Order Marugame Udon Takeout or Delivery
MARUGAME UDON · YELP ASSISTANT
Ask Yelp Assistant
Marugame Udon Photos
Marugame Udon Popular Dishes
MARUGAME UDON ATMOSPHERE
More like Marugame Udon
Recommended Reviews - Marugame Udon
Start your review...
Reviews With Photos
I love Marugame! I always order the Curry Nikutama. The curry flavor is light but still flavorful, and there's a good amount of beef. The udon and egg were both cooked perfectly. My only complaint was that I wish the food had been served hotter. It wasn't busy when I dined here, so I didn't have to wait in line long or worry about finding a seat. This location is also very spacious, with plenty of room between the tables. The tables aren't squished together, so there's enough space to comfortably walk around.
I'm assuming this location has a poor star rating due to service/procedures, because the location and food itself is good. We popped in on a Sunday, right before 11, but unfortunately they were late to open the doors by about 5 minutes. Once they did open the doors, we found the tempura options weren't ready so we had to stand to the side and wait a little longer for them to get those out. They had several posters and signs up advertising the new Tomatama curry, which I really wanted but when I ordered, the employee informed me they don't offer that sauce anymore. I let her know all the signs outside say they do.. she said they didn't realize that and they have to be replaced. She was really nice, but that was a bummer. She said I could sample the sauces they do have though, so that was the consolation prize. It did help me choose between their normal curry or the new Bolognese. After you choose the udon option you want, they make your bowl and give it to you on a lunch tray, along with a paper container to put your tempura options. I went with the Big Chicken ($5) and sweet potato ($2 something). You can top your bowl with as much tempura flakes and green onions you like, which is nice because I love me some green onions. At the end, the cashier will ring you up and then you find your seat. The dining area is nice. It's well lit, aesthetic but we haaaaate the chairs with a passion. There is no back support unless you sit in a booth. I really like that all the utensils, napkins, to go items, tempura sauce, etc are all available to grab as needed. I also like that they have chili powder! A must for us spicy eaters. The tempura sauce is rich, and flavorful. A little sweet, but it balances the tempura well. They also have katsu and gyoza sauce in packets. Pro tip - use the larger cups instead of the plastic sauce cups to dispense the tempura sauce, so that it's easier to dip! Wow this was long winded, but onto the food. The regular size bowl will have you full but you can opt for a Large for a couple bucks more. My bolognese was sooooo creamy and savory, and made even better by adding the chili powder and a couple spoons of the tempura sauce. Don't ask me why, it just works. I don't know if it's just a seasonal item, but hopefully not, as the sauce works. I like that i clung to the noodles well too but def get yourself a spoon to help ladle the meat alongside each bite of noodles. The big chicken isn't that big lol But it's basically 1 chicken thigh. I appreciate the dark meat, as it keeps the meat juicy. The sweet potato had the perfect batter on it, but tbh I probably could have gone without another starch. I had a sip of the Creamy broth and the Nikutama my sisters had. Creamy broth was savory and creamy, but it didn't have a bold enough flavor for me. The nikutama is sweet af.. way too sweet for me. But i liked how tender the beef was. There's street parking, free on Sundays. I wouldn't wait in line to eat here, but for a quick, comforting meal, this will hit the spot without breaking the bank.
Rude and dirty! We came because we'd gone to the sister location in Hawaii and we loved it so much. But this location was disgustingly dirty, the staff were snippy and rude, and so much of the tempura was ice cold. The ginger and dipping sauce station was crusty and empty. We were super disappointed we made the trip out to Berkeley for this. The plus side? The udon was delicious. but after sitting at sticky tables, and seeing how the rest of the restaurant looked, I'm worried about the food safety of the areas we could see.
I got the kake udon with imitation crab tempura and shrimp tempura. I thought the broth didn't taste like much, so I'd probably get a different broth. I can make a much better broth. The noodles are standard but good and thick. I've never seen imitation crab tempura, but I liked it. The tempura batter was pretty good, and there's a lot of unique tempura options. The line moved quickly, and there's ample seating. The price is pretty reasonable, and UC Berkeley students can get a 10% discount with a valid ID.
