Great food and great service. Came in early, when they opened. Udon, and soba are fantastic. Karage was juicy!!! A bit on the pricey side because I wanted to order everything, mostly my bad. read more

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Meiji Seimen is one of the best, local Japanese restaurants in Orange County. I can't believe I have not done a review for this place! This spot sits in a very small plaza, so the parking and seating are quite limited. In fact, I highly recommend joining the Yelp waitlist ahead of time. I liked the interior as it's very simple. The service is also friendly but efficient. However, the food is what's amazing. I love the udon and soba from this place! They're all so yummy. I especially like the Nabeyaki Udon on cold, rainy days as it is a large pot of goodness. The broth is light and refreshing, and I love the little pieces of mushroom. The Shabu Shabu Beef Udon is also great! Overall, Meiji Seimen continues to stand out as one of the best Japanese restaurants in Orange County. read more

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we got there maybe 20-30 minutes after opening on a sunday. there was already several parties waiting ahead of us. it's a type of place you'd want to get in as a first group as they open, because there will be a wait at all times, except maybe during weekly lunch hours? we waited about 30 minutes before getting seated. the establishment is small but cute. it feels very authentically japanese!! i got the nabeyaki udon and everything in it was delicious. i finished everything and went into a food coma later lol. the noodles are nice and chewy. they seem to pride in their house made nood read more

Meiji Seimen - nabeyaki udon and udon with mushroom which i forge the name of - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Went here for dinner around 6PM on a Thursday and there wasn't any line. I got the Shabu Shabu Spicy Level 2, it wasn't spicy at all more so mild. The broth is flavorful without being overpowering, noodles were perfectly cooked, meat was sliced thinly and tender. The service is very quick with the staff being quick to take our orders. The restaurant itself reminds me of Japan, dividers between parties, and the staff speak Japanese. I would come back for lunch to try out the rice bowls as the small portions start $7. Quick lunch! read more

Meiji Seimen - Spicy Soup Level 2 - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

So good omg I need to go back been there once and it was incredible they have a great lunch special ! Service is great highly recommend to check them out read more

Meiji seimen is always taste good. Udon is not salty. And the hot pot keeps soup waem. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

One of my favorite OC hidden gems! Small shop but the food never disappoints. I always go mid day and there's never usually a long wait. Plan ahead and book on yelp for weekends. They rotate menus often which makes it exciting. read more

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

Dinner time with family. Lots of wrong today for first time. They "rush" lots of people during early dinner time. Once a person or two finished their meal, they gave you the check while the rest still eating. Next, they gave me wrong check, was cheaper but told them it's wrong. Last, 3 of us, out of 4 got stomach ache, had to go to restroom when we home. The common food, possible issue is the fried chicken. We kept spit out the meat. Not properly cooked inside. Hopefully this is just a one off. As this is our fav restaurant. read more

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I can hear to catch up with a friend who raved about this place, so I had pretty high expectations! This was my first time going to an udon place and I loved it! Everything tasted sooo delicious. The chicken was perfectly crunchy and the curry broth was so flavorful. The staff was very attentive as well. There was plenty of seating and a waiting area outside if they get too busy, they seem to be very popular so add yourself to the waitlist beforehand !! I will totally be returning. :) read more

Meiji Seimen - Tempura chicken curry udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is by far my favorite restaurant in the world. I will go here alone or with friends, happy or very sad, hungry or not, hot or cold. The staff generally remembers me, especially Ryuji (sp?). He even gave me a shirt. And I bought the other shirt and wear it often. I love this place with my whole heart and will always ALWAYS refer to this as THE best udon restaurant in the entire world. read more

Went with my family and we all loved it! I got the spicy nabeyaki level 3 and it was 10/10! Broth is rich and delicious, comes out piping hot. (I have had the normal nabeyaki with no spice and I don't recommend that since it's bland) The aunt/cousin got the soba + tempura combo which was super tasty, this is one of their favorite places for soba. My uncle tried the limited edition duck and it was disappointing; the pic shows a LOT of meat but there's only 4 and the broth is not as good as the normal nabeyaki. Service was great and food came out super quick! The restaurant feels very homey and cozy. This place is slightly pricier than typical spots but very solid. It used to be super packed but the wait isn't that bad anymore. read more

