エムナイン
Located in the area of 1-7-1 Hakata Station Front, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City - a 12-minute walk from JR "Hakata Station" and a 5-minute walk from the subway "Gion Station" - this restaurant is situated next to Shouten-ji. Established in 1890, it is operated by the oldest noodle factory in Hakata, "Heiwa Foods Industry", with three locations including the main store, "Takeshita", and "Seigetsuan" in Tenjin. This udon restaurant is located in front of the birthplace of udon and soba (Shouten-ji). The udon noodles are made to replicate the medieval "Hakata udon", containing wheat germ and bran, giving them a unique aroma and a chewy texture with plenty of dietary fiber.
I visited during lunchtime and there was a line, as expected. After signing up on the waiting list board at the entrance, I waited for my turn. When the time came, the staff came to take my order. During lunchtime, you can get up to 3 servings for the same price, so the staff asked me how many servings I wanted. I opted for 1.5 servings and a cold "burdock tempura" on the side. The exterior of the restaurant resembles a sake brewery, while the interior has a cozy and natural Japanese-style atmosphere with counter and table seating. The customers were a mix of all ages and genders, including tourists and businesspeople, creating a lively atmosphere.
When my udon was served, I was surprised by the large portion in a bowl about 30cm in diameter. However, the staff quickly apologized for mistakenly serving 2.5 servings instead of 1.5 and offered to leave it if I couldn't finish it. The noodles were delicious, with a chewy and satisfying texture. The udon had more firmness compared to the soft Hakata udon, almost resembling Sanuki udon. The wheat germ and bran in the noodles added depth to the flavor, making them quite enjoyable. The burdock tempura was crispy and went perfectly with the udon.
Overall, I had a great experience at this udon restaurant and would recommend it to tourists looking to experience the history, culture, and gourmet food of Hakata. Next time, I plan to try the hot udon or soba. Thank you for the meal. Enjoy Udon Life!