I have no words to describe the incredible lunch experience we had at Meiji Seimen. It's in an unassuming strip mall and a true local, hole in the wall restaurant with only a few tables and always a long wait. I recommend checking the current wait time and getting on the Yelp waitlist before heading over. Staff was all so friendly and accomodating and as soon as they noticed I had a purse with me, provided me with a bag hook I could borrow while we dined! That seems like such a small thing but it was truly so considerate and I appreciated it so much!! My fiancé and I shared their delicious fried chicken appetizer (this is a must get - incredibly crispy large pieces and perfect ratio of meat to batter), he got the pork katsu curry udon set which he loved and said was so flavorful, and I got the tempura udon with extra fish cake. The broth was so light and perfect! Absolutely delicious. This is now on our date night rotation. Thank you for the amazing meal and service! read more

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First time here and thoroughly enjoyed it. Came on a Friday evening and the place was crowded. A quick 5 min wait so not bad at all. I have always been a fan of soba and this place gives you a decent portion. We each got one soba and shared a few other dishes. The good came out relatively fast and it was delicious. We also got a sparking sake - which was a little sweet for my taste and pretty low abv. Chicken karaage - big pieces and crispy. Pork cutlet - crispy and juicy. Soba with tempura - nice portion. Flavorful broth and the tempura was light. Overall I would come back here read more

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What a gem of a location in Costa Mesa. I was craving soba because I've been kind of sick of other noodle dishes lately, and Meiji Seimen outdid themselves. I love getting soba at different locations as a change of pace, and at Meiji it's perfectly made. The seating didn't take too long on a Tuesday night and the food took about 5-7 minutes to start coming out which was really nice! Parking isn't too bad, the area is a bit small but it's never really full here. We started off with the shishito peppers which came with bonito flakes which was a nice addition. It added a bit of extra flavor and wasn't too fishy, it overall complimented the peppers really well and gave it some depth! Next was the fried chicken as I wanted to have some protein with my soba and it was just right, crispy and crunchy while still being juicy! The sauce was of course a good addition to dip in to give extra flavor. Lastly, I got a plain order of zaru soba, which was just perfect for the night. The noodles weren't too soggy or stiff, they were just right. Combining the wasabi, seaweed, and green onion to the dip helped add more flavor to the noodles each dip and made for a perfect meal for me. I will definitely be back whenever I crave soba noodles! The server was really nice and stopped by plenty of times to make sure we were doing fine which was great to see! read more

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What an amazing visit! We were looking for a quick spot to enjoy some yummy Japanese food and Meiji Seimen was the spot! We used Yelp check in and were sat almost immediately after we arrived! Their service is always incredible and very attentive since I always finish my water the moment I sit down. I ordered way too much last time so I ordered a fried pork bowl and it was perfectly crunchy and the rice was perfectly cooked.They event included a pepper that added a nice spice to the dish. My partner and her mom ordered udon and said the noodles and broth were perfect! We also tried their tofu and shrimp tempura! Totally loved my experience and I hope to have another! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Was running hot so I'm glad they had some cold options. Chicken karaage was a little overdone and I've definitely had better elsewhere. Beef tongue also overcooked but good flavor The chicken tempura though was very unique and good with I think black pepper in it? Want to come back for lunch specials like the gyudon cause I love beef bowls and also need to try that limited 10 bowl dish they have read more

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Me and my gf always stop here on Sunday after Church for lunch! Great spot with fantastic Japanese cuisine. Sometimes there's a wait but it's never too bad. Def worth the wait; just put your name down on the Yelp checklist. We always order the assorted tempura and Nabeyaki udon. It's amazing! read more

We came on a Thursday around 6:20 but joined the waitlist around 6. We had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated but that makes sense since the restaurant is super small. We ordered a shabu shabu udon and the tempura zaru udon. They were both decent with chewy udon and a flavorful broth but it tastes like something I could make at home. I liked the udon more than the tempura since the noodles were super chewy and firm but the tempura could have been crispier and was on the soggy side. My friend thought the shabu shabu udon was okay but said she has had better udon elsewhere. Overall, I would come back to try their soba but wouldn't go out of my way or wait super long. Ratings Shabu shabu udon: 3.8/5 Tempura zaru udon: 4/5 read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu shabu udon, tempura zaru udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