There are over a thousand locations of this familiar chain worldwide, and I remember how the Waikiki restaurant in Honolulu looked like a crowded temple of worship for native noodle lovers. I could see how this particular location would be a big draw for hungry Cal students because the prices don't break the bank. Jamie W and I decided to come here after the gym because we figured we could afford the extra carbs. We're delusional that way. It's quite a huge space in here, and ordering à la carte was quite a coordination effort, especially if you're trying to dodge instant gluttony. After some hemming and hawing, I started with the cold $5.99 BK Udon Bowl with tempura flakes, sliced green onions, minced ginger, and an ample slice of chashu. I had them add the $1.99 Seasoned Soft Boiled Egg Half (Photo 8). I also went for the $2.99 Steamed Vegetables to offset the carbs (Photo 7). The result was probably enough of a meal, but of course, I had to peruse the tempura parade. I went for the $2.29 Shrimp, the $2.29 Potato Croquette, and the $1.99 Zucchini Slice (Photo 9). I thought I may have overdone it until I saw a young skinny Asian girl carry a huge pile of tempura on top of her udon bowl. I guess hungry students know a good deal when they see one. Too bad they don't have Ozempic tempura. Gurrrl, you gonna eat all that? FOOD - 3 stars...fresh udon, the rest is passable AMBIANCE - 4 stars...spacious in here SERVICE - 3 stars...not much on guidance TOTAL - 3 stars...you like tempura? RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places l've patronized and reviewed: https://yelp.to/FAuydPsGO4
The best thing about Berkeley that all the foodie spots in downtown walking distance from any point staying in downtown. Over weekend cousin wedding we all meet lunch at Marugame Udon. It was the first time for me. My cousins all been before reason picked it. They are known for fresh Udon noodles made daily. Definitely can tell fresh not pre made. It open kitchen almost cafeteria style. Once pick menu item. She puts flavor broth choose in bowl then choice noodles nice hot, and proteins also toppings. It built right in front of u. Cool. U get bowl (also serve rice style bowls) also fried sides tempura more individual add on if u want as side or app. Next assortment of bottle drinks iced down if want or fountain machine as option. U pay cashier at the end of the line. I got curry based Udon. It was really good. I loved the curry and noodles were very legit. I got the big bowl. Surprise but that was lot of food. I like the interior very much Japanese vibe. It open seating u find spot sit. The staff friendly and awesome. Great spot for tasty bowl of Udon noodles!
Today I ordered the $5.99 Kake Udon + $1.99 Tamagoyaki as part of the "Eat Under $10 Tempura Promo." The broth temperature was just right, perfect for slurping the soup. However, the tamagoyaki was lukewarm, like it had been sitting on the counter for a while. I wish it had been hot and a little crispy. Yesterday I was at Marugame Udon in San Francisco, so I could compare the Berkeley location versus the San Francisco location. The Berkeley broth tasted much better, and the temperature was just right. The bill came to $8.80 total, which really matches what Marugame advertises with the Eat Under $10 Tempura Promo. I will definitely come back for the Eat Under $10 deal, but next time I'll try a different tempura.
Hot nikutama is always the way to go. The noodles are fresh, beef is sweet and tender, and they always give plenty of tempura flakes and green onions
Marugame is a popular udon chain in the US with fast service and serving delicious udon bowls! Marugame Udon operates through a cafeteria-like format where you pick your udon flavor of choice, get asked if you want green onions and/or tempura flakes in your bowl, and then slide your bowl down the metal railings to pick up any additional tempura sides. After that, you pay at the counter with your completed bowl and you pick where you want to sit in the restaurant. They have a series of different udon types to choose from. My favorite is their Cold Nikutama which is a bowl with udon, simmered onion beef, savory sauce, and a silky soft boiled egg on top. I like to get my bowl Sakuna Style (meaning I ask them to add both green onions and tempura flakes when offered). The tempura/sides bar includes a large variety options including shrimp, sweet potato, and an assortment of other vegetables. They're all kept under heat lamps to guarantee warmth, and the prices for each side is clearly listed. Since it's cafeteria style, the service is always fast and efficient. Ambiance-wise, the restaurant has nice decor and plenty of space. I'd say it has become pricier over the years, but it remains a good fast bowl of noodles and soup. Great spot I'd recommend anyone to check out!
Wow, this place was great! They are hand making the noodles as you walk in. #1 Udon was delicious! Meat was lean and very tasty
horrible customer services never have experience ever this bad of customer service in berkeley. they are some liars and lie about the menu. the employees treated my friends and i very rude and first of all, they told us that we had two options to get ONLY WHICH IS THE BEEF UDON AND SHRIMP and told us that those are the only two items they are offering but as soon as the employee took the other two orders behind us , they let them order whatever they wanted on the menu and we couldn't because they had ran out of rice and most of the items on their menu but they still offered it to other people and still made it for them. that's not fair. made me waste more money instead of the original item that i wanted
Marugame is usually my fast-casual go-to for a savory, filling bowl of udon, so after moving to Berkeley, it was inevitable that I'd stop by this location. It's in a modern building in the heart of downtown Berkeley and feels spacious and clean inside. They have a digital ordering system for takeout and clear signage for where to line up if you're dining in. I pretty much always get the Nikutama, and the recipe has been consistently solid. The tempura at most Marugame locations is just average in my opinion, but it does taste better when you ask them to fry a fresh piece for you, even if it means waiting a couple of minutes. My biggest issue was the service during my last lunch visit. There didn't seem to be any problem with the kitchen or food prep--everything was already made and ready to be assembled. The delay was entirely at the ordering/plating station, where the employee putting bowls together was moving painfully slowly and seemed completely unable to keep up with a very standard lunch flow. What made it more frustrating was that other employees clearly saw the line building and did not step in to help. A massive line formed behind me, and several of us waited around 10-25 minutes just to order, even though the restaurant itself didn't seem that busy. It honestly felt like everyone was stuck on their own individual task while customers were left waiting unnecessarily. I'd still come back because the food is reliable but would immediately walk away if I saw the same employee working as this visit was genuinely frustrating. Management should make sure staff are properly trained and that the team actually supports each other during lunch service, because one inefficient person at the front can completely slow down the entire experience. Update: Popped back in on 7/8/26 around 1pm. Same employee working. Huge line. Only 2 parties seated. Line did not move after waiting 5 minutes so I had to walk away. Doubling down on my recommendation to re-hire or re-train this staff member.
