A must-try in Okayama and Kurashiki ! A complete guide to Furuichi , the restaurant that invented Bukkake Udon

• Table of Contents
• What is " Bukkake Udon, " the soul food born in Kurashiki ?
• Why Okayama residents call it "Marubu"
• The secret to its deliciousness lies in the ingredients and how you eat it.
• Hot or cold? The Furuichi way to enjoy it
• 1. Bukkake Furuichi Naka Shop| Enjoy the flavors of a long-established restaurant in the heart of Kurashiki
• 2. Furuichi Bukkake-an | Enjoy a high-quality Japanese space near the scenic area
• 3. JR Okayama Station Shinkansen Upbound Platform Store | End your trip with a soup udon on the Shinkansen
• Enjoy at home! Furuichi Official Online Shop
• If you visit Okayama or Kurashiki, don't miss Marubu!

What is " Bukkake Udon, " the soul food born in Kurashiki ?

Furuichi in Kurashiki City , Okayama Prefecture prefecture is known as the birthplace of the " Bukkake Udon " style of eating.

Bukkake Udon was first created at Furuichi , which was founded in 1948, in the 1960s. It started when the founder's son came up with the idea to make it easier for adults to eat while playing mahjong (a table game that originated in China and is popular in Japan). It is a simple dish of zaru udon (noodles rinsed in water and served in a strainer) placed in a bowl, topped with dashi sauce and topped with ingredients. "This is delicious, let's serve it at the restaurant," they thought, and after repeated improvements, it was made into a menu item, eventually arriving in its current form.

It won the "Udon Tenkaichi Tournament (2016 and 2017)" for two consecutive years, where local udon from all over the country compete, and has been recognized as "Japan's best udon."

Why Okayama residents call it "Marubu"

To the people of Okayama Prefecture, Furuichi's Bukkake Udon is affectionately known as "Marubu." This comes from the round character "bu" used in the store's logo, and the store has become so deeply rooted in local life that the phrase "Marubu" is even used in everyday conversation. There are over 10 stores in the prefecture, and they are widely used by locals for their everyday lunches as well as tourists for their meals.

The secret to its deliciousness lies in the ingredients and how you eat it.

The reason why Furuichi's Bukkake Udon is so delicious is because of the carefully selected ingredients.

The dashi sauce is made with an abundance of domestic ingredients from all over Japan, including Rishiri kelp (high-quality kelp from Hokkaido), dried bonito flakes from Makurazaki and Yamakawa (a traditional Japanese dashi ingredient made from processed bonito), and dried shiitake mushrooms from Oita Prefecture. Furthermore, the noodles are homemade and kneaded with salt from the Seto Inland Sea, creating an exquisite harmony between the sauce and noodles.

Hot or cold? The Furuichi way to enjoy it

The shop's sign even explains how to enjoy it, and they're very particular about how to eat it. First, you have to choose soup udon . Choosing the right one based on your mood or the season is one of the joys of the day.

Cold soup udon noodles are thoroughly rinsed in cold water to give them a firmer texture and a smooth texture. The wasabi served with the dish accents the sauce, adding a refreshing flavor. On the other hand, warm soup udon have a chewy texture, allowing the sauce to soak into the noodles well. The refreshing aroma of grated ginger further stimulates your appetite.

Whether it's hot or cold, the key to eating it is to crumble the quail's egg (a small egg similar to a chicken's egg) topping and mix the sauce and other ingredients, such as nori (roasted seaweed), green onions, and tempura scraps (pieces of fried batter), into the noodles in a bold manner. Be sure to try the taste that combines the texture of the noodles, the sweet and spicy taste of the sauce, and the flavor of the condiments.

Recommended for tourists! Introducing 3 carefully selected stores that are easy to stop by

Of the more than 10 Furuichi stores in Okayama Prefecture, we will introduce three that are particularly convenient for tourists to stop by.

