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    Motonobu Udon

    4.2 (137 reviews)
    Closed 11:30 am - 3:00 pm, 5:30 PM - 8:30 PM

    Motonobu Udon Photos

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    MOTONOBU UDON ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Trendy
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Ten waka cold
    Sonia K.

    My favourite udon shop in Metro Vancouver! Go to is always the ten waka cold. Cold udon is much more chewy and springy, and the seaweed always adds a delicious depth of flavour. Prawns are crispy and light. Unfortunately not a fan of the fried jammy egg but otherwise amazing!

    Shuang W.

    Shishito pepper tempura is sooooo good!!!! I cannot stop eating it. My fav is the cold udon since it's such a good deal, comes with a tempura egg too. Their service depends, sometimes they are very friendly, sometimes there is this one unhappy server who looks like she hates us.

    Cynthia S.

    Mentai udon! How unique and delicious! Loved how creamy the mentai sauce was and the egg yolk added another element of umami. The shisho leaves were an appreciated herbal addition

    Menu
    Duong V.

    I tried this place when it first opened and I ordered through a delivery service. The portion at the time was quite small given the premium price and I was not really happy about that. However there are not a lot of place that's specialize in Udon in Vancouver area (compared to a million Ramen place), I gave it a second chance this winter and I was surprised by the improvement in portion size. Since then, I have came back to this place with different people. The Udon here is fresh, which elevates the flavour and texture of the dish. I have been trying the MazeMentai both times Im here recently and the flavour is rich and creamy. The only thing that's varied is the brisket. The first time I got a more meaty pieces while the second time I got ones with fatty cap. My husband would prefer the former while I like the latter. Small tips is that the hour online said it closes at 8pm, which means no more new customers or new orders, but they are happy if you arrive like 7:45 and still take you in no problem. It often has a wait line during weekends peak hour but you can put your name in the list and walk around. Free street parking around the block is available so not a big problem. Interior is not the emphasis here. They used to have less sitting with glass wall to the kitchen so you can see people making the noodle fresh. But the new setup added more sitting and you can't no longer see the noodle making, which is a bit of a shame. All in all, I will definitely come back whenever I crave for Udon, but won't try to order it through delivery service.

    Sean H.

    Best udon spot I've ever been to! Came here on a Saturday afternoon and got seated and greeted right away. We got checked up on regularly and service was pretty good. My udon was incredibly delicious. Hands down the best I've ever had. The broth was super flavorful, noodles were cooked to perfection, and the beef brisket was very, very tender. Definitely coming back if I'm in the area again.

    Kathryn W.

    I love udon and it can be tricky to find an exceptional spot in the lower mainland. Motonobu Udon is top tier. They are often busy in weekends and evening with line ups. Typically, the wait is not too long. Make sure to put your name down inside the restaurant before waiting outside. There are menu options for cold and hot udon, so it is perfect for any season. My go to picks are Mentai and the Goboten Tofu Waka!

    Iris M.

    Located a couple min drive east of PNE.. finding parking isn't the easiest.. we enjoyed our food overall but everyone was in agreement that the soup broth was too salty and too sweet.. udon noodles were over cooked.. however, the pork and beef toppings were gorgeously soft and melt in your mouth (yum!!).. tempura had a light, crispy and thin batter - perfectly doneness.. there is one unisex bathroom the size of a downtown loft lol - in need of a good scrub down

    Nikutofu udon
    Michealea F.

    I ordered the nikutofu because I wanted to try the beef brisket and the tofu. The beef is tender and the slices are big. The tofu is sweet and soft. They serve a clear broth with some green onion and tenkatsu which gives a nice crunch to the dish. The meal is reasonably priced for the portion and I love how the portion is as big as the bowl.

    MazeMentai $17.95
    Stephanie T.

