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    Motonobu Udon

    4.2 (137 reviews)
    Open 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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    Miku

    Miku

    4.4
    (2.6k reviews)
    6.2 km
    $$$

    Vancouver truly lives up to its reputation as a food paradise in Western Canada, with a diverse…read morearray of culinary delights. If you're ever in Vancouver, you absolutely can't miss Miku, the Japanese restaurant next to Canada Place! This restaurant is incredibly popular, often requiring a wait, so reservations are highly recommended. This time, I managed to book a window seat a week in advance for the weekend! The renowned Miku restaurant undoubtedly boasts a beautiful view from its windows, excellent service, and of course, delicious food. Their seared sushi is particularly famous. From appetizers to main courses to desserts, the dining experience was very enjoyable. Their signature dessert, Green Tea Opera, is highly recommended!

    Located next to Canada Place, this Japanese restaurant specializes in seared sushi and is even…read morerecommended by Michelin The restaurant offers views of Burrard Inlet right outside its windows. We recommend sitting by the window or at the sushi bar, where you can watch the chefs prepare the seared sushi right before your eyes. Tip: If you're looking for high-quality, elegant Japanese cuisine with a touch of innovation, Miku is an excellent choice. It's almost always fully booked, so be sure to make a reservation in advance. Request a window seat to enjoy the waterfront view while savoring your meal--it's well worth it!

    Photos
    Inside the restaurant
    Inside the restaurant
    Spicy edamame (CAD $8)
    Spicy edamame (CAD $8)
    Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)

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    Little emperor (CAD $10) and Aka miso old fashioned (CAD $24)
    Guu with Garlic

    Guu with Garlic

    4.3
    (1.1k reviews)
    7.7 km
    $$

    A coworker and I went to this place (thanks to Yelp reviews)…read more Really good and fresh fish. Super friendly staff

    Maybe it's an American thing to linger and enjoy a dining experience. To stay longer than needed to…read moresoak up the ambiance and give a good moment some extra time for memories. But in other parts of the world the meal is what's important and so is a quick turn around. Guu with Garlic reminded me a lot of the Izakaya restaurants I found under the train lines of Tokyo in many ways, including the amount of time it felt right to stay. The food came out quick, the servers took orders quicker, and the alcohol came out chilled and as nice contrast to the hot food. Looking around and you see the hand written menu on blackboard surfaces on the walls and this feeling of authenticity. The heat of the flames from the kitchen can be felt and seen if you sit at the bar. And the flavors just hit all the right notes. Starting with appetizers, a section izakayas shine at, the first dish we got was their scallop and mayo pizza. With a crispy crunch on the bottom and crust, this reminds you of the flavors of a baked volcano roll or scallop roll you can find in almost any North American sushi restaurant. Just like that dish, it's important to eat it while it's still hot so it doesn't get gross and 느끼 에. Then came the yellowtail tuna "tempura" pieces. Thick pieces of yellowtail tuna flash fried for just the right crisp on the outside with slight pink of the fish inside. It is meaty without being oily or fatty. Great bite. The beef tongue after was interesting. From the color of the sauce it accompanies it you would think it would be heavy in flavor but it is actually light and citrusy. A good cut into the richer tones of the beef tongue. The yaki udon was one of the best I ever had. It was smokey without being overpowering. The beef was thin and tender and balanced well with the mushrooms it also came with. The udon noodles stayed bouncy and chewy which I didn't expect from being grilled. Very tasty and highly recommend this dish. For our final bite we shared a hot stone bowl of their pork and cabbage rice. With the hot stone bowl constantly cooking even after this dish arrived it was imperative to stir the ingredients together constantly for the first two minutes. It allowed for the runny egg to meld with the rice and the crispy texture of some ingredients was a nice bonus. All in all, I loved eating here and if my appetite was bigger I would've tried more on their menu. A solid place to eat with a great atmosphere, if you're looking for delicious food that won't take too much of your time but still lingers in your memories you have to check out Guu with Garlic.

