Located on the east side of Hotel New Otani Hakata, a high-end hotel representing Hakata, in Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, is a udon izakaya on the first floor of a building along Haruyoshi Park Street. This izakaya specializes in udon, with a wide variety of side dishes and udon as the main dish, and is currently a trend in Hakata. Unlike most Hakata udon shops, this particular izakaya serves Sanuki udon. The chef, Tetsuya Kanamori, who is a fan of Sanuki udon, trained at the Michelin Bib Gourmand-certified popular Sanuki udon shop Sanuki Udon Shisei in Otemon, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, before establishing his own shop in 2014. The shop is run by Chef Kanamori and his wife in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. During lunchtime, they specialize in chewy and firm homemade Sanuki udon. During dinner time, they not only serve udon but also dishes made with seasonal seafood and mountain ingredients sourced from the nearby Yanagibashi Rengai Market, along with a selection of premium Japanese sake. The shop's signature dishes include classics like Oroshi Bukkake and Sanuki Tempura Bukkake, as well as creative Sanuki udon dishes like Green Curry Udon with Vegetables and Chicken, and Scallion-covered Seared Beef Tail Udon. They also offer limited-time udon dishes that showcase the chef's innovative spirit. I have visited this shop a few times for drinks and snacks during second rounds of drinking, and have always enjoyed their delicious tempura, sake, and homemade pickled shallots, making it one of my favorite spots. However, I have never tried their famous udon dishes, so I have always wanted to do so. This time, after finishing my work in Yakuin, Chuo-ku, I decided to have lunch here. The nearest station to the shop is Watanabe-dori Station on the Nanakuma Line, about a 3-minute walk away, but I decided to walk from Yakuin Station, about a 10-minute walk. I arrived a little before the opening time of 11:30 am, and was greeted warmly by the proprietress who had just finished preparing to open the shop. Stepping through the fresh white noren with the name "Mugemon" written on it, I entered the shop. Inside, there is a counter facing the kitchen, with four two-person tables, totaling about 10 seats in the cozy shop. I chose a table near the entrance. I originally planned to try their popular dish, Green Curry Udon with Vegetables and Chicken, which is made with a chicken-based broth, seven kinds of spices, and coconut milk, but changed my mind after looking at the menu. Instead, I decided to try their classic Sanuki udon dish, Sanuki Tempura Bukkake. I placed my order through the proprietress. The noodles are boiled and the tempura is fried after the order is placed, ensuring everything is served fresh. While waiting, I enjoyed the complimentary kombu tsukudani on the table, which was delicious. The anticipation for the udon and broth grew. After about 10 minutes, the chef handed the tray with the bowl to the proprietress, who then served it to me with a smile. The aroma of scallions filled the air, adding to the happiness of the moment. Now, let's dig in. Sanuki Tempura Bukkake is a cold udon dish. It consists of thick homemade noodles made from a blend of two types of wheat, topped with plenty of chopped green onions, tempura flakes, and a light soy-based broth. The noodles were firm and chewy, the tempura was crispy, and the broth was flavorful. It was a satisfying and delicious meal.

In Hakata, I was feeling like Nobita from Doraemon, saying "Mugimon! Bring out something to cool down!" So, I visited "Mugiemon" for some food. It's a popular spot for Sanuki udon. When I arrived, there was a wait of 8 people. It was so hot! I tried using the handheld fan sent by Choco Zapp, but it was like water on a hot stone. After about 15 minutes, I finally got inside the shop. It was a bit cramped inside. I ordered the following: Vegetable Tempura Udon - 850 yen incl. tax Chicken Rice Ball - 140 yen incl. tax The Vegetable Tempura Udon was beautifully arranged with a variety of tempura. The green onions in the middle were a nice touch. The tempura, including pumpkin, lotus root, eggplant, potato, and green beans, was fried perfectly. The noodles had a good texture, typical of Sanuki udon, and paired well with the clear and sweet soy sauce broth. It was really delicious! I'd love to try the Curry Udon and Avocado with Fresh Yuba Soy Sauce Udon next time. I'll definitely come back again. Thank you for the meal!

