I saw advertisements about the Clam Udon and I was SO EXCITED to try it. I am happy to report that IT WAS SUPER GOOD. The broth was super clean and light, but still flavorful enough that it didn't taste bland at all. There was also a decent amount of clams, which I appreciated because sometimes seafood udon can feel a little stingy. The clams added a nice briny sweetness to the broth without making it taste overly fishy, and everything felt really comforting and balanced. Definitely one of those bowls that tastes simple in the best way. I'd absolutely order this again, especially if I wanted something warm and satisfying without feeling too heavy afterward. read more

Marugame Udon - clam udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

One thing about me: I love noodles, and I especially love udon. I'm very particular about my udon, so I can confidently say Marugame is one of my favorite udon places to visit! I love every udon bowl I get, no matter the broth, but my favorite is definitely the curry udon. I love that you can add so many different toppings to your bowl, and the noodles are always cooked perfectly, never too soft and never too firm. If you're like me and tend to eat a lot, there are also different sizes to choose from, so sometimes I'll go for the larger bowl. You can truly customize your bowl to however you like which is great! If you've never been to Marugame, it's a little different from a traditional sit-down restaurant. You go through the line, tell the employees what you want and then choose your toppings, so your food is ready almost immediately. I'll usually stop here before going shopping, so I love how convenient it is while still receiving excellent customer service. The staff is always super quick about cleaning tables, and I think the inside is super cute and modern. You definitely have to try Marugame if you're an udon lover like me! read more

Marugame Udon - Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Fast service and quick on the go, great place for hearty and relatively affordable meal. Hubby and I came here for dinner, line wasn't too long but goes fast since you order what you want in the udon. I got the hot kake udon and a croquette ($11). Seating and self serve got a seat quickly, they also have green onion and tempura flakes in the back side of restaurant. Udon was a bit too Al dente for me but the broth wasn't too salty, croquette was good but could have been fresher. Overall solid for an easy casual lunch and dinner at south coast! read more

Marugame Udon - Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I LOVE Marugame Udon! It is my comfort food when I need a cozy meal. I got the large bolognese bowl with tempura egg and tempura sweet potato. All were amaaaazing! The service is also top tier. Everyone is so kind and they are really working hard to make sure that everyone gets a table and every table is clean while it's busy. We went on a Saturday so it was super busy but we were still able to get a clean table quickly. They also made sure everything was stocked well (utensils, tempura, food). My only bummer is that the location in Aliso Viejo gave me more cheese and meat in my bowl vs this costa mesa one. Other than that, it was a fantastic experience! read more

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Very good udon; I'd say the best here in Orange County. Lots of tempura options too. The staff are professional and handle inconveniences and mishaps very gracefully. read more

The food is still good at Marugame Udon South Coast Plaza. The lines seem to move at a good speed no matter how many people are there. The tables always seem to free up in time for the next diner to sit down. The staff is constantly working to maintain this. There are new items on the menu, which keeps it interesting. read more

Located inside South Coast Plaza, this udon spot is a great value, especially for a restaurant in the mall. I wouldn't say it's the best udon you'll ever have, but it's definitely tasty and more than satisfying for a quick meal. I went to the mall by myself yesterday and was looking for something simple to eat. Ordering just plain udon felt like it would be lacking in protein, but the beef or chicken katsu udon sounded a little too heavy and greasy for what I wanted. So I ordered a regular Plain Udon and added a soft-boiled egg. Then I stopped by the tempura station and picked up a tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet) tempura and a piece of kabocha squash tempura. The regular plain udon was only $5.99, which is an amazing deal. Load it up with the green onions and crunchy tempura flakes from the toppings station, and it's surprisingly delicious. With the soft-boiled egg and the tamagoyaki tempura, I was able to add a little extra protein, and my total came to around $18. Considering today's prices, I thought that was very reasonable. Overall, the food was good, the meal was satisfying, and I left happy. If you're shopping at South Coast Plaza and want something quick, affordable, and comforting, this is definitely a solid choice. read more

