Kamaiki — Restaurant in Nara

Kamaiki is a renowned udon restaurant located at 13-2 Higashimuki Minamimachi in Nara, Japan. Established in February 2016, it has quickly become a favorite among both locals and tourists for its authentic Japanese udon dishes.

Menu and Specialties: Kamaiki is celebrated for its homemade udon noodles, freshly prepared every morning. The menu features a variety of udon dishes, often accompanied by tempura. Diners have praised the rich broths and the quality of the tempura, highlighting the harmonious blend of flavors.

Ambiance and Service: The restaurant offers a sleek and modern interior, with seating arrangements that include long communal tables. The atmosphere is casual and welcoming, making it suitable for both solo diners and groups. Staff members are noted for their friendliness and attentiveness, contributing to a pleasant dining experience.

Location and Accessibility: Conveniently situated near the Kintetsu Nara Station, Kamaiki is easily accessible for visitors exploring Nara. Its central location makes it a practical choice for those looking to enjoy a traditional meal amidst their sightseeing activities.

Operating Hours: Kamaiki operates during lunch and dinner hours, typically from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM and 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM. However, it's advisable to check the latest operating hours before planning your visit, as they may vary.

In summary, Kamaiki offers a delightful udon dining experience in Nara, combining freshly made noodles with a welcoming atmosphere. It's a must-visit spot for those seeking authentic Japanese cuisine...

We happened across this place after walking through from the Kofuku-ji temple complex - it's right opposite a branch of Macdonalds in the shopping arcade, so you can't miss it. The style of food is no frills, and the general ambience is a little like a canteen, but I'd heartily recommend choosing this as your place to eat in Nara: the staff (ALL the staff) who work there cheerily call out the usual "arigato gozaimasu!" to every customer as they leave, but there's an added feeling of care in this place - you almost feel like your favourite aunt is slipping you an extra rice ball with your meal, just to make sure you've eaten enough! I had udon noodles in a wakame/dashi broth with tempura plum and tempura plain mochi (rice cake), which was exactly the starch hit I needed, and my partner had chicken curry udon soup, which had just the right Japanese curry...

It was a rainy morning so we decided to get some udon. We were lucky to get a table for 2 without a queue as we arrived there at 11am. Since it was raining, without a doubt, we ordered some piping hot udon. We ordered the Nabeyaki Udon and Spicy Nabeyaki Udon, with an added topping of rice cake. Let me tell you, the noodle? The right amount of chewiness. The broth? Clear but full of depth. The toppings? Cherry to the ice-cream. The tempura rice cake almost sent me to heaven (only if you like chewy food)

FYI, the spicy Nabeyaki udon isn’t spicy at all, but it definitely added some kick to the soup. The soup itself is already amazing. They even sell their Dashi stock so you can make your own soup dish! If you are coming in a party of 2 especially in a chilly weather, definitely order...