Food and service was great!This was a last minute food find while in the area. I'm so happy we chose this restaurant. The service was quick and friendly. The small but clean restaurant and open kitchen so you can see the cooks at work. I had the clay pot spicy udon pork tomato base soup with an egg. It was perfection! It also came with a cooked rice ball that you dip or can add to the soup once you at about half the soup. My daughter got the udon soup with tempura. This picky eater ate the whole thing. I can't wait to go back and bring the rest of the family. read more

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We came for lunch and I got a pork cutlet and the spicy egg soba. Pork wasn't all breading like other places and the sauce was great. Soba was a solid portion and it was bomb. Nice looking little place. Would definitely come back. read more

Meiji Seimen has been my favorite comfort spot for delicious udon for a long time now! Finally leaving them a review because they deserves all the best rating! My go-to order at Meiji Seimen would be the beef shabu shabu udon pair with their karaage fried chicken! Trust me, this is the best combo that will get you stuff! It's hearty and fills with protein! The broth here is my favorite because it is clean and flavorful without having too much seasoning. You can really taste the good broth and the beef! Their karaage is fried to perfection and go so well with their tomato dipping sauce. They recently open another location, but I think the Costa Mesa will always be my favorite because of the vibe and the amazing service! The staff here is so friendly and welcoming every time I was there! It is on the smaller side, but supper cozy! I recommend joining their Yelp waitlist beforehand and then check in with the iPad at the front when you get there! There might be a little wait depending on the time you go, but I would say their food is so amazing that it's worth a little wait!! read more

Meiji Seimen - F. Chicken - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Real traditional Japanese soba noodles here. They speak Japanese too. The manager and service staff lady are Amazing. Everything was delivered fresh and hot just the way I enjoy my lunch today. They worked very well together here and you can taste the quality in their food and presentation too. Nice clean restaurant and restroom available for customers inside. Parking is scarce and you can park by Donut store next door. The magic is in the special sauce and technique of grilling of fish. So Good. The fatty pork belly is definitely a must try for all real fans of Meiji Seimen here. Seafood noodles soup is definitely worth the wait and price. The Soba noodles are al dente and delicious. I know full of carbohydrates so remember to take your medication please. Highly recommend you try this little hidden Gem in Costa Mesa. Most definitely Authentic Japanese cuisine and restaurant here. read more

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In terms of food, no complaints with Meiji Seimen. The udon had a nice chew and the broth was flavorful. I also enjoyed that they have an option to add spice (with an additional fee). The takoyaki was equally just as good. The cook is slightly on the under side, where the batter is a little runny, but perfect for my preference. I had to deduct stars due to customer service though. I'm disappointed with how they treat their customers. I get that the restaurant is on the smaller side, but the waiter continually bumped into my back with his elbow as he walked by, and didn't have the courtesy to say anything. I also saw the waiter spill a cup of water on the floor and just left it there. He even stood over it with frustration, then proceeded to the back. When he returned, he just wiped down the table and left the water in the walkway. No care for the hazard it caused others. And other than placing your order, the only time the server ever stops by is to drop off the check. I saw multiple tables having to flag down staff to receive any service. Even one table had a guest waiving her hands and menu to get any attention. Come with these things in mind if you want a full dining experience, because there is much left to be desired. Separately, they moved to full cashless payments but tack on a 2% service fee. Feels awfully sketchy to force a transaction fee onto customers, yet not allow for an opt out option. Plus there's no mention of this fee anywhere. The only way you know this exists is if you were to print out a copy of your receipt after payment. No signage anywhere and definitely no mention of it by staff. read more

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Shabu Shabu udon w beef - broth light yet flavorful, thinly sliced beef lean and practically covered my udon bowl, udon noodles perfectly chewy and soaked the broth well. Super hearty and satisfying. Karaage- crispy on the outside, juicy and tender on the inside. Came out piping hot - batter light and perfectly seasoned, served with this spicy sauce. Came at opening hour for dinner and there was already multiple people waiting at the door. We did have to check in on their Yelp kiosk for a party of 2 but were seated almost immediately. Staff friendly and food came out quick. Easy parking. read more

