Berlin's Handmade Udon Paradise

Shōdo Udon Lab🍜Adorable Raccoon-Themed Noodle Haven 📍 Restaurant: Shōdo Udon Lab Address: Simon-Dach-Straße 41, 10245 Berlin Why you must visit: Discovered on Instagram, this hidden Japanese noodle gem features a menu illustrated with an apron-wearing raccoon kneading dough. The shop smells of fresh wheat and exudes Japanese drama vibes ✨ The chef trained for 10 years at a Ginza udon shop in Tokyo, hand-kneading dough every morning at 4 AM for millimeter-precise thickness and chew! 🌟 Order like a pro: Three signature broths + secret tips 🍜 Signature Curry Udon Curry sauce simmered with 20 spices, mixed with ground beef and potato chunks, served over thick udon 🥔. The udon stays springy even after soaking up the curry, and the bonito flakes on top dance with the steam, releasing irresistible umami! (€18, served with half a soft-boiled egg) 🍵 Hot Soup Tempura Udon A clear yet flavorful kombu and bonito broth, with golden-fried shrimp tempura floating on top, crispy enough to hear a crunch when bitten 🦐. Choose between "rich" or "light" broth – go for rich with thick noodles to highlight the wheat aroma! (€16, tempura +€4) 🌿 Cold Yuzu Udon (Summer limited) Chilled dashi broth with udon noodles, drizzled with fresh yuzu juice, served with cucumber strips and seaweed 🌶️. Noodles are extra chewy after an ice bath, and the yuzu fragrance is refreshing for summer – but arrive early, it often sells out by afternoon! (€17) 💡 Pro tips from regulars Noodle texture customization: Ask for "hard " for chewier noodles, " for softer Tempura dipping trick: Besides eating with udon, try dipping tempura in the shop's special grated daikon soy sauce Instagram spots: Bar seats offer a view of the chef cutting noodles, and the raccoon illustration wall is perfect for Japanese-style food photos 📝 Practical info Price: €16-22 (Add-ons like tempura/egg will stretch the budget; students stick to basic options) Hours: 12:00-21:00 (Closed Mondays, expect queues after 13:00 on weekends) Hidden bonus: Wear Japanese-style clothing on the 15th of each month for a free limited-edition sakura mochi dessert! 🌙 What diners say "First time in Berlin to taste udon that sticks to chopsticks, the curry is so rich I wanted to lick the bowl" "The yuzu fragrance in cold udon is amazing, not heavy at all for summer" "The raccoon menu is too cute! The takeout box has hand-drawn udon illustrations – too precious to throw away!" #BerlinFood #JapaneseCuisine #UdonLove #BerlinEats #FoodieDiscoveries