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Kagawa's Tasty Specialty: 11 Udon Noodle Shops Recommended by Locals
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Sanuki Udon noodle dishes are a specialty food of Kagawa Prefecture. With the help of Udon Taxi—a popular local sightseeing guide—this article features 11 carefully selected udon shops. Please use this article as a reference while enjoying your Kagawa udon tour!
Latest update :
Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan
Visiting Kagawa? Enjoy Sanuki Udon!
Sanuki Udon, a noodle dish with a mellow, soothing flavor and tasty toppings, is a well-known specialty of Kagawa Prefecture.
If you've ventured to Kagawa, then you just have to taste an authentic Sanuki Udon meal! Since there are some 480 udon shops in the prefecture, it isn't easy to know which ones are the best.
Taxi driver and YouTuber Ramu (left) and photographer Chebi, who's also Ramu's sidekick (right)
For this occasion, MATCHA teamed up with Udon Taxi (Japanese), Kagawa's ever-popular local tourist taxi. Together, we've carefully chosen 11 udon shops ideal for first-timers to Kagawa and international visitors. Each shop is accompanied by a fun and informative video.
In the second half of this article, we'll introduce Udon Taxi in more detail and explain how you can fully enjoy Sanuki udon shops. Please be sure to read on!
Kagawa Prefecture Udon Map
The udon shops introduced in this article are found on Google Maps, which is located directly above. Before visiting a shop, please use this as a reference!
The Best Udon Eateries in Kagawa
Central Takamatsu City
1. Matsushita Seimenjo
2. Chikusei Udon
3. Kajikawa Udon/Somen
Suburbs of Takamatsu City
4. Setobare Udon
5. by age 18
6. Yokokura Udon
7. Tada Udon
Kotohira and Marugame Area Shops
8. Yamagoe Udon
9. Mishima Seimenjo
10. Meisuite
11. SIRAKAWA
Sanuki Udon Fun Facts and Information
How to Enjoy Sanuki Udon
Notes for International Visitors
Udon Taxi: What Exactly Is This Local Tourist Taxi?
We Also Recommend Udon Taxi's YouTube Channel!
Read also
Central Takamatsu City
We'll begin by featuring udon shops in the heart of Takamatsu City. They're all easy to get to—even without a car.
1. Matsushita Seimenjo
Matsushita Seimenjo is about 5 to 10 minutes away on foot from Kagawa Prefecture's famous sightseeing spot, Ritsurin Garden. This long-established restaurant opened in 1975, and the shop building gives off a retro atmosphere.
Matsushita Seimenjo is a self-serve shop. After a staff places noodles in a bowl for you, boil them in hot water yourself. You rarely see this kind of shop outside of Kagawa, so please try this experience during your sightseeing trip.
Of course, the udon is delicious. However, the menu at Matsushita Seimenjo also features a dish in which ramen noodles (chuka-men) and udon noodles are eaten together. Customers can enjoy two different noodle textures at once here.
Please check out the video below to learn how to boil the noodles yourself or to learn more about the ramen and udon dishes!
Matsushita Seimenjo
Address: 2-2 Nakano-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business hours: 7:00-15:00, Closed on Sundays
Parking: Several spots available
Official Website: Yamashita Seimenjo (Japanese)
2. Chikusei Udon
Chikusei Udon is one of the most popular among the many udon shops found in Takamatsu City. Since it's only a 10-minute walk from Matsushita Seimensho, we recommend going to both during the same trip.
The chewy noodles have an outstanding texture. Then, for toppings, there's a unique lineup that includes salted plums (umeboshi) and bonito flakes (katsuobushi).
Chikusei Udon is also known for its specialty dish, Hanjuku-tamagoten. This is tempura filled with a soft-boiled egg. The egg yolk slowly trickles out if you break open the tempura's crispy outside. When you bathe the noodles in the runny egg and take a bite, it's so delicious you can't stop eating it!
Chikusei Udon (Self-serve shop)
Address: 2-23 Kameoka-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business hours: 11:00-about 14:30 (Shop closes when the noodles are sold out), Closed on Mondays
Parking: Available
Official Website: Chikusei Udon (Japanese)
3. Kajikawa Udon/Somen Noodles
Just as the name suggests, Kajikawa Udon/Somen is a shop that serves up udon and somen. You can eat them both as one noodle dish!
