I love udon and Udon Mugizo definitely hits the spot. Their udon is made in house and is bouncy and has a nice chew. I came on a warm day and opted for the tempura zaru udon, which is a cold dish. The udon was presented on a bamboo mat (zaru) with ice underneath to keep the udon chilled. Sesame seeds, grated ginger, green onion, nori, and a light dashi were on the side, where you can customize the ratios yourself to make a dipping sauce for the udon. The tempura were very crispy and light, and the meal was overall delicious, reasonably-portioned, beautifully presented, and perfect to enjoy on a warm day. Service was great, friendly and helpful. The San Mateo Udon Mugizo location is spacious, bight, and clean. It's a big difference from the SF Japantown location. read more

Finally tried Udon Mugizo! We went on a Sunday for dinner and waited about 15-20 minutes before being seated. The creamy mentaiko udon seems to be one of their most popular dishes, but we weren't in the mood for a rich, creamy bowl on a hot day. We ended up trying two different udon dishes: Cold Tempura Zaru Udon - Served with plain chilled udon, a small bottle of dipping sauce, and a separate plate of tempura. You pour the dipping sauce over the noodles in the bowl and enjoy it alongside the tempura. It reminded me of eating soba in Japan. I really liked this dish because the simple preparation let the chewy texture of the udon shine. The tempura was lightly battered and crispy without feeling greasy. Tonkotsu Udon Deluxe - Think classic tonkotsu ramen, but with thick, chewy udon instead of thin ramen noodles. The deluxe version came loaded with pork and toppings, making it an incredibly hearty and satisfying bowl. Overall, I really enjoyed the quality of the noodles. If you appreciate chewy, freshly made udon, Udon Mugizo is definitely worth checking out! read more

My go-to udon place! I recently went on a weekday afternoon, around 11:15am and it was relatively empty. It started to get more busy closer to lunch time, as expected. The servers were nice and attentive towards us. Out of the countless times I've gone, I've never had a bad experience with the service! I typically always order the Mentai Cream Sauce Udon, but this time I also ordered the Spicy Garlic Edamame. The udon was delish as usual, with the flavors all mending perfectly without being too heavy. (If you're lactose intolerant I would highly recommend taking a lactaid prior). The edamame on the other hand was just okay. I love me some edamame but this one just felt like they slabbed on some spicy chili sauce on top so the flavor didn't catch as well as I thought it would. Overall just not the flavor profile I had expected for this. Even on busy days it's never too loud, but it's always a good hustle and bustle noise. Definitely recommend for people who haven't tried before! read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Spicy Garlic Edamame - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Came here for dinner on Sunday and waited less than 10min for a table outside. Chicken karaage - dry inside, pass. Corn fritters - good! Tastes exactly like how it sounds. Mental cream udon - Large portions, very rich and creamy. I struggled to finish my udon as it got too rich towards the end Curry udon with tonkotsu - Curry is delicious, flavorful and tonkotsu is well cooked (crispy outside, juicy inside). Servers were attentive despite restaurant being super busy. read more

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A hit every time! So happy that an udon spot has opened in downtown San Mateo. Cute indoor and small outdoor seating area, recommend going early on the weekend as sometimes theres a wait (you can also join the yelp waitlist!). All the udon are delicious, but my all-time favorite is the mental cream. Savory and umami, perfectly creamy! The nabeyaki udon are great in the winter when you want something warm and soup-y. Recommend! read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Beef sukiyaki nabeyaki udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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8/10/25 I met up with two of my gym friends here for lunch. They were already seated outdoors which was perfect since I brought my furbaby also. The restaurant was very busy and noisy. We got a bowl of edamame and tofu to share. I got the tonkotsu udon with a medium spice level. It didn't taste spicy at all honestly. The broth was pretty light and the flavor overall was delicious. I don't remember what my friends got, but we were all in agreement that everything tasted great and that we would definitely come back. read more

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I've loved this place ever since Ive tried them in Mountain View. So when I saw they opened up in my home town, I was excited. Ive visited twice since. It is located in the heart of downtown San Mateo. Plenty of paid parking in the streets or parking structures available also. The place is clean and elegant. The staff are friendly and polite. Ive cone alone as I enjoy my me time and was craving some good udon. And as always, they do not disappoint. Each time I e come, it is always perfectly made fresh and absolutely delicious! I Will definitely be returning for more! read more

