. You order your broth/udon first. The menu has pictures which is very helpful as it'll show you the type of broth and what proteins (if any) it comes with. They then give you your bowl on a tray, and they'll also ask if you want any of the complimentary toppings (green onion, fried tempura). You can also pay for extra topping such as a boiled egg. Before you make your way to the register, you can self-serve additional tempura which are a few dollars each. They had only a couple of choices, such as shrimp, sweet potato, pumpkin, zucchini. After you pay, a worker is there to help seat parties -- a much needed service considering that almost every table was taken! You bring your tray of food to your table. Water, utensils, and condiments such as chili pepper/hot oil/tempura dipping sauce are all self-serve. You bus your own dishes as well, as there is a dish drop-off area near the exit. The food was good. Udon noodles are nice and chewy, noticeably more so than if you ate packaged udon noodles at home. The broth is clean and simple. The self-serve tempura were all fresh; however multiple members in my party ordered the shrimp udon that came with shrimp tempura, and some of the tempura we were given were extremely soggy. Portion sizes are on the smaller side, but overall fair with relation to pricing. Overall, Marugame Udon is a decent place for a bowl of udon. However, I am NOT a big fan of this particular location -- I first had Marugame Udon at their Sawtelle location -- as this UTC location is easily overcrowded during peak dining hours. In addition, the first workers we interacted with (the ones who handle your broth order) had very unwelcoming personalities. They also shoved us our trays of udon so forcefully that what little broth is in the bowl to begin with spilled out, leaving behind a sad noodle-to-broth ratio... I would not come back to this particular location, but I would recommend those who haven't had Marugame Udon before to at least give it one try. Note on parking: Marugame Udon is located in the Westfield UTC outdoor shopping mall, where parking is free for the first hour and $2 per hour thereafter.
Very nice Marugame Udon in UTC - their bolognese and kitchen udon are great. Tempura like the egg one also very good. Excellent beverages like the yuzu lemonade and berry cooler. Exceptional service in preparation (you just order and specify your order at a counter). Plenty of seating in a spacious interior atmosphere as well - recommended bro!
I first fell in love with Marugame back in 2004 in Waikiki. The long lines to get a piping hot bowl of udon in the blistering sun had me hooked. Then came the DTLA location pre-covid and my excitement that I was only a few hours away from a bowl of goodness. I've been to the UTC location at least 20 times since it opened and am so glad it's in my backyard. I've never gotten anything other than the regular kake udon with scallions and tempura flakes and a piece of shrimp tempura and sweet potato on the side. My husband is also a creature of habit and has never gotten anything other than the curry with a seasoned egg, adding a big fried chicken cutlet, fried cheese, and sweet potato on the side. Their self service station to pour your own tempura dipping sauce and adding a touch of ginger is a hit along with their soup spoons, chopsticks, katsu packets, and water station. It's cafeteria style so grab your tray, noodles, pick out your fried tempura goodness, eat, and hand the tray to the employee at the drop off station when done. It's delicious, affordable, and moves quickly. My only request is to add spam musubi to the UTC location so I can pretend I'm in Waikiki. read more
1 month ago
2 months ago
Super great place to grab a quick and delicious meal. The udon noodles are always fresh and bouncy and all of their tempura is very tasty too. My go to is the shrimp tempura BK, it's light and filling and you can also make it a cold noodle dish which is perfect in the summertime. This place is set up like a cafeteria so the service is very quick and efficient. All of the workers are friendly and attentive. Sometimes they will offer to take your dishes for you when you are done with your meal. read more
9 days ago
The bolognese udon was a total game changer and quickly became one of my boyfriend's favorites. My go-to is still the tonkotsu udon, which is consistently delicious every time I visit. Since the bolognese udon is more of a saucy noodle dish than a soup, we also ordered a side of kake udon to enjoy alongside it. The employee preparing our meal was also very generous with the tempura flakes and green onions, which made the meal even better. read more
2 months ago