TL:DR - neighborhood gem. Go Service - prompt, efficient, attentive Ambiance - small setting. Wait list so plan accordingly Food - spot on flavors Nabeyaki Udon - delicious. Shabu shabu udon - mid spice - great bowl Cold soba - refreshing Mackerel - great starter Pork belly starter - stellar!! Pro tip- be prompt and get on the wait list. read more

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I've never been into udon before I found this place because I've only ever had udon that was from a sushi restaurant or instant udon from Costco. But after I found this place, I love it so much. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu Shabu beef udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

SUPER small cozy little place serving good soba and udon! We put our name on the waitlist before we got there and still had to wait almost an hour for a party of 4 for Saturday dinner! This place is popular so come ready for a wait!!! I just had udon recently at another place so I figured I'd try out their soba. If I'm not mistaken they make these themselves. Hot Tempura Soba ($15) with large size upgrade ($3.5) and added seasoned egg ($2)-- It was a super simple but satisfying meal. The broth has depth without feeling oily or greasy. It's clean and simple but very well seasoned. I kept drinking the soup. I got the large upgrade since everyone else at the table was doing that and I'm glad I did! Since it was a super simple broth I probably needed the extra noodles to be full. Ajitama was beautifully done and I'd get it again next time! Shrimp tempura was whatever wouldn't go out of my way to get it again. I also wish it came with a dipping sauce! Actually what happened was my first choice was sansai (Japanese mountain vegetables) soba but they ran out of sansai and my heart broke because I was so locked in and committed. That's exactly what I was craving so had to last minute change to tempura... I'll have to come back and get my sansai fix!! I personally don't know if the soba was special enough for me to be like "wow I taste the difference!!" but that might be because I got it hot? Next time I'll probably get it cold. Or try their udon instead. Fried chicken ($9.5)-- BEAUTIFULLY fried and seasoned! Super juicy, savory, and good portion size. The dipping sauce is good too! I much prefer sauces like this over when places just give you mayo. Must order!! Will be getting again!! Parking is easy since it's located in a strip mall. Just make sure you put your name on the waitlist when you're near the restaurant and check in on the iPad when you get there! read more

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Food: Egg, Tororo, Mentai Udon (Hot) Price: $15 (not including tax) Overall: This is my second time coming here and I love it! Came around lunch time on a Thursday and it was kind of empty (unlike during peak dinner time where there would be a waitlist). Inside, there is limited seating so a big party would need to wait/split off. The menu is a QR scan and the time of taking our orders and food coming out was in a timely manner. Ever since Japan, I have a love for Mentaiko so I really enjoy the udon; 1+ for the bouncy of the noodles too! My friend ordered the soba and takoyaki (he let me have a takoyaki) and the takoyaki was really good! Their other location is Okidoki, so definitely try out both locations! read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Put yourself on their waiting list! People got there and start lining up before they open. We arrived when they open and we were already #8 in line. We waited 45 mins before being seated and the line was twice as long when we left. It's a very small restaurant but so worth the hype. The Nabeyaki udon was absolutely delicious. Such a clear broth full of flavor with chewy udon noodles. It was a big bowl and I love that it has enoki mushrooms, fish cake, an egg, and a delicious shrimp tempura. Can't wait to go back again. Drooling just thinking about it. read more

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I ordered the hot tempura udon and thought the flavor of the broth was good but I was disappointed that it only came with two thin pieces of shrimp tempura for protein, which I finished quickly. It was mainly just udon in broth so if you want protein, I wouldn't get this. I'd come back to try something different like that shabu shabu udon instead. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Food (split between two people): - Curry udon (8/10): this dish was quite solid and the udon noodles were cooked to perfection (aka very bouncy texture). The curry flavor was also great. There were thin beef strips in the bowl, which I thought were very tender and delicious. I would get this again! - Fried chicken bowl (9/10) + shabu shabu (7/10): the fried chicken bowl was the star of our meal! It was incredibly crispy on the outside, and really juicy on the inside. The rice underneath was also cooked well, and I really like the sweet salty glaze on the chicken. I didn't like the shabu shabu as much though, but the beef strips and udon noodles in it were cooked well. Service: We came to the restaurant on a Monday lunchtime, and there was no wait! The servers were friendly and quick, and they refilled our waters. Ambiance: The interior reminds me a lot of your conventional Japanese restaurants. Since it's not too loud in there, it could be a good place to catch up with a friend! Parking: The restaurant has a parking lot out front and there were ample parking spots when we went. read more

