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

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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. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama Curry Bowl - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

I had the Creamy Broth ramen and a Big Katsu Chicken. First of all the way you order is like a line. First you order the main food. U tell them the number of the food and its rlly easy. They make it, put it on a tray and ask u if u want Green onion, tempura flakes, or chili oil. All of em are pretty good. Afterwards its self serve tempura with many options then u pay Theres also utensils, chili oil, and sauce u can use after The ambiance inside is nice The ramen is very creamy and a lil sweet, and i used a lot of chili oil bc it tastes rlly good spicy The Big Katsu tastes like Famichiki honestly and its rlly good and savory too Overall very good read more

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

Marugame Udon - Beef Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

Marugame Udon - Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

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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

Marugame Udon - Bolognese udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

Marugame Udon - Nikutama, Calamansi, matcha - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Value: ***** Flavor: ***** Service: **** Ambiance: **** Why is it that the best food always comes with a line? You see a crowd and immediately start doing math in your head. "Is this lunch...or a mortgage?" Then five minutes later you're inside watching someone hand-pull fresh udon noodles, and suddenly you've forgotten you were ever waiting. Honestly, it's oddly mesmerizing. You're rooting for the dough like it's competing in the Olympics. Then the bowl shows up, and the noodles are so perfectly chewy and soft that you start wondering if every other udon place has just been winging it this whole time. Choosing between the rich curry broth and the creamy broth feels like being asked to pick a favorite child. Fortunately, nobody's stopping you from ordering both. Ambiance is fast and furious. Then come the crispy extras, and now the meal has plot twists. The chicken katsu is so crunchy it practically has its own sound effects. The shrimp tempura somehow stays crisp even after a swim in the broth, which seems to ignore the laws of physics. And the sweet potato tempura? Who knew a vegetable could steal the spotlight? Every bite is chewy, crispy, creamy, and comforting all at once. By the end of the meal, you realize the line wasn't something to survive--it was just the opening act. I'd happily get back in it again...although I'll probably spend the wait debating the curry-versus-creamy dilemma all over again (ate here twice in three days) Stop by Pop Mart first and get your random figure and open here - it completes the Tokyo experience lol. 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

Marugame Udon - To Go - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

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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

Marugame Udon - Bolognese without noodles or rice. Side of veggies. - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

Marugame Udon - Shrimp udon (top) with additional veggie tempura (bottom) - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

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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

Marugame Udon - To go order - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

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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

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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

Marugame Udon - Fresh made order! - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

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not sure why this place is so popular the broth of the udon was not good. The noodles are not chewy and way too soft. The bowl was lukewarm, which made it unpleasant when it's busy. It's almost too difficult to find a seat. It gets noisy when it's busy. 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

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

Marugame Udon - Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

Inside of UTC Mall, you'll find one of the best spots for udon and tempura! The udon is delicious, and the tempura bar is the highlight--everything is fresh, crispy, and full of flavor. The prices are very reasonable, especially for the quality, and the service is quick and efficient! read more

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

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

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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

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

I came here for dinner with a close friend and initially had a great experience. I ordered the #1 Nikutama Bowl along with a variety of tempura to try: 1 crab, 2 sweet potato, and 2 chicken tempura. The food tasted good, and I ended up taking my leftover tempura home. The next day, I ate the leftover tempura for a late lunch. As I was finishing my meal, I took a bite of one of the sweet potato tempura pieces and discovered a hair embedded inside the batter. It wasn't just lying on top--it was cooked into the tempura. I've attached a photo because it speaks for itself. I was completely disgusted, especially knowing I had already eaten almost the entire order before finding it. It's incredibly upsetting to think I unknowingly consumed food with hair in it... I understand that mistakes can happen in any restaurant, but finding a hair embedded in the food is unacceptable. I hope the restaurant takes food preparation and hygiene more seriously to prevent this from happening to someone else. Highly disappointed. read more

