MARUGAME UDON Introduce
For those in California with a craving for authentic Japanese comfort food, specifically hearty and delicious noodles, look no further than MARUGAME UDON in San Diego. This globally renowned Japanese restaurant brings the unique experience of freshly made Sanuki-style udon and crispy tempura right to your neighborhood. Forget pre-made, bland noodles; at Marugame Udon, the magic happens right before your eyes, offering a culinary spectacle that’s as delightful as the food itself.
MARUGAME UDON is celebrated for its commitment to traditional Japanese culinary practices, particularly the art of making Sanuki udon. This style of udon is known for its thick, chewy texture and the noodles are made from scratch daily, ensuring unparalleled freshness and flavor. Paired with rich, flavorful broths and an array of perfectly fried tempura, Marugame Udon provides a comforting and satisfying meal that transports you straight to Japan with every bite. The interactive "theater kitchen" concept, where you can watch the chefs at work, adds to the immersive and enjoyable dining experience.
MARUGAME UDON is ideally situated at 4353 La Jolla Village Dr Suite H28, San Diego, CA 92122, USA. This prime location places it within the bustling Westfield UTC shopping mall in University City, a vibrant and easily accessible area for residents across San Diego and visitors alike. The mall setting offers numerous benefits for diners, including ample parking availability in the mall's parking structures, making your visit convenient and stress-free. Westfield UTC is a major retail and dining destination, well-served by public transportation, further enhancing the accessibility of Marugame Udon for anyone looking to enjoy a delicious Japanese meal. Its central location makes it a perfect stop during a shopping trip or as a dedicated dining outing.
MARUGAME UDON provides a streamlined and enjoyable dining experience through its unique service model:
- Cafeteria-Style Dining: Customers move through a line, choosing their udon base, then selecting fresh tempura items and other sides displayed cafeteria-style.
- Handcrafted Udon: Watch as skilled chefs prepare fresh Sanuki-style udon noodles right in front of you in the open kitchen.
- Freshly Fried Tempura: A wide variety of tempura items, including shrimp, sweet potato, chicken, and unique offerings like tamagoyaki (fried egg omelette), are continuously fried and available for selection.
- Customizable Bowls: After selecting your udon and tempura, you can customize your bowl with a range of complimentary condiments like green onions and tempura flakes.
- Dine-In: Enjoy your meal in the casual and lively dining area.
- Takeout: Convenient takeout options are available, with broth often packaged separately to maintain noodle quality.
- Delivery Services: Marugame Udon partners with popular delivery platforms like DoorDash and Uber Eats, allowing you to enjoy their fresh udon and tempura from the comfort of your home.
MARUGAME UDON distinguishes itself with several key features that make it a local favorite:
- Freshly Made Udon Noodles: The cornerstone of Marugame Udon is its commitment to making udon noodles from scratch, several times a day. This dedication ensures a superior texture and freshness that stands out.
- "Theater Kitchen" Concept: The open kitchen design allows customers to watch the entire process of udon making, from kneading the dough to cutting and boiling the noodles, providing an engaging and transparent dining experience.
- Diverse Tempura Selection: Beyond the udon, the tempura bar is a major draw. Reviewers consistently praise the perfectly breaded and fresh tempura, with popular items including shrimp, sweet potato, and chicken katsu.
- Rich and Flavorful Broths: Marugame Udon offers a variety of broths, including their signature dashi, creamy Tonkotsu, spicy Tan Tan (vegan option available), and savory curry, each crafted to complement their fresh noodles. Popular choices like the Nikutama Udon (with runny egg yolk, tender meat, and tempura flakes) and Beef Udon are customer favorites.
- Affordable and Generous Portions: Despite the high quality and freshness, Marugame Udon is known for offering good portion sizes at reasonable prices, making it an excellent value for a satisfying meal.
- Friendly and Efficient Service: The cafeteria-style setup allows for quick service, even during busy periods. Customers frequently praise the helpful and courteous staff, with shout-outs to team members like Allan, the store manager, for their exceptional service.
- Consistent Quality: Many customers who have visited Marugame Udon locations elsewhere (like Hawaii) note the consistent quality and flavor, assuring San Diego locals of an authentic experience.
While specific promotions can change, MARUGAME UDON is known for occasionally offering special deals that enhance the value of your dining experience. For the most current and accurate information on any promotions or special offers, it is always recommended to:
- Check their Official Website: Marugame Udon's official website is the best source for current promotions.
- Follow their Social Media: Many restaurants announce limited-time offers or seasonal specials on their social media channels.
