Those who happen to pass by the corner of Ly Tu Trong and Truong Dinh streets in Saigon’s District 1 may have been curious to witness a long line of people (vietnamese and foreigner) queuing up to be served noodles at the Marukame Udon.

Why so many people are waiting for to eat a bowl of japanese noodles soup called Udon?

Marukame Udon & Tempura appeals to tourists and locals for a combination of a traditional japanese cooking experience. Take a black small tray when you enter inside the restaurant then choose your menu or dishes, there are even numbers for each dish. The menu with large photos is stuck on the wall, 13 different dishes are offered.

The place is an open air kitchen and you order directly from the cooks. You can also watch them preparing freshly made noodles at the site. Kitchen is quite clean because each staff member is assigned a task. One is preparing the Udon kneading flour, one is cutting it into slices, one is heating the Udon, one is adding the sauce and ingredients, one is frying the tempura and different kind of japanese food, one is working as a cashier...

We selected two dishes, the first one Beef curry (#5) and the second one, spicy seafoods (#9). Beef curry was very tasty and savory, the second dish was very spicy. You have the choice between two sizes of bowl (medium or large), there is 20,000đ between both size.

So what is exactly Udon?

Udon is a thick wheat noodle quite chewy and soft. Udon is best when you can find it fresh. Dried udon is still good, but the texture is more dense. Udon has a neutral flavor, so they make a good choice for strongly-flavored dishes. We can compare Udon to Ramen, the difference is the size, Ramen is much more thinner.

What about the prices?

From 39,000đ for Udon Kamaage to 99,000đ for a large portion of Udon Beef kake. A few desserts are also available from 25,000đ to 38,000đ (Kuoyo matcha cake, Sakura cheesecake, pudding, roll cake, creampie, waffles, chocolate karinto bun...).

What about cleanliness and staff?

Even if the restaurant was crowded, the tables left were clean. The staff was friendly and polite, to access the dining room on the first floor, there was a closed door so it was not easy to carry the tray and open the door but the staff was here to help. Marukame Udon and Tempura is a good value for money.

The Importance of Business Transparency

Transparency is assurance, honesty and describes high-quality services provided by Megavina that's why from March 15, 2016, Megavina will add the copy of invoices or receipt as a proof of our visits.

<<< Click to enlarge the receipt by clicking on the photo opposite.