I visited during lunchtime on a regular day! There was only one group waiting in line, so I waited for about 20 minutes before entering the restaurant. I ordered the famous Sanuki Bukkake Udon with extra-large shrimp tempura topping! The tempura included chicken, fish cake, and half-boiled egg. The noodles were thick homemade Sanuki Udon, very chewy and satisfying! When you pour the soy sauce broth made from kelp and bonito over the noodles, it tastes incredibly delicious! The udon noodles indeed had a strong chewy texture! The chicken tempura and fish cake tempura were crispy and tasty! The half-boiled egg tempura had a soft and smooth texture, with the yolk dripping slowly, which was irresistible! Although the shrimp tempura was small, it was crispy on the outside and had a firm and delicious texture inside! Because I ordered the extra-large portion, there was a lot of noodles, and it was very filling and satisfying! However, I felt that the price was a bit high, so if it were a bit more reasonable, I would rate it even higher! Thank you for the meal!

I had been curious about this place for a while and finally got to go. I ordered the large serving of green curry. There was a bit of a wait as they boiled the noodles, but it arrived fairly quickly. The portion was surprisingly small. The noodles were firm and reminiscent of Sanuki udon. The curry was spicy and had a nice sweetness from the vegetables. The prices are a bit high for everyday use. I also noticed some interesting side dishes at this udon izakaya.

I happened to pass by this restaurant a little after lunchtime and decided to visit. The tempura udon was priced at ¥800 for a regular size and ¥200 extra for a large size, which is quite reasonable for Fukuoka city. The udon noodles were firm and refreshing, with a nice cold texture. The large size was satisfying in terms of quantity, and I was happy to have found such a good restaurant. It was no surprise that there was a line forming at 3:30 pm.

I had a job at the New Otani and decided to visit for lunch around 2 pm. There was a line of foreign tourists, but I was the third group to enter. I checked the menu while waiting and had a hard time deciding. In the end, I ordered a recommended set. The noodles were a mix between Sanuki and Hakata style, which was just right. The broth started off feeling a bit lacking, but by the time I finished, I felt satisfied. The tempura was, of course, delicious. The wasabi leaf rice ball was a luxurious and comforting dish. Next time, I think I'll try the plain udon with toppings.

When we arrived, there were about 5 people waiting in line. It was raining that day, so we waited with our umbrellas up. After about 15 minutes, we finally entered the store. I ordered the seared beef tail with green onion udon for 980 yen, and my wife ordered the tempura udon for 980 yen. The beef tail soup was incredibly rich and delicious. It didn't taste like typical udon, and the meat was also delicious. I love green onions, so the udon covered in green onions was amazing. The staff were friendly and attentive. The store is a bit small, but I highly recommend giving it a try!

I had a hard time finding a parking spot for my large motorcycle, so I ended up parking at the paid motorcycle parking lot at bivi Fukuoka and walked to the restaurant. There was a line of customers, but it was worth the wait. I ordered the large serving of Sanuki Bukkake cold noodles. I had seen it on YouTube and wanted to try it for myself. The crispy and hot tempura chicken, half-boiled egg, and bamboo shoots were served with a topping of grated daikon and a side of lemon, making it look beautiful. The texture of the noodles was amazing, and it was a very delicious bowl of noodles. The restaurant is small and quickly fills up, so the guy next to me having a drink at lunchtime seemed to have come at the wrong time. It was a hot day, so I chose the cold noodles, but I'm sure the hot noodles would be just as good. Keep up the good work, I'll be rooting for you. Thank you for the meal.

I ordered the Sanuki Bukkake Udon (cold) and Spicy Pork Belly and Pork Bone Rice Bowl. The noodles had a firm texture with a smooth mouthfeel, and they were very delicious! I could really taste the flavor of the wheat. The clear broth soy sauce had a perfect balance of kombu and bonito flavors and sweetness, it was also amazing! It has been a while since I had such delicate and delicious udon. Thank you for the meal.

The appearance of the store gives off a sense of sophistication. I visited for the first time and had the ¥4500 all-you-can-drink course. As expected, the dishes were of high quality. Being close to Yanagibashi Union Market, the sashimi was fresh. The cabbage and shrimp skewers were crispy and delicious. The simmered fish, miso pork stir-fry, and the finishing cold udon were all of high quality. Since it's a Sanuki udon restaurant, the noodles have a firm texture. I like Hakata udon, but this one is undeniably delicious. It's a great restaurant.