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We had a set meal, it's not on the menu. It was udon, eel over rice. Steam veggies and tempura veggies. It was expensive $27 but also a lot of food. Also ordered appetizers edamame. In all, price was ok for two diners. Service was 5/5. We sat at the patio with our pup. It was nice. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Enjoyed a quick mother's day dinner on the way to the airport. No line, sat at the bar. Friendly and fast service. Had two combos and one udon. The combo is a good deal with a little bit of this and that. Normally lines form here and I think we just beat the crowd. read more

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Friday afternoon walked in around 5pm, able to get outdoor seats. The waiter is considerate and offered the heat lamp right after we seated. The outdoor seating are nicely fenced by glasses and warmly welcomed with those hanging heating lamps. The waiter quickly took our orders and the cocktails served right after ordering, and food served after two dips of the really flavorful cocktails. We ordered the strawberry one and the lemon ginger hot sake one, both are really good. And food was great balanced with its flavors, texture and ingredients ( which is hard to get from one entry order). The food is kids friendly, the place is friends and family friendly. One thing in mind, by 6pm there is already waiting list line waiting around the restaurant. read more

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Came here for lunch and had a lovely time! I've been to the San Francisco location a few years ago, and it was so refreshing to visit this location. Thoughtfully designed interior adorned with a mix of natural wood tones and cool deep blue tiles - it's a beautiful spot to meet up for a delicious meal. We ordered the tonkatsu udon with shrimp tempura on the side, a mentaiko udon, tonkatsu deluxe and their new crispy onigiri balls. Broth for the tonkatsu was rich, meaty and deeply developed flavors. My mom got it medium spicy which is just a small perfect kick. I had the mentaiko udon and it was creamy, well seasoned and the udon had the perfect bouncy bite to it. Fresh and regular was more than enough to also bring home leftovers. Welcoming and attentive service from the 2 waiters who were helping us. Thanks for a great time! Outdoor seating looks lovely, maybe next time read more

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This location is so pretty and its so convenient too because it is surrounded by all the other restaurants and sweet treat options (so you can get dessert afterwards :P) I love how the portions here are huge and you definitely get your money's worth. I would say that nothing beats the udon here whether it be the other non noodle dishes or other restaurants. Udon mugizo udon noodles are thick, chewy and super bouncy. read more

I come often. I don't usually like udon because I feel like the noodles get too soggy and then you have giant soggy noodles. but they have cold udon which is super qq! I usually get the cold udon with tempura, comes with a dipping sauce (concentrated dashi) that you grind sesame seeds freshly with (like you might with katsu sauce!). It's so good. There's an optional creamy wasabi aioli for tempura and I get that usually too. All in all no bad dishes here. Used to go to the South Bay one often and eat the mentaiko udon which is really good too. Service is friendly and it's easy to flag down any staff for help. Nicely decorated inside with lots of warm wood. The online waitlist is available on and off, so if it's not available there may be a wait when you get there if it's after 6, 6:30. read more

Delicious udon noodles, and they still welcome customers even 20 minutes before closing, which really shows how great their service is. We ordered two bowls of udon and both were excellent, and the fried tofu was also very good. The only downside is that the edamame is a bit overpriced. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves udon. 好吃的烏龍麵，尤其是關店前的20分鐘依然接客，可見他們的服務真的很好。點了兩碗烏龍麵也非常的好吃，還有炸豆腐也很棒，唯獨就是毛豆的價格有點高。我強烈推薦給喜歡吃烏龍麵的老饕。 read more

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So glad we don't have to drive to Japan town anymore for Udon Mugizo *_* Ambiance: 5/5 We didn't get to deal with the noise since we sat outside so it was lovely lol. The layout of the interior was spacious and modern. Service: 3/5 Our server was attentive to us in the beginning, but he eventually forgot about us when it became busy inside. Had to flag him down a couple times for our needs. Food: 5/5 Taste was consistent with Japan town's location. -Mentai cream sauce udon - Heavy but sooo tasty. I'd ask for no cheese next time. -Tempura udon - Shrimp tempura was biiigggggg. Udon was pretty plain but the broth was tasty. -Tonkotsu deluxe - Chashu was pretty gross in this one as it was just mostly thick pieces of fat :/ but the broth was flavorful and thick. read more