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Ordered: tempura zaru soba It's a tiny restaurant so the wait is kinda long. The staff were nice, quick, and accommodating. The soba noodles were fresh, bouncy, and chewy. The soup was light and refreshing. The tempura was fresh and crispy. I wished they didn't have the onion tempura, the raw onion flavor overpowered the whole dish. There's plenty of parking in the parking lot. The yuzu sorbet was more like shaved ice but it was really refreshing. read more

Meiji Seimen - Tempura zaru soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Got there a little before opening and there was already a waitlist! Couldn't join the waitlist on my phone before opening, but you could sign up on their tablet in front of the store. It's a small restaurant and the tables are kind of close together. The servers were friendly and the food came out fast. Loved the texture of the noodles. I got the beef curry udon with level 2 spicy soup. It was on the lighter side, which I liked. The Kakuni really stood out to me! The pork was really tender and had a lot of flavor. Definitely a must order! It's located in a small plaza with a good amount of parking. Come a little before opening to add yourself to the waitlist because the wait can get a little long during peak dinner times. read more

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Very small real estate but they made the most of it. Service was exceptional and glad the server recommended spicy level 1 or else 2 might have been a bit too much for me. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu shabu - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Delicious and bouncy udon! Brought me right back to Japan. Got the Shabu Shabu udon and it's a good portion -- lots of meat on top. Make sure to join the yelp waitlist before you arrive! My party of 4 came on a Saturday afternoon and the waited for 80 minutes!! Luckily we joined the waitlist before leaving home. Also, when you arrive at the restaurant, be sure to check in on their iPad so they don't skip you on the list. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu Shabu udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

The line is axtually unreal at this location, it's so long! I really like the udon that they use but the broth is a bit saltier for me. Servers were great! Although I wish the dish is a bit spicier, they do charge for spices which I thought was a bit odd, not sure if I'll come back read more

Meiji Seimen - Beef - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Meiji Siemen: 8/10 Aesthetic & Ambiance: 8/10 - Cute little ramen shop in a busy plaza. Dining is waitlist only and the place is pretty busy. Good news is, people eat quick, bad news is this place is good so there can be a line for dinner time. Service: 8/10: Service was very quick and attentive, friendly and made sure we were ready to when we needed to for lunch. Beef Bowl + Kake Combination: 8/10 - Good deal for a stop in lunch. A little heavy so make sure to take a togo box or you'll need a nap. read more

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Friend's recommendation for Ramen. Save time by joining the waitlist and whole party must be present when checking-in. There's either table or bar seating. Menu has QR code but do have actual menus upon requested. Sodas are can. Add additional charge to make it spicy (level 1 - 3 (lvl 3 is equivalent to a Jalapeño) This Japanese ramen shop has the staple: udon, ramen, soba and curry. Comes in either small (white bowl) or large (black bowl). Order the chicken tempura curry large and pay extra to be spicy and beef tongue. Beef tongue is chewy but it's grilled to perfection. The chicken tempura large is worth it as it contains huge tempura balls. Overall on giving this place a try read more

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Meiji seimen is always taste good. Udon is not salty. And the hot pot keeps soup waem. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

One of my favorite OC hidden gems! Small shop but the food never disappoints. I always go mid day and there's never usually a long wait. Plan ahead and book on yelp for weekends. They rotate menus often which makes it exciting. read more