This place makes fresh noodles on site. The service is pretty fast since you order and they give you your dish when you order. They have a variety of fried appetizers under heat lamps that you can grab like gyoza, chicken katsu, tempura, potato croquette etc I got the sweet beef and onion udon soup. It was pretty good. Had a good savory broth with a little sweetness from the caramels onion. I like how they put green onion and wonton pieces in the soup to give it a little crunch. I really like chicken katsu, but the texture of this chicken was a little Odd. It has this rubbery texture to it. Overall, it was pretty good, but I wouldn't wait in a long line for it. read more
3 months ago
After my original lunch plans at Din Tai Fung fell apart because of the two-and-a-half-hour wait (what was I thinking showing up without a reservation? I stumbled upon Marugame Udon...and I'm so glad I did! The ordering process is quick and fun, almost like Chipotle but for udon. You start by choosing your noodle bowl, then customize it with toppings like green onions, tempura flakes, and a seasoned soft-boiled egg. Trust me... get the egg! They also have a tempting tempura station with shrimp, crab, vegetables, and other fried goodies if you want to add a little extra to your meal. I ordered the curry udon, and it was fantastic. The curry was rich, flavorful, and comforting without being overpowering. The udon noodles had the perfect chewy texture that every noodle lover hopes for. Every bite was warm, satisfying, and exactly what I was craving. The line moved quickly, the food was fresh, and the whole experience was easy and efficient. Sometimes the best foodie adventures happen when your original plans don't work out, and this was definitely one of those times. I'll absolutely be back the next time I'm in San Diego! read more
Always get our Udon and Gyudon cravings here. I wish they didn't stop serving the Gyudon bowl with rice but that's how it is, restaurants make changes. But still happy atleast they still serve it by offering Nikutama Bento. Long line but line goes quick. Staff kept the tables clean. Been to Japan numerous times, this is the spot closest to authentic Japanese Udon/Gyudon. Recommended! read more
The udon here is amazing they are consistent every time i come, always on point never missing a beat with the rich broth and buoyant udon great after a long day swimming with the fishes. Fast efficient service with everything you need available on the side. The location is inside a mall which makes it a little bit of a journey but it's worth it. Clean dining area brightly lit cool ac makes this bowl of udon hit juuuuussssst right. read more
I didn't know what to expect , I was in the mall and decided to try it. It was so delicious. Very flavorful. I tried something simple. Bolognese Udon. but I can't wait to go back. The service moved fast. And they were friendly. There's seating inside and a few tables outside. The price is very good. I passed this place all the time. I'm glad I tried it. read more
I've never really liked udon but this is the place that made me change my mind! There can be a line but we usually go off peak hours so it's not too bad. My order is usually a beef nikutama, sweet potato tempura, tamagoyaki tempura, and a calamansi drink. The most recent visit I tried their bolognese and immediately regretted it lol - def would stick with my usual! read more
7 days ago
The staff was welcoming and friendly. The prices are fair. The food is delicious especially the handmade udon.The indoor seating was very cool and comfortable. The mural on the wall is interesting to look at with its colorful pictures and words. read more
4 months ago
Currently on the keto diet but some friends wanted to go here. I asked if I could swap out the noodles or rice on any dishes and they couldn't do it. Everything would be an additional cost. I got the Bolognese with a side of veggies. It was actually really tasty! Definitely rich as they have a cream sauce base and then put the meat sauce on top. The meat was a little sweeter than I was expecting but not overly so. The veggies were unsalted which I appreciated since the meat was on the saliter side so when I mixed it all together it was perfect. Didn't have to wait at all on a Wednesday night around 6:30 but we did have to sit outside since all the inside tables were taken. No heaters outside so bring a jacket if you're going at night. read more
Ordered a quick bowl of udon to go and ate it at some nearby tables. The to go window was quick. At first, the broth was missing. Luckily we were close by and as able to go back and get it. The noodles were perfectly thick and chewy. The broth was so rich and savory. Also ordered some fried gyozas and a croquette to try, and those were just as flavorful and tasty. The lines are definitely not as long as it was when it first opened. If you chose to dine in, the process appears to be pretty quick and smooth. Nice casual ramen spot, so good. read more