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Cold Niku Udon definitely hit the spot on a hot day in the Peninsula. I ordered the Large portion and it was decently filling. I loved the texture of the udon and it was not overly salty or flavored. Another reason why I prefer this spot is due to how it was overly oily either. Definitely a delicious spot that I would want to come back to. I would highly recommend getting here earlier though. I came here around 11:45AM on a Saturday and by the time we were getting our food, there was a long line outside. Parking is not too bad because it's close to the 2nd Ave garage on El Camino that usually always has spots because it's at the corner of downtown San Mateo. Highly recommend! :) read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

If you're looking to experience creative, new flavors and some exceptional offerings, Udon Mugizo stands out! They even have sake cocktails. This is yet another place that gets busy but no lines thanks to Yelp's waitlist! Get ahead of the game, and put your name in the app before showing up and having to wait. Once seated the service is attentive like clockwork. Drinks and food come out quickly. Everyone is friendly and easy to wave down for your needs. The udon noodles were handmade and of course amazing. I ordered the Tonkotsu Deluxe with pork and fish broth and basically "the works" shrimp tempura, chashu, pork kakuni and all the flavoring bits. That broth was excellent. I barely left any. My friend had the Salmon Cream Sauce Udon which was very unique! It actually seemed to have Italian flavors masquerading as a Japanese udon. I love the fusion of interesting flavors - spinach cream sauce, raw smoked salmon, parmesan cheese, nori seaweed and more! I am inclined to try the Mentai Cream Sauce Udon on another visit. Sake cocktails here are interesting and strong- some sweeter than others. We each had the Orange Ginger Hot Sake and the Pineapple Hot Sake. The Orange Ginger is great, but super sweet! The Pineapple is better and not as sweet. I am looking forward to another bowl of udon here. The atmosphere is nicely done with the sake bottle motifs near the kitchen, accent lighting and chic modern interiors. Food and service is excellent! read more

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Came here on a Saturday for an early dinner and it wasn't too crowded (yet). My friend and I ordered the Tonkotsku udon deluxe & Chicken karaage. The chicken karaage was yummy, especially with the sauce that came on the side. The tonkotsku udon deluxe soup was very rich and creamy, a little much for my liking BUT, it was still good. Service was good as well. By the time we left, it was crowded! Restrooms were clean. There is street parking or a parking lot nearby. read more

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I love udon, and Udon Mugizo is easily one of my favorite udon spots to go to. Every time I come here, I end up ordering the same thing because it's just that good. The Salmon Spinach Cream Sauce Udon is the only dish I get, and it never disappoints. The udon noodles are perfectly chewy, and the creamy sauce pairs so well with the salmon and spinach. It's rich, comforting, and honestly one of the best udon dishes I've had. The people working there are always really nice and welcoming, which makes the experience even better. The ambiance also feels very traditional and cozy, which adds to the whole dining experience. One time my friend and I were so hungry that when our food came out, we literally finished the entire bowl in about 10 minutes and didn't talk to each other the whole time. We were just focused on eating, which honestly says a lot about how good the food is. I've brought a few of my friends here before, and every single one of them ended up loving the Salmon Spinach Cream Sauce Udon too. It's definitely the kind of dish that keeps you coming back. If you love udon and want something a little different from the usual broth-based bowls, this is definitely a spot worth trying. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Salmon Spinach Cream Sauce Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

One of my go to spots for udon. I've been here multiple times and tried a few items off their menu. My go to is always a cold dipping ramen. It's made perfectly and the udon is perfectly chewy. read more

Honestly this place is so good. An easy 10/10. I ordered the spicy Niku Bukkake (cold) Udon. So delicious and refreshing! The portions are generous here so even though I got a medium bowl, I still had leftovers to enjoy later. The noodles are al dente and I'm already thinking about coming back here asap. Do yourself a favor and come eat here! read more