Meiji Seimen - Soup - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Tried their cold soba w/ tempura and the katsu bowl The noodles were chewy and it was refreshing with the dipping sauce. The katsu was okay, but i felt like it tasted a little too bland. Same thing with the tempura, it was extremely bland. It had a nice crisp though Overall, decent place for some soba but the tempura and katsu has room for improvement read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Haiku: Meiji Seimen Karaage looks good Handcrafted udon noodles Tip: Arrive early. --- You can't go wrong with their premium-quality homemade udon and soba dishes. Their chewy noodles and savory soups are the perfect combination. I ordered the Sansai mountain vegetable with soba noodles. It's a unique dish I don't see often at Japanese restaurants. It had great flavor and textured veggies. Also, almost every table around us ordered the karaage--it was popular! Next time I come, I'll have to check out their lunch combo set of noodles and rice. Arrive early--the restaurant isn't too big. There's a bar and table seating; however, I didn't see many long tables to accommodate larger groups. read more

Meiji Seimen - Sansai mountain vegetables - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Meiji Seimen truly transports you straight back to Japan. It's a cute, cozy Japanese-style udon and soba shop, and honestly, it's the best udon I've had in California--definitely the best in Orange County. I ordered the seafood shrimp udon, and it was incredible. The broth was rich, flavorful, and exactly what I was craving. We also got the shishito peppers, which were really good, and they even bring out a little appetizer--pretty sure it was pretzels. Their beer menu is solid too, with plenty of options. We only tried the udon this time, but I'm already planning to come back to try more from their menu. Just a heads-up: some of their popular items sell out, so once they're gone, they're gone for the day. I'd recommend coming earlier so you can try their seasonal or limited dishes. Service was excellent--attentive and friendly. The place is clean but definitely gets busy because of how popular it is. If you're planning a visit, put your name on the waitlist ahead of time, or come later in the evening like we did and avoid most of the crowd. Overall, a perfect 5/5. Can't wait to come back! read more

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Top flight Japanese noodle house. Nestled away in an old strip mall, this gem is a popular go to for soba and udon lovers. Very tasty and traditional noodle house with all the favorites. I've been here at least 50 times and I get everything from the beef udon, box lunches, karage, hot soba, cold soba and even the rice bowls. Expect the ramen... don't get that here. Parking is a little tough during lunch time and it gets busy so expect a wait during lunch. read more

Meiji Seimen - Soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Been to the Tustin location many times but so glad they opened a second location closer to us. Although this locations menu is a bit smaller it has udon and soba noodles which are delicious. The restaurant is like teleporting to Japan, cozy and efficient. Every square inch is utilized so expect to sit close to other patrons. Restaurant staff is very friendly and service was great. I had the tempura hot soba. Wife had nabeyaki. Both left very satisfied with our dinner. Will be back soon. read more

Get your name on the waitlist beforehand, this place is a long wait! Even when you check in, it can take up to 20 min to actually be seated. The udon comes out piping hot, and it's delicious. I ordered the one with egg, enoki mushroom, shrimp tempura, and fish cake. It hit the spot on a cold day. We also ordered the grilled mackerel set, which came with miso soup, rice, and a salad. Would get this again. The fried chicken appetizer was also tasty. Overall, I would be back if craving udon. Not going to name names, but definitely better tasting than the place with the long lines at the mall nearby ... read more

Meiji Seimen - Udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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The reviews lured me in and I'm so glad. The Shabu Shabu Beef Udon (especially dipped in ponzu) was really delicious and felt nice and light. The Katsu Curry Udon was bursting with flavor and had generous size pork pieces. The broth is more of a medium thickness and very filling. FYI, spice level 1 is adequate for anyone with a medium spice tolerance. The fried chicken appetizer was recommended by our server and was great. I loved the sauce that came with it! We also had edamame (texture was good but we added some extra salt) and the mochi with sweet red beans dessert. I will definitely come back and would probably order the Shabu Beef Udon again, but could maybe be persuaded to try something new. We visited on a Saturday night and parking was not a problem and the wait list was moving quickly. All food was toddler approved and the service was friendly and attentive. We appreciated the staff taking time to answer any questions we had about menu items. read more

Meiji Seimen - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Meiji Seimen is ALWAYS busy, so put your name down on the waitlist before arriving! There is plenty of parking in the adjacent lot. The lines move through well, as food does not take long to come out. Staff here are friendly. The food options are soba or udon, although soba is only available during lunch. Cold zaru soba is my go-to, although the cold zaru udon was good too. It is packed in here, so large parties will have a hard time securing a slot here. It is cozy for duo dining or even solo dining. read more