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

This spot has been one of my all time favorite spots for Japanese noodles for the past few years- I have not tried a single place in the OC area that has better udon or soba than Meiji!!! Their noodles are always cooked PERFECTLY, and their udon broth/soba dipping sauce is soooo good. Their tempuras are also amazing, as well as their takoyaki and squid legs. The inside isn't very spacious but there's a good amount of searing and it's really nice and cozy inside. Their waitlist can fill up pretty quickly for dinner, so make sure to come when it's not busy (weekdays, lunch) or add your name to the waitlist in advance. The servers are always very kind and attentive. The 10/10 authentic Japanese food and reasonable prices keep me coming back so often, and I'm already looking forward to my next visit!! read more

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

Came as a party of two on a Saturday afternoon. There were already a few parties ahead of us waiting outside. TIP: Get on the waitlist on Yelp as soon as possible! I'm not sure if it helps, but it definitely can't hurt. Ambiance This is a tiny shop packed with tables, so it's a bit tight, and I could hear all the conversations happening around me. However, the interior design reminded me of Japan, which I found quite charming. And honestly, to keep the line moving, I don't mind sitting in a smaller space. Food Karaage - Total slam dunk. Nice, big, juicy pieces with a breading that wasn't too thick. It was so fresh it almost burned my mouth. Shabu shabu udon (spicy) - Solid choice! There was a lot of meat in the bowl, which I appreciated, and the udon was fresh, slurpable, and had a nice chew. Service Very attentive and made sure everyone was served efficiently. Overall I wouldn't go out of my way to come here, but I enjoyed my meal and had a great time! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

If you are looking for an authentic Japanese food experience, this place is a must-try. The restaurant itself is really clean but is pretty small so expect a wait time during lunch and dinner service. The ambiance is nice and laid-back and the service is quick with a great staff. We had the inaka, tempura zaru, and karaage. Each component of the inaka brings a balanced yet flavor-packed savory meal, I especially loved the mushrooms in it! The soba was fresh and has a great texture. The tempura and karaage was not oily at all had a nice crunch to it and not to mention each piece of the karaage was huge. I would go back to this place over and over, and would definitely love to try everything on their menu. read more

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i love the atmosphere here! everyone is so nice and friendly. Food came out fast and hot. It was very delicious. I wore a white shirt that day and they even offered me a bib. We will definitely come back! :) read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Super duper cute atmosphere, feels very Japanese! Def recommend placing yourself on the online waitlist before coming and timing it correctly so you don't have to wait. We did this and had 10min to wait which wasn't bad! The service was fast and friendly. I got the shabu udon noodles and my boyfriend got the curry udon noodles. We each got medium spice and it was perfect. Will be coming back again! read more

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

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First time here. Ordered a few items. Got their April special wagyu udon and kitsune udon. Also ordered 2 apps. The kakuni(pork belly) and the shrimp tempura. Everything was just okay. The broth was a little too sweet for my liking and for $32 wagyu udon, I would have appreciated a bit more beef. Kitsune was okay. The pork belly was not good at all. The 2 pieces I got were extremely tough. Maybe a few days old. Shrimp tempura was average. The udon noodle was executional though. It maintained a nice chew throughout the meal where as other udons get more soggy as you eat. Overall, not a bad but not memorable either. read more

Been wanting to try this place and finally had the chance when I was in the area. Not sure why people hyped it up so much, food was okay, nothing crazy, standard udon. I ordered the beef udon + tempera soba noodles. Dont think I would come back again.... read more

The first time at this restaurant. We loved our cold soba and hot zenzai (sweet beans with mochi) dessert. The service was extremely attentive Will be back again read more