- Sign Up for Email Newsletters: Joining their mailing list can provide you with exclusive offers and updates directly to your inbox.
- Inquire In-Store: Don't hesitate to ask the staff about any ongoing specials or loyalty programs when you visit.
Past promotions at various locations have included grand opening deals, limited-time seasonal udon bowls, or combo offers. Keeping an eye out for these can make your next visit even more rewarding!
Ready to slurp some delicious udon? Here's how you can connect with MARUGAME UDON in San Diego:
Address: 4353 La Jolla Village Dr suite H28, San Diego, CA 92122, USA
Phone: (858) 433-5777
MARUGAME UDON is an absolute gem for San Diego locals, offering a refreshing and authentic Japanese dining experience that stands apart. For residents who appreciate quality, freshness, and value, Marugame Udon hits all the right notes. The transparency of their "theater kitchen" provides an engaging and unique element that builds trust and excitement, demonstrating their commitment to quality by showing the noodle-making process firsthand. The ability to customize your udon bowl with a wide array of freshly fried tempura means every visit can be a new culinary adventure, perfectly tailored to your preferences.
Beyond the food, the friendly and efficient service, combined with the accessible location within Westfield UTC, makes MARUGAME UDON a convenient and reliable choice for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or a casual gathering with friends and family. It offers the comfort of a traditional Japanese meal without the fuss, providing a taste of Japan that’s both authentic and approachable. Whether you're a long-time udon enthusiast or new to the world of Japanese noodles, Marugame Udon delivers a consistently delicious, affordable, and delightful experience that will undoubtedly make it a regular stop for many San Diegans.
MARUGAME UDON Menu
Featured
- Creamy Broth Udon-Tonkotsu Style
Creamy chicken broth, topped with juicy pork chashu, and a flavorful seasoned egg
- Miso Udon
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our savory vegan miso broth
- Premium Tendon US$21.26
A premium bowl with two crispy shrimp tempura and a seasoned egg, finished with our rich dashi sauce
- Tendon US$18.29
Crispy seasonal tempura over rice, finished with our rich, dashi-infused sauce
- Nikutama
Our Sanuki-style Udon served in our Umami-rich (flavor-packed) sauce. Can be enjoyed hot or cold
Udon
- Nikutama
Our Sanuki-style Udon served in our Umami-rich (flavor-packed) sauce. Can be enjoyed hot or cold
- Creamy Broth Udon-Tonkotsu Style
Served in our Tokotsu style Paitan soup with Kakuni Chashu and Seasoned egg.
- Miso Udon
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our savory vegan miso broth
- Beef
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our dashi (traditional Japanese broth) topped with our sweet beef
- Kitsune
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our dashi (traditional Japanese broth) topped with our Kitsune-Age (sweet fried tofu)
- Shrimp BK
Served in our BK sauce with 2 pcs of shrimp.
- Tan Tan (Vegan)
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our spicy Japanese-style sesame chili broth with ground spicy soy meat and bok choy
- Curry Nikutama
Our Sanuki-style Udon served in our Japanese curry sauce.
- Curry
Our Sanuki-style Udon served in our Japanese curry sauce
- Kake
Our Sanuki-Style Udon served in our dashi (traditional Japanese broth)
- B.K.
Our Sanuki-style Udon served in our Umami-rich (flavor-packed) BK sauce. Can be enjoyed hot or cold
Rice Bowls
- Premium Tendon US$21.26
Served with our signature tempura sauce over white rice topped with tempura of two Shrimp, Chicken, Sweet Potato, Zucchini, Seasoned Egg
- Tendon US$18.29
Served with our signature tempura sauce over white rice topped with tempura of Shrimp, Squid, Sweet Potato, Zucchini, Tamagoyaki
- Chicken Katsu Curry US$17.08
Our crispy chicken katsu served over white rice and topped with our Japanese curry sauce. Sanuki-Way (Each udon/rice order already comes with complimentary scallions and tempura flakes)
- Chicken Katsu Teriyaki US$16.67
Our crispy chicken katsu served over white rice or udon noodles topped wirh our mirin glaze. Sanuki-Way (Each udon/rice order already comes with complimentary scallions and tempura flakes)
- Beef Gyudon US$16.67
Our signature sweet beef served over white rice and topped with black pepper sauce. Sanuki-Way (Each udon/rice order already comes with complimentary scallions and tempura flakes)
Tempura
- Aspargus Tempura US$2.69
- Cajun Potatoes US$6.06
- Cheese Tempura US$3.04
- Chicken US$4.04
- Chicken Katsu US$6.74
- Gyoza (5) US$6.06
- Potato Croquette US$3.09
- Pumpkin Tempura US$2.69
- Sausage Tempura US$3.09
Traditional Japanese pork sausage
- Shrimp US$3.09
- Squid US$3.09
- Sweet Potato US$2.69
- Tamagoyaki US$4.04
Crispy tempura fried egg done omelette style with a slightly sweet flavor and custardy texture
- Zucchini US$2.69
Sides
- Fresh Veggies US$4.04
- Fireball US$1.01
MUSA's way to add some serious heat to any bowl. Our made-in-house spicy paste made from a blend of togarashi and gochujang.
