After recently visiting Fukada and being super disappointed with their nabeyaki udon, I needed another place to satisfy my nabeyaki craving. Meiji Seimen's version is a good choice. Their noodles are homemade, and the udon broth is flavorful. Scan the QR code for menu but the staff stops by to take order. Restaurant gets pretty busy so best to put yourself on the waitlist before arrival. Overall a nice restaurant with friendly staff and decent food. read more

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I thought I'd tried this place years ago, but apparently not. After eating it, I realize now that I couldn't have forgotten such a great place. We went here on a Saturday and it was a sizeable wait because it's popular but small. Everything looked amazing so I had a hard time picking what to get, but I settled on a cold inaka soba. It was phenomenal. The soba was perfectly cooked so it wasn't too soft like the soba I had today. The broth was fantastic - light but full of flavor. Every component of this dish worked well to complement each other. They put wasabi on the side so you can add however much you want. It was excellent. 10/10. Staff is super nice and they're very patient and helpful. Free parking though you may have to park a bit further. Also a huge fan of their OkiDoki restaurant. read more

Meiji Seimen - Inaka soba (cold) - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I've always wanted to try this playing growing up but there was always a line and they don't take reservations. Came for early dinner and did not have to wait long. I've heard great reviews about this place so I was excited. Beef curry bowl (5/5); I just wanted a bite of curry so I got this. I ordered a small and holy this was massive. I didn't know there was a runny egg also so thats bonus with the added texture of creaminess. The beef was fatty and portion was generous. The curry was great as well. Tempura Zaru (5/5): I was really craving udon on a hot day so this was perfect. It comes with a few pieces of tempura (shrimp and vegetable). Perfect side dish for the udon. The udon is dipped in a cold citrus sweet concentrated sauce. I really liked how the udon bounces the taste of the sauce. I was excited about this place already and it exceeded my expectations. Definitely might be one of my top restaurants in OC. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The staff is friendly and attentive. The food is amazing! Everything we ordered tasted really good. It reminded us of our time in Japan. It's a small cozy spot with plenty of parking around. We are looking forward to coming back to try the other things on the menu. read more

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Stopped by today since I have been craving for cold Soba, tbh the noodle don't meet my expectation. It's little hard, I like it more softer, chewy, tender and flex. My bro got the udon tempura, he said, it's good and we like deep fried squid leg. Little convenience spot, great service and not crowded during the last call of lunch hour. read more

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Me and the girls came here for lunch and really enjoyed it. Got here and put our name down on their Yelp waitlist about 15 minutes before they opened their doors. And thank god we did because the lines were really forming! I can see why this is a hit. The prices are so affordable, the taste is authentic and fresh, the vibe is cozy and friendly. It's a perfect place for a catch up with your girlfriends or a trendy date spot without breaking the bank. I ordered a lunch set and I think it was only $15 for the whole spread! We shared a grilled beef/cow tongue and it was perfectly seasoned and topped with finely chopped scallions. Very good! My friends really enjoyed their fresh udon and soba noodles. They kept raving loudly about how good the meal was, I think we are coming back! read more

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First its always a long line to dine in. We made reservations online past 8p on a Saturday. When we got there we waited over 30 minutes and they close at 10p. The broth on the Udon was delish.. tasty and not overpowering. We ordered two large Udon soup and a Large bowl of Fried chicken... we savored and finished it all. My only complaint is that there is additional fee for a salad.. how I wish they added sine veges on pthe side with the fried chicken in order to complement the dish. Also, how I wish they have a bigger space for people to dine in. Its hard to invite a grp of people to enjoy their food when there isnt enough sitting area. read more

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I stopped by Meiji Seimen Homemade Noodle and had a nice meal. It's not a very large restaurant, but it has a cozy atmosphere with a small, casual setup. The servers were friendly and attentive, and our food came out pretty quickly. We ordered the Shabu Shabu Udon, Chicken Tempura Curry Udon, and a Small Beef Bowl. One thing worth noting is that their udon contains egg, so keep that in mind if you have any egg allergies. Out of everything we tried, the Chicken Tempura Curry Udon was my favorite. The curry broth was rich, comforting, and packed with flavor, and the chicken tempura stayed surprisingly crispy even after sitting in the broth for a bit. The Shabu Shabu Udon was also good and had plenty of tender beef, while the Small Beef Bowl made for a solid side dish. Overall, this is a good spot if you're craving fresh udon and want something warm and comforting. Looking forward to coming back and trying some of their other menu items. Until next time! read more