Marugame Udon - Hair in tempura - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I came here for dinner with a close friend and initially had a great experience. I ordered the #1 Nikutama Bowl along with a variety of tempura to try: 1 crab meat, 2 sweet potato, and 2 chicken tempura. The food tasted good, and I ended up taking my leftover tempura home. The next day, I ate the leftover tempura for a late lunch. As I was finishing my meal, I took a bite of one of the sweet potato tempura pieces and discovered a hair embedded inside the batter. It wasn't just lying on top--it was cooked into the tempura. I've attached a photo because it speaks for itself. I was completely disgusted, especially knowing I had already eaten almost the entire order before finding it. It's incredibly upsetting to think I unknowingly consumed food that had hair in it... I understand that mistakes can happen in any restaurant, but finding a hair embedded in the food is unacceptable. I hope the restaurant takes food preparation and hygiene more seriously to prevent this from happening to someone else. Very Disappointed. read more

Marugame Udon - Hair found ... - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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Always a solid udon spot in San Diego. We usually order the number one (most loved) and a side of tempura. The line today was ridiculously long so we opted for take out. It took about 5 minutes for our food to be ready and there was seating nearby. Have dined here before and I enjoy the dining room. I like that they don't let people sit until they have their food. Good service! read more

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

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The creamy udon with chicken broth, pork chasu and seasoned egg was delicious comfort food. The noodles were thick, slippery and fresh. And the broth was light. I also got shrimp tempura, steamed vegetables and the calamansi drink. It was a filling and delicious meal. Service was quick. There was no wait on a Saturday at 11 am. The place is large, clean and comfortable. I've eaten the Kitsune at their Waikiki location and would like to return to taste other bowls of udon on their menu. read more

Marugame Udon - Creamy udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

This is a fast casual udon-focused restaurant - Japan-imported chain. Everything is either reheated to order (noodles are par boiled), or kept under a warmer (tempura). It's not bad, but not great either. Broth flavor was good, but it was not particularly hot, temperature-wise. The udon was realllly soft; no "bite" left in the noodle at all. The tempura was stodgy - the batter was very oily. I would not order the tempura again. I might give the noodles another try? But at $20 with tax, they need to be better. read more

Marugame Udon - Creamy broth udon with chashu and egg - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

Marugame Udon - Curry Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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

Marugame Udon - Curry Nikutama - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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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

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Marugame is our all time favorite udon comfort food. I love how they came up with new flavors for the udon options. We tried the bolognese udon , it had a rich and creamy sauce with bolognese topping, an egg is still included for extra protein. I really enjoyed the cheese katsu tomatama udon because of the mildly spicy broth, topped with perfectly done katsu. The melted cheese balances the spice. They also serve rice boxes now, for those who are not in the mood for udon. read more

Marugame Udon - Bolognese udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

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I recently visited Marugame with my family for dinner and was pleasantly surprised to find the line wasn't out the door like it used to be. We ordered a wide range of foods, rice bowl, bento box, udons (the new bolognese and the beef soup) and various tempuras. There is a fair amount of dine in tables and the sauce/utensils station is self serve. The to-go boxes and bags are also self serve on the side. As expected the udon is cooked perfectly (they do have a timer at the cook stations). This is certainly a solid choice for dinner with the family if you are in the mood for noodles. read more

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First time coming to Marugame Udon. I'm not much of a noodle person so I've resisted this place for a while. However, I completely loved my experience. Pros: -it's a cafeteria style establishment where you stand in line, place your order, grab any self serve items, then pay. -generous portions - indoor and outdoor seating Cons: -n/a Great, casual place! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California

I visit Marugame Udon relatively frequently for the convenience, comfort food, and good price. This time I tried the new tomato-based soup with katsu (sorry I forgot the name!) it was good, but not as good as my usual Nikutama. I just like more soup rather than curry consistency. Price is great for the portion, especially for the large sized bowl and I don't get any tempura since those are pricier. The Marugame Udon in UTC is always busier during the UCSD school season. I try to go during the summer or during breaks to avoid the line. This time we waited about 20 minutes to get to the front of the line to order, on a Friday night. There were few open tables but the turnover rate of the tables always works out in the end. Staff there are very proactive about cleaning up tables after patrons and will help with bussing tables as well. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Diego, California