Best Dishes at Maruka Udon
Kashiwa-ten (Chicken Tempura)
SidesReviewers consistently single this out as among the best chicken tempura in Tokyo. It's crispy on the outside and stays juicy inside — the contrast is what makes it stand out. It's not served in broth, but alongside the udon as a separate item.
Kake Udon
MainsA simple, no-frills bowl of thick Sanuki noodles in rich dashi. This is the entry point — no egg, no meat, just the noodles and the soup. At 420 yen, it's among the cheapest udon in Tokyo, which makes the quality all the more remarkable.
Kama-tama Udon
MainsThe signature dish. Thick, chewy Sanuki noodles hit the bowl still steaming and are immediately tossed with a raw egg yolk and a drizzle of dashi-based soy. The noodles stay firm with a springy bounce even after mixing. Multiple reviewers call this the definitive Tokyo udon.
Chikuwa-ten (Fish Cake Tempura)
SidesThe chikuwa-ten is a hollow tube of fish paste cake that gets crispy and light when fried. It's a classic pairing with udon and you'll see it sitting in the tempura display case at the counter.
Niku Udon
MainsA hearty variation with thin slices of tender beef that cook in the hot dashi. The marbling keeps the meat soft even in the brief cooking time, and reviewers note it's one of the best versions of this dish in Tokyo.
About Maruka Udon
Maruka is the gold standard for Sanuki udon in Tokyo — the thick, springy noodles from Kagawa prefecture that require serious technique to pull off. The shop is bare-bones (you order standing outside) and cash-only, but the 420 yen bowl of freshly cooked noodles in rich dashi is why office workers and students have lined up for decades. Tempura is exceptional too.
Top 5 dishes at Maruka Udon:
- Kashiwa-ten (Chicken Tempura) – 88% recommended(Signature)
- Kake Udon – 86% recommended(Signature)
- Kama-tama Udon – 94% recommended(Signature)
- Chikuwa-ten (Fish Cake Tempura)
- Niku Udon – 82% recommended
Details
- Cuisine:
- Japanese
- Price Range:
- ¥
- Website:
- Visit Website
- Services:
- Dine-in, Takeaway
Hours
- Friday:
- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM(Open Now)
- Sunday:
- 12:00 AM - 12:00 AM
- Monday:
- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
- Tuesday:
- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
- Wednesday:
- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
- Thursday:
- 11:00 AM - 7:30 PM
- Saturday:
- 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM
Order while standing outside before you enter — no seating, ultra no-frills. They hand you a menu on the street. Plan to eat at the counter or take away.
Expect a 45+ minute wait during lunch (11:30–13:30) and dinner (17:00–19:00). The shop often closes early when noodles run out, sometimes hours before the listed closing time.
Cash only. No cards, no exceptions. There's a convenience store across the street if you need to withdraw cash.
This is Sanuki udon, not typical Tokyo udon. The noodles are thicker, chewier, and have a springy bounce that takes getting used to. This is the point.
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