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I have no words to describe the incredible lunch experience we had at Meiji Seimen. It's in an unassuming strip mall and a true local, hole in the wall restaurant with only a few tables and always a long wait. I recommend checking the current wait time and getting on the Yelp waitlist before heading over. Staff was all so friendly and accomodating and as soon as they noticed I had a purse with me, provided me with a bag hook I could borrow while we dined! That seems like such a small thing but it was truly so considerate and I appreciated it so much!! My fiancé and I shared their delicious fried chicken appetizer (this is a must get - incredibly crispy large pieces and perfect ratio of meat to batter), he got the pork katsu curry udon set which he loved and said was so flavorful, and I got the tempura udon with extra fish cake. The broth was so light and perfect! Absolutely delicious. This is now on our date night rotation. Thank you for the amazing meal and service! read more

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Came around 6:30pm on a Sunday and had to wait just a little bit over 15 mins to get seated. Tried the beef curry udon (9/10) and the shabu shabu udon (8/10). Very comforting food. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I had Meiji Seimen bookmarked and we decided to try it before picking strawberries at Hana Field since we would be in Costa Mesa. Parking was easy to find in the parking lot, but there was a decent wait to dine in for lunch on Saturday. For our party of 2, we put our names on a wait-list and waited about 30 minutes. The restaurant is not that large which explains the wait. The interior was decorated in wood traditional Japanese style. Service however was very attentive and friendly. We scanned the QR code to browse the menu. We decided to order curry katsu udon (spice level 2), grilled mackerel set, and cold egg + tororo + mentai udon. All of the food was extremely delicious, especially the udon. This is definitely an authentic Japanese restaurant with Japanese employees. Most of the diners were Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese. Prices were also very fair, under $20 per dish. I was really impressed and would gladly come back, just be prepared for a wait during peak times! read more

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I love coming here! The service is good, and the food is even better. I love udon, and this has definitely become my go-to spot. There's almost always a wait, but if you're nearby, you can check in through Yelp. I usually get there about 10-15 minutes before they open. They have a tablet outside for check-in, but they won't let anyone in until they open, so expect other people to have the same idea. My usual order is the shabu shabu udon with pork belly. The pork belly adds extra richness to the dish, and it's so soft and tender. They also offer monthly specials on certain days and during specific hours. If you can make it during one of the specials, I definitely recommend trying it! The prices are pretty reasonable, too, which makes this an easy spot to keep coming back to. read more

First time here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came on a Friday evening and the place was crowded. A quick 5 min wait so not bad at all. I have always been a fan of soba and this place gives you a decent portion. We each got one soba and shared a few other dishes. The good came out relatively fast and it was delicious. We also got a sparking sake - which was a little sweet for my taste and pretty low abv. Chicken karaage - big pieces and crispy. Pork cutlet - crispy and juicy. Soba with tempura - nice portion. Flavorful broth and the tempura was light. Overall I would come back here read more

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What an amazing visit! We were looking for a quick spot to enjoy some yummy Japanese food and Meiji Seimen was the spot! We used Yelp check in and were sat almost immediately after we arrived! Their service is always incredible and very attentive since I always finish my water the moment I sit down. I ordered way too much last time so I ordered a fried pork bowl and it was perfectly crunchy and the rice was perfectly cooked.They event included a pepper that added a nice spice to the dish. My partner and her mom ordered udon and said the noodles and broth were perfect! We also tried their tofu and shrimp tempura! Totally loved my experience and I hope to have another! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Great no frill restaurant. Small inside so probably not the best for huge parties. Came here for dinner on a weekday & I was able to add myself to waitlist when I was 5 miles away. I was craaaving cold soba and this place really hit the spot. The sauce was savory & was great with the added wasabi. Good portion sizes & quick service. We were in and out in less than our hour. My boyfriend always get their Shabu Beef Udon - quality is consistent & delicious. Love their broth. 10/10 recommend. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Stopped by around 9 PM on a Sunday and had a smooth experience from start to finish. There was plenty of parking available, likely given it was late in the day. We were greeted right away, and someone took our order within a minute of arriving. The food came out relatively quickly, which was a nice surprise. Inside had traditional Japanese decor. I ordered the Sukiyaki Beef Curry Bowl, and it definitely hit the spot. The beef was tender and flavorful, and the slightly sweet sukiyaki paired really well with the rich Japanese curry. Neither flavor overpowered the other, making for a balanced meal. Overall, the service was efficient, the food arrived quickly, and the quality was exactly what I was hoping for. I'd definitely order the Sukiyaki Beef Curry Bowl again. read more