Marugame Udon - Upon with tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

For the first time customer, it can be a little confusing on how to order. Best way to describe it is like a cafeteria food line. You order your udon, grab a tray, slide it down to the tempura aisle, and then you pay. Food was surprisingly fresh and so tasty. The broth was so smooth and clean but carried lots of flavor. I enjoyed the tempura dishes as well! Pro tip, dip your tempura in the both as you eat so it doesn't get too soggy! read more

Marugame Udon - Beef Gyudon, Kitsune, shrimp tempura, pumpkin tempura, fried gyozas, fried mushrooms - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We first had Marugame when we lived up in SF, so we were stoked when they opened this location years ago and have frequented multiple times since (especially since it's right across from our favorite store - Uniqlo). It's cafeteria-ish style where you get a tray and they prepare your udon on the spot and you have the option to add toppings like green onion and/or tempura flakes. There's also an assortment of tempura to choose from to pair with your udon. I tried the curry udon for the first time and enjoyed it a lil too much because I had gotten a large with the intention of leftovers... but that didn't happen (and myself and my boyfriend walked out feeling uncomfortably full lol). I'd also gotten a chicken katsu that went nicely with the curry~ The regular Nikutama is typically my go-to as I like the addition of the soft-boiled egg with the beef udon, so I'd also recommend that! read more

Marugame Udon - Beef udon (large), curry nikutama (large), and chicken katsu - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I was having serious udon craving today, so I had to hit up Marugame Udon. Waited about 10 minutes, then grabbed a large Nikutama hot udon. As you move down the line, there's freshly made tempura calling your name..I grabbed the egg, sweet potato, shrimp, and a few others. Then hit the self-serve toppings for scallions and more. First bite... BOOM! Deep, flavorful broth, thin-sliced beef, and those perfectly chewy noodles. Loved it! The tempura was crispy, crunchy, and tasty, especially the egg...fluffy inside, crispy outside. Super satisfying meal, and the best part? I got to walk around the mall afterward and pretend I was burning off all those calories. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Whenever I crave udon, Marugame Udon hits the spot. The food is delicious. Their freshly made in-house, right in front of you noodles are perfectly chewy. The service is quick. And best of all, it's kids-approved. 1. Nikutama - Savory simmered beef, sweet onions, and a silky soft-boiled egg. Yum. 5. Creamy Broth - Tonkotsu style - Creamy chicken broth, topped with juicy pork chashu, and a flavorful seasoned egg. My favorite! 10. Kake - Served with comforting umami-rich dashi broth. My kids love this dish. read more

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Great tasting food, like I always remember it. Tempuras are pricey and not worth the value, esp the 'big' chicken katsu which has shrunk in size. Udon itself is great value. Cramped restaurant read more

Marugame Udon - Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This is my favorite udon spot ever! The service is always fast and efficient, which makes the experience even better. There are plenty of seating areas, but it does get super packed on weekends, so I'd definitely keep that in mind when planning a visit. Despite the crowds, the food quality stays consistent and fresh. The udon noodles are always perfectly cooked with an ideal chewy texture. The tempura is also a highlight, super crispy and so good when paired with the warm, comforting udon. Overall, it's a spot I keep coming back to! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Orange County has no shortage of great Japanese food, including udon, but somehow, amid the crazy competition, I believe Marugame Udon is the best udon in the county. It is also surprisingly affordable. Both Orange County locations I have been to (the one in South Coast Plaza in Costa Mesa and the one in Jamboree Plaza in Irvine) are sadly in very busy areas. It can be annoying to find parking and/or wait in a long line just to sit down and eat. Thankfully, the food is so good that I will go out of my way to eat there, even if it means having a super early lunch to avoid the typical noon-to-1:00 p.m. lunch crowd. The main thing I love about Marugame is its surprisingly large amount of udon options. You can get the softer-tasting broth or the stronger-tasting broth called BK broth, which is generally my personal go-to because I think it has a more savory yet smooth flavor. There is also a surprising amount of customization, from basic choices like a regular or large size, extra noodles, and whether you want the typical Sanuki-style toppings of tempura flakes and green onions. There are also options like curry udon, beef udon, pork-broth tonkotsu udon, and, more recently, rice bowls. That said, one of my favorite things about Marugame is the number of tempura options. These do not come with the udon, so you generally have to pay roughly a dollar per piece, depending on the type of meat or vegetable you get. For example, the standard tempura choice, shrimp, costs around a dollar each. Thankfully, the shrimp are fairly long and thick, with great batter and flavor. There are also other meat options, such as squid, along with plenty of vegetable options like zucchini and onion. If you are someone who eats out often and likes rewards programs, Marugame has a mobile app where you can earn points toward things like a free Spicy Bomb, extra noodles, or extra tempura. I definitely take advantage of this. Just make sure to either order through the app or save your physical receipt so you can upload it to the app. Overall, when I want great, specialized udon and tempura, you cannot go wrong with Marugame Udon in Orange County, whether you choose the South Coast Plaza location or the Jamboree Plaza location. read more