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I'm always down to try some Tonkotsu Uson! The noodles are thick and handmade! The broth was flavorful. Definitely worth trying out. Casual with modern interior. Super attentive staff. They gave all the ladies a stem of carnation for Vday which was super sweet. Loved the Yuzu Passion Gold cocktail, not too sweet. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Menu - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Great food as always. I always go to the Japantown location but first time eating in the SM one. Staff is kind and service is quick. Niku udon was very flavorful, broth not too salty. The beef sukiyaki was a little small for a large but great taste and quality of the dish made up for it. I like to call this place "fancy Marugame" if I want to splurge a little on udon lol read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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We got 2 udons and their corn tempura. The corn tempura was fine but a bit oily and flavorless. We appreciated the dipping sauce came warm. We got the tonkotsu udon and the creamy mentaiko. We typically love creamy mentaiko udon, but this one was just way too rich and heavy for our liking. We also felt there could've been more mentaiko. It felt more like eating a creamy Alfredo pasta than udon. Prices are steep as expected. Service was really friendly and attentive. read more

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Tried one of their new menu items, some sort of set. I got the unagi don set. Came with steamed veggies, small bowl of udon, and assorted tempura. A whole lot of food. I enjoyed it very much, great variety of food. Cruchy tempura, clean simple steamed veggies, some warm broth of udon, and the sweet and savory unagi. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Unagi set - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Great place for soup and some takoyaki. I loved that they had such big portions. The udon was scrumptious and service was quick. Such a friendly staff as well. It has a casual ambiance and parking is always a bit hard to find on weekdays since it's in downtown. But i truly loved the food especially the takoyaki read more

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I can always count on Udon Mugizo for a high-quality, hot bowl of udon. If you're into hearty, fresh udon noodles, well-crafted broth, and comforting Japanese food, this spot definitely deserves a visit. What we ordered: Niku Udon (tender sliced beef udon) Salmon Cream Spinach Udon (Raw smoked salmon/Spinach cream sauce udon) FOOD: 10/10 SERVICE: 10/10 AMBIANCE: 9/10 FOOD: 10/10 Whether you go for a classic warm bowl or one of their rich cream-based options, you can really taste the quality in every udon bowl. The homemade noodles have the perfect texture, and the umami-packed broth is seriously addictive. I always get full so quickly, but I can never stop myself from trying to finish everything; it's just that good. SERVICE: 10/10 Casual dining with very attentive staff. Even when it's busy, the line moves smoothly, and orders are handled efficiently. I also really appreciate how the staff consistently checks in, clearing plates, and making sure water cups are always filled. AMBIANCE: 9/10 A simple and comfortable spot for lunch or dinner. The decor here feels more modern and sleek compared to other locations I've been to, but the vibe still works perfectly for a cozy meal. You'll see a lot of friends and families dining together, and it feels lively without being overwhelming. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Niku Udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I was craving some soup during my lunch break and decided to to-go something from here. I decided on the Tonkotsu Deluxe Udon which came with a creamy, delicious pork broth, plenty of chashu pork meat, a perfectly cooked marinated egg, and chewy udon noodles. I was mostly impressed by how they packaged everything! The lid comes with a separate attachment for the add-ins that closes right on top of the soup, while the noodles are in a separate container! SO SMART and makes my life so much easier to eat soup at my work space. Will definitely be ordering from here again! read more

I went here within the first week of opening and again recently on a Saturday at 2pm. It was nice on this recent visit since there was no line waiting outside, but this also could've been due to the late lunch timing. Both times I got the tonkatsu chashu udon. The only apparent difference between the two sizes is the noodle portion. The taste is okay, definitely a step up from Marugame which is more like fast food udon, but this place still doesn't quit hit the mark for me in comparison to udon from Japan. The portion size is good for the price point and this place is good if you have an udon craving. I would go back if I am craving udon but if I am craving noodles in general I may consider dining at another noodle restaurant in the area. However...just checked credit card statement and almost $6 was unknowingly added onto total charge (tip already included). Shady business practice! Check your statements! read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Tonkatsu chashu udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