What a gem of a location in Costa Mesa. I was craving soba because I've been kind of sick of other noodle dishes lately, and Meiji Seimen outdid themselves. I love getting soba at different locations as a change of pace, and at Meiji it's perfectly made. The seating didn't take too long on a Tuesday night and the food took about 5-7 minutes to start coming out which was really nice! Parking isn't too bad, the area is a bit small but it's never really full here. We started off with the shishito peppers which came with bonito flakes which was a nice addition. It added a bit of extra flavor and wasn't too fishy, it overall complimented the peppers really well and gave it some depth! Next was the fried chicken as I wanted to have some protein with my soba and it was just right, crispy and crunchy while still being juicy! The sauce was of course a good addition to dip in to give extra flavor. Lastly, I got a plain order of zaru soba, which was just perfect for the night. The noodles weren't too soggy or stiff, they were just right. Combining the wasabi, seaweed, and green onion to the dip helped add more flavor to the noodles each dip and made for a perfect meal for me. I will definitely be back whenever I crave soba noodles! The server was really nice and stopped by plenty of times to make sure we were doing fine which was great to see! read more

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We came on a Thursday around 6:20 but joined the waitlist around 6. We had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated but that makes sense since the restaurant is super small. We ordered a shabu shabu udon and the tempura zaru udon. They were both decent with chewy udon and a flavorful broth but it tastes like something I could make at home. I liked the udon more than the tempura since the noodles were super chewy and firm but the tempura could have been crispier and was on the soggy side. My friend thought the shabu shabu udon was okay but said she has had better udon elsewhere. Overall, I would come back to try their soba but wouldn't go out of my way or wait super long. Ratings Shabu shabu udon: 3.8/5 Tempura zaru udon: 4/5 read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu shabu udon, tempura zaru udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

It's a small restaurant, so I definitely recommend joining the Yelp waitlist. The katsu here is one of the best I've ever had, it was so good that we ended up ordering another side of it. I also got the tempura cold soba, which was refreshing and light. The curry udon was delicious too. The curry broth isn't as thick as the typical Japanese curry, making it easy to slurp with the udon while still being rich and flavorful. The service was good and the ambiance is nice and cozy. I will be back to try other dishes they have! read more

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Was running hot so I'm glad they had some cold options. Chicken karaage was a little overdone and I've definitely had better elsewhere. Beef tongue also overcooked but good flavor The chicken tempura though was very unique and good with I think black pepper in it? Want to come back for lunch specials like the gyudon cause I love beef bowls and also need to try that limited 10 bowl dish they have read more

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This place always has a wait, and for good reason. It's a small shop so waiters are attentive and your food will come out in a timely manner - feels like you're transported to Japan :) Also, make sure to join the waitlist before you get there to avoid long wait times. Udon is favorite noodle dish and this place definitely meets my expectations. I've had the Nabeyaki and Chicken Tempura Curry udon, and they're very filling! I will say they're a little pricey but I think it's worth for the amount and quality. If you want to impress someone who loves udon or Japanese food, come here!! read more

Unbelievable undon ! Great efficient service and a small quaint restaurant. Highly recommend when you're in OC, get there a little before open or join waitlist early! read more

Meiji Seimen - Soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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TL:DR - neighborhood gem. Go Service - prompt, efficient, attentive Ambiance - small setting. Wait list so plan accordingly Food - spot on flavors Nabeyaki Udon - delicious. Shabu shabu udon - mid spice - great bowl Cold soba - refreshing Mackerel - great starter Pork belly starter - stellar!! Pro tip- be prompt and get on the wait list. read more

