Service is always quick. Many tempura options you can add on. The price is not expensive and the portions are filling. I usually come for the mentaiko udon. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Mentaiko butter udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I always say that I should try a different stall at mitsuwa but I always end up getting udon here. the udon always has the perfect bite to it. it was warm out so I went with the cold ontama bukkake udon (#13). the sauce was well balanced and refreshing but next time I think i'll get the one without the egg. once the egg is mixed in, the sauce dilutes a lot losing its flavor. I got the regular size which was the perfect amount for me. I enjoy the variety of tempura. I tried the pumpkin today but wish I got my usual sweet potato as I like the sweetness. the karaage is always a favorite but they are always out when i'm there so I have to wait until they make more and then come back which can be tedious. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - pumpkin and shrimp tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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OVERALL : This is my go-to stall in the Mitsuwa costa mesa food court! I always come here for the udon and tempura. There's always a few people in line with me -- they're never empty it seems. They specialize in fresh udon and tempura, but also sell curry. You grab a tray and go down the assembly line, telling them which udon you want and then self-serving the tempura. They ring it up at the register and you find your own seats in the shared seating area of the food court. They're always very fast, friendly, and efficient! Prices are fair and portions are good! PARKING : Very small and tight parking lot since this spot is located in the food court of the Mitsuwa here in Costa Mesa. It gets PACKED during peak meal / grocery hours and I truly hate parking here bc of how chaotic it gets. Plan accordingly!! FOOD/DRINKS : Curry Rice + Udon Set - Choose from Kake Udon (plain udon in hot soup), Zaru Udon (chilled udon with chilled dipping sauce), or Savory Udon (hot or cold udon served in special sauce) + curry rice Big portion of food for only $12.95! Enough to share. The cold udon was thick, had a good bite to it, and tasted fresh. It didn't stick to each other and get clumpy. Sooo refreshing in the cold dipping sauce and green onion. I added chili flakes + tempura flakes on top. The curry rice was a full portion basically. Lots of rice served with a curry that had lotus roots, carrots, and other veggies mixed in. Yum! Also got 2 tempura shirmp and 1 tempura squid. The squid had too much batter unfortunately. The shrimp still had a lot of batter but was better than the squid. Nice and crispy. Imo the food is affordable but the prices can sneak up on you if you load up on the tempura! read more

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The store is located in Mitsuwa. It's clean and well organized. The staff are very nice and fast with orders. Our favorites are tonkotsu udon and curry udon. Either beef or katsu curry udon are good. They are very good and flavorful. We will try their tempuras next time :) read more

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The tempura is amazing 6/5, portions are huge. The curry is a 1/5. 0/5. It's bland, tasteless, has no structure, has very over cooked and not yummy add-ins. Plus, I think it made me sick that night. I will never get that again. However, if I'm inside Mitsuwa, I most likely will return for their tempura. My family got the udon, and they enjoyed it, but the curry rice--never again. read more

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Simple, traditional udon with a customizable tempura bar. The taste was exactly what you'd expect, reliable and okay. Located in the Mitsuwa Costa Mesa food court, so it was casual but busy. I was there around 6 pm, but managed to get seats. Service was good for a food court, and the person who made my udon was friendly. Overall, a solid and okay experience read more

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If you're a fan of udon and fresh tempura, then this mom-pop noodle stall at far left side of the Mitsuwa Marketplace's food court offers the FRESH tempera. The line may seem long but moves very fast. I stopped by for a casual lunch. It's an assembly line set up..pick up your tray, order any noodles (as your base) and stack up on those tempura -- prices average $2 per piece. I was blown away by how fresh the tempura is --- always love fried food especially sweet potatoes, shrimp, peppers and egg! The tempura very equally impressive -- lots of variety shrimp, eggplants, onion, vegetable-combo, etc and every piece came out hot and freshly fried. It's a la cart so choose as much or combination you like to nom-nom on. At the end of the assembly line, pay the nice cashier and top the udon off with more tempers chips, hot sauce, tempura sauces and seasonings. The udon was perfectly chewy with a simple broth that was both comforting and well-balanced. I only wished the broth was a bit hotter. TIP: If coming during peak hours, I recommend you play "tag-team " with someone from your party to save seats while you each take turns ordering your food. Those tables are hot commodities!! read more