The udon is made from 100% Japanese wheat, and the somen is made in Takamatsu City. The udon noodles have a nice chewy texture, while the somen has a light texture. The specially designed dashi stock that perfectly matches each set of noodles is simply exquisite!
Kajikawa Udon/Somen is about 2.5 kilometers from JR Takamatsu Station. We recommend taking a bus or renting a bicycle.
Kajikawa Udon/Somen
Address: 2-11-12 Asahimachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business Hours: 11:00-14:00 Closed on Sundays
Official Website: Kajikawa Udon/Somen (Japanese)
Read also
Suburbs of Takamatsu City
Next, we'll introduce udon shops in the suburbs of Takamatsu City.
4. Setobare Udon
Setobare Udon is conveniently located near Kotoden's Yakuri Station.
The noodles are characterized by their smooth and chewy texture. They're slightly hard and have an elasticity that's simply irresistible! The tempura is freshly made after you place your order. The short wait is worth it when you bite into the tempura's crispy coating.
There are many sightseeing spots near Setobare Udon, including Yashima and Isamu Noguchi Garden. We recommend touring some of these places.
Setobare Udon
Address: 2694-1 Mure, Mure-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business Hours: 9:00-15:00, Closed on Thursdays and the 2nd and 4th Wednesdays of the month (*Shop closes when the noodles sell out).
Official Social Media Account: Setobare Udon (Japanese)
*Raw soy sauce: Refers to soy sauce without added seasonings such as dashi stock, mirin, and so on.
5. by age 18
One restaurant that has completely changed the image of Kagawa Prefecture udon shops is by age 18, which opened in December 2023.
This cafe-like restaurant, located near the sea with a beautiful view, specializes in course meals. Udon is served as a main menu item. It's also plant-based and gluten-free (contains no wheat), making it an exquisite dish that focuses on good taste.
Visitors can choose from a variety of different udon types. Curry Udon, unique in appearance and taste, appears in the YouTube video below, so please take a look!
The atmosphere here feels luxurious. Lunch entrees start from 2,000 yen. Please note that reservations are required.
by age 18
Address: 103-8 Mure-cho-omachi, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business Hours: Please refer to the official website or social media account
Parking: Available
Official Website: by age 18
Reservation Website: by age 18 (Japanese)
Official Social Media Account: by age 18 (Japanese)
6. Yokokura Udon
Yokokura Udon is a long-established shop that's been in business for over 100 years. It has an impressive retro atmosphere, so simply eating here makes the udon taste even better!
The extensive menu includes original items such as Torichanegi Aburya Udon, which features chicken slices, and Shippoku Udon, an udon dish with vegetables. The noodles have a strong, chewy texture. The soup stock's flavor also has vegetable overtones and is exceptionally delicious.
Additionally, they serve koya tofu (freeze-dried tofu) tempura, a rare dish throughout Japan. In other words, Yokokura Udon is a unique shop with several special features.
Yokokura Udon
Address: 136-1 Kinashi-cho, Takamatsu, Kagawa
Business Hours: 8:00-15:00
Parking: Available
Official Social Media Account: Yokokura Udon (Japanese)
7. Tada Udon
Tada Udon is a hidden spot that locals love. It's 30 minutes by car from central Takamatsu City and a two-minute walk from Kotoden's Nogakubumae Station.
The medium-thick noodles have a chewy texture and go down easily. We recommend the Kitsune Udon, a dish topped with the shop's popular aburaage.
By the way, Kotoden refers to the famous local railway that connects the eastern part of Kagawa Prefecture with the Kotohira area. In addition to many sightseeing spots along the rail line, the unique in-car ads have received lots of attention. If you can visit Kagawa, please be sure to go for a ride!
Tada Udon
Address: 2918 Ikenobe, Miki-cho, Kita-gun, Kagawa
Business Hours: 8:00-15:00 Closed on Tuesdays
Parking: Available
Official Social Media Account: Tada Udon (Japanese)
Kotohira and Marugame Area Shops
In Kagawa Prefecture, many famous shops are located a slight distance from Takamatsu City.