The tempura batter was crispy. It used to be an udon restaurant, but recently it has become a popular spot for daytime drinking. I noticed it was often crowded, so I decided to try it out. I enjoyed some snacks and drinks before finishing with udon. It felt like they were benefiting from the trend of casual drinking at udon restaurants.

During my business trip in Fukuoka, I visited Mugiemon for a late solo lunch. It is located about a 3-minute walk from Watanabe-dori Station, behind Hotel New Otani. Mugiemon is a popular spot for Sanuki udon. I arrived around 2:40 PM to find a small, glass-fronted facade and a slightly cramped interior with seating for 11 at the counter and tables. Despite the late hour, the place was almost full, including customers enjoying some daytime drinking. I managed to grab a seat at the counter. On the table, there were pickles, salt, shichimi spice, chopsticks, toothpicks, small plates, paper napkins, and a pitcher of water. After being seated, water was promptly served. The menu featured a variety of traditional and creative udon dishes. I ordered the Sanuki Tempura Udon (cold) for 830 yen and the Spicy Pork Belly and Cartilage Rice Bowl (regular) for 400 yen, totaling 1,230 yen. The dishes arrived in about 10 minutes. The Sanuki Tempura Udon included tempura chicken, half-boiled egg tempura, fish cake tempura, and shiso leaf tempura, with grated radish, green onions, and lemon slices on the side. The medium-thick, angular noodles had a chewy texture and the clear broth was refreshing. However, the tempura batter was a bit too crispy for my liking. The Spicy Pork Belly and Cartilage Rice Bowl, even in the regular size, was a bit small in portion. I wished it had a bit more spiciness, but the pork belly and cartilage were tender and delicious. Mugiemon is a great spot for a casual lunch or even a daytime drink. I recommend giving it a try if you're in the area.

There must be a famous ramen shop with the same name in Hyogo Prefecture, and surely this place is also a top-notch shop. I arrived around 1:20 pm on a weekend and found a solid line of about 10 people. The shop specializes in Sanuki udon, so even though cold udon was good, the creative options were quite eye-catching. Among them, I ordered the limited-time Sabanii udon for 900 yen (tax included). I confirmed that they only serve it warm. The wait from lining up to receiving the udon was about 40 minutes, surprisingly long. The Sabanii was quite thick and large, piled generously on top. Just eating the Sabanii alone was delicious, but here's the catch! The fishy smell of the Sabanii was not completely removed, so the fish extract seeped into the broth and contaminated the udon. Since the broth was warm, it made the situation worse and honestly, it was not good. Maybe the poor quality was just for that day, but even for the purpose of removing the smell, the choice of ingredients like green onions or ginger, as well as the power of the condiments on the table, did not help much. Hmm, this was not what I expected. It was a truly disappointing outcome. Thank you for the meal.

As the night grew late, I searched for Fukuoka udon for a late-night snack. However, the udon shop was closing early. At "Mugemon," I saw customers waiting outside and decided to line up. Inside, people were enjoying drinking and having a good time. After waiting for about an hour, we finally got a table. We started with highballs and delicious yellowtail sushi. The cute dolls on the counter caught my eye. The walls were adorned with signatures of famous people. There were plenty of fried snacks to enjoy. Finally, our mackerel udon and my beef udon with egg tempura arrived. The beef udon was chewy and delicious, with a flavorful broth. It wasn't Fukuoka udon, but Sanuki udon. It warmed up my slightly cold stomach. The udon izakaya lived up to its reputation, with customers enjoying their drinks. Thank you for the meal.

Arrived on Friday 11/27, two customers were already there. By the time they opened at 11:30, there were a total of 7 customers in 2 groups of 2 and 1 group of 3. There are 5 tables for 2 people and around 4 counter seats. Since we were a group of 3, they pushed two tables together for us. Inside the restaurant, there are autographs of celebrities like Tuyoshi Muro. By 11:45, the restaurant was full, but there was no line outside. I tried the Sanuki Tempura Udon for 830 yen. The noodles had a nice chewy texture and tasted great when I squeezed lemon over them. The lemon really complemented the dish. I would also like to try the hot version. The tempura was also of high quality. The menu is extensive, so I would like to come back again. Thank you for the meal.

