INTRODUCTION
If you want to experience Japanese food culture, Marugame Seimen is a must-visit place. Inspired by Kagawa Prefecture, the home of Sanuki Udon, this chain has opened stores all over Japan and is loved by many. Marugame Seimen offers the freshest taste of udon by making the noodles in the restaurant, and is known for its high quality and wide variety of menu items.
Visitors can freely choose from a selection of toppings and sides while enjoying udon noodles made right in front of them. In particular, the mochi (glutinous) texture of the noodles and the flavorful broth are a perfect match, and once tasted, the taste is unforgettable. Another attraction of Marugame Seimen is its limited menu, which changes seasonally, and local menus that can only be tasted at stores in various regions of Japan.
Marugame Seimen’s self-service format makes it an easy stop on a busy sightseeing schedule. When you visit Japan, be sure to experience the charm of authentic Sanuki udon at Marugame Seimen and enjoy its delicious taste.
Recommended Menu
Kama Tamago Udon
Kama-tama Udon is a simple yet rich taste of warm udon noodles with a raw egg. The raw egg is mixed with the sticky udon noodles, giving it a mild taste.
Mentaiko Kamatama Udon
Mentaiko (spicy cod roe) is added to “Kamatama Udon” to give it a tangy accent and a rich flavor that is very popular. The mentaiko’s petiteness and the thickening of the egg are a perfect match.
Yakitate Meat Udon
Yakitate Meat Udon” is filled with beef stewed in a sweet sauce. You can enjoy the flavor of beef with udon and it is a hearty dish.
Shrimp tempura
Ebi-ten” features plump shrimp deep-fried in a crispy batter. It is served on top of udon noodles for an even more delicious experience.
Vegetable Kakiage
The “Vegetable Kakiage” with plenty of vegetables is hearty and the sweetness of the vegetables fills your mouth. It goes great with udon noodles.
Beef Sukiyaki Goboten Bukkake
Beef sukiyaki gobo-ten bukkake is a perfect combination of freshly cooked beef and gobo-ten. The taste is enhanced by the kake-dashi (broth) used to pour over the beef.
Yamahari Asari Udon Noodle
The spring-only “Yamamari Asari Udon” features a generous amount of scallions in their shells. The aroma of the sea and the special broth entwines with the udon, giving it a gentle taste.
These are just a few of the special delicacies that can only be found at Marugame Seimen. When you visit Japan, be sure to enjoy authentic Sanuki udon at Marugame Seimen. Marugame Seimen’s udon noodles will make your trip even richer.
How to experience and enjoy
How to enjoy yourself in the restaurant
When visiting Marugame Seimen, first enjoy the atmosphere inside the restaurant. Watching the udon noodles being handmade in the open kitchen, you can enjoy the process of completing your meal. The sight of freshly boiled noodles and the aroma of fragrant broth in the restaurant will delight your sense of sight and smell.
Customize to your own taste
At Marugame Seimen, you can customize your udon to your own taste. At the topping bar provided after ordering, you can freely add free toppings such as tenkasu, green onions, and sesame seeds. There is also a wide variety of freshly fried tempura for you to choose from and enjoy. In addition, onigiri (rice balls) and inari sushi are also available for you to enjoy with udon.
Enjoying the Seasonal Menu
Marugame Seimen sometimes offers a limited menu for each season. For example, you can enjoy refreshing cold udon in summer and hot naboyaki udon in winter. One of the charms of Marugame Seimen is that you can find a new flavor every time you visit.
Enjoy take-out
Even during busy sightseeing schedules or when the restaurant is crowded, you can still enjoy the flavors of Marugame Seimen. One way to enjoy Marugame Seimen is to take advantage of the take-out service and enjoy a leisurely meal in your hotel room or in a nearby park. Since the noodles are served in a special package, they will retain their flavor even after you take them home.
Enjoy with family and friends
Marugame Seimen is a great place to dine with family and friends. The spacious restaurant has table seating for large groups, allowing everyone to enjoy their meal together. Families with children in particular can visit with peace of mind, as the restaurant offers an extensive children’s menu.
Share on Social Media
Marugame Seimen’s udon noodles are beautiful to look at and many of the dishes are very photogenic. By taking pictures of your meal and sharing them on social media, you can share its deliciousness with your friends and followers. You can also discover new menus and ways to enjoy your meal by looking at other people’s posts.
A meal at Marugame Seimen is more than just a meal; it is an experience. Customize it to your liking and enjoy the seasonal menu items to create unforgettable memories.
Manners
How to Order
At Marugame Seimen, ordering is done in a self-service style. First, upon entering the restaurant, take a tray and menu list and order udon at the counter. English menus are also available, so you can order with confidence. Tell the staff what you want, then choose toppings, tempura, onigiri, etc.
Seating Manners
As this is a self-service restaurant, once you have completed your order, take your tray and move to your seat by yourself. Seating is unreserved, and you may sit in any available seat. While eating, try to eat quietly and be considerate of others around you. Especially during busy times, it is advisable to avoid occupying a seat for a long time and to give up your seat promptly after finishing your meal.
Manners while eating
In Japan, it is not against manners to make noise when eating noodles. In particular, it is common to eat udon and soba while slurping. However, please be considerate of the people around you and be careful not to make extremely loud noises. Please use cell phones sparingly while eating, and be mindful not to disturb other customers.
