Marugame Udon — Restaurant in Chino Hills

If you’re a fan of udon, this spot is a treasure trove of authentic Sanuki-style goodness. Having tasted Marugame