When I get hungry at SCP I usually stop by for udon because the service is quick and it is inexpensive. The line goes by quickly. They have other other options other than udon and it is nice to see them make it for you. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

What's not to love here!!! Some of the best udon I've ever had, you take a tray and go down the food line. Ordering as you go, and watch it prepared fresh right before you. With more than just wonderful udon options, different tempura varieties, katsu and more. Once you pay you seat yourself and there is an island with condiments, utensils and drinks. We loved it here, and definitely will come back. Located inside the South Coast Plaza Mall first floor by the escalators below Starbucks. Also very affordable! read more

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Wonderful udon that hits the spot on cold days! Love the self serve tempura station! The shrimp is always a hit! Plenty of seating and the service is great too read more

Marugame Udon - Beef, tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

My favorite Chicken Katsu Teriyaki is back! Would love to have it in a larger bowl option. read more

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They have new item, clam udon. Amazing!! I am glad they have something else than meat. Been a fan before they opened in OC and only in Honolulu back then. So I have been having way too many basic items. Still love miso and beef with onsen egg. But clam has lighter and refreshing taste instead of sweet dashi taste. They give lots of clams which is nice. I hope they will keep this item as it's really good. Service was fast. I'm impressed with the worker at the cashier and frying station. The fried chicken was not oily and good. I am impressed not salty but well balanced. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Some of the best tasting Udon on the planet... and you don't have to wait in a long line in Waikiki to try some... conveniently located in South Coast Plaza right below Din Tai Fung... freshly made Udon noodles and I love getting it with Chashu and a soft boiled egg... ramen style... give it a try if you're in the area. read more

Marugame Udon - Cha shu Udon Large - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I Like this style restaurant where you go down the line and build your bowl and select your sides. It's super quick and efficient and ensures hot fresh options. I've come here many times and the udon is always great and very flavorful. read more

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A good place for fresh udon and a satisfying meal in South Coast Plaza. We went on a Thursday night and there was no line which was a welcomed surprise. Most of the time when we walk by on weekends there's a fairly long line. There's a decent amount of seating, but a lot of the tables were dirty when we arrived and they stayed that way the entire time we were there. You order along the counter and find a seat after paying for your food. The service interactions are minimal and they gave very short responses when we asked questions. It was also a little bit off because the cashier went off to go do another task in the middle of our transaction so we ended up having to stand there and wait for a few minutes in order to get a receipt. The portion size is decent and the noodles are very fresh. The noodles have a really nice chewy texture and they're really enjoyable to eat. We said yes to adding tempura flakes but it ended up making the soup fairly oily. The shrimp tempura was mostly batter and it was difficult to find the shrimp inside. The next time I go back I would want to try other dishes to see if the taste is better. read more