If you want a simple but comforting bowl of Udon, this is the place. I would rate 3.5 stars if I could; the food is yummy, but the prices have steadily increased. Still a very decent spot for udon. I recently tried the new tomato curry udon, and it was quite delicious; I would recommend it. 8/10 - tomatoey slightly spicy Japanese curry, bouncy noodles, with some melted cheese; the katsu is a bit dry tho
4 years ago
The beef udon large is our go to, you can ask for extra scallions and tempura flakes. Enough to share with another person. I recommend adding an onsen egg too. Tempura wise we usually get squid and tamago. You can add extra udon and/or soup for a few bucks as well. Fast almost self service with seatings indoor and outdoor (with adjustable sun umbrella). Clean bathrooms. Feels almost the same as the original branch in Waikiki, Hawaii! read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Hi Norases,…
Always love coming to Marugame Udon, especially in the winter when it's gloomy and rainy and I'm craving something warm. I like this location because it is next to a lot of different study spots and coffee shops, so I can always come here after studying to reward myself with a little meal. Parking at the Berkeley location is a little hard to find (but it is hard to find parking on Shattuck in general). The ordering process is so easy and everything I've tried from their menu is great! My go-to order is usually the Tonkotsu Udon and I like to grab some tempura varieties on the side. Highly recommend if you haven't had Marugame Udon before! read more
1 year ago
I got the tendon rice bowl and it was delicious! A variety of tempura with shrimp and veggies read more
Our first stop after arriving in Oakland and it did not disappoint. If you're craving for some really awesome Udon, then this is your place. The Nikutama is my fave and you can add a few tempura pieces on the side; I highly recommend tamagoyaki. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Nel,…
1 year ago
my most coveted food spot in HI has finally landed a few location in the bay and I could not be anymore happier at all! This just happened to be the first location I visited but I'm sure I will def get to them all over time! So lets get started..... You already know Im noodz bae so I was excited for them to come into town. I have tried the curry, and spicy udon bowl so far and a handful + more of their tempuras from shrimp, chicken, veggie, and more! they are all delish but the chicken one is still my fave! but you gotta get the shrimp on to pair with your perfect udon bowl style. . They have a smaller sized selection of broths you can choose from but every bowl is unique in its own very special way. I cant wait to try them all and tell you which one holds the title. For now since I've only had 2 bowls I like the curry one best so far. This location is quite larger than the other mainland in HI but thats even better! they have tables all around and a small table for utensils and sauces in the middle. Even have seating outdoor in the patio for those nice days. Service is great and there was no line during our visit. Cant wait to come back for some more udon and my prefect cravings bowl/broth selection! DEF a fan and you should come check them out to see what I'm talking about and see what the hype is all about! read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Hi Lisa,…
We came here on a busy Friday night and the food was okay. Normally, I love Marugame. Their udon noodles were still yummy with good texture, but all the broths (including my friend's) was way too salty. It was almost a little too unbearable, and the salt was overpowering the noodles. I was also given a "Frankenstein" udon bowl, and given bukkake broth instead of the normal Kitsune one and it was fine but just different. At least my friend's chicken katsu bowl was pretty good. The new tan tan men broth was also tasty, but way too salty. Im not sure if we just came here on an off day, but i recommend going to the one in SF instead. There was also no tempura available?? read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Hi Thiri,…
We drove 45 minutes to get here and experience was terrible. There was an employee that was rude to me and her coworker. She didn't ask a question directly to me, instead asked my boyfriend "Does she want to order anything?" But I had already ordered. If she wouldn't been paying attention instead of talking to her coworker, she wouldn't have to ask. Also, we asked for plates because we wanted tempura. There weren't any nearby so we asked her for some. Instead, she pointed at a bowl that they use to cook. We told her it's dirty and rudely told her coworker to get more plates. We said thank you and she just said "yeah" with a blank face. Super rude! Wish I knew her name. We usually get pork ton katsu but decided to try the beef udon. I'm not sure if it was the beef or the broth but it made our stomachs hurt so bad when we went home. I wouldn't recommend this Marugame Udon location AT ALL. read more
3 years ago
Great quick and affordable food. Service is very quick, you get your food in a matter of minutes. Perfect food anytime throughout the day! A staple whenever I'm in town! I got the Tonkotsu Udon this time and it was just as good as their other menu items. Great place to come and eat with friends! The menu has been updated recently as well. read more
Business owner information
Guest S.