    I've wanted to try this udon spot for awhile now, but it's not in the most central location for me (close to PNE). We decided to go for lunch and arrived before 11:30 am, knowing that it gets busy and there were at least 4 groups ahead of us in line waiting for first seating. By 12 pm, the restaurant was entirely full so it was a good call to arrive prior to opening. There is free parking in the neighbourhood around it. I ordered the MazeMentai ($17.95) and my bf got the Spicy tantan ($18.75) which were both listed as "popular" on their menu. The MazeMentai was delicious and they were very generous with toppings. Every bite had some topping in it. Unfortunately, the Spicy tantan wasn't very good surprisingly, and we regretted ordering that. It just wasn't very tasty or particularly flavourful. However, the udon was cooked well in both cases - chewy and not soft/overcooked. The portion size is decent. I could have eaten more, especially the MazeMentai as it was delicious, but it was filling enough for a lunch. I really want to come back again and try something else in addition to the MazeMentai again. That was so good! I'd just avoid the Spicy tantan despite it being "popular".

    Inari
    Taylor K.

    I had to try it. It's Michelin bib gourmand recommended so I felt like I should try it and see how it was. The noodle is really good. You can tell that it isn't your typical frozen noodle that you buy in the frozen section of your grocery store. The broth was umami and tasty. And we got lucky and got seated right away. We also got inari as a side and they are good too but the star is the udon. The noodle is chewy and has that texture of handmade noodle. Definitely not your typical udon you get at a Japanese restaurant. I got the tempura udon and I kind wish they had put the tempura on the side so the batter didn't get so soggy. I guess you could request that if you read my review. Yes, if you love Japanese food and you love noodles, you should try this place. Maybe try going right after lunch rush to avoid the line ups. But if you don't mind lining up, you can anytime they are open. Keep in mind, they do close between lunch and dinner time.

    Maya Mayuko T.

    Motonobu Udon specializes in udon, offering a variety of udon dishes on the menu. This sounded very interesting, and I finally had a chance to try it. We ordered Niku Toji (beef brisket and egg swirl) and Maze Mentai (creamy pollock roe sauce, poached egg, beef brisket, seaweed, Japanese pickled plum, thin fried tofu, green onion, sesame seeds, and chili oil) and Inari sampler. Maze Mentai is a bit spicy. Without soup, we enjoyed the ingredients on top of the noodles, such as beef brisket, poached egg, and pickled plum, which blended and matched well. Since I grew up in Osaka and had many opportunities to enjoy Sanuki Udon (a signature Japanese udon style), I'm accustomed to a thin, light broth, so the broth in their Niku Toji wasn't quite to my taste. The noodles were also a bit firmer than I expected, differing from the Japanese al dente style. Based on my experience in Japan, udon's al dente texture should be slightly firm and chewy, creating the perfect balance, but here, the noodles were a bit harder than I would have liked.The beef brisket was tender and delicious. Inari Sampler was just ok. I think the udon at this place can be hit or miss. I'll try another dish on my next visit.

    Amy D.

    Food was delicious -- we had the brisket and it was soft and fatty. Refills for udon was also cheap if you're still hungry (1.50). I ordered a side of ebi tempura which was very freshly made. The ambience is simplistic. The service was quick.

    Menu
    Malinee S.

    3.5!stars total. Niku hot ramen. Good size of brisket. Light mild soup brought. The udon is good. Overall it was good but not great.

    Tantan Udon

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    Motonobu Udon Reviews in Other Languages

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    The Gray Olive Cafeteria