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

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I've been coming to Meiji Seimen since they opened several years ago, and it has remained my go-to spot for udon and soba. They used to offer a wider variety of dishes, so it's a bit disappointing that the menu has been downsized over time, but the quality has stayed consistently good. This visit was on a late Sunday evening around 7:30 pm. Dinner service starts at 5:30, and the restaurant fills up very quickly. They do not take reservations, so make sure to join the Yelp waitlist ahead of time. Once you arrive, remember to check in on the iPad at the entrance. I forgot to confirm my arrival and ended up waiting an extra 10 to 15 minutes because of it. The dining space is compact and usually quite busy, with tables placed fairly close to each other using simple dividers, so it can get loud at peak times, though not uncomfortably so. Once seated, the menu is accessed through a QR code, and service is generally fast even during rush hours. We started with the tofu salad, which came with a nice sesame dressing. I also recommend the kakuni pork belly and the sesame tofu, which is something you don't see often here. For our mains, my friend ordered the egg and tororo udon, which is my usual favorite, and I tried the beef shabu shabu udon this time. Both dishes were delicious and tasted very authentic. Tororo, which is grated Japanese yam, adds a great texture when mixed with the raw egg, and the beef pairs well with a bit of shichimi spice or their dipping sauce. Prices here are quite affordable since it is a casual spot, and you can expect to spend around thirty dollars per person for a satisfying meal. I highly recommend Meiji Seimen to anyone looking for a quick, comforting, and authentic udon experience. read more

Meiji Seimen - Sesame tofu, tofu salad, kakuni pork belly, beef shabu shabu udo, egg and tororo udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Prefacing that I'm not a huge udon lover. Long wait time but if you're there with your party you can get in within 30 minutes. Small shop, good service. + Karaage ($9.50): massive, juicy pieces. Not super crispy (7.8/10) + Tempura Zaru Udon ($16.25): udon was decent, definitely more al dente than usual, handmade! Tempura was disappointing, very average (7/10) read more

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I genuinely go here almost every weekend with my parents no joke. Chicken cartilage, green salad, cold spicy soba AND WE ARE LITERALLY SET!!!!! I dont play about this place we literally come at opening time Wait i just tried to find a photo and i literally couldnt because we come here too much that i dont take pictures anymore MEIJI I LOVE YOU read more

For how popular it is, Meiji is actually located in a pretty lowkey lot. The restaurant is pretty small and nicely decorated, so it gives the vibe of a store you would find in Japan, which I thought was really nice! The service was very quick, and the servers were kind and attentive. When we needed something, it was given to us instantly, and we even got water refills without needing to ask. The food vs. the price for me is the reason for the 4-star review. I personally had been looking forward to trying their sukiyaki curry bowl, but it was overall just okay. Something about the flavor just felt off to me unless I paired it with the egg, which quickly ran out. The katsu in their katsu curry udon was also extremely hard to the point where I had to tear out a small chunk with my teeth to eat it, almost like a jerky texture. The udon itself was good, but it was just impossible to enjoy eating the katsu. The food was on the pricier end, so I definitely expected something more. However, the restaurant itself is nice and perhaps different dishes would give a better experience. read more

Had to join the waitlist multiple times due to them not being able to pronounce James or just not wanting to serve me and my partner. Update waiting 40 minutes while others got called in while I was first and even told the guy and girl in the front I wasn't even rude they just don't want specific people in this store I guess read more

this is one of our favorite, udon spots and it never misses! came on a tuesday night around 6pm and l were seated immediately -- it was quiet and empty at arrival but picked up and got busier around 7. we got the curry udon which came with chicken and tofu; the curry broth was delicious and all paired well together. the beef udon is more simple but classic, the broth is sweet and flavorful and you can never go wrong with this one. noodles are super thick and chewy and it also came with a ponzu dipping sauce on the side. overall, this one's been a solid go-to for us for some time now and will def be back as usual! read more

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

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Meiji Seimen is a tiny restaurant in Costa Mesa and extremely popular. If you're thinking about coming here, do yourself a favor and sign up on the Yelp waitlist (available within 5 miles). There's nowhere to sit inside, but they do put out some chairs outside. I think we waited close to an hour during lunchtime on a weekend. They make their own udon and soba, fresh every morning. Of the dishes I tried, my favorite was their chicken tempura curry udon, filled with big pieces of chicken tempura - so tasty! I was trying to be healthy and ordered the grilled mackerel combo but wished I ordered that curry udon instead! Meiji Seimen has a sister restaurant Okidoki by Meiji in Tustin, which seems a little less busy. read more