Thanks for the awesome review, Napoleon. We are glad to hear the…
I don't know why the reviews for this place are so low. It's good, cheap, and filling. What's more to ask? The menu is simple and straightforward, and it's very easy to order. The restaurant is cafeteria style in that you'll slide a tray down the counter of tempura tempura after getting your bowl of udon. You can watch them make the udon noodles right before your eyes--so fresh! A lot of reviews complained about the soup being "not hot enough," but I don't know what they're talking about. It seemed plenty hot to me. The inside was beautifully decorated, the food was delicious, and even better--the prices are super affordable. read more
Having been to the one in Oahu many years ago, I had a good, albeit not 5-star, impression of Marugame Udon. My son and I were catching a play at the nearby Bay Area Children's Theatre and he's a fan of udon so I decided to take him here before the show. Happy to report, it was better than I had remembered! The service is cafeteria style, which I actually quite enjoy as a different experience. You first order your udon. As the bowl is prepared right in front of you, grab a tray and place it on a specific spot that says "Place tray here." The staff asks if you want some of the toppings: green onions, tempura flakes and ginger (which is sort of blended into a sauce of sort). From there, you slide your tray down the expanse of tempura. There are tongs placed throughout for self-serve. So you can pick that one special piece that looks a big larger or crispier than the rest. Then pay the cashier at the end. There's also an island with utensils, as well as to-go containers if you don't quite finish it all. My son had the Nikutama udon, which has some beef and a raw egg that cooks a bit, although will still be running, in the hot soup. I had the Curry Nikutama udon, which is effectively the same thing but with curry sauce. I devoured mine. I'm a bit of a sucker for Japanese curry. This combination of the udon + running egg + beef with the curry though was out of this world. I only wish there was a Marugame Udon closer to me. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Leo,…
3 years ago
Ordered rice bowls to go. They skimp on carryout orders. Had to add rice from the day before. Also ask you to tip on takeout. STOP RIPPING CUSTOMERS OFF! STOP BEGGING FOR TIPS FROM STRANGERS! What little food they give you is just meh. Every employee looks like a high school kid. Pay your people a high wage and stop being shady, Marugame $$$ read more
Would definitely come here again! We tried the san Ramon location and now we went here to see if it's the same ! Love the service, the noodles was great. It's super clean and safe at this location. The only this is they don't have fountain drinks. All their drinks would be individual can. Other than that, love love love their food ! read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Thank you for taking the time to send us such lovely feedback, Susan.…
3 years ago
Business owner information
Guest S.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful review, Michelle! We hope to…
I like it overall. I do enjoy the fat that one pays in the begging and then you get to enjoy your meal without doing maths and whatnot. So a big point for that. At a glance the menu is a bit difficult to read and gather. I had to ask if there is any vegetarian ramen and it does exist. I believe five options. Once you are set with your ramen, one has the option to take a handful of tempura. There's plenty. A limited amount of drinks are present but that's fine. Customer service seemed okay. The staff member who charged for my good was not aware of the shapes or type of tempura in order to charge me. East clean up with labels which is always convenient. Flavour wise this place does hit the spot. The only downside like what I read in other reviews is the temperature of the food. The ramen was good but the tempura was in an extreme state of room temperature. I would come back again for the ramen. The sweet potato tempura was on point and delicious. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Nadav,…
5 years ago
Marugame will always be my go to spot for udon. Never misses. Good soup, good meat, good portions. The non-udon items r OKAY (sides/drinks) but hey, this is about udon!! read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Alexandra,…
4 years ago
We were in the Berkeley area yesterday and since it was a bit chilly, we decided to go for some noodles for lunch. We ended up at Marugame Udon. I had been wanting to go since coming across it in SF the last time I was down here. We both ended up getting the curry nikutama. It came in either regular size or large, and tbh the regular size was pretty large for us. Unless you're feeling extra hungry, I would suggest sticking with the regular size bowl. The curry nikutama is topped with generous amount of sweet beef and a soft boiled egg over fresh udon, and served in their house-made savoury beef curry sauce. The curry sauce is on the sweeter side and is slightly thick. You are also given the option to add complimentary toppings which include, garlic, green onion, and tempura bits. You can also add different types of tempura for an additional charge per piece. I got a shrimp tempura, potato croquette, and kabocha tempura. I enjoyed the shrimp and kabocha tempura, and as for the croquette it was pretty plain with just mashed potato on the inside. Overall, we enjoyed our meal and left feeling very full. read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Hi Jacqueline,…
10 months ago
5 years ago