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Visited on a weekday for lunch. He place was not busy so there was no wait. Staff were kind and the place was clean. Got Two dishes both were good and at a pretty fair price. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Marugame Udon is a pretty budget friendly place to have a quick stop to have a meal in South Coast Plaza. There is a decent variety of broths to choose from and bento boxes if you don't want udon! After choosing one, there are also a selection of tempura options to choose from if you want something extra and light, which is nice. Staff is pretty chill to go through your order once you enter and there's plenty of seating, but it does get busy at times, so maybe take note of that. I got a nikutama udon and even the regular size was pretty decent to get full from. The broth was good and the meat was pretty tender so that's nice. I try different things when I do decide to come, and every visit goes well for expectations on what I'm ordering, which is nice that there's a good baseline of consistency. Especially the noodles being just right, it's never too stiff or soggy, which is always a plus. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Not a huge udon fan but this is a staple. Several different broths to choose from with several that you can get hot or cold. Noodles were perfectly al dente I added extra green onions to mine as well as shichimi and chili oil to give it a kick. Forgot to take pic oops read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This place is downstairs under DTF Got there, there was no line. Food is quick, why scoop what you infront, kinda like cafeteria style. There are other add ins towards the end. We ordered their creamy udon and nikutama, added the green onions and tempera, two fried chicken pieces, gyoza Broth was good, I enjoyed the creamy udon more, pork slices were very thin, and I wish I didn't add the tempera because the flakes just got very soggy The nikutama was ok, broth was sweet, the tempera flakes got too soggy here also. The ran out of the big fried chicken so we got two small ones. This is probably my favorite thing there! Very flavorful and tender. Gyoza tastes like it's been sitting there for hours. Was a little stale/cold. Wouldnt get this again read more

Marugame Udon - Creamy udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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We absolutely love Marugame Udon and will keep coming back again and again. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and there was not much of a wait. Only a couple groups were ahead of me in line. We ordered two beef udons, one chicken katsu teriyaki, a tray of Gyoza, and a bunch of tempura! It was all so delicious and fresh. Our family demolished the tempura. Our kids loved slurping down on udon noodles, and topping everything with crunchies! It was all so delicious and an enjoyable experience. All of the employees are super friendly and attentive. Cant wait to go back again soon! read more

I love udon. I love curry. I love cheese. Put the 3 together, you have my favorite menu item. I also love the tonkatsu, but since this curry cheese tomatama came on the menu, I don't want anything else. It's a thick bowl I will admit, but it's a cheat meal for me. read more

Marugame Udon - Cheese Katsu Tomatama Curry udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

This was my first time trying udon and I loved it. My gf introduced me to this restaurant chain. I ordered their large nikutama udon. The bowl includes savory simmered beef, sweet onions, and soft boiled egg. We went before the dinner rush and was able to find seating so quickly. I also got their tamago tempura and it was so flavorful and sweet. Soft in the inside and crunchy on the outside. The price for our bowls was very reasonable. We were so full after. I can't wait to come back and try their other dinner items. This experience did remind me of being in Japan at an udon restaurant. It got pretty busy right when we ordered and a line started forming after. Lots of tables and seatings. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Amazing quick eats for on the go! This place gets busy but they make the lines go quickly. Their ambiance is family oriented and they're located below din tai fung. read more

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It's a small restaurant tucked in the corner across the Uniqlo store. It was our first time there and we were not disappointed. I felt like I was back in Japan eating an authentic Japanese meal. We ordered the beef and eel bowl as well as the Katsu udon. We also got a side of crab meat tempura. It's self serving so you can pick and choose whatever toppings or side dishes you'd prefer. The Service was quick so we were in and out of the restaurant. read more

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The food here is great. The udon is low priced and tasty with tempura options. The tempura can drastically increase the final bill so be careful, but it is incredibly good. My personal favorite is the katsu chicken and tempura pumpkin. The service is quick with them making the udon bowl right in front of you. There is limited seating so try to not arrive during peak dining hours. read more

We came here on a weekday for lunch, and there wasn't a line. We ordered the tempura bowl and the gyudon bowl. We also added more tempuras before we paid for our orders. They have a self-serve water station and don't forget those tempura sauces too! I love the setup here; it seems like you're in an alleyway in Japan. Everything was delicious, the tempura was crispy, and the sauce was not watered down. The gyudon bowl is also tasty. We were satisfied with our food, and the service was speedy and efficient. The staff were also friendly and helped us clean up and clear our trays when we finished our food. read more