Food was great - I got the tempura curry udon and the refillable iced matcha. It was delicious. It was more expensive than other udon restaurants I've been to, however. Service was attentive and polite - I appreciate that they can settle the bill at your table with their portable card readers. It's a well decorated and styled restaurant. The only drawback to me was the restroom. It was unkept and there was tissue everywhere. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Nabeyaki Udon (regular) - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Ah, where do I start? Udon Mugizo certainly grew on me, as my local savior during my udon cravings; I've been a loyalist to Marugame Udon, not thinking I could change my mind on which chain I preferred. Udon Mugizo comes from the Marufuku Ramen empire, which represents one of the top contenders for best ramen in the bay area. They make their noodles from scratch, and fry their tempura fresh. They also have a traditional style in presentation, complete with the "Irasshaimase!" when you enter. Udon Mugizo's signature flavors involve cream-based udon, which I first experienced at Marugame Monzo (arguably LA's most popular udon restaurant that spawned a year before OG Udon Mugizo's debut in SF). - Tonkotsu Udon One of their most popular flavors, with very creamy broth. You can choose between normal toppings, hella chashu, or deluxe, which includes a big piece of tender stewed pork belly. It also comes with a side of fish powder and choice of spice level (basically extra chili powder). - Mentai Cream Sauce Udon It's a timeless combination of noodles in a seafood cream sauce, and another best seller. Just think: ocean alfredo. Though it has roe, it could be amped up with more protein. - Salmon Spinach Cream Sauce Udon I was shocked to find myself addicted to the sauce, as I'm lactose-intolerant and do not consider myself a pesto fan. But, this creamy pesto-like sauce just made my entire day right. The creaminess is magical when combined with the fresh spinach's vegetal and earthy taste. They give you thick pieces of smoked salmon, which was my least favorite part of this dish (it could be replaced by anything else, but it makes the dish look cool). It tasted so light, unique, and nice that I downed it really fast. - Tempura Udon A very basic udon bowl with simple dashi broth and a generous mound of assorted tempura; a solid pick if you want something more plain or light. - Tempura Zaru Udon One of my favorites! You get a bunch of chilled udon with DIY crushed sesame seeds, shredded nori, green onions, grated ginger, and a concentrated dashi/soy sauce. And of course, delicious hot tempura to contrast the chewy cold noodles. It's very simple but satisfying. - Spicy Niku Bukkake Udon I was surprised to have enjoyed this as much as I did, as sweet beef is usually too sweet for me. The sweetness was toned down and balanced out by the savory and acidic spicy chili paste. It tastes like the Japanese version of black bean paste noodle - basically some savory dry cold noodle dish - with a tang of spice. You mix everything up and it creates a mashed up flavor bomb of wonderful textures and optimal umami. The yolk makes the sauce thick and substantial. - Nabeyaki Udon My least favorite flavor, as the broth tasted too sweet and the ingredients were lacking. The chicken was just boiled chicken. For something plain and familiar, get another option. - Katsu Curry Udon The curry is comforting and great and very reminiscent of Golden Curry, and they give you a lot of it. It'd be nice to get an extra bowl of udon to add to this, but I guess that's what the rice is for. The katsu was quite disappointing, as the meat was tough and crunch wasn't there. - Unagi Seiro Set This set comes with a small bowl of unagi over rice, steamed vegetables with sesame dipping sauce, three pieces of assorted tempura, a side of shredded nori and sesame seeds, and a plain mini udon. It's absolutely beautiful and structured well for a meal set, and very shareable. The unagi was meaty and rice was delicious. I was surprised at how pleasant the chilled vegetables were with the nutty sesame sauce. - Yaki Onigiri Two grilled rice balls - one with seasoned cod roe, parmesan cheese, aonori (crushed up dried seaweed), and one with raw smoked salmon and ikura. It just tasted like a pile of toasted mushy clumped up rice, with those ingredients stacked on top, not even melted or integrated well. - Appetizers The agedashi tofu is delicious, soft, supple, lightly battered, and bathing generously in savory dashi stock. The chicken karaage needs work, because the breading is scrappy with a harder crunch, and the chicken meat is not tender or moist. - Tempura Very delicious, hot, and crunchy. There is a pronounced freshness of ingredients within the breading. I love the standard shrimp tempura as well as the assorted, where you get random veggies. The maitake mushroom is a sleeper hit; the mushrooms taste so soft, bouncy, chewy, and plump. I'm not fond of the squid tempura (a less chewy calamari body), corn tempura (the moisture was fried out of the kernels so it's tougher and more hollow than expected), and the tempura gyoza (too breaded to taste the dumpling meat inside - imagine eating fried gyoza filling). I've also had their sake cocktails which are VERY sweet but have amazing presentation and price. From the food to the drinks, Udon Mugizo gives consistent good flavors that make you want to come back. Protip: ask for complimentary tempura bits! read more