I've driven past this place many times and have seen lines out the door which has always deterred me. But this past weekend when the weather was almost 70 (in February) and no one wanted a hot bowl of noodles, I decided it was finally time to see what the hype was all about. I decided that I barely minded the wait b/c it was very cool to see them rolling out dough, cutting the noodles and then cooking the noodles in the giant vats of hot water. I didn't realize it was cafeteria like service so things moved very quickly. The tempura bar was very cool and I tried the fish cake, shrimp and sweet potato. Next time i'll just get 3 shrimp as that was by far the best! The Curry Nikutama was delicious although it was less brothy and more thick saucy. I wish they offered uncooked noodles for takeout. It would have been perfect for the hotpot I had later that evening. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Kathleen,…
2 years ago
This review has not 1.. not 2.. but 3 reviews in one. Why? Because I ate this place 3 days in a row because it is THAT good. Marugame Udon is such a unique style restaurant you must stop in and experience. It almost has a cafeteria style walk up counter to select your order and watch it be made fresh right in front of you. You can see your noodles be made fresh from start to finish. Watch your bowl be out together by the staff. Sounds like a lot, but the efficiency of this restaurant is awesome with a staff member in each station. After watching your bowl made, there is a grab and go tempura station with many different options to add in. I ordered the Nikutama Hot all times (I know I probably should've ordered others but it was just too good) I added green onions, shrimp tempura and the Fireball. Add the fireball on the side if you'd like to make it spicy!! Best udon bowl I've had in such a long time and will continue to keep coming here. read more
Business owner information
Marugame T.
Thank you for the kind review, Dylan. We take pride in using fresh…
This is a chain restaurant and this location seems to have less traffic compared to the one at Stonetown Mall. Lots of Cal students come here. Nothing special here except they made their udon fresh. It's a fast food restaurant because they batch made their tempura for self serve (buffet style). This also speaks to their quality and taste (i.e. hard boiled egg vs nice "yolky" egg, concentrated broth vs freshly made & etc). If you have high blood pressure, don't come here as their broth was very very very salty and full of MSG. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Joyce,…
Fiancé and I came for dinner tonight. Got here around 6:30, which was perfect because shortly after, the line was out the door and along the sidewalk. FYI: There's a sign that you should have your vaccination card to dine in. Someone asked us if we had it, but no one actually took a look. That's a bit concerning. When you come in, you're welcomed with menu and a view of the staff making the udon noodles in-house. You go to the first station, where you order the type of udon you want, then walk along where you can pick different sides. You have to pay for these sides by piece so keep that in mind as it can definitely add up. After paying, there's an island where you can get your utensils, sauces, and water. At the end of your meal, you clean up after yourself and there's a station where you split up your dishes according to the signs. The food was really good! We opted for the regular size of the Nikutama and Curry Udon. My only complaint is that they don't come with no ugh broth. Like you actually have to dig for it, which is unfortunate because broth is just so good especially now that the weather is starting to cool off. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Trina,…
This place was really hyped up by many of my friends so I decided to try it out. At first I loved this place, but over time the dishes got very bland for me. Lines can be long depending on what time you show up. They used to check for proof of vaccination but recently stopped. Some servers are super nice but some seem like they just want to go home. It's a hit or miss. Overall, getting your meal here feels a bit like a Japanese version of Chipotle. The price is super reasonable (honestly pretty cheap) for a regular bowl of Kake Udon and the size is quite generous. It might look small when you first get it, but oh boy, it was a lot for me to finish. The noodles were bouncy and chewy but the soup was so salty that I could barely finish the noodles since they absorbed so much of the salty flavor. The chicken tempura looks really big when you get it but in reality, most of the tempura is just clumps of panko and there's only a tiny sliver of chicken in there. The sweet potato tempura is also very meh, since the sweet potato barely had any flavor. Each bite of tempura came with so much oil and I was a bit disappointed. The croquette is pretty good though. I ended up getting pretty bad food poisoning after coming here once, possibly because of how much oil there was. The restaurant provides some nice compostable bowls and utensils in case you aren't able to finish your meal. When you're done eating you put your dishes and plates away in a designated area, a bit like a school cafeteria. There's also a compost bin and trash can but almost every time I went they were overflowing and stuff is falling out. Overall, I think this is probably somewhere I'd only come to occasionally when I'm craving udon and looking for an affordable meal. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Alicia,…