    Photos
    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    Same decor as 20+yrs ago when this was our go-to place for drinks & snacks!!
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    The delicious individual bite of their yellowfin tuna tempura
    Una-Meshi

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    Una-Meshi
    Saku

    Saku

    4.5
    (525 reviews)
    7.6 km
    $$

    First time at this Japanese restaurant, and it was really great!…read more Signature Japanese Fried Pork Cutlet Rosu Katsu $27 This time I was smarter and ordered the cut with a good balance of fat and lean meat. The moment I bit into it, it was bursting with juice! The meat was incredibly thick but not dry at all, and the outer skin was crispy like snowflakes. The first bite was amazing; I've never had such a delicious pork cutlet in Shanghai. Curry Pork Cutlet Rosu Curry $29.5 My friend ordered the curry pork cutlet today, and it was surprisingly excellent! The curry flavor was incredibly rich and full-bodied. Wrapped in the crispy pork cutlet and eaten with rice, it was pure carb bliss! Freshly Ground Sesame Powder I have to praise their freshly ground sesame powder; the aroma of the sesame seeds you grinded yourself was a real highlight. * With lemon salt: Refreshing and original, a perfect way to cut through the richness! * With barbecue sauce: Mixed with sesame powder, the flavors develop layer by layer. With two flavors to choose from, it's really hard to stop! I'll definitely come back to try it again next time.

    A must visit if you are a katsu fan! I ordered the Ebi and Hotate Katsu Curry. The katsu was…read moredeliciously crispy on the outside, but juicy on the inside. The portion was massive - it came with 3 huge prawns and 2 juicy scallops. I barely made a dent in my food and went home with a very full box of leftovers. Saku generously provides unlimited refills on their miso soup and cabbage salad. The cabbage salad with homemade sesame dressing was especially addicting! I could eat it for days. Service was attentive and the restaurant decor was sleek and modern. I will absolutely be back next time I'm in Vancouver!

    Photos
    Inside
    Inside
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu set with refillable soup, rice and salad
    Zenbu katsu

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    Zenbu katsu
    Okeya Kyujiro

    Okeya Kyujiro

    4.8
    (42 reviews)
    6.7 km

    I made a reservation at Okeya Kyujiro for my partner's 40th birthday, and he had the best time…read more Honestly, it was one of the most memorable omakase experiences I've had in Vancouver. Okeya Kyujiro is a Michelin one-star theatrical omakase restaurant, and when they say theatrical, they mean it! From the moment you're welcomed by smiling ushers in kimono to the closing tea ceremony, every movement feels intentional, precise, and elevated. The ambiance is serene and anticipatory. At the start, guests sit in silence as a black screen conceals the chefs. You see their shadows moving behind it. A bell rings, the screen lifts, and the performance begins. Dinner is a 25+ course experience priced at $325 per person. It's undeniably a splurge, but for a milestone celebration, it feels justified. The menu is seafood-forward, with many ingredients flown in from Japan. Each ingredient is presented before preparation, then carefully assembled and served directly from chef to guest. Courses arrive one by one, never rushed. The service team moves seamlessly in the background, refilling water and attending to drinks (available as an add-on) without disrupting the flow. The finale is a matcha ceremony, whisked in front of you with the same quiet precision that defines the evening. When the final sip is taken, the bell chimes once more, the chefs and staff bow, and the screens close. It was a beautifully choreographed dining experience, perfect for marking a special moment, and one I'd gladly return to for the next celebration.

    We visit this Michelin 1 star restaurant for their 15-course omakase lunch set at $180 per person…read more We were greeted at the store front and seated for our 12:15pm booking. Total 10 guests today. Looks like 4 more guests can be served for the maximum seating. The server came by when the course is served to explain each item. The appetizers have three dishes. The tempura is freshly made and hot. The cooked fish tastes a bit fishy to my likely. The chawanmushi is lukewarm which I wish to be hotter. It then follows by 8 nigiri sushi with brown rice - really like the texture and (small) portion of rice with each nigiri. Fresh ingredients. I asked for low sodium option however the first few nigiri is a bit too salty and I have notified the server so the chef can adjust immediately. I enjoy the Hokkaido uni nigiri the last smoked fish nigiri the most. The fresh crab and salmon roe rice and beef soba noodles at the end have a nice touch of finesse. There are a number of birthday celebrations and they asked for names to acknowledge and celebrate the birthdays. A little musical piano "performance" for the happy birthday song. Matcha green tea is served at the end to wrap up the omakase. Overall an enjoyable experience but not necessarily impressive as a Michelin 1 star restaurant. At this price point it's worth a try however not likely regular visit.