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Finally got a chance to try this place out and it did not disappoint. Well it didn't disappoint me but my son says the J-town location is better! The waitstaff was nice and the line moved quickly. I was surprised how big the place really was. The place has a nice chill vibe and they manage to being your food out quickly without making you feel like you need to rush out (even though you do cuz you feel guilty there's a line). We had the rice bowl combo with mini udon: Tempura and udon 5/5: The batter was light and crisp and the udon the perfect way to pair it to balance the grease hahahaha. Katsui with udon 4/5: The katsu was tender but it seemed a bit small on the plate of egg. It was all tasty tho. It wasn't a ton of food but it left me feeling satisfied. I can't wait to come back to try the other dishes! read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - katsu mini udon - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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Solid 3.5 stars Unfortunately I'm unable to round up because - I am if I'm in the area i wouldn't think of coming here unless it was another person's idea. The service was good - friendly - and timeliness was all fine and well. The udon bowl itself was good. The broth of the mentai cream was creamy but could've used a touch more seasoning and the tonkatsu broth was also not bad - taste was good but not as unctuous as it appears in photos... I think I might've been over hyped and set expectations too high... The noodles lacked bite - they were soft - borderline had some mush to it. The vibe was great! Felt upscale and I'm so used to Marugame (fast udon) - so to be seated with nice dishware and furniture and surroundings gave me a much more elevated experience. Couldn't give the 1.5 stars left over just because the disappointment sort of crept in and the price for the bowl - just felt like it was not worth the extra cost in comparison to the fast chain versions... or others I've had in the past and unfortunately it did affect my experience. Doesn't mean I wouldn't come back! I came half an hour before they closed and perhaps it missed the mark on the hype - but I would definitely love to give it another honest try at a more lunch hour time to see if that would make a difference... I know costs are rising - but as a consumer - I want to be bold to say "worth every penny!" read more

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Udon Mugizo has locations in San Francisco, Mountain View, San Jose, now San Mateo and is owned by the same people behind Marufuku Ramen. I've tried the Mountain View location several times and can vouch for consistency with this casual udon chain. Seating is indoor or outdoor to accommodate for dogs. Service was consistently great. Food was good. Noodles are made in house. I've tried the tonkatsu udon, agedashi tofu, and chicken karaage. They even have a kids meal available. Age restrictions apply. read more

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Came to Udon Mugizo on a nippy evening and the hot soup was a nice reprieve that also warmed up our tummies. Despite being about 7-8 parties deep upon arrival, we had a table in about 15 minutes. I went with a classic nabeyaki udon and loved that I could request the tempura on the side. Who likes soggy tempura, honestly? The tempura shrimp was nice and crunchy with a whole juicy large shrimp. The udon was tender with a nice chew and the chicken was nice and tender. I loved using the egg to add some unctuousness with the creamy yolk too. Boyfriend got the tonkatsu udon and we really appreciated how they subbed the shrimp tempura due to his allergy. The maitake was unique and frankly an upgrade to some extent. We both left full and happy. Will come back for sure! read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Tonkatsu Tonkotsu Udon (Large) - sub maitake mushroom for shrimp (allergy) - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