Definitely a college type of place that reminded me of the cafeteria. Marugame offers cheap udon with various options and plenty of seating. They do require vaccination cards if you wanted to sit inside. My fiance ordered the beef udon and while it was good, they really don't give you a lot of beef compared to other places. He had about 2 pieces of beef which was disappointing. I ordered the bk udon which was pretty good for a cheap udon restaurant. You can order sides such as a hot spring egg, kitsune age, sweet beef, shredded seaweed, kake soup and extra udon noodles ranging from $0.70-$4.50. This place is a good place to go to if you wanted something quick and cheap to eat. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Nadine,…
Stopped by for quick meal before hopping on BART. Cafeteria style ordering where pick up tray and go down line, selecting noodle, rice, tempura, drinks, etc. Ordered #6 Nikutama Udon (later found is house favorite) - freshly made chewy noodles. BK sauce too salty for me. Wished came with some veggies beyond green onions. Soft boiled egg got a little disfigured when cracked by worker. Didn't select tempura because looked like it was sitting on counter for a while (not made to order). read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Alice,…
Updating my current review because my last review is outdated. Quick Summary: - Plenty of chairs and seats to sit down - all gender bathrooms - Affordable prices with contently filling portions - Ordering is cafeteria style: line up, order, slide down, check out, eat, put away dishes and head off your way - Once you finish eating, take your tray to the area near the cashier. Separate the items by the tag taped on the shelf Marugame Udon has now been my go-to place to have lunch or dinner, or any time I'm hungry. The restaurant style is like a cafeteria because guests will order before sitting down. They line up at the entrance, decide on an order and slide along the countertop with the delicious tempura sides, and then checkout at the end. Since this is a cafeteria style, there is a place to put the dishes away. Always do that, so the next guests can find a cleared table to sit down and eat. There is a station, where it used to store unlimited green onions, ginger, and tempura flakes, but that has bee replaced with take out bowls and lids (I'm hoping this is temporary because I loved covering my broth in green onions). During the pandemic, the green onions, ginger, and the tempura flakes are given by the staff, one will need to request it after they place the bowl of udon on the tray you carried in. The broth, compared to the first experience, became pleasantly hot now. I have actually returned here multiple times since the first review, and that was the only time the broth was lukewarm. The rest has been hot. The Marugame Udon broth is so good. Lately, I finish the bowl by drinking the whole soup. My go-to lately has been the kake udon. It's the one with just broth and udon noodles. With this dish I can really taste the goodness of the broth. Unlike ramen, where the soup has a stronger salt content, this one is lighter. My other favorite is the kamaage udon, but that has been temporary removed from the menu (probably the kama bowls). That dish focused on the udon noodles rather than the dipping broth, so I eat that, when I just want to eat udon (typically chose this on warmer days). read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Mito,…
I went here two separate times, the first time I ordered a kitsune udon (regular size) and the second time I saw that they had a new item posted on the signs, a creamy vegan miso udon, so I ordered a regular size for that as well, with tempura crumbles and green onion and no ginger. The tempura flakes are free but getting the big pieces of tempura costs more money. There can somewhat of a wait in line due to the popularity of this place, but the service itself is pretty quick and reminds me of a school cafeteria. They have both indoor and outdoor seating, and bathrooms. I thought the food was decent and savory. I would've liked there to be more toppings/ingredients overall (I'm more used to having ramen where there's a lot of stuff in it) especially relative to the price, but they are basically the only place specializing in udon I've encountered so far in Berkeley. It's pretty close to BART/downtown Berkeley, and is located on the ground floor of a UC Berkeley building, Berkeley Way West. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Sydney,…
Convenient locations near University of California at Berkeley. A little bit sketchy as homeless camps just steps outside of the front door. Do you need a vaccine proof in order to dine in or eat at the patio area. Food is cheap but quality is not there. Basically only the Udon and poached egg is fine. All other ingredients not so good. I have number seven (4/5) and number 10 (1/5). Not to impress unless you are shot in cash. read more
I have been looking to try this place for so long. They only had one location in San Francisco and I just couldn't make it out there! Luckily they opened one in Berkeley! I was going to a concert later in the evening and wanted to eat something that would keep me full until the end of the show and not get tempted to order bar food. Upon first glance this place was EMPTY. I felt so lucky to enjoy my food in peace. The order system was confusing, as they have QR codes posted on the doors telling you to order online. I couldn't get the QR code to work for shit, so I asked an employee at the front. He told me not to worry about it, and order inside. Cool, since I was the only customer at the moment. It's all udon noodles, so all noodles are going to be thick. Just an FYI. You choose your broth and you can choose their 3 complimentary toppings which are green onion, ginger, and some other thing that I completely forgot. Sorry! I got the green onion and ginger. Then you can choose to get tempura