The format of this restaurant is cafeteria style where you order your udon, pick up side items (like tempura, spam musubi, etc), pay and then find a place to sit.
I’m going to have to sheepishly say that this was top of my list when I was planning on where to eat in Honolulu when I arrive – and it happened on our first day!
I ordered the Curry Udon with an egg – and it was perfection. The broth is on the thicker side and heavy on the flavour. They have other lighter broths if you’re not a big fan of heavy ones. However, I enjoyed the broth in all it’s full flavour goodness. They make the udon right in front of you, while you stand in the line – hand stretched and then carefully cooked to the perfect snap. The curry udon is served with beef and had a good portion of it. They also ask if you’d like tempura bits and green onion on top – best idea ever. If anything, I’d ask for more tempura bits.
There are a number of sides you can choose from including tempura like vegetables, squid, prawn, also fried chicken, onigiri and spam musubi. I find the sides ok, nothing terribly groundbreaking but a good addition to the meal.
Marukame Udon is indeed a chain with several places worldwide – so… can someone bring it to Vancouver?
Food: 5
Service: 4
Value: 4
Ambiance: 4
OVERALL: 4.5