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SUPER small cozy little place serving good soba and udon! We put our name on the waitlist before we got there and still had to wait almost an hour for a party of 4 for Saturday dinner! This place is popular so come ready for a wait!!! I just had udon recently at another place so I figured I'd try out their soba. If I'm not mistaken they make these themselves. Hot Tempura Soba ($15) with large size upgrade ($3.5) and added seasoned egg ($2)-- It was a super simple but satisfying meal. The broth has depth without feeling oily or greasy. It's clean and simple but very well seasoned. I kept drinking the soup. I got the large upgrade since everyone else at the table was doing that and I'm glad I did! Since it was a super simple broth I probably needed the extra noodles to be full. Ajitama was beautifully done and I'd get it again next time! Shrimp tempura was whatever wouldn't go out of my way to get it again. I also wish it came with a dipping sauce! Actually what happened was my first choice was sansai (Japanese mountain vegetables) soba but they ran out of sansai and my heart broke because I was so locked in and committed. That's exactly what I was craving so had to last minute change to tempura... I'll have to come back and get my sansai fix!! I personally don't know if the soba was special enough for me to be like "wow I taste the difference!!" but that might be because I got it hot? Next time I'll probably get it cold. Or try their udon instead. Fried chicken ($9.5)-- BEAUTIFULLY fried and seasoned! Super juicy, savory, and good portion size. The dipping sauce is good too! I much prefer sauces like this over when places just give you mayo. Must order!! Will be getting again!! Parking is easy since it's located in a strip mall. Just make sure you put your name on the waitlist when you're near the restaurant and check in on the iPad when you get there! read more

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This was a great spot for udon noodles!!! I ordered the Shabu Shabu udon with a little spice and it was a large portion with lots of meat. The only downside to the restaurant is that it is very small inside so we had to wait amount 30 min. Definitely join the waitlist. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu Shabu udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food: Egg, Tororo, Mentai Udon (Hot) Price: $15 (not including tax) Overall: This is my second time coming here and I love it! Came around lunch time on a Thursday and it was kind of empty (unlike during peak dinner time where there would be a waitlist). Inside, there is limited seating so a big party would need to wait/split off. The menu is a QR scan and the time of taking our orders and food coming out was in a timely manner. Ever since Japan, I have a love for Mentaiko so I really enjoy the udon; 1+ for the bouncy of the noodles too! My friend ordered the soba and takoyaki (he let me have a takoyaki) and the takoyaki was really good! Their other location is Okidoki, so definitely try out both locations! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

OH WOW THE BEST DESSERT IVE EVER HAD IN MY LIFE OMG PLEASE TRY THEIR PANNA COTTA.... Overall reasonable pricing and good service. Maybe check the waiting time before you go, as there are people waiting outside. read more

Meiji Seimen - Zaru Soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Amazing udon restaurant!! I got the tempura udon and it was delicious! There was a 30 minute wait time but it was 100% worth it. It is very small inside, but had very nice decor. Check out this awesome udon restaurant! read more

Meiji Seimen - Tempura Udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I have been coming here for the last couple years, and I have to say it never disappoints. Me and my boyfriend always share the large curry udon and a few appetizers and usually it's filling for the both of us. The restaurant is small, so the wait times are understandably longer than some other places but it's well worth the wait- they make their udon noodles in house every day. We almost never get dessert but after our last visit, we're definitely gonna start ordering the panna cotta. Best texture of a panna cotta I've ever had at a restaurant. Normally they are too gelatiny for my taste, but this one was smooth and had a nice balance with the berries on top. They also have a happy hour which involves some starters and a beer if that's something that interests you! This is definitely one of those places that's in our monthly rotation for when we do eat out!! read more

Meiji Seimen - Curry udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Put yourself on their waiting list! People got there and start lining up before they open. We arrived when they open and we were already #8 in line. We waited 45 mins before being seated and the line was twice as long when we left. It's a very small restaurant but so worth the hype. The Nabeyaki udon was absolutely delicious. Such a clear broth full of flavor with chewy udon noodles. It was a big bowl and I love that it has enoki mushrooms, fish cake, an egg, and a delicious shrimp tempura. Can't wait to go back again. Drooling just thinking about it. read more

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Came on a weekday night and it was still pretty packed, wanna say we waited about 20 minutes for a table. Inside is a little small but felt very homey. Good service. I got their chicken tempura udon and it was delicious! Portions are bigger than they look. :) read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Ordered: tempura zaru soba It's a tiny restaurant so the wait is kinda long. The staff were nice, quick, and accommodating. The soba noodles were fresh, bouncy, and chewy. The soup was light and refreshing. The tempura was fresh and crispy. I wished they didn't have the onion tempura, the raw onion flavor overpowered the whole dish. There's plenty of parking in the parking lot. The yuzu sorbet was more like shaved ice but it was really refreshing. read more