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This establishment offers a no-frills dining experience. The udon noodles are very spongey and enjoyable. The soup and curry was super savory and rich. I believe the best items are actually the tempura -- they are crispy, airy, and flavorful. Food is served here in a "lunch line" kind of style. You'll pick your udon type R/L and then move down the line picking from various tempura items. The workers here are well-spoken and keep the line moving efficiently. read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama and Curry Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

We stopped by Marugame for a quick bite while shopping at South Coast Plaza. Line was long, as always. I didn't really want anything as all their meats are too fatty for me and their use dark meat for their chicken katsu and not chicken breast meat (per their cook in the kitchen). My sister and her husband got the number 1 since they like the meat more fatty and not too lean. I got a couple pieces of tempura and the tempura is good here. They currently have a promotion for like $10, you'd get a bowl of udon and limited choices of toppings. read more

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Delicious. Beef was so good, udon noodles perfectly cooked, the dashi broth. SO GOOD. I'm obsessed and definitely coming back. I wish they had a spicy paste or something to make it spicy but still delicious with the lil chili flakes they got. read more

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We'd been here before some years ago and really enjoyed the food and experience, so decided to come back again. One of the most memorable things about this place was how we got in the looooong line out the door, and around the block. But this time we got smart and showed up early, with no long lines or waits for a table. The place was still busy, but we got through the doors right away upon arrival. So, this is a cafeteria style restaurant where you pick your freshly made noodles.. literally from scratch, and pick all the freshly fried tempura items that appeal to you. Final bill is based on the type of noodles and number of tempura items you choose. Once paid for at the end of the line, you go find a table and enjoy your meal. I must say, the noodles looked and tasted so good....boiled just right with a very nice springy chew, and the pieces of tempura fried to a crispy perfection on the outside. My hardest time was deciding which items to choose as everything looked so yummy that I wanted to try one of everything. If getting a quick fill with a delicious and comforting bowl of hot freshly made udon noodles, accompanied by freshly fried hot and crunchy tempura is the craving for the hour, then this is the place to come... despite the typically very long lines, which moves pretty quickly.... it's still definitely worth it. read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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This spot is great for a casual get together! Be wary during weekends and rush hour times that seating may be hard to find. Although prices have gone up, Marugame is still a great affordable spot while serving high quality udon and tempura. Service is great and efficient. I think their regular bowl portion has gotten smaller since I remember having more room to mix in my bowl last time ordering "regular size". A great spot to get in and out for a bite! read more

Marugame Udon - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

I got the Nikutama bowl and added a few tempura items. I had no idea it was set up like that so I really enjoyed being able to choose what I wanted to add. The bowl was a bit sweet but they have a great spice ball you can add to balance it out. It was packed when we got in line but by the time we got our food, a bunch of tables opened up so don't worry if it's busy! read more

Marugame Udon - Nikutama Bowl with: Shrimp Tempura Potato Croquette Chicken Karage Sweet Potato Tempura - Japanese Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Came here with family to have an early lunch. This place is located inside the mall on the 1st level underneath the din tai fung. It's an order before you sit type of place. Seating is decent but for larger parties, you would need to go find seating first then go order to make sure your party has the proper amount of seating because you'll have your food as soon as you order and pay for it. Menu is simple, a few options and you can either get a regular size bowl or a large bowl which is twice the udon serving of the regular bowl. You'll order it and the person will add the noodle and broth you want. Then the next person will add the toppings if you want it and then it's basically lunch line type of thing grabbing other tempura items if you want as you slide your food to the cashier to pay, where you grab a bottle tea drink. He'll ring you up and you're on your way to your seat to eat. Grabbing utensils and napkins as needed. They also offer water and have water cups for you to grab too. And you also clean up your own trays and bowls to their designated area near the drink area. Customer service was ok. They didn't greet you or anything. Just straight transaction. They also seemed like they were freaking out seeing large parties come through because seating was limited when multiple large groups like ours all came at the same time. But it is what it is in my opinion when it's lunch time. Kind of felt like we had to rush to eat and get kids out so others could come and sit. Didn't feel like a place we could just go as a group to eat and mingle. I guess we know to not come here for family meals now. read more

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