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I saw this restaurant on Facebook and decided to try their Japanese cuisine with Western elements. The panna cotta with orange flavor had a smooth and creamy texture like high-end restaurant quality. The beef tongue must be eaten promptly when served; otherwise, it becomes like chewing rubber bands. The chicken tempura curry udon offered a perfectly tasty combination of noodles, curry, and crispy fried tempura. The most eye-catching dish was the creamy lobster & scallop udon. Thick noodles are served with a rich creamy sauce, and the scallops and lobster meat are most tender and flavorful when eaten within 5 minutes of being served. This dish is only available on Tuesdays and Wednesdays and is limited to 10 servings each day during dinner. I was lucky to get the last one at 6 PM, just after the restaurant opened at 5:30 PM. My sister joked that the beef shabu shabu udon looked like a creative version of beef donburi noodles 老姐形容西式日吃的明治製麵滑手機臉書看到，想說Costa Mesa離爾灣很近就試了兩次。 義式甜橙奶酪（Panna Cotta with Orange Flavor），滑順綿密的口感不輸高檔餐廳。 牛舌（Beef Tongue）務必剛上桌立刻食用，否則涼掉變得像咀嚼橡皮筋。 友人點雞肉天婦羅咖哩烏龍麵（Chicken Tempura Curry Udon）。麵條/咖哩/酥脆炸物的口感和味道很搭。 最亮眼是這道奶油龍蝦扇貝烏龍麵（Creamy Lobster & Scallop Udon）。 粗麵條配濃厚奶油醬汁，扇貝和龍蝦肉在上桌後五分鐘內吃口感最彈勁鮮美。 僅限週二和週三提供，且每日限量十份。我傍晚六點店剛開門趕上最後一份。 我點涮牛肉烏龍麵（Beef Shabu Shabu Udon），麵條配肉片和火鍋湯頭味道不錯。老姐說這像創意料理牛丼麵 read more

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The cutest little spot for a delicious, warm, and intimate dinner! This spot does not do reservations, so be prepared to wait. Everything on the menu is delicious. I highly recommend! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Best Zaru soba in SoCal. Long wait but worth it! Runs out of stock of stuff sometimes but all the food rocks.

Yummm so good. I love the Shabu Shabu. The broth and the noodles are so delicious. There might be a bit of a wait but it's worth it. read more

There's not many udon spots that do it like Meiji Seimen! My friend and I tried this spot on a Wednesday night and we were so excited. There is limited indoor seating, so there was a little bit of a wait, but no more than 15 minutes. I got the tempura udon with the poached egg and the karaage to share. The karaage is one of the best I've had and it was really good with the squeeze of lemon. The udon was so tasty and the broth was so comforting and flavorful. The tempura was a nice added crunch to it and the poached egg was a great added protein. Overall, a delicious dinner and wonderful place to grab a bowl of udon. Parking was plentiful and the staff was very nice. They work really quickly to make sure people aren't waiting for long. I highly recommend this spot if you're looking for a comforting meal. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We love Oki Doki by Meiji in Tustin, so decided to give this spot a try. The interior is definitely smaller than Oki Doki, so it feels a little more cramped but similar vibes to an udon spot you'd find in Japan. The noodles are super chewy and cooked to perfection, and I highly recommend the Zaru for something refreshing on a hot day. The fried squid legs were also super yummy and a great appetizer for the table. Highly recommend putting yourself on the waitlist early, and don't forget to check in on the iPad upon arrival. read more

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

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had the shabu shabu udon with beef and egg and it was really tasty. The beef tasted fresh and was sliced nicely, and the egg added a great richness to the bowl. The broth was flavorful and comforting without being overly spicy, which I appreciated because it let the quality of the ingredients come through. Overall it felt like a really well-balanced bowl of udon and definitely hit the spot. The atmosphere in the restaurant was nice and had a good vibe, but we were seated at the bar, which wasn't my favorite. The seating was pretty tight and you end up very close to the people next to you, which made it feel a little cramped. If you can, I'd recommend trying to get a table instead. Still, the food was strong enough that I'd happily come back again. read more

I used to eat here a lot when I lived in the area 5 years ago. Felt nostalgic and decided to stop by again. It's good to see the business grow and the food still tasting amazing. read more

Meiji Seimen - Menu as of 8-2-2025 - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California