Marugame Seimen

Udon and Tempura made from scratch before your eyes

Michael Flemming Dec 21, 2013 - 1 min read

<p>Marugame Seimen is a chain of cafeteria style udon and tempura restaurants where diners can see the entire process of preparation from basic ingredients to preparation to display</p>

<p>The menu board and display placards are strictly in Japanese, but there is a laminated flyer available that shows all offerings with descriptions in English and Korean</p>

<p>This is the regular size Bukkake Udon for 280 yen, shown here hot in a light sauce with green onions</p>

<p>Udon noodles are created and boiled, and tempura is sliced, breaded and fried right before your eyes</p>

<p>The mesmerizing activity in the kitchen tends to slow down the line of customers that enjoy the show rather than slide their tray to the cash register</p>

<p>Kamatama and Mentai Kamatama Udon dishes get topped with a raw egg</p>

<p>Select tumpura as an add on to your udon; Marugame Seimen only makes 2 or 3 of each type at a time to ensure freshness</p>

<p>Pumpkin tempura is a popular choice</p>

<p>My wife and I enjoyed Kamatama Udon and Bukkake Udon with one piece of tempura which we shared with our six year old son all for 810 yen </p>

<p>Very nice and clean tatame style seating is available as are traditional tables and bar stool seating</p>

<p>Top off your udon with radish or other compliments</p>

I'm kind of a food voyeur. I like seeing exactly how a meal is created. That's why I enjoy eating at sushi and teppanyaki restaurants. Marugame Seimen in Okinawa City and locations nationwide makes udon and tempura from scratch from its wide open kitchen. Grab a tray, choose from eight hot or cold udon varieties, then add toppings and tempura to complete the meal. Marugame Seimen in Okinawa City is located on the west side of Route 75 about 100 meters south of the intersection with Route 224 next to a pachinko parlor. The restaurant is open 11:00 ~ 22:00 daily and only accepts yen.

Michael Flemming @michael.flemming

I'm a wanderer in Okinawa turning over every stone I can find. I write, photograph and blog about my favorite finds here in Japan's southernmost prefecture.