shrimp, yams, veggies, croquettes, etc. It is self serve and EACH ONE has a different price, it is not free. I pay for my meal and take my tray to the utensil and sauce station. They also have water available as well if you did not want to buy any bottled drinks. I was never really a fan of udon until I tried Marugame. I loved the ginger flavor in the udon, it gave it a nice kick without it being overpowering. The noodles were a little too soft, I think they sat for a bit in water. I wish they were just a little more firm. The broth was really tasty and not too salty. One thing that I did not like was the tempura/fried options. I ordered a yam and a croquette and it was damn near cold. So disappointing. They are under a heat lamp and it didn't keep them warm for very long. I dipped them in broth to maybe bring it back to life a bit. That did help a little. I wish they were fried to order. This place is really good though. I would definitely come back and try other broth options. read more
5 years ago
What have you UDON?! I was ecstatic to try this place after months of wanting to go here! Curry Nikutama 4/5 Chicken Teriyaki Bowl 4/5 Curry Nikutama and Chicken Teriyaki were flavorful and super filling. The udon was chewy, soft, and perfectly cooked. Curry Nikutama was a bit salty but I still enjoyed it. Chicken Teriyaki was delicious. Chicken Teriyaki is very crispy. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Jennifer,…
This was great! I got the #10 large bowl (Curry Nikutama). It's literally so good. I was surprised that this place has such a low average rating, but I suspect that it's due to the service. It's the type of place where you pay first and clean up yourself. No servers or waiters I think. This is a potential drawback for some people but I really don't care. Maybe it's because I'm a generation Z kid (born in 2000), but it was pleasant enough for me. I'm cool with the self service type vibe. I was confused about one thing. So they require proof of vaccination to order, which makes sense since it is mandated by the city or county or something. But it's kind of pointless to me because rather than checking outside, they ask for proof once you're already inside and at the counter. At that point, I feel like if someone were to be contagious and unvaccinated, it will already have spread by then. But it's not a concern to me honestly, and perhaps they just do it because of the law because technically they are being compliant with the law this way even if there's no logistical benefit. I'm pretty sure everyone is typically masked and vaccinated, including myself, so it wasn't a cause of concern to me, just a bit peculiar in my opinion. This was my first time coming to any Marugame, but upon further research, I realized that I have seen other locations without stopping to eat. Locations in California include this one in Berkeley, San Francisco, a few in the Los Angeles Area, and there's one coming soon to San Ramon at the City Center! In Hawaii, there are two in Honolulu - in downtown, and in Waikiki. I've heard that they all taste similar. Apparently they have locations in Texas, 2 in Dallas and 1 in Houston, but I've never been outside of the airport in Texas and don't really plan to visit. I'd definitely check out the Honolulu one after the covid and tourism crisis is over. I haven't been on an airplane since before March 2020! For now, I'll be going to Berkeley and San Francisco and I'll be waiting on the San Ramon location. I'm thinking another reason for the subpar reviews is due to the whole pandemic situation. I imagine it was a challenge especially for a place like this. So if you like curry, the curry bowls are great. I compared it to a few others (different orders in my party) and the #10 was by far my favorite. The large bowl was big enough to make me full, but it was so good that it truly left me wanting more! I'd say it's not exactly cheap but not expensive either. My large bowl was $15 on the menu. I do think it was worth that value! The tea in the picture is not mine, I actually don't like ginger. I'll be coming around here sometimes! Maybe in San Ramon soon! read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Joshua,…
21 days after I was unable to redeem a free udon code, I received an email from Alonso. He is with with Marugame Management Team. I have a new code to redeem either online or in any location. I don't know that value of the code. However, the food I had here three weeks ago was sub-par. Again, luke warm soup, very few sides, and a cold soft-boiled egg. Doubt if I'll be back at this location again. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi David,…
When you're craving udon, Marugame hits the spot! The restaurant itself is really nice! It's open and spacious, and they even have a couple of trees in the middle of bar-style table seating to really add to the aesthetic. Lots of larger (up to a party of ~6) outdoor tables are available as well. They have about 10 different udon options to choose from, all made to order in the Sanuki style. The noodles are handmade, so they've got a great springy texture. Both their Curry Nikutama and Tonkotsu Udons were good. The curry broth is really good, and goes great with the sweet beef and soft egg. The Tonkotsu is great is you're looking for something super savory. It has a mild kick from the chili oil. My favorite part of Marugame Udon is being able to pick out your tempura to go with your udon! They offer your more traditional tempura like shrimp and sweet potato, but they also offer some less common options like crab meat, squid, and tamagoyaki! I really enjoyed the crab meat tempura--it was huge! Marugame also has katsu sandos! Right now they offer four different ones: Crispy Chicken (chicken katsu), Egg Salad, Wagyu Cheeseburger, and Spam, Cheese, and Pickle. Each is served on soft, pillowy Japanese milk bread. There is a generous portion of filling in each. The spam sando was the most unique; the spam itself is panko crusted! Parking can be a bit tricky in this area; we had to find some street parking a block or so down. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Lisa,…