Meiji Seimen - Zaru soba - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Arrived about 30 minutes before opening and people were already lining up to join the waitlist. By the time the doors opened, there were around 14 parties ahead -- a clear sign this place is popular for a reason. Thankfully, we were seated right away and started ordering immediately. We tried the Nabeyaki Udon, Shabu Shabu Udon, karaage, beer, and sake. They even brought out beer snacks, which was a fun and unexpected touch. Every dish was outstanding. The noodles were fresh and perfectly chewy, the broths were packed with umami and depth, and the karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Service was friendly, quick, and attentive even with the rush. The food came out hot and fast, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. Everything we had was a 5 out of 5, no question. Amazing udon, great sides, and a well-run team. read more

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The octopus was freah and crunchy. Love the dry noodles they have. The place is small and clean, there may be a wait. If you have a large party make sure you come early! Its a small place but well worth the wait read more

I wasn't feeling well but I had always wanted to try this spot so we opted for to go and it was one of the best decisions of that day. As soon as we got there to pick up the order, there was a good amount of people waiting to be seated. I got the shabu shabu udon and was so pleasantly surprised how much beef belly there was. It made me a happy gal. The broth was so comforting, although it was more on the sweeter side. I tried the curry rice bowl and thought it was good, but personally for me, I'm going to stick with the udon and try the soba the next time I get to dine in here! read more

Meiji Seimen - Curry bowl - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Food here is great and very true to the Japanese taste! The prices here are also very reasonable, and even more so if you're able to come on a weekday for their specials. I got the tempura udon ($14) and the fried chicken combo ($14) which came with miso soup as well! The udon itself was nice and chewy, the broth wasn't too salty and the tempura wasn't too oily! The fried chicken combo is such a great value, you get large pieces of karaage which were all crunchy on the outside, and nice tender and juicy on the inside. Service was also great! The servers were very attentive to see if you needed refills on your drinks. I got the complimentary hot tea since it was cold today, and they came by and refilled anytime it ran low. Overall ambiance is nice and cozy. You can check in online via yelp, but be sure to check in again on the iPad when you arrive so they can confirmed you're there. A must try! read more

Meiji Seimen - Fried chicken combo set - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Meiji Seimen hit the spot for flavor and texture, as well as authentic Japanese nostalgia that will bring you back to Japan with your senses. Service was a little slow but we went during peak hours and the place was packed. The ambiance was lively and colorful with Japanese trinkets lining counters and walls. One thing I noticed is that their spice levels were not all that different. Between level 1 and 2, there was not much of a noticeable jump in spice. Will definitely come back! Parking is plentiful and we came without reservations. If you can, sign up for the waitlist on the Yelp app. It helps with the wait. read more

Meiji Seimen - Curry Udon with beef - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

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Kids wanted udon and we stumbled upon Meiji Seimen. The place is small but the food was great. We ordered the nabeyaki, shabu beef, kake, and an order of the fried chicken cartilage. The cartilage had a light batter, crunch and juicy. The udon, being homemade, was bouncy and had a nice chew to it. The broth was light and flavorful, filled with the umami from the katsuo and kelp. No unnatural sweetness. The beef in the shabu was tender and not greasy. Kids wolfed down the entire bowl, tasty and scrumptious. read more

Meiji Seimen - Shabu shabu beef udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Great food and great service. Came in early, when they opened. Udon, and soba are fantastic. Karage was juicy!!! A bit on the pricey side because I wanted to order everything, mostly my bad. read more

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Very flavorful and authentic udon and Japanese dishes but the wait is always super long and there is a bit of a delay between getting the notification that your table is ready and actually getting seated. Meiji Seimen is a very popular spot with Costa Mesa/Irvine locals and the restaurant is always busy, but once you're inside the service is fairly quick and the food arrives fast. Would recommend the sansai udon for a healthier option, or the shabu shabu or curry udons if you're in the mood for something heartier. read more

Meiji Seimen - sansai udon - Noodles Near Me - Costa Mesa, California

Best Japanese udon in Orange County! Their udon noodles are handmade every morning. They have special and seasonal items- sometimes limited quantities. Not that many tables so there is a bit of a wait on the weekends and for dinner. read more

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