Udonya Japanese Restaurant — Restaurant in Beyoğlu

일본인이 운영하는 곳이라 그런지 라면맛이 아주 좋습니다. Udonya Japanese Restaurant is a hidden gem in Istanbul, tucked away in a quiet neighborhood. The restaurant is run by a Japanese owner, and the authentic cuisine and attention to detail make it a standout in the city's food scene.

One of the highlights of Udonya Japanese Restaurant is its delicious ramen dishes. The noodles are made fresh in-house and the broth is simmered for hours, resulting in a rich and flavorful base. The menu offers a variety of options, from classic tonkotsu ramen to spicy miso ramen, and each dish is beautifully presented.

But what sets Udonya Japanese Restaurant apart from other ramen spots in the city is its attention to detail. The restaurant's Japanese owner takes great care in sourcing high-quality ingredients, and the flavors are spot-on. The staff is also knowledgeable and passionate about the food, making recommendations and explaining the nuances of each dish.

The atmosphere at Udonya Japanese Restaurant is cozy and intimate, with just a few tables and bar seating. The decor is simple and understated, allowing the food to take center stage. The restaurant is perfect for a casual lunch or dinner, or for a cozy night out with friends.

In summary, Udonya Japanese Restaurant is a must-visit spot for ramen lovers in Istanbul. With its authentic cuisine, attention to detail, and cozy atmosphere, it's a standout in the city's food scene. Don't miss the chance to try the delicious ramen dishes – you won't be disappointed. And, as an added bonus, the fact that it's run by a Japanese owner adds an extra level of authenticity to...

Great and kind service; Not so great food (please read further)!

I went there on a Tuesday afternoon around 8pm. I was seated right away. I chose to sit on the little terrace what turned out to be a bad decision. I could’ve thought about it that it wouldn’t be as cozy as inside. So that’s on me.

After a quick skim on the menu, I ordered theTakoyaki as a starter and the Tenten Ramen as a main dish. Paired it just with an iced oolong tea.

The takoyaki weren’t as good as I had imagined and tried at other locations. The octopus was to chewy which gave it a horrible mouth feeling.

Hence, I was looking forward to the Ramen! But the tenten ramen which where supposed to be a smooth sesame broth wasn’t like that at all. Chilli powder was also overused which made it unpleasant at multiple times. The egg was over cooked and the garnish not pleasant as well. The noodles were okay but I had better.

However the iced oolong was very good but unfortunately nothing special.

I didn’t have to wait too little or too long for my food. Which could indicate that it was made by order.

Overall I am a bit disappointed, since I assumed that in a place where the servers and the clientele seem to be Japanese/Asian looking, it would be great.

But now for the reason why it might not be entirely bad.

It could be a great place for sushi. And that could be their bestseller and I just ordered the wrong things. Nevertheless I expected more and better.

What I paid was not...

Having been stuck in Asia Minor for over a year due to COVID-19, we were deeply craving some real deal Japanese Izakaya type food and also wanting to sample some soba and sushi.

Is this place authentic? Yes. In fact when we went there it looked like the only people patronizing it were a hand full of Japanese business travelers staying at or near the hotel.

(And yet people also eat airport food, when there's no better choice...)

Is this place good? Sadly, we'd judge it as mediocre at best and definitely not worth the money. To put it bluntly, this place wouldn't last a week in any city with a sizable Japanese population and a larger choice of restaurants. The soba was completely without flavor like it came out of one of those prepackaged bags at the grocery store and the sushi fish, particularly the squid and octopus, was completely stale and rubbery.

But this is Istanbul, where choices for international cuisines are extremely limited, with most East or Southeast Asian offerings being co-opted, Turkish run joints.

We learned a good lesson with this dinner about Turkey that we should have learned months ago — when among the Turks, just forget about other cuisines (unless you plan to cook them yourself) and focus on what the Turkish have to offer from their own. But also realize that the best food in this country is never in restaurants, but rather at family gatherings and...