    Photos
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Inside the waiting area before being taken to your seat.
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    Lychee jelly w/ brown sugar syrup, ginger icecream monaka, crown melon + japanese orange
    A5 wagyu sukiyaki

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    A5 wagyu sukiyaki
    Guu Original Thurlow

    Guu Original Thurlow

    4.1
    (841 reviews)
    7.1 km
    $$

    Found this little Izakaya spot while visiting Vancouver and it was such a great experience. It's as…read moreauthentic as it gets and reminds me a lot of Japan when I visited in 2025. This place gets busy, so I highly recommend reserving a table online (via OpenTable) but we did show up early to see if there was walk-in seating available. Luckily, we did get the last 2 seats at the bar. The staff are so friendly and cheery. They greet customers that come in and thank every customer when they leave. People who haven't been to an izakaya may think it's loud and noisy, but the point of izakayas is they're supposed to be vibrant, high energy, and filled with cheerful chatter. Think of a tapas-style pub/bar for people to unwind and gather to chat after a long day at work. I loved the atmosphere, as it's casual, entertaining, and lively. The food was great and I couldn't think of a dish I didn't like. The sashimi were so fresh and high quality. Of course they use freshly grated wasabi too. The hanger steak was cooked perfectly and super tender and flavorful. The saba mackerel is grilled to perfection and reminds me of the ones I ate in Japan. I'm not a big fan of bonito but the yaki udon was so tasty, I still ate it with the bonito flakes on top! I would love to come back or go to their Toronto (closer to me) location next!

    I came here for dinner on a weeknight with two foodie friends of mine. Said friends lived in Japan…read morefor over a decade and they've dined here often in the past, saying it's very "authentic" Izakaya and it reminds them of their past life in Japan (which they miss a lot). Me, I know nothing about Izakaya or what is or isn't authentic Japanese cuisine, so this review is coming from someone with zero knowledge or expectation of any specific foods or experiences. Despite it being a weeknight, the place was packed. It was good that we had a reservation. There was a couple in line before me and they were walk-ins, and there were no available seats for them. I noted how small this place was, and crowded, with the tables close together and a long bar with a counter and barstools there (also close together). Our reserved table was right by the front door - literally, - so every time the door opened, we got a gust of cold air (and it was a cold February night when we were there). I kept my coat on. Truth be known, I was not very comfortable. Also, it was loud. Very loud. I like how the staff shout Japanese greetings to diners whenever they enter but between the frequent shouts and the sheer volume of chatter from all the diners, all sitting close together in close proximity, it was kinda hard to hear what my friends were saying during our dinner. That said, the environment was super vibrant and, again, my friends said this was very typical of an Izakaya in Japan. Food-wise, I have no idea what my friends ordered. The menu was primarily available by way of a QR code and I had no idea what the dishes were, so I deferred to my friends' knowledge. But I can attest that all the dishes were DELICIOUS. We had some sort of Japanese street food "pancakes" (they were wonderful). We had some sort of stirfry beef with noodles (amazing). We had two types of sashimi (omg both were so fresh and so so good!). We had a few other dishes that I can't recall, but I remember I loved them. So.... the food here was GREAT. Service was also attentive which I hadn't expected, being as busy as the restaurant was. I really liked this place but I'll probably go back in the summertime when the weather is nicer as I was cold there, and I'd dine at an off-time, when the volume wasn't so loud. (I'm too old for the loudness!).

    Photos
    Guu Original Thurlow
    Fried pork belly
    Fried pork belly
    Eel with rice

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    Eel with rice

    Motonobu Udon - japanese - Updated July 2026

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