5 months ago
Came on a Friday night around 8pm and this place was CROWDED! The line was out the door and all the tables (outdoor + indoor) were occupied. Luckily, the line moves quickly. If you're completely new to Marugame Udon, it can be confusing at first. You order your broth/udon first. The menu has pictures which is very helpful as it'll show you the type of broth and what proteins (if any) it comes with. They then give you your bowl on a tray, and they'll also ask if you want any of the complimentary toppings (green onion, fried tempura). You can also pay for extra topping such as a boiled egg. Before you make your way to the register, you can self-serve additional tempura which are a few dollars each. They had only a couple of choices, such as shrimp, sweet potato, pumpkin, zucchini. After you pay, a worker is there to help seat parties -- a much needed service considering that almost every table was taken! You bring your tray of food to your table. Water, utensils, and condiments such as chili pepper/hot oil/tempura dipping sauce are all self-serve. You bus your own dishes as well, as there is a dish drop-off area near the exit. The food was good. Udon noodles are nice and chewy, noticeably more so than if you ate packaged udon noodles at home. The broth is clean and simple. The self-serve tempura were all fresh; however multiple members in my party ordered the shrimp udon that came with shrimp tempura, and some of the tempura we were given were extremely soggy. Portion sizes are on the smaller side, but overall fair with relation to pricing. Overall, Marugame Udon is a decent place for a bowl of udon. However, I am NOT a big fan of this particular location -- I first had Marugame Udon at their Sawtelle location -- as this UTC location is easily overcrowded during peak dining hours. In addition, the first workers we interacted with (the ones who handle your broth order) had very unwelcoming personalities. They also shoved us our trays of udon so forcefully that what little broth is in the bowl to begin with spilled out, leaving behind a sad noodle-to-broth ratio... I would not come back to this particular location, but I would recommend those who haven't had Marugame Udon before to at least give it one try. Note on parking: Marugame Udon is located in the Westfield UTC outdoor shopping mall, where parking is free for the first hour and $2 per hour thereafter. read more
Very nice Marugame Udon in UTC - their bolognese and kitchen udon are great. Tempura like the egg one also very good. Excellent beverages like the yuzu lemonade and berry cooler. Exceptional service in preparation (you just order and specify your order at a counter). Plenty of seating in a spacious interior atmosphere as well - recommended bro! read more
1 month ago
the noodles are the freshest and best texture udon ive ever had in san diego. I've tried numerous dishes and they are all great but i keep coming back to the classic nikutama with beef for good reason comforting food when you want something warm and quick you can ask for freshly fried tempura/katsu if you would like it extra hot read more
Wow! Just wow. It was a cloudy day in San Diego and I had one thing I wanted to eat - UDON. Now, my coworker has been raving about this place so I gave it a shot and I'm so mad I didn't get to try this place sooner! It is sooooo goood!!!!! The noodles - perfection. The soup - a sweet soy sauce base that I absolutely love! I was hungry & ordered the large Nikutama with an egg and it was plenty! Price: $ Parking: Next to 85 degrees in UTC mall - 1 hour free parking Recommendation: Nikutama with egg. If there is a line, I recommend a to go order. I was able to get my food in less than 5 minutes. How epic is that!!!! To go service was delayed because of how busy it was inside but it was still a positive experience because of how quick it was! I highly recommend Marugame Udon. It was so yummy and super affordable :) read more
Delish as always! I've been to the Sawtelle one a few times and this location is no different - delicious handmade udon, reasonable prices, quick friendly service. This location has a good amount of seating indoors too. Definitely will continue to be my top choice for udon when I'm in the area! read more
3 months ago
Great staff and fast service. The restaurant is spacious and has a lot of seating The broths are flavorful and the udons are rightly done. I like their eggs read more
This place is a freaking gem - wish we had one in the East Coast. So good we came back here twice on the trip. Both udon bowls I had were fantastic. Noodles made fresh. Fresh tempura in the line up was delicious with self-service tempura sauce. read more
