Living in Tokyo
Cheap Sanuki Udon Noodles
TOPIC: Sestuyaku | Save Money in Japan!
A few years ago Sanuki Udon shops in Tokyo became very popular and easily found. Japanese Udon is a soup made of noodles made from flour and it is eaten hot or cold with salt or with soy-sauce. Hot Udon is a usually a soup and cold Udon is to eaten with a kind of dip or sauce. Sanuki Udon is an Udon noodle originated in the Sanuki region of Shikoku, one of the main islands in south western Japan.
Sanuki Udon is not only known for it's affordable price and good taste, but also the Self-Serve ordering system that serve Sanuki Udon at the Hanamura Restaurant franchise.
OK, I will explain how to order Sanuki Udon in Tokyo.. Recently I went to a Sanuki Udon shop called Hanamaru, so I will explain Hanamaru's system but with similar in any Sanuki-Udon shop you may visit in Tokyo.
First. Once you enter the Udon shop, you will see a long counter and a stack of trays at the beginning of the counter.
Second. Take a tray and move ahead along the counter where a rack of various Tempura is waiting for you. Take a plate provided at the side of the rack and pick up Tempura if you want to eat. If you don't want Tempura you don't have to pick, of course.
Third. After picking up Tempura now is the time to order Udon (noodle). At the counter, tell the server what Udon you would like to eat. There are so many Udon styled soups in the menu, such as Udon with pork or Udon in Carry soup etc. It might be a bit tough to select one from the menu if you don't read Japanese, so, I recommend you to order simply Kake, a standard hot Udon soup.
Also, you will need to tell the server the size you want, there are 3 sizes:
Small Shou (pronounced like saying show)
Medium Chuu (pronounced like saying chew)
Large Dai (pronounced like saying dye)
For example, if you want to order a large Kake, just say:
Kake wo Dai de!!
Finally, at the end of the counter, a cashier is waiting for you to pay for your meal.
After payment, you will see a section of Tenkasu (bits of deep-fried tempura batter) and Katsuobushi (dried bonito fish) that you can put on Udon if you like. There's no extra charge for Tenkasu and Katsuobushi. A glass of water or tea is also free of charge. You can then take seat at any table available.
Enjoy Sanuki-Udon! After you are finished eating, you are to bring back the tray to a returning section.
The self-serve system is so simple and hassle free that you can call definitely it a Japanese fast food.
At Hanamaru, I have had a medium Kake with no tempra and it was only 210 Yen. About $2 US The price is very reasonable.
Click here Hanamaru Udon's menu (In Japanese Only)