I visited Mugimon in Haruyoshi. I have had their udon for lunch several times, but this time I visited on my day off for a casual drink. The menu offers a variety of dishes that go well with sake, as well as a wide selection of tempura skewers. In addition to the monthly recommended dishes, they also have a variety of homemade udon. The pickled turnip slices and cream cheese-filled omelette were delicious. I tried the oyster mapo tofu from the January special menu, which featured large, tender oysters with eggplant and tomato in a hot and spicy sauce. The mapo tofu sauce would also go well with udon. They offer half-sized udon portions, so I tried the chicken tempura udon, the shrimp and fresh yuba udon, and the seared beef tail with green onion udon. The beef tail soup was rich and flavorful, with tender seared beef tail on top. The dishes were all delicious, so I look forward to trying more of their udon and izakaya menu in the future.

I was finally able to visit the Sanuki Udon specialty store, Mugenmon, which always had a long line that caught my attention. I wanted to try their cold udon, so I visited for the first time! There were about 5 groups waiting outside during lunchtime, but I didn't have to wait long to get in. I ordered the limited Taiwan mixed udon ^_^ I thought it was a bit pricey for udon at first, but it came with rice and the satisfaction after eating was so high that I didn't mind at all ^_^ You can choose whether to add garlic or not, so you can even eat it during your lunch break at work. The udon has a firm texture and a good throat sensation, and it is delicious. However, the interior of the store is quite narrow with just enough space for one person to pass through. The store plays radio BGM, giving it a nostalgic Showa era vibe, which is quite charming. #Mugenmon #Udon #Sanuki Udon #Taiwan mixed udon #Garlic #Radio #Haruyoshi #Fukuoka Prefecture #Gourmet #Throat sensation

~Haruyoshi Lunch~: A popular udon restaurant that is always crowded. During the day, it serves udon, and at night, it transforms into an izakaya. The interior has been renovated and now has a warm, wooden atmosphere. The udon here is reminiscent of Sanuki udon, with a good chewy texture. The broth in the meat udon has a delicious sweet taste. The tempura egg was also tasty with a runny yolk. Prices: Meat Udon 830 yen, Tempura Egg 320 yen. - Name: Mugimon - Hours: 11:30-21:00 - Closed on Sundays - Phone: 092-776-7712 - Location: 1-7-18 Haruyoshi, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0003

I came to a udon restaurant in Hakata! Mr. Mugiwara! Is it an udon restaurant? Or an izakaya? You can drink, snack, and enjoy authentic udon, it's great! The owner is friendly and nice! The Zaba sashimi is the best!! There are also local ingredients dishes, which is wonderful!

Fukuoka people really seem to love udon noodles. Even on a rainy day, customers kept coming one after another to the small restaurant. Luckily, I was able to sit at the counter since it was available. I ordered tempura zaru udon for 1,070 yen, a bottle of beer (Akahoshi) for 620 yen, and an appetizer for 200 yen, totaling 1,890 yen. Since there was only one chef, it took some time for the food to come out. The tempura was crispy and delicious. The udon noodles were thick and satisfying to eat. However, when I had it as zaru udon, the noodles didn't mix well with the dipping sauce and felt separated. It wasn't to my liking.

This is an udon izakaya located behind Hotel New Otani in Hakata, open from lunchtime. I came here around 3 pm on a Saturday after craving udon, so I searched for nearby udon restaurants on Google Maps and decided to try this place. I mistakenly thought it was a regular udon restaurant based on the name, but it turned out to be an udon izakaya. They have a wide variety of delicious appetizers and kushiage on the menu. Despite the mix-up with a Sanuki udon shop, I decided to try the hot meat udon. It looked similar to Shisei's meat udon with a lot of meat and green onions, so I had high expectations. However, the soup seemed diluted and lacked the Sanuki udon flavor, and the noodles felt a bit mushy. The meat was cut into just the right size and tasted good. Perhaps this place focuses more on izakaya dishes rather than traditional udon. I might come back to try their kushiage while enjoying some drinks.