YUHM! This spot was consistently busy and we absolutely understood why. They get people through the line quickly and you can see them working on the udon while you wait. We tried a couple of different styles and both were delicious in their own regard. Both eggs were perfectly cooked and gave us a beautifully runny yolk. We thought we would need a large, but could've absolutely done a small. read more
One of the best udon spots around! The line "looked" long but we only waited for about 15 mins... it went pretty fast. We got the creamy tan tan (large) noodles with the tempura flakes and green onions on the side (so it doesn't get soggy) and then 2 shrimps, pumpkin and zucchini tempura. We shared the large bowl of noodles.. which was plenty!! Everything was very good. The only complaint I had was by the time we got to our table to soup was not very hot. Which is a bummer because I love HOT soup with my noodles. Other than that.. always love this place!! read more
MARUGAME UDON @ UTC LA JOLLA Parking is available in their parking lot and is free for the first two hours. After that, you'll need to pay an additional $3 for each extra hour. I'd recommend parking closer to Corner Bakery if you can, it's usually less busy and has less traffic compared to the Nordstrom area. I've been wanting to try this udon place for so long, and every time I pass by there's always a line out the door. My mentor and I finally came on a weekday, and it was still packed. The line wasn't as long as it usually is on weekends, but it was still busy. The ordering process is pretty straightforward, you look at the menu, decide exactly what you want, and then tell the staff as you move through a single-file line while watching them prepare your bowl. They also offer add-ons like shrimp tempura, corn, and other small sides that you can customize your order with. I ended up getting their simple udon bowl and added corn. They also have drinks available, and some you're even able to sample. I absolutely loved the environment and overall vibe of the place. The only thing to note is that seating can be tricky, if you're going with a friend, I'd recommend having one person grab a table while the other orders. It's very much a grab-your-food-and-find-a-spot kind of place, both indoors and outdoors, so securing seating quickly is key. The noodles were so fluffy and cooked perfectly. I'd highly recommend stopping by if you're looking for a warm, comforting bowl of soup, it truly hit the spot. Everything was so delicious and flavorful, and the staff were extremely kind and friendly. I'll definitely be coming back. read more
4 months ago
I discovered Marugame Udon in Oahu, Hawaii and every time I vacation in there, I always make sure to eat there at least once! I was super happy when they opened up in San Diego and every time I go to UTC mall, I usually eat there because it's a good value and yummy. There's usually a line which shows just how popular it is but the line usually goes fast. My go to is the nikutama udon if you want a classic udon with beef and recently I tried the bolognese udon which is also good but doesn't have the traditional dashi flavor. I like that you can add tempura à la carte and the meal is always filling and satisfying! read more
7 months ago
TLDR very well designed concept for a quick "workers lunch." Flavor quality varies between broths but noodles are great. Lots of optionality. Would recommend! Marugame is a franchise of cafeteria style udon soup noodle restaurants. This location is in the UTC Westfield by the south entrance. The line is always busy but it moves very fast; service knows how to move fast for the experienced and educate effectively for the uninitiated. Don't expect a long wait. You pick your soup and base, a server will hand you a tray, then you pick out tempura fried sides before paying. Quick and painless! Service 10/10 Food: we focused on udon and sides the noodles are made in house and have a nice springy texture upon biting. Each batch is cooked to order and cooked well. Despite waiting in line, the bowls are hot by the time you sit. The fried toppings are cooked well but come with the risk of sitting for a while. One of our katsu was hot while the other was lukewarm. Seasoning across the board was good for both: lightly salted with a hint of oil rather being drowned in it. Noodle 8/10 Chicken katsu 6/10 Curry udon: nice and thick broth with a classic mild flavor; also very smooth. Don't expect heat, don't expect a heavy hand with spice, do expect a decent sweetness. 7/10 SEASONAL Tantan udon: more mild than I would have liked. Very little peanut flavor, a savory tomato flavor comes through but ultimately I wanted heavier spice and a forward peanut. 6/10 So with good food and quick service this place makes for a nice quick lunch. The interior speaks that way too. There's a pass for you to put your dishes away and the design is very industrial with some color pop. I'd come back as a local but it seems that's the vibe. Ambience 6/10. read more