8. Yamagoe Udon
Yamagoe Udon is one of Kagawa Prefecture's most famous udon shops. This shop is the birthplace of Kamatama Udon, freshly cooked noodles topped with a raw egg.
This original Kamatama Udon features smooth-textured noodles and a raw egg that go together perfectly. The shop also has a spacious outdoor seating area where you can relax and enjoy your meal.
Yamagoe Udon is also popular with sightseeing visitors, so there are often lineups outside. But this dish is worth eating even if you have to wait in line!
Yamagoe Udon
Address: 602-2 Haykakami, Ayagawa-cho, Ayauta-gun, Kagawa
Business Hours: 9:00-13:30 Closed on Mondays and Wednesdays. There are some temporary closures.
Parking: 150 spots available
Official Website: Yamagoe Udon (Japanese)
9. Mishima Seimenjo
Mishima Seimenjo appeared in the 2006 movie UDON, which started the Sanuki Udon boom in Japan. This shop is located in the mountains.
It features a very simple menu. Customers are asked to choose between a small or large-sized udon, served either hot or cold. Nevertheless, it's become a famous spot that is visited by many. The udon is characterized by firm noodles that are highly addictive.
Picturesque mountains, rice paddies, and fields surround the shop. Thus, the udon tastes even more special amidst the beautiful scenery!
As a side note, Mishima Seimenjo is near the popular sightseeing spot, Sanuki Manno Park. After enjoying your udon, we recommend taking in the park's bountiful nature.
Mishima Seimenjo
Address: 276 Kawahigashi, Manno-cho, Nakatado-gun, Kagawa
Business Hours: 9:00-16:30 Closed on Fridays
Parking: 3 spots available
Official Social Media Account: Mishima Seimenjo (Japanese)
10. Meisuite
Meisuite is located in Marugame City. It was originally founded to provide healthy food that children could eat with peace of mind. This was during a time when organic ingredients were not very common.
The handmade noodles use 100% Hokkaido wheat. Additionally, the soup stock uses plenty of natural ingredients.
Meisuite features a menu with various items. Asazumizaru Udon (hemp charcoal-filled udon) appears in the YouTube video below. Meisuite serves many dishes like this, made with unique ingredients not typically used in Kagawa udon shops.
Even those who have already visited Kagawa udon shops are bound to make discoveries at Meisuite!
Meisuite
Address: 956-2 Tarumicho, Marugame, Kagawa
Business Hours: 11:00-14:30 Closed on Mondays and the 2nd Sunday of the month (Subject to change due to holidays, etc.)
Official Social Media Account: Meisuite (Japanese)
11. SIRAKAWA
SIRAKAWA is located in Mitoyo City in the western part of Kagawa Prefecture. This famous restaurant also appeared in the previously mentioned movie, UDON. Many people are fans of the owner-chef who wears a stylish kimono.
Many shops that sell Sanuki Udon feature thick noodles. In contrast, SIRAKAWA serves up thin noodles, but the texture is outstanding! They also have exquisite tempura using unique ingredients such as kanikama (crab) and takochikuwa (octopus mixed with chikuwa fish cake).
In recent years, Mitoyo City has become a popular sightseeing spot in Kagawa Prefecture. It offers many highlights, including Chichibugahama Beach.
SIRAKAWA
Address: 2854-8 Yamamotocho-ono, Mitoyo, Kagawa
Business Hours: 11:00-13:30 Closed on Mondays (If the noodles sell out, the shop will close)
Parking: Available
Official Social Media Account: SIRAKAWA (Japanese)
Read also
How to Enjoy Sanuki Udon
Udon is a simple dish made with three ingredients: wheat flour, water, and salt. However, each shop tries to devise creative ways to please its customers. When you visit a Kagawa udon shop, please note the following points.
The Texture of the Noodles
Depending on the variety of wheat and the amount of water used, the noodles' elasticity (koshi) and hardness can differ significantly. The texture of these noodles is udon's main appeal.
Soup Stock (Kakeudon soup, etc.)
Sanuki udon soup stock is usually made with rice (anchovies), bonito flakes (katsuobushi), and konbu seaweed. However, when the proportion of those ingredients is adjusted or when other ingredients are added, the flavor of the stock can change in infinite ways.