    The Gray Olive Cafeteria

    4.1
    (246 reviews)
    1.2 km
    $$

    great recommendation from a friend. the three of us stopped in for brunch after a moderate hike…read morenearby, which felt like a well deserved reward after working up an appetite. we arrived around 12:30 pm on a monday and were pleasantly surprised that there was no wait. we were seated right away and had plenty of time to settle in, catch up, and enjoy the slower pace of the afternoon. i was told this place used to be a tiny little shop, and it's nice to see how much they've grown. they've taken over the space next door and expanded the seating area, which makes a huge difference. you can actually relax, enjoy your meal, and have a proper conversation without feeling like you need to rush out the door so the next group can sit down. that extra breathing room really changes the experience. i was also happy to see they offer a matcha lavender latte with oat milk, which immediately caught my attention. unfortunately, we arrived too late for their early bird special, and i'm still a little disappointed about missing it. twelve dollars for a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich with a hashbrown patty and coffee or tea is hard to beat, and honestly, it gives me a good reason to wake up earlier next time. i decided on the vegetarian benny, and it absolutely hit the spot. two perfectly soft poached eggs, fresh avocado, oven roasted tomatoes, chimichurri, arugula, hollandaise, and cornbread, with three hashbrown patties on the side. every component worked together beautifully. the dish was seasoned really well, full of fresh flavours, and beautifully presented. the bright colours from the avocado, tomatoes, and greens made it look as good as it tasted. the chimichurri added a wonderful freshness, the hollandaise was rich without being overwhelming, and the cornbread brought a subtle sweetness that balanced everything nicely. it was so good that i practically inhaled the entire plate. definitely a place i'd come back to. next time, though, i'm setting an alarm and making sure i arrive early enough to finally try that early bird special.

    Great place with great food. Love their Bennie's and their chicken & waffles. They are so…read moreflavourful! Great service as well. Try to arrive earlier or you will wait in line. Cheers

    Photos
    W seating area~
    W seating area~
    Kitchen sink~
    Kitchen sink~
    E seating area~

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    E seating area~
    Jackalope's Neighbourhood Dive

    Jackalope's Neighbourhood Dive

    4.3
    (128 reviews)
    2.2 km
    $$

    My friend said "hey, wanna listen to some heavy music while having a good meal?" I wasn't sure of…read morethe music but I would never say no to good food. Last night my 3 friends and I visited this awesomely eclectic, dimmed lighted little dive on East Hastings Street. If you don't like heavy metal music then still run to this awesome little place to enjoy delicious homemade food. Service was prompt and friendly. Truly enjoyed looking at their decor of vintage animals and rock/heavy music. We had: Jackalopes Lager, Strathcona Pilsner and Pickle Back (Canadian Club Rye with a shot of pickle juice). My friend said the pickle juice made the Pickle Back surprisingly refreshing. The Rib Splitter: The blackberry bbq sauce ribs are insanely good. The meat just falls off the bone. The vegetables were seasoned perfectly and cooked to perfection. Loved the hot skillet that kept the mashed potatoes temperature hot/warm. Hands down, the best ribs in town. Bake-up the Dead: breaded chicken breast served with mashed potatoes and vegetables. The chicken was seasoned well and juicy. The house made gravy added another dimension and depth to the already perfectly cooked chicken. Veggie Burger: my friend said it was an excellent veggie burger in that the homemade patty was moist and very filling. Wouldn't miss beef eating this veggie burger. Bead pudding: 2oz of bourbon solidified this light and sweet dessert. My friends liked the bread pudding but I didn't as I usually don't like sweet bread. Hoping For another option on my next visit. There are vegan options so filling a range of eaters. Will be back to try the nachos and another supper meal. Tips: The tables in the back are not as loud with music compared to the front. Hastings Street is now all meter parking so go to the side streets. Weekend open till midnight.

    After not coming here for over a decade, looks like they revamped the place and totally went for…read morethe goth feel. Pretty neat. Parking is available on the side streets. The place is really dim and they play a lot of heavy metal music. Staff are friendly. Buddy and I had the Slaughter house platter which serves 2 people. Ribs, slices of brisket, pulled pork, and some salt & pepper wings. Comes with carrots and onions and turnip(?) and potato wedges. Decent amount of food. Definitely left satisfied. I'd come back for more BBQ goodness. Food is solid. Recommended.

