🇧🇷 Udon noodles | Keito (Pub Kei)

🍜 Keito (Pub Kei): São Paulo’s Premium Udon Experience with a Price Tag Tucked inside Top Center Shopping on Avenida Paulista, Keito serves up the priciest udon I’ve found in SP—but does it live up to the hype? 💰 Here’s the real talk on whether this Japanese joint is worth splurging on (and why I’m still mourning that closed Korean udon spot). 🌟 The Udon: Soup Goals, Noodle Flaws Rich, Slurp-Worthy Broth: The star of the show! 🍲 Whether you pick miso, shoyu, or dashi, the broth is deeply flavorful—like it’s been simmering for days. Pro tip: order extra green onions to amp up the umami. Texture Trade-off: The hot udon is too soft for my taste. 🍜 It lacks the chewy bounce that makes udon addictive. Go for the cold udon instead—its firmness holds up better, especially with a dipping sauce. 🚩 Mixed Reviews on Tempura & Nostalgia Tender Tempura, Meh Shrimp: The veggie tempura is light and crispy, but the shrimp inside? 🦐 Not exactly bouncy. It’s like they forgot the "Q" in Q —edible, but not memorable. RIP to the Legendary Korean Udon: Remember that tiny Korean joint across from Climação Garden Hotel? 😭 Their udon was life-changing—chewy noodles, explosive broth, gone too soon. Keito makes me miss it even more. 💰 Is the Omakase Worth It? Surprisingly Reasonable Tasting Menu: For around R$150–200, you get a curated spread of sashimi, tempura, and a udon finale. 🎎 Portions are modest, but the quality is solid—better value than ordering a la carte. Pro Tip: Skip the solo udon bowl (R$95 is steep) and opt for the omakase to spread the cost across multiple dishes. 📍 Practical Notes for Your Visit Location & Vibe: Inside a mall, so don’t expect cozy izakaya vibes. 🏬 It’s more "convenient lunch spot" than "authentic Japanese experience". Staff Knowledge: The team knows their menu—ask for cold udon recommendations or how to customize your broth. 👏 Post-Meal Stroll: Walk off the udon coma on Avenida Paulista—window shopping at luxury stores helps justify the splurge. 💬 Final Slurp Keito serves good udon, but not great udon—especially at that price. Go if: You’re dying for udon in central SP and money isn’t an issue You want to try a budget-friendly omakase You need a mall restaurant that’s fancier than food court fare Skip if: You crave chewy, authentic udon texture You’re still mourning that closed Korean spot (same, friend, same) P.S. If anyone finds another hidden udon gem in SP, please—send help. 🍜✨ #SaoPauloUdon #JapaneseFoodSP #PremiumNoodles #OmakaseExperience #FoodieNostalgia