Always loved this chain and glad they opened a location in UTC. The texture of their housemade udon noodles are always great, and you can't go wrong with any of their soup bases. Their nikutama is one of my go tos with the sweet and savory beef, but I also especially like their kitsune with the sweet fried tofu. Love that you can dress up the udon with unlimited green onion and tempura flakes. They have a large selection of tempura and again, you really can't go wrong with any of them. Lots of indoor and also some outdoor seating with a separate take out line as well. read more
4 months ago
Love going to Marugame Udon! It's a great casual spot and it's easy to order. Sometimes it can be difficult to find seating, but the staff are helpful with that. My go to order is the regular sized Nikutama. It's not too pricey and it's nice to have for lunch or dinner. read more
This quick-service spot on the edge of UTC Mall has addicting soft and silky udon noodles. The perfect bounce and chew. The noodles are the star. Get there early for dinner to avoid a long line. I get the curry sauce udon with sweet beef and an egg, otherwise known as Curry Nikutama. Each component has a different flavor profile to give it a sweet, salty, savory umami combo when you stir it all up and enjoy. Once you order and get your bowl of udon you pass the tempura bar before paying, where you can grab a number of crispy fried options. The potato croquette and tempura cheese are two favorites, but you really can't go wrong with anything there, just be careful cause each item of crispy goodness you grab with the tongs adds another few dollars to your order total. After paying, one of the staff seats you promptly at an available table and points you to the sauce and condiment bar. The space is bright and busy, and ends up a pretty quick meal (if there isn't a line) and you're in a rush. read more
3 months ago
Excellent quality and fast service at an expected price point of around $15-20 for noodles with meat and sauce. Loved the tempura "bar", felt like I was back in Japan at the world fair! Family friendly atmosphere, right by the big play fish structure. Doesn't feel like a chain even if it is! read more
1 month ago
5 months ago
If you're looking for a quick and casual "order and go" udon spot, this is it. There's usually a long line, but it goes pretty fast. After ordering your main dish, you can also add some tempura like shrimp, mushroom, zucchini, and sweet potato. We all had their signature dish, Nikutama. It's a generous size with a lot of meet. I actually wish it was a bit more soupy, as I like the broth. I also had their zucchini and sweet potato tempura. Next time, I'll have to try their creamy chicken udon because that looked pretty yummy too. read more
Have to leave another review because I feel like Marugame just gets better and better! I ordered their seasonal item the cheese katsu tomatoma udon and it was incredible. The katsu is perfectly cooked and crunchy and I absolutely loved the tomato based broth flavor. They have servers who are ready to prepare a table for you as soon as you pay and they take your food to the table. Then when you are done, they help clean everything up. The process and line are so efficient and food quality still amazing as usual. Highly recommend! read more
I love going to this place whenever I am craving udon. My absolute favorite udon to get here is the nikutama, but I decided to try the new seasonal item: beef tomatama curry udon. It had a slight sweet heat and it didn't taste like your usual japanese curry flavor. It wasn't my favorite and I probably wouldn't get this again because I prefer a more soupy broth. Each bowl comes with complimentary green onions and crunchy tempura topping, but you can always opt out of adding it. After you grab your bowl, you have a myriad of tempura options. My favorite is the tamago tempura. It can get pretty packed inside, but it was nice to have a person designated to seating people after their purchase. read more
5 months ago
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Ask the Community - Marugame Udon
Are the noodles and soup separated for takeout?
You can choose! When you order takeout, there are two options: 1) Separate - Noodles, base, and toppings separate, or 2) Ready To Eat - Everything combined and recommended to enjoy 10 minutes later.
Can I buy just a topping? Sometimes I'm craving the tamago but don't want to commit to a whole bowl of udon or rice too.
Yes! Toppings and sides are available a La cart
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