The next time you are craving authentic Japanese Udon and other traditional dishes, look no further than Marugame Udon London…
It is a balmy Wednesday evening as I make my way through the throngs of people outside Liverpool Street. This is one of my favourite areas of London because as soon as you turn down one of the many side streets you are whisked away from the mania of the main station and in the midst of some of the city’s best hidden gems. One such gem is the reason I am here today – to see in the launch of the new Marugame Udon London.
The building sits right on the corner of the street, glass windows glinting in the sun. I make my way in and am greeted with the delicious scents of fresh Japanese cooking. Sounds of sizzling, stirring and chopping fill the air and I watch as the chefs work away in the open kitchen. Marugame Udon first opened their doors back 2000 and since then have prided themselves on making the most delicious udon noodles and fresh Japanese dishes. Their noodles are made daily from just three ingredients in their open kitchen. I pick up a tray and order my first dish from the menu, a Teriyaki chicken. There are a host of Udons on offer, including curry, beef yaki and kimchi yaki, as well as rice bowls and other traditional dishes. I receive a buzzer to let me know when my Teriyaki chicken is freshly cooked and make my way to the next station – the Tempura. Tempura is one of my favourite guilty pleasures and this does not disappoint.
Fat courgette pepper and asparagus tempuras sit coated in a deliciously crispy batter, alongside sides such as tempura egg, vegetable gyoza sticks, squid tempura, chicken katsu and more. A tantalizing selection, it’s difficult to pick just a couple to accompany my meal. I promise myself that another visit is due in the near future so I can sample even more.
The final stop on the service is the drinks. There is a large selection of Japanese drinks such as Asahi beer in a pint, a half pint or bottle, soft drinks such as Kombucha, green tea in a can, Ramune lemonade and refillable soda. I opt for a refreshing sparkling Yuzu & Cucumber Sake, a sparkling flavoured sake from the Kanpai brewery; the UK’s first sake brewery.
The prices at Marugame Udon London are more than reasonable. Kamaage udon starts at £3.45 and rice bowls starting at £5.45. Once you pay, you can take yourself to their condiments station where you can spice up your bowl. Here you will find fresh pickled ginger, chillies, spring onion, soy sauce and many other Japanese delicacies. It’s a simple yet really nice touch and enables you to finish up your meal with a flourish.
The space imbues all you could want from a Japanese eatery and I feel transported across the pond to East Asia. Natural wood finishes and clean lines decorate the space, with simple decor, natural tones and a truly minimal aesthetic. It is relaxing and soothing, while the music playing in the background adds a buzz to the atmosphere. There are over 100 covers here, yet the clever design and shape of the restaurant means it doesn’t feel crowded.
I find a seat near the back of the restaurant, just in front of a large window that enables light to flood in. The food is absolutely divine and a testament to how simplicity is sometimes the best way to dine. There is no pretentiousness here, no pompous fanfare, just a focus on quality. The chicken is perfectly cooked, the rice delicious, the Teriyaki sauce and pickled ginger flavoursome without being overpowering. The accompanying tempura ticks all the boxes, while my sake is a refreshing accompaniment.
Marugame Udon London is a spot where you can head with friends for a drink and some delicious food without breaking the bank. It’s a spot you can pop to on your lunch break to either eat in or take away. It’s somewhere you can head with your other half for an easy date night. And it’s somewhere you know won’t let you down; where you can guarantee you will get just what you want and more, each and every time. The next time you looking to capture the authentic flavours of Japanese Udon in the centre of London, look no further than Marugame Udon London.
marugame.co.uk
114 Middlesex St, London E1 7JH
