Tokyo Shinjuku Food Guide: Udon Shin

Shinjuku Udon Hidden Gem: Discover Chewy Delights at "Udon Makoto"!

In the alleyways of Shinjuku, “Udon Makoto” serves as a pilgrimage site for udon lovers. Their devotion to noodles is akin to a romance, infusing every bowl with springy vitality.

What makes the udon at “Udon Makoto” so special is their steadfast adherence to a “made fresh, cut fresh, cooked fresh” approach. The restaurant uses wheat flour from Kyushu, letting the dough mature overnight to ensure a chewy texture. Only when an order is placed do they begin slicing and cooking the noodles, a commitment to freshness that reflects the artisan’s dedication.

The menu boasts 26 varieties, offering a rich selection of both cold and hot noodles. A must-try is their “Kama-tama Udon,” where the warmth of the noodles meets the silky smoothness of an egg yolk, creating a trendy dish as you stir.

Prefer something refreshing? Their cold udon with lemon slices and colorful sesame seeds offers a fresh, tangy awakening for your taste buds. For fried food lovers, don’t miss the “Shrimp and Seasonal Vegetable Tempura Cold Udon,” where crispy, tender fried shrimp paired with cold noodles brings a surge of bliss with every bite.

Other Recommended Dishes Soy Sauce Udon with Soft-Boiled Fried Egg and Char Siu: This dish combines soy sauce udon with a soft-boiled fried egg and tender char siu. The noodles are springy, the sauce is light and refreshing, not too salty or greasy. The rich egg and succulent char siu make this a mouth-watering choice.

Tempura Cold Udon: This dish includes a variety of tempura such as pumpkin, carrot, eggplant, shishito peppers, and two shrimp. The tempura is crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, and not greasy. Paired with chilled udon noodles, it’s a refreshing choice for summer.

Meat Udon with Radish Mash and Onsen Egg: This cold noodle dish comes with a pot of sauce to adjust the saltiness to your liking. The noodles, chilled for a springy texture, are served with beef, radish mash, and an onsen egg, offering an excellent flavor combination.

Besides udon, the tempura at this restaurant is also outstanding. The “Daily Special Crab Tempura” uses fresh crab, resulting in a crispy exterior and tender, sweet crab meat that keeps you coming back for more. The “Sweet Potato Tempura” is crispy on the outside and soft inside, with a perfect level of sweetness, making it an excellent side dish.

The broth here is a hidden treasure. “Udon Makoto” uses a Kansai-style base, simmered with kombu from Kushiro and a variety of fish flakes, creating a broth that is light yet richly flavorful, perfectly complementing the noodles. The restaurant meticulously manages the heat, cooking slowly to extract the best flavors, making each sip of the broth layered and aromatic, prompting an exclamation of “This soup is so pure!” The cozy and charming decor of the eatery makes one want to stay a bit longer.

However, to taste this “treasure of Shinjuku’s udon scene,” patience is required due to the often crowded venue. (I waited for two hours…) But the wait is certainly worthwhile, promising a rewarding noodle experience. Next time you’re in Shinjuku, remember to add “Udon Makoto” to your list of culinary recommendations and savor the flavors and fun!

goodxssss provides a custom audio menu, enabling those less proficient in Japanese to order with ease and fully enjoy this delicious journey.

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Udon Shin

Budget: Lunch and Dinner around ¥1,000 to ¥2,000
Type: Udon Noodles
Phone: +81-3-6276-7816
Reservations: Accepted
Business Hours: Daily 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Last Order at 9:30 PM)
Closed: Year-end and New Year Holidays (December 30 – January 2)
Address: Somabiru Building 1F, 2-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access:
- Toei Shinjuku Line, Keio New Line, Oedo Line “Shinjuku Station” Exit 6 – 2-minute walk
- JR Lines “Shinjuku Station” New South Exit – 6-minute walk
- Odakyu Odawara Line “Minami-Shinjuku Station” – 5-minute walk
Child-Friendly: All ages welcome
Payment: Cash only (No credit cards or electronic payments)
Smoking Policy: Non-smoking throughout the premises