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    Bar
    Bar
    Baptized in beef
    Baptized in beef
    Front of restaurant~

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    Front of restaurant~
    Hariyali Express Indian Cuisine & Bar

    Hariyali Express Indian Cuisine & Bar

    4.7
    (26 reviews)
    3.4 km

    Nice norther Indian style thali for lunch. Friendly staff, and decent food. I suspect that it's…read moremore of a hipster bar in the evenings, as they specialize in Cocktails. Not the most amazing Indian food I've tasted, but overall fairly tasty. I prefer South Indian offerings, but... Had a lamb thali and my wife had a veg thali. Only two dishes on the thali plate, where I would normally expect a couple more. The vegetable salad was a definite weak point, as it was just a few scraps of inexplicably blanched peppers and cucumber. Ample servings of the mains though. Price point was a little higher than I would have thought for a lunch special.

    Hariyali Express is definitely a hidden gem, it looked like a simple Indian restaurant from the…read moreoutside but their interiors were gorgeous with amazing wall art and paintings. It looked like a small place from the outside but they cater to bigger groups as well - we were a group of 10 that went there on a Sunday night. The restaurant wasn't too crowded. Their food was incredible! I only got one of their cocktails - the mithai wala which came with rose petals and a vodka base. It was delicious, I would recommend! For food, we got their achari chicken from their tandoor menu. It was really good, we went for a medium spice level for it but I think we could have done hot. The flavours were really good and chicken was cooked very well! We also got their kathal tikka (which is basically jackfruit), it's so hard to find that in Vancouver but Hariyali did an incredible job! Everyone on the table were a big fan of it! Their menu is pretty big and we didn't get a lot of their items but I will definitely come back to try more things. It is also pretty affordable! Would recommend a visit!

    Photos
    Group seating
    Group seating
    Aloo Tikki Chaat at Hariyali Express Indian Restaurant.
    Aloo Tikki Chaat at Hariyali Express Indian Restaurant.
    Goan Sunset

Tamarind, Pineapple oleo saccharum, Acid adjusted Pineapple, Soda.

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    Goan Sunset Tamarind, Pineapple oleo saccharum, Acid adjusted Pineapple, Soda.
    Dragon Bowl

    Dragon Bowl

    2.5
    (2 reviews)
    11.3 km

    I'd been itching to try Dragon Bowl and then when Chinese New Year came and we entered the year of…read morethe Dragon, I really really wanted to go! Finally made it here. Chinese food can often be quite greasy but this food was not, and I loved that about it. This location in New Westminster is the second location of Dragon Bowl. I love how the bowls are customizable. There are options for omnivores, vegetarians and even vegans. You can also get bubble tea drinks here. Dakasi bubble tea was in this space previously but it seems that you can still get their drinks here as all of the cups have the Dakasi name printed on them. The people working here were friendly and polite; however, I do think they could have been a bit more helpful when it came to food selection. My bowl of food came with a "vegetable" soup and as they knew that I had ordered a Vegan bowl I would have thought that if the soup contained meat in it, they would inform me of it. It was only when I sat down to drink my soup and saw pieces of meat in it that I realized it was not a meat free vegetable soup. I ended up giving the rest of the soup to my daughter. Also, there was a bean curd product that looked like noodles which I selected for my bowl. This item turned out to be quite spicy. I was able to tolerate the spice level but with any food item that's spicy, I think it would be good for a shop to give the customer some warning about it. My daughter was sharing this bowl with me, and she had more troubles than me with handling the spice level. Aside from the soup and spice blunders, I did enjoy the food here and would most certainly come back again. I chose to go Vegan for this visit but the marinated egg looked very tempting so I may choose to go Vegetarian next time! Service: Could have been better Parking: Free parking on the side streets Location: 406 6th St., New Westminster

    Charged 65.00 dollars on Uber and did not get any food. I contacted the merchant and although they…read moreacknowledged my order they would not deliver my Food heads up in case you plan on ordering from this establishment they are very unethical

    Photos
    Dragon Bowl
    Dragon Bowl
    Dragon Bowl

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    Motonobu Udon - japanese - Updated July 2026

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