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This is one of my favorite spots in Costa Mesa and it is my favorite spot for udon! General: this udon spot is in a food court inside Mitsuwa Marketplace, a Japanese supermarket so parking can be difficult. I would give yourself time to park. Additionally, you have to find your own seating which can also be difficult especially during lunch and dinner time. Food: I always get the udon - typically I get the kitsune udon with the fried tofu. They have small or large bowls. I like to get the small bowl so I can get some fried stuff. There's fried veggies such as sweet potatoes, fried chicken (karaage), tempura (fried shrimp), and more. My usual order is the small kitsune udon with fried sweet potato and tempura. Fresh, hot, and so delicious! You order any main dishes first such as udon and they were get that ready for you. Afterwards, you get the fried items yourself. Service: service is pretty quick and efficient. Once you place your order, they work on it and depending on how fast the people are in front of you, you can start grabbing your fried items. After, you get all your items, the cashier charges you and you pay. You can grab any sauces or the fried stuff to put on your udon while paying. You grab your own seat. Workers have always been kind to me. Ambiance: it's definitely very casual and fast paced. This is somewhere you would go with friends or on a casual date. I don't know if I would recommend this for a quick bite to eat because it can get extremely busy and hectic. I love going here and walking around the entire market and grabbing food though! Love this spot! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Small Kitsune (fried tofu) udon and fried shrimp tempura and fried sweet potato - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Tucked inside Mitsuwa, Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is a destination for udon lovers. I came in hungry and left in a full-on carb-induced food coma, complete with leftovers. Here's the lineup of what we ordered: Spicy Tonkotsu Udon - The broth was deep and creamy. It came with 2 chashu slices (super tender and soaked up the broth making every bite feel extra indulgent) and copious amounts of green onions. I added extra shichimi, garlic crisps, and sesame seeds near the checkout station. I also did an ontama add-on for $2.50, which had perfectly jammy yolk in all its silky, golden awesomeness. 12/10. Curry Udon Set - My boyfriend, the culinary daredevil, ordered curry...again! Surprisingly veggie-forward, which was a nice twist. The curry had a rich, warming flavor without being too heavy. If you like Japanese curry but want to feel slightly healthier about your life choices, this is your order. Takoyaki - Crispy outside, creamy inside, with generous chunks of octopus. I couldn't get enough of the sauce. Tempura (Sweet Potato, Shishito, Kabocha) - Perfectly fried, not oily. The shishito had a little heat, the kabocha was buttery and sweet, and the sweet potato was thick-cut and filling. There were a LOT of other options in the checkout line that we have to try out next time. Natchan Apple Juice - Honestly, was a bit overpriced ($2.50) for a bottle. It was very refreshing sipping between bites of our dishes, but we probably won't get it again. This place works by having you grab a tray, ordering your dish, then self-serving tempura if you'd like any. Seating can get crowded, but there's usually a spot if you're patient. Pair your meal with a little Mitsuwa/Daiso shopping after, and it's basically the perfect chill date. I like that this is the kind of place where you can build your own little noodle experience, and every bite feels homemade. read more

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其實每次我到附近來，我都想來一次他們這裡的牛舌飯，那好友覺得牛舌飯實在太貴了，所以他都會選擇這一家拉麵來吃，這家拉麵價格非常的便宜一碗才10 元，還有一些炸物也很不錯，以現在而言，真的是非常佛心的價格，但是味道方面我覺得沒有到好吃到不行，就是比一般的還可以一些， 若味道能再加強一點， 就更完美了！ read more