Toppings
Sanuki udon's most common toppings are green onions and tenkasu (crunchy leftover pieces of deep-fried dough). However, some shops use ingredients such as salted plums (umeboshi) and bonito flakes, which can dramatically change the flavor.
Tempura
Tempura is a popular side dish at many udon shops. Some unique tempura fillings are geso (squid legs) and chikuwa fish cake. Other shops show their creativity by making egg or asparagus tempura and by insisting that their tempura be made only after the order has been placed.
The Personality of the Owner-Chef
Kagawa Prefecture udon shops are often managed by unique owner-chefs. Many regular customers patronize a shop simply because they are fans of the owner.
The Shop Building and Surrounding Scenery
Many Kagawa udon shops are blessed with a good location. For example, their shop building might be a former historic kominka (traditional Japanese country home) home or have stunning natural surroundings.
Notes for International Visitors
Going on a tour of udon shops is a uniquely Kagawa Prefecture experience. Having said this, please take note of the following points:
- Sometimes the shop information is only available in Japanese.
- Kagawa udon shops are divided into two types: regular and self-serve. At a regular shop, servers will come to your table to take your order. However, at a self-serve shop, customers must place their order at the counter, boil noodles by themselves, and then return their bowls and utensils to the counter after eating.
Please watch the YouTube videos in this article if you have any concerns. Though the video narrative is in Japanese, you'll still be able to see the process from when you first place your order until the moment you sit down and eat.
Udon shops may also have an extensive menu. If this is confusing, just order kakeudon. Kakeudon is the most standard kind of udon.
Udon Taxi: What Exactly Is This Local Tourist Taxi?
The taxi's symbol is the udon bowl-shaped lamp on the car's roof
Many of Kagawa's udon shops are difficult to get to by train or bus. For times like this, Udon Taxi will come to the rescue.
Udon Taxi is a sightseeing taxi that Kotohira Bus Company Limited operates. All taxi drivers are equipped with a detailed knowledge of udon. They can take you to any udon shop you desire—including hidden spots that aren't in regular travel guidebooks.
With the aid of translation apps, they are more than happy to serve international visitors. Prices start at 5,400 yen per hour (up to two visitors per taxi), so please don't hesitate to try this!
We Also Recommend Udon Taxi's YouTube Channel!
Kagawa Prefecture also has many udon shops not mentioned in this article.
Udon Taxi driver Ramu and her sidekick Chebi have introduced over 150 udon shops on their Udon Taxi Channel (YouTube Channel).
Please check out this channel if you're someone interested in visiting some of Kagawa's udon shops after reading this article!
Ramu and Chebi's
Udon Taxi YouTube Channel (Japanese)
Udon Taxi Official Social Media Account (Japanese)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between kakeudon and bukkake?
Kakeudon is the standard udon in which noodles are immersed in a soup stock. On the other hand, bukkake features noodles with a minimal amount of distinct-tasting sauce.
Why do Kagawa Prefecture udon shops only open in the morning and afternoon?
Many of Kagawa's udon shops are only open from early in the morning to slightly past noon. The reason for this is not fully known, but according to MATCHA, it seems that Kagawa residents like to go out and eat in the morning. For more details, please also see Udon Noodles For Breakfast In Kagawa: 3 Popular Restaurants In Mitoyo
Is it true that Marugame Seimen isn't a Kagawa Prefecture udon shop chain?
Marugame Seimen is famous worldwide as a chain udon shop. In Kagawa Prefecture, there's a place called Marugame City. So, at first glance, one might think that Marugame Seimen originated in Marugame City. However, it originated in Hyogo Prefecture. Incidentally, Hanamaru Udon, with locations throughout Japan, started in Kagawa Prefecture.
All pictures courtesy of Chebi Nagai
In cooperation with Udon Taxi
Written by
Mitoyo, Kagawa, Japan
I worked in a PR agency for corporate IR/CSR and a publisher which publishes a magazine focused on international cooperation before joining MATCHA in October 2017.
In April 2019, I moved to Mitoyo City in Kagawa Prefecture. I write articles for tourists visiting Japan, and also contribute to regional revitalization.
My main focus is on writing about internet services, rental cars, hotels, and tourist attractions in western Japan.
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