Cleaning up after meals
When you have finished eating, return the dishes you have used to the return slot. Put all leftovers and garbage together on a tray and place it in the designated area. It is important to keep the table clean so that the next guest can use it comfortably.
Manners for taking pictures
When taking pictures of your meal, be considerate of those around you. Avoid disturbing other customers by taking pictures quietly and without using a flash. Also, when posting on social networking sites, be careful not to include other customers or staff in your photos.
By observing these manners, your dining experience at Marugame Seimen will be more pleasant and enjoyable. Please enjoy the authentic Sanuki Udon noodles to the fullest while respecting Japanese food culture.
Shops
Tokyo
- Marugame Seimen Shinjuku.
- Location: 1-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 5 minute walk from Shinjuku Station
- Business hours: 10:00-22:00
- Marugame Seimen Shibuya Location: 1-1-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Location: 2-29-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Access: 3 minute walk from Shibuya Station
- Business hours: 10:00-22:00
Osaka Prefecture
- Marugame Seimen Osaka Umeda** Location: Kita Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Location: 3-2-4 Umeda, Kita-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Access: 5 minute walk from Osaka Station
- Hours: 11:00-23:00
- Marugame Seimen Shinsaibashi Location: Shinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka
- Location: 1-5-15 Shinsaibashi-suji, Chuo-ku, Osaka City, Osaka
- Access: 3 minute walk from Shinsaibashi Station
- Business hours: 10:00-22:00
Kyoto Pref.
- Marugame Seimen Kyoto Ekimae Store
- Location: 901 Higashishioji-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
- Access: 2 minute walk from Kyoto Station
- Hours: 10:00-22:00
- Marugame Seimen Shijo-Karasuma** Location: Shijo-Karasuma, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto
- Location: 31 Nagatoboko-cho, Shijo-dori, Karasuma-higashi-iru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto
- Access: 1 minute walk from Karasuma Station
- Business hours: 10:00-21:00
Hiroshima Pref.
- Marugame Seimen Hiroshima Ekimae Store (in front of Hiroshima Station)
- Location: 1-2 Matsubaracho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Access: 3 minute walk from Hiroshima Station
- Hours: 10:00-22:00
- Marugame Seimen Youme-town Hiroshima Store Location: 1-1, Matsubaracho, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Location: 2-8-17 Minami-machi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture
- Access: 5 minute walk from Minami-machi 2-chome Station
- Business hours: 10:00-21:00
Other Areas
- Marugame Seimen Nagoya Sakae Branch
- Location: 3-5-12 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi
- Access: 5 min. walk from Sakae Station
- Hours: 11:00-22:00
- Marugame Seimen Fukuoka Tenjin Store Location: Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
- Location: 2-4-11 Tenjin, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka
- Access: 3 minute walk from Tenjin Station
- Business hours: 10:00-22:00
Marugame Seimen has many locations throughout Japan, each offering fresh handmade udon noodles. Choose a conveniently located store according to the area you are visiting and enjoy delicious Sanuki Udon noodles.
Reviews and Ratings
Marugame Seimen has received many high marks for its quality and service. Below are some of Marugame Seimen’s attractions as seen through reviews on word-of-mouth sites and social networking sites.
Evaluation regarding taste
Marugame Seimen’s udon noodles are highly rated by many customers for their firm, thick noodles and robust broth. In particular, the popular menu items “Kama-age Udon” and “Oni oroshi niku bukkake Udon” have received many comments that the noodles have a wonderful texture and the broth is exquisitely delicious. Many word-of-mouth reviews have rated Marugame Seimen’s udon noodles as being of consistently high quality both in Japan and abroad.
Evaluation of Service
The staff at Marugame Seimen are friendly and approachable, and the quality of their service is highly regarded. Many customers have commented, “They are courteous to tourists,” and “English menus are available, making ordering easy. Another reason for the high evaluation is the staff’s excellent support despite the self-service format.
Evaluation of Lines and Wait Times
As a popular restaurant, lines often form, especially during peak hours, but many customers have positive comments such as “the long wait is worth it. Some reviewers recommend visiting during off-peak hours to avoid the lines. In fact, the restaurant is often relatively empty during the daytime and between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.
Overall Rating
Overall, Marugame Seimen receives high marks for taste, service, and atmosphere. It is a favorite among locals as well as tourists, and many consider it well worth a visit. It is especially appreciated for the ease of enjoying authentic Japanese udon noodles while traveling.
Please use these evaluations as a guide to enjoy your dining experience at Marugame Seimen. You will surely have a satisfying meal and wonderful memories.
Summary
Marugame Seimen is a famous restaurant where you can easily enjoy authentic Sanuki udon. The self-service format is appealing, and the experience of creating your own original cup of udon while choosing your favorite udon and toppings is a must-see. Fresh ingredients and carefully handmade udon noodles give visitors a sense of satisfaction.
Many stores are located throughout Japan, and visitors can enjoy menus that take advantage of the characteristics of each region. Especially in urban areas such as Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, Marugame is conveniently located for a quick stopover between sightseeing tours.
A meal at Marugame Seimen is the perfect opportunity to experience Japan’s udon culture and enjoy its delicacies. When you visit Japan, be sure to stop by Marugame Seimen for a taste of authentic Sanuki udon. That bowl of noodles will surely be an unforgettable experience.