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Has to be the best of the very best chicken broth ramen I've ever tasted. Ur is that good and it's amazing to pair with their variety of temporary choices. read more

First Lunch Visit To Sanukiseimen Mugimaru!! Located At The Food Court In Mitsuwa Marketplace!! Casual Place, Relaxed Ambiance & Plenty Indoor Seating!! Menu Includes Udon Soups, Rice Bowls, Curry Dishes & Self Serve Tempura!! Service Was Quick & Line Was Efficient!! Ordered The Cold Zaru Udon, Veggies & Shrimp Tempura!! I Prefer Warm Tempera Sauce, But Overall Nice Quick Lunch!! ThankU read more

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Udon shop inside Mitsuwa -- parking can get a little crazy on weekends, but it's worth it! I love the udon here and always get the #2. It's my go-to spot whenever I'm craving comfort food. Plus, I grab a boba from the same food court to complete the meal! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Super fresh, bouncy, and chewy udon noodles! Made right in front of you by friendly workers. The only thing was they forgot the butter in my mentaiko butter udon unfortunately, so it was a little salty. Will come back though because I enjoyed the noodles a lot! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - kake and mentaiko butter udon unfortunately - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Parking here is very difficult this is a staple of the Mitsuwa food court and the parking lot is tiny. This place aside from the parking is great. The food is classic, the price point is affordable and the taste will keep you coming back for more. My toddler felt every bit as impressed as I was with the qaulity of tempura. Overall a must try. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Assortment of tempura, Kitsune udon, rice ball - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I know I know, go to a specific udon restaurant to get the best udon - WRONG! The best udon I've had is in the Costa Mesa Mitsuwa food court (sorry Marugame Udon, take the L on this). I've been coming to get udon here for years and it slaps just as hard every single time! I think this and the beef tongue (gyutan) stall are the only two things that have been here for decades and there's a reason why! The quality of the udon is superior to anything I've tried elsewhere. In addition, they have a large assortment of tempura and it is by the far the best tempura because the batter is not too thick and everything is perfectly crispy! The only con is that although the service is fast, the line can be long and the search to find a seat can be even longer. If you're used to market food courts, you know that it can be noisy and busy with people buzzing around the stalls. However, the food is so worth it PLUS you get to go shopping afterwards and that's a win too! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - 3. Beef Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

When I come back to SoCal this spot is always on my repeat list of places to eat, even when I only have 2 days on a trip. Off the 405 and Bristol in costa mesa. Note: this is INSIDE of Mitsuwa. A Japanese store that has a food food court inside with many vendors. This udon shops is next to the beer vendor...And YES they finally take credit cards and there is WAY more seating after the food court remodel. Why is this on my must eat stops when I visit SoCal? 1. They hand make the udon EVERY day and its VERY cheap and yummy. Chewy- never soggy. Most fresh Japanese run udon shops would charge 16.00 for a bowl. Here for the hot light clear traditional broth and udon.. its under 6.00 for the regular size. Enough for lunch for 1. 2. They don't make things too complicated and there are pictures of the options... so keep it simple meaning you order hot or cold. Then decide what type of broth. Then regular or large. Toppings like green onion, tempura crunchies (a must in your bowl), fresh grated ginger is at the end for free. 3. They make fresh tempura every day. A good mix of veggies, fishcake, chicken, egg and other delicious Japanese yums. You pay by the piece. Most pieces under 2.00. Don't over complicate things. Keep it simple. Don't stuff yourself either. Bring a friend and experience a cool part of socal. Its like a micro japan town. Eat udon, grab a boba or other eats like Japanese sweets sold by other vendors.. and then go in the grocery store Mitsuwa (candy isle is fun) and fresh sushi grade fish section is a must to check out! Also take a gander inside Daiso. Think 99 cents store meets Japan. Tons of cool things to find. No price? Then its 1.75. All other items are in YEN and there are conversion signs everywhere so you know if things cost 2,3,4.00. The Japanese drinks, household gadgets, snacks and candy are all fun adventures. Go explore and eat something other than a burrito or burger for once read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Udon eating in Mitsuwa food court - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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First time trying Mugimaru and it every much reminds me of Marugame Udon. Same style and type of cuisine served. Located inside the Mitsuwa food court, parking can be chaotic but they do have a lower level parking garage. The queue can look long but it goes fast! Tried the beef udon and added an eggplant tempura. Decent meal at a good price point. The beef had a slight sweetness to it and i love the unlimited scoops of tempura crisps near the cashier. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - 3. Beef udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Such an easy and great quick & easy ramen place. Great friendly staff and yummy foods. Took the boys here and they love it. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I will always make the trip to Costa Mesa just to get some udon! This spot at Mitsuwa has been a decades-long classic for me! The line's a bit long on weekends, but it moves fast and is generally efficient! I got the O.B.B and some tempura at the end, and enjoyed every last bit of it! The serving size is great, and it was a filling meal. I always love the tempura section, because it's self serve, and the sauce is great. I definitely like it a lot better than Marugame .. The only thing is parking can be quite difficult here, and finding a seat can be a challenge. read more

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The place is inside the Mitsuwa market place - food court. even when crowded you will still have a place to sit. staff are nice at Mugimaru. The food is flavorful- I like the ontama savory udon some say it's bland but really fit my taste. The order doesn't take long. The chicken karaage is big shape like a ball and very tasty. read more

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RUDE RUDE RUDE! Awful customer service. Was charged for Large Bowl when I order a regular. Tried to explain, but staff wasn't interested in listening. TAKE YOUR BUSINESS ELSEWHERE! You have been warned. read more

If you like marugame udon you'll like this place! It's the same concept they serve a variety of udon dishes and have self serve tempura too! I got the katsu curry udon and an assortment of tempura. The tempura was sooo good and crispy my favorite would be the eggplant one! The katsu curry udon you can definitely skip. The udon noodles were good but the curry was very very thin and watery and I don't prefer it. read more

how the years fly by but this place holds true! Sunday we decided to have lunch at Mitsuwa and of course we had to have Tempura at Mugimaru.... The better half had a side of rice, an ontama egg with some soy sauce on the rice, shrimp and lotus tempura. I grabbed some shrimp tempura and lotus myself but got my entree next door at Don Don Tei =) That said - as always - the tempura lived up, service with a smile, some of the staff recognized me as a regular - a great meals and sides for me as always - you cant go wrong here! honorable mentions Kitsune Udon - another of the better half's favorites Veggie Tempura - she usually gobbles these too read more

If you love Marugame Udon, then you'll love this place. The concept is the same, you choose a bowl of udon and then choose tempura to add to your meal. This place has a wider variety and the prices are a lot easier on the wallet as well. We got the Mentai Butter Udon, which is a dry udon bowl. Despite not having the broth, the melted butter and mentai flavors were amazing and they were very generous on how much they put. Just make sure to mix it up very well to coat everything. It's located in the food court of Mitsuwa and gives off a very cute food stall vibe. I'd go back when I crave udon and tempura. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Mentaiko butter udon was pretty good it was more butter less cream like I imagined. Their tempura is SOOOOO GOOD I love love love tempura the egg tempura was so good next time I just wait tempura with rice read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I went here on a rainy day, and let me say it definitely hit the spot! We ordered the kake udon with some tempura to share. We got the sweet potato, eggplant, shrimp, and a fish that I can't remember the name of lol. Everything was really good! The tempura was nice and crispy and the udon was hot and flavorful! This was fairly reasonable in price, and the portions were decent. Also, I just wanted to appreciate the remodeling in the food court! Everything looks nice and clean! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Kake Udon + Tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Very good bowl of udon, noodles are bouncy and have a great chew to them. Very affordable as well, large bowl is just under $8 and you can top with as much tempura crumbs as you'd like. Tempura here is great as well, you can watch them prepare everything. If you are craving a bowl of udon, this place is worth a visit. Line is usually long but it moves fast. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Kake udon w/ tuna don and shrimp tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is one of my favorite restaurants to eat at. Best tempura I've found. Udon is very good as well. Staff is fast and nice. Seating can be a challenge and ppace can be very busy. Parking can be a challenge sometimes. But they have a customer for life from me! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Tempura and chashu udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This might be one of the only spots left in the area where you can get good comfort food for this cheap. I'm obsessed with the food court at Mitsuwa, and think this is definitely my favorite spot. Portions are so so reasonable, service is incredibly quick, and the food is so solid. I think this place is honestly better than Marugame Udon. I got the OBB, which stands for Ontama Beef Bukkake Udon. Since it's summer, I wanted a dry, cold udon vs. a warm, soupy one. This was SO good, and went so perfectly with the generous beef topping and the poached egg. As for tempura, I got the shrimp, squid, and the sweet potato ones. All of them were fresh and fried to perfection. Finding a table here can be a big struggle at prime time on the weekend, but the food and prices really make up for the chaotic experience of nailing down a spot to eat! read more

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Budget eats sorta? Like for the item not considered budget but how rare can u eat out for $7? I got the plain udon with no toppings and added lots of green onions. They also have a sesame seed grinder and pepper flakes. Service is going down the tray line so super fast, virtually no line on a weekday a little before 5. The regular portion is perfect portion to be filled. The food court remodeled so its wider but there seems to be less seats as its all tables. The udon texture was great (basic quality) but the broth was a simple soy sauce base when I would've liked some more depth ( umami/fish). The rice ball wasn't packed super tightly and fell apart in my hand but tasted fine. Their curry is on the thicker ( for udon) and saltier side. Again not complex in flavor (no sweetness or too spiced) but fulfills a simple fix. Not much complaints for wanting something warm and on a budget! They take card (square) too. read more

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We were starved after driving down on a Friday to catch at concert later that evening in the area. The tempura offerings really catch your eye. I really liked the mixed vegetable fritter type tempura. The classic shrimp of course was done well. The sweet potato is always a favorite of mine. The mashed potato one was delicious as well and the crab meat tempura on a stick was really good. Great for lunch when you want to sample several things... Located inside Mitsuwa Marketplace in Costa Mesa. Prices are fair. Service was courteous. Seat yourself in the common food hall area. It can be a little loud but that's to be expected. Plenty of parking outside in their parking lot. read more

I always love coming here whenever I'm at Mitsuwa. It's so fun to order your udon and see them being prepared in front of you. Then after getting your noodles, you pick out which tempura you'd like. UDON - 4/5 The udon is very delicious. The broth is also very flavorful and all around a solid meal. The cold zaru udon is also very delicious and has a firm bite to it, just as it should. TEMPURA - 4/5 I love picking out the tempura myself. The actual food is decent. It's not bad, but also not the best. SEATING - 3/5 The food court can get pretty packed and it may be difficult to find seating during lunch hours. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Tempura Line - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Located inside the Mitsuwa Marketplace food court, Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is a hidden gem for udon lovers. I had the tonkotsu udon with egg, and it was incredibly comforting--rich, savory broth with perfectly chewy noodles. They also offer a great selection of tempura sides (shrimp, mackerel, chicken, and various vegetables) that you can add to your meal, and everything is made fresh. I really appreciated the variety of small rice bowls as well, with options like salmon, tuna, and beef--all reasonably priced and generously portioned. A great spot for a quick and satisfying Japanese meal! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Ontama Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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I don't really like udon soup, but this place changed my mind! I got the Kitsune Udon, made it spicy, and added in a soft boiled egg. I do wish the soup was hotter (temperature) but it was very flavorful. Ambiance is nice considering you can get some food here, and then go around the food court and get some yummy boba/dessert! read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - (spicy) Kitsune Udon with soft boiled egg - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Located in the Mitsuwa - Costa Mesa food court, Sanukiseimen Mugimaru is a spot for easy quick no-frills eats. My friend Melissa L. and I just wanted a quick bite while we were already at Mitsuwa for movie snacks, so it was a convenient stop for us. You order cafeteria style. Grab a tray, select a noodle order, add tempura or rice ball as desired, pay at the cashier, and sprinkle some toppings. Pretty simple, right? Since it was my first time here I wanted to order a bit of everything. I ordered their Homerun Udon ($15.20) and added a Mini Salmon Don ($5.45). Then when I got to the tempura section, I got Sweet Potato ($2), Pumpkin ($1.90), 2 Shrimp (2.10/each), and a Vegetable Croquette ($1.90). The Homerun Udon came with 2 tempuras so 2 of those were covered by the udon order and I paid the add-ons for the rest. What a meal. My eyes were as usual bigger than my stomach. The udon noodle was really tasty and I always love a good poached egg, but I was less impressed by the subpar quality of the beef and kitsune. I was too full to eat the rice from the mini salmon don, but the salmon was super fresh. The tempura were all heavy and oily. They were not fresh like the ones at Marugame Udon nearby in South Coast Plaza. I would only come back here if I was already at Mitsuwa and needed a quick convenient meal. This is the food I would eat to survive but not something I savor or crave for... especially when there are superior options in a close radius. read more

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I don't ever write a complaint about customer service because my focus is to rate on the food, but I had a very bad customer service experience. I understand some people might have a bad day. However, this person (the cashier) was very rude so I am inclined to speak up. When checking out at the cash register, there is no greeting or hi/hello by this cashier. I didn't think too much of it but she did have a very rude demeanor. I paid (she didn't say thank you or anything) I proceeded to my table with my food. My wife stayed back to ask for an extra spoon/folk since we have small kids with us. She rolled her eyes and reluctantly handed over the folks. After some time, I went back to get some extra napkins and she said "say please" in a rude manner. I went back to my table and just thought she was having a bad day. I informed my wife if she noticed the cashier's rude behavior and she said yes and that she has always been rude to her during previous times. Shortly after, I can see she was nice and friendly to another customer. So I am not sure if it is the color or my skin or what but that did not sit well with me. I went back to ask for a manager. The lady whom I spoke with was very courteous and reached out to the manager for me. The manager was always very respectful and apologized for the situation. We are frequent visitors of Mitsuwa and I have never had anyone acted so rude to us before. I rarely write this type of review but this needs to be seen and heard. I am giving a few stars because I don't want to tear down a business due to one bad apple. I will still visit the restaurant so hope they take some actions. This is very unfortunate we had to experience a very rude cashier especially, it is our neighborhood marketplace we frequently visit. read more

I mainly come here here for the kaarage. It truly is the BEST I've had. Haven't found anything that comes close to it. Open to any suggestions or recommendations any of y'all may have. The tempura is also delicious of course. read more

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Classic meal! This place is mostly known for their udon! Beef Curry Udon - Thicker soup base, beef was cut thinly and tender, udon noodles were thick and soft Katsu Curry Udon - Base taste basically the same as the beef curry udon, katsu pieces absorbed sauce well Curry Rice - pleasantly surprised considering this was basically a vegetable curry, had pieces of squash, carrots, onions, lotus roots covered in delicious sauce Tempera - Sweet potato was my favorite, squid was soft but tasted a little fake, sillago was okay Btw they offer free tempura bits that you can add on top of your food which gave a nice crunch. Also to those who don't know, when you're done eating you just leave the food and tray at the table for them to clean up. read more

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You can't really go wrong with basic kake udon, especially for its price point of around $6. It's good for the price you pay, but I wish there were slightly more udon noodles. read more

Sanukiseimen Mugimaru - Regular kake udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California