- Sweet Beef US$8.09
Our made-in-house Sweet beef
- Seasoned Egg (1/2) US$2.69
- Soft Boiled Egg US$4.04
Our made-in-house slow cooked egg that has a custard-like texture.
- Kitsune Age US$4.85
- Chashu Pork (1 Piece) US$3.71
- Curry Sauce US$6.74
Our made-in-house beef curry sauce
- Dashi Broth US$4.44
Our made-in-house traditional Japanese Dashi (broth)
- B.K. Sauce US$4.39
Our made-in-house Umami-rich (flavor-packed) BK sauce
- Creamy Broth - Tonkotsu Style US$6.06
- Tan Tan Broth US$6.06
Sesame Chili Broth
- Extra Udon Noodles US$4.04
Our Sanuki-style Udon noodles
- White Rice US$4.04
Beverages
- Bottled Water US$2.36
- Coca-Cola/ Diet Coca-Cola
- Calamansi US$4.73
- Pineapple Sunrise US$4.73
A delectable beverage with a vibrant blend of sweet pineapple and tangy blood orange.
Utensil
- Chopsticks US$0.00
- Fork US$0.00
- Spoon US$0.00
- Knife US$0.00
Add a Side
- Extra Tempura Flakes US$0.00
- Extra Scallions US$0.00
- Add Ginger US$0.00
- Add Shichimi Pepper US$0.00
MARUGAME UDON Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Kerbside pickup
- No-contact delivery
- Delivery
- On-site services
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Popular for
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
Offerings
- Comfort food
- Healthy options
- Quick bite
Dining options
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Toilet
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Trendy
Crowd
- Family friendly
- Tourists
Planning
- Usually a wait
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
Children
- Good for kids
Parking
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Parking
MARUGAME UDON Photos










MARUGAME UDON Location
MARUGAME UDON
4353 La Jolla Village Dr suite H28, San Diego, CA 92122, USA
MARUGAME UDON Reviews
We LOVED Marugame in Hawaii and when we found out there was one in San Diego we were ecstatic! The noodles are a perfect texture and the broths in both of our bowls were amazing. Good portion for the prices and they offer a ton of different tempura items. The shrimp and sweet potato tempura were my favorites. Perfectly breaded. The only thing I was disappointed by was that they do not offer Spam musubi at this location like in Hawaii. I was looking forward to it. All in all would highly recommend if you are a noodle person.
May 20 · Kara Van TasselThis place is awesome. Rich broth. Tender meat. Incredible staff. Allan the store manager always goes above and beyond for the customers. 5/17 the gentleman working the dining area helped out a little girl carrying her tray and guided the family to the table.My only wish would be for a more robust condiment bar.Keep up the good work team !
May 25 · P. TranCame here on a Sunday night and there was a line out the door that seemed like there were 30 people in front of our party, but it went by pretty fast (~20 minutes from stepping in line to sitting down with my bowl). The staff is nice and super efficient with their service. The squid tempura was average, but the noodles were perfect and all the broths we tried were absolutely delicious! There's also a bar where you can add more spice and sauce if you need to. Great experience overall!
March 12 · Thuc Nhan TranThe noodles were bouncy and had good texture. The line was long but went quickly. The tempura stuff was my favorite part. Overall good value and food. But the meat was kind of too fatty. I get the hype for fresh made udon noodles though, definitely better than the packaged type.
March 05 · AJ CCelia helped us out knowing our options and providing us with an excellence experience! The other workers were great too from the udon guy, the duo working the initial orders, and the rest of the workers with cleaning and cooking.It’s a great way to get food, I love the cafeteria style, efficient.I’ll be coming back for more, especially for my favorite, the Nikutama! 🗣️‼️💕
April 17 · Andrew De Leon
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