It's a fun place. Cafeteria style in the sense you line up and order your food, get it on a tray, and move in down toward the register to pay. Nice tall ceilings, lots of bar/table seating, and even outdoor seating. I've been to the same restaurant in Honolulu. The udon noodles are very good. Soft and tasty. I prefer the Tonkatsu broth but this visit I had the Curry Nikutama. Its very thick. You get sweet shredded pork and an egg. Also green onion and crinkly toppings. Also had fish, squid, and zucchini tempura. Everything tasted good but I agree with other reviewers that the food is not hot. In fact, some of the tempura was cool/cold. Even the noodle soup was warm at best. Normally I'm used to piping hot. I really suggest they heat up the food. read more
11 months ago
I've been a longtime fan of Marugame. Udon has always been one of my favorite noodle types, and from my experience of tasting many udon dishes, I can confidently say Marugame has perfected their recipe. The first time I tried Marugame was actually in Hawaii -- the Waikiki location is called Marukame Udon, and the wait is always at least an hour. After this experience, I was delighted when several locations opened up close to where I lived. This was my first time dining at the Berkeley location, which is located near Berkeley Way West in Downtown Berkeley. For students, it is quite far if you're living in Southside. If you have a car, parking is also difficult, so try to find parking in one of the residential streets a bit off downtown. Taking the AC transit bus could also be convenient. The Berkeley location has a really spacious open design with plenty of indoor (and several outdoor) seating. When we went around 7 PM on a Friday, there was no wait and we were able to order and get our udon relatively quickly. After you order, dining is self-serve and you're free to choose your seating, get water and utensils. After you're finished, all that's required is taking your tray to a designated area. I ordered a Nikutama Udon, which is one of their best-selling udon. I've also tried their Curry Nikutama Udon, which is listed as a spicy curry sauce. The Nikutama Udon I ordered comes with a generous helping of seasoned sweet beef, a soft egg, fried onion, and green onion. The udon noodles were just the right amount of chewy and soft, and the broth was flavorful but not too overpowering to the point of thirstiness. My favorite part was the soft egg. I'm a huge fan of any and all eggs, and their poached egg was absolutely perfect. The yolk was runny, the egg white was thin, it was absolutely scrumptious. read more
Business owner information
Alonzo C.
Hi Rachel,…
More info about Marugame Udon
1919 Shattuck Ave
Berkeley, CA 94709
Gourmet Ghetto, Downtown Berkeley
Directions
(510) 529-4622
Call Now
Visit Website
https://www.marugameudon.com
Full menu
Hours
Payment methods
Food & Alcohol
Indoor Amenities
Outdoor Amenities
Other Amenities
From the Business
Marugame Udon Reviews in Other Languages
Ask the Community - Marugame Udon
Are there any vegetarian or vegan options? It seems they all use bonito in the dashi?
Hey Katie, great question, I believe the bukkake udon would be vegetarian since in its description it does not state any meat used to make the broth. Hope this answers your question!
Just wondering if anyone knows if this location has "curbside service"?
Unfortunately no. They are set way back from the street. So you have to park and then walk.
Are their musubis and onigiris back?
I didn't see any of those when I was there last weekend. Their selections are limited due to Covid
Do they have an outdoor setup that is protected in case of rain?
The outdoor seating has a canopy or umbrellas over the seating to shield the sun from diners. In the event of rain, there is not enough seating enclosed to protect diners from getting wet.
Is this place open during this pandemic?
Yes I went there last Friday and they are open. You may want to call ahead to order or reserve some time to wait for your order, as with the new health practices in place orders will take 15-20 minutes to make.
Anyone know if they're open on New Year's Day?
What's the difference between curry udon and the curry nikutama?
The curry udon doesn't have meat and the curry nikutama has beef in it.
How's the Red Cayenne Chicken Udon?
Are they open today 10/11/19?
They did on soft opening on 9/24/19 where they are only open for dinner (4pm to 10pm) until 10/28/19. Their grand opening will be on 10/28/19.
How long the queue is?
Tuesday 5:00pm = 5/10 minute wait Friday 6:15pm = 1 hr wait Avoid 6/7 pm if possible
Do they have vegan/vegetarian options?
Based on traditional udon recipes, the kama age should be vegan, though the dipping sauce may not be (traditionally contains dashi, bonito fish flakes). I imagine you could supplement this well with tempura veggies or the fried tofu.…
What are their hours?
Right now, since they're having their soft opening, the hours are: Monday - Saturday = 4:00pm -…
Why does Yelp recommend reviews?
24 reviews that are not currently recommended
The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.
7 years ago
4 years ago
2 years ago
7 years ago
6 years ago
4 years ago
6 years ago
2 years ago
6 years ago
3 years ago
2 years ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
4 years ago
2 years ago
1 year ago