1. Bukkake Furuichi Naka Shop| Enjoy the flavors of a long-established restaurant in the heart of Kurashiki

Naka Branch, which opened in 1969, is one of Furuichi's oldest branches. When you arrive at Kurashiki Station, cross the footbridge in front of the station and look for the brick building in front of you and the huge "Bukkake Udon" sign on the roof. Walk past the building for about 60 meters and you will see Naka Branch on your left.

Located in the shopping district, this restaurant is always bustling with locals and tourists alike. Order the cold Bukkake Udon and tempura together and enjoy the blissful experience of dipping your freshly fried, crispy tempura in the sauce. The sight of suited locals and tourists slurping down udon side by side is testament to the fact that Furuichi is deeply rooted in the everyday life of Kurashiki.

[Bukkake Furuichi Naka Shop ]

Address: 2-3-23 Achi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 086-422-2389

Business hours: 9:00-21:00 (last order 20:30)

Closed: Irregular holidays

Parking: None

2. Furuichi Bukkake-an | Enjoy a high-quality Japanese space near the scenic area

The second restaurant is Furuichi Bukkake-an , located right next to Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter (a historic tourist area lined with white-walled storehouses from the Edo period). Inside the restaurant, which has a calming Japanese atmosphere, udon noodles are served in Bizen Pottery (a type of unglazed pottery characterized by its rustic texture), a traditional craft of Okayama Prefecture .

The original menu exclusive to this store is also appealing, and the set that comes with Spanish mackerel tempura, a fish that is representative of Okayama Prefecture, is especially recommended. The combination of plump Spanish mackerel flesh and fragrant batter is exquisite, and it is a luxurious set that also comes with a dessert of shiratama (chewy rice dumplings) and anko (sweet boiled red bean paste).

There is also a souvenir corner inside the store where you can purchase not only udon noodles and sauces, but also stationery with original designs.

[Furuichi Bukkake-an ]

Address: 2-1-16 Chuo , Kurashiki City , Okayama Prefecture

TEL: 086-435-3900

Business hours: 11:00-19:00

Closed: None (may be closed temporarily)

Parking: None

3. JR Okayama Station Shinkansen Upbound Platform Store | End your trip with a soup udon on the Shinkansen

The last place we'd like to introduce is a store located on the Shinkansen platform (platforms 23 and 24) at JR Okayama Station. Equipped with both standing and table seating, it's a convenient location for a quick meal between journeys.

What's even better is that you can bring it onto the Shinkansen (take-out). When ordering, you can choose whether to add the sauce beforehand or after, so if you want to savor the ramen on the train, we recommend adding it from the beginning. The sauce will soak into the noodles as time passes, giving you a unique chewy and bouncy texture. Be sure to give it a try as the finale to your trip to Okayama and Kurashiki.

[Furuiti Bukkake Udon JR Okayama Station Shinkansen Upbound Platform Store]

Location: JR Okayama Station Shinkansen Up Platform (Platforms 23 and 24, near the unreserved seats)

TEL: 086-212-0050

Business hours: 9:00-19:00

Closed: Open daily

Parking: None

Enjoy at home! Furuichi Official Online Shop

If you want to "relive the taste you had in Kurashiki" or "share it with a loved one," we recommend Furuichi's official online shop. They have a comprehensive lineup, including the classic "Souvenir Set (Semi-fresh Noodles)," which won the highest gold award at the Monde Selection (an international quality evaluation organization), "Frozen Frozen Noodles" that allow you to recreate the taste of the restaurant, and "Handmade Kits" that allow parents and children to enjoy making udon together.

You can easily order from your smartphone or computer, and have the flavors of Kurashiki delivered to your home along with the memories of your trip.

Furuichi| Official Online Shop

If you visit Okayama or Kurashiki, don't miss Marubu!

Furuichi's Bukkake Udon has been loved by locals for generations. We've only introduced a few of their stores here, but there are more than 10 scattered throughout Okayama Prefecture. If you're traveling to Okayama or Kurashiki, be sure to try the taste of Marubu. One bite and you'll understand why it has been loved for so long.