Meiji Seimen - Tempura zaru soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Got there a little before opening and there was already a waitlist! Couldn't join the waitlist on my phone before opening, but you could sign up on their tablet in front of the store. It's a small restaurant and the tables are kind of close together. The servers were friendly and the food came out fast. Loved the texture of the noodles. I got the beef curry udon with level 2 spicy soup. It was on the lighter side, which I liked. The Kakuni really stood out to me! The pork was really tender and had a lot of flavor. Definitely a must order! It's located in a small plaza with a good amount of parking. Come a little before opening to add yourself to the waitlist because the wait can get a little long during peak dinner times. read more

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Wait Time: 3/5 There was about an hour-long wait, so be prepared. It's definitely a popular spot stop after all these years. Curry Udon: 4/5 The curry udon was very tasty and consistent in flavor compared to the first time I had it 5 years ago It was a bit on the salty side if you plan to eat the majority of the curry, and spice level 2 felt more like a medium spice level. Egg is additional. I was disappointed in the seasoned egg since mine wasn't as runny as I would like. Next time I'll order a poached egg. Customer Service: 5/5 Service was prompt and efficient, even with how busy the restaurant was. Ambiance: 4/5 The ambiance is lively and energetic, with loud music and a busy crowd. Great if you enjoy a vibrant dining atmosphere. read more

Meiji Seimen - Pork curry udon level 2 spice with Seasoned egg - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Me and my gf always stop here on Sunday after Church for lunch! Great spot with fantastic Japanese cuisine. Sometimes there's a wait but it's never too bad. Def worth the wait; just put your name down on the Yelp checklist. We always order the assorted tempura and Nabeyaki udon. It's amazing! read more

I live down the street from this spot and can't believe I hadn't tried it until tonight! Had dinner with a friend and she suggested it. We planned to meet at 6:30 and she got there around 6:15 and joined the waitlist. Pretty busy considering it's a Monday night so I suggest coming on off times or be prepared to wait. We waited about 15 min which wasn't bad. We ordered edamame and chicken karaage to start and then I got the shabu shabu udon for my meal with mild spice and shrimp tempura add on. Everything was sooo good. Love that they also offered us bibs since we were wearing white shirts lol. Would love to come back and try some of the other items on the menu. They had people waiting outside so they hurried us out once we were done eating but it was understandable given how small the spot is and how busy they were. So don't come here expecting ambiance and a long dinner. But great food and would definitely recommend. read more

Meiji Seimen - Chicken karaage - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Friend's recommendation for Ramen. Save time by joining the waitlist and whole party must be present when checking-in. There's either table or bar seating. Menu has QR code but do have actual menus upon requested. Sodas are can. Add additional charge to make it spicy (level 1 - 3 (lvl 3 is equivalent to a Jalapeño) This Japanese ramen shop has the staple: udon, ramen, soba and curry. Comes in either small (white bowl) or large (black bowl). Order the chicken tempura curry large and pay extra to be spicy and beef tongue. Beef tongue is chewy but it's grilled to perfection. The chicken tempura large is worth it as it contains huge tempura balls. Overall on giving this place a try read more

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Haiku: Meiji Seimen Karaage looks good Handcrafted udon noodles Tip: Arrive early. --- You can't go wrong with their premium-quality homemade udon and soba dishes. Their chewy noodles and savory soups are the perfect combination. I ordered the Sansai mountain vegetable with soba noodles. It's a unique dish I don't see often at Japanese restaurants. It had great flavor and textured veggies. Also, almost every table around us ordered the karaage--it was popular! Next time I come, I'll have to check out their lunch combo set of noodles and rice. Arrive early--the restaurant isn't too big. There's a bar and table seating; however, I didn't see many long tables to accommodate larger groups. read more

Meiji Seimen - Sansai mountain vegetables - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I've never been into udon before I found this place because I've only ever had udon that was from a sushi restaurant or instant udon from Costco. But after I found this place, I love it so much. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu Shabu beef udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious and bouncy udon! Brought me right back to Japan. Got the Shabu Shabu udon and it's a good portion -- lots of meat on top. Make sure to join the yelp waitlist before you arrive! My party of 4 came on a Saturday afternoon and the waited for 80 minutes!! Luckily we joined the waitlist before leaving home. Also, when you arrive at the restaurant, be sure to check in on their iPad so they don't skip you on the list. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu Shabu udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California