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I'd heard good things about the other locations, so I had to check this place out once it opened near me. I really liked that they offer a Yelp waitlist, it saves a ton of time from standing around outside, especially since there's no indoor waiting area or seating really. Our party was seated right on time based on the waitlist estimate. Inside, there's plenty of seating, including bar seats, plus covered patio seating, which is a nice option. I ordered the tempura curry udon. The curry was very flavorful without being overly salty. The tempura was good, though a bit heavy on the breading in my opinion. The noodles were thick and cooked perfectly. The real standout was our waitress, Kyla. She went above and beyond with her service, walked us through the menu thoroughly and was super patient while my mother-in-law asked her usual amount of questions haha. She was clearly juggling a lot, greeting guests, handling multiple tables, refilling waters.. but stayed upbeat the entire time. She even gave our kids tokens for the prize machine, which was such a nice touch. Bonus points for offering kids plates and silverware too. Overall, the food was solid, the service was fantastic, and the ambiance wasn't overly loud like a lot of noodle spots tend to be. We'll definitely be back. read more

I had a great dinner at Udon Mugizo, and thankfully it wasn't hard to get parking nor was there a long wait to get seated (although we did eat at 5:15 on a Tuesday). The space indoors is huge, and it's brightly lit. Our servers were friendly, and the menu was very straightforward. I got a pork katsu donburi which came with mini udon, and I loved the udon but didn't really like the katsu with steamed egg. The katsu itself wasn't really crispy, sadly it was more soggy. The portion of the mini udon was honestly already generous so I felt pretty full after a few bites of the katsu and the full mini udon. My friend got the spinach and salmon creamy udon which actually tasted sooo good so I would get that next time! read more

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We came here for some udon noodle on a cold rainy night. Having been to the Japantown location, I thought the Mentai creamy udon I had there was very good, but tonight I decided to try the Nabeyaki chicken udon. Big mistake. The broth and the chicken pieces had almost no flavor. I had to add many spoonfuls of the Shichimi to make it decent. The udon felt overcooked and mushy. The tenkasu tasted off, almost like it was cooked with rancid oil. It sat in the broth for too long that by the time I got it so it was no longer crunchy. For the price ($23 for a large bowl), I thought its quality felt short compared to even Marugame Udon which is marketed as fast foody udon. Marugame's udon tasted chewier. Its tenkasu was fresher and being self-serve, I had control over the timing of putting into the broth and consuming it before it got soggy. On the plus side, the restaurant felt very clean. We sat outdoors under the heater and it felt warm enough while it was in the low 50s. The waitress was very friendly and made us feel welcomed. In the end, Udon Mugizo just didn't do it for me. Noodles are a dime a dozen in downtown San Mateo. They really need to do better both in terms of quality and pricing. read more

Udon Mugizo - San Mateo - Nabeyaki Udon (Large) - very meh - Japanese Near Me - San Mateo, California

I hadn't had udon since going to Japan and we had a ton when we were in Takamatsu and the general Shikoku prefecture. This place was not too crowded at around 530 to 6pm but then there was a long line forming at 7pm. We opted to sit outside which was fine. The ambiance is clean and simple. We ordered the takoyaki which was fresh and delicious. I liked the texture. I got the beef sukiyaki udon as my main dish. This was good. I think the flavors were there but perhaps the udon was a bit overcooked and less chewy than I like. The beef was soft but the portion is low. I had this dish in a place in Takamatsu and the portion was a bit more for the beef. There was a lot to be desired for me. Service was nice! Staff were friendly. I left a bit unsatisfied since there was such a low amount of beef and mushroom (for $21). It felt less satisfying overall and I left feeling underwhelmed. They said their popular dishes are the tonkatsu udon and the mentai. read more

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Udon Mugizo makes some of my favorite udon in the Bay! I was happy to find that they opened this San Mateo location as the SF and Mountain View locations are usually pretty crowded with a long wait. I came here with 2 friends on a weeknight, and we were seated right away- a refreshing change from my usual Udon Mugizo experience. The niku udon was nicely made: the noodles had the perfect chew, the broth was sweet and filled with umami flavor, and the portions were generous and filling. I ordered an iced matcha and it was refreshing, concentrated, and paired nicely with my hot soup. Because we got there around 7pm, the restaurant became packed by 8:30pm, and the waiters very politely continued to offer us to-go boxes and the bill. It's always tough feeling rushed when you're reuniting with long lost friends, but because we had been there for a good 90 minutes, we obliged due to the crowds. All in all, this is a solid spot for great udon. Like the other locations, it gets a little crowded, but if you come right before the dinner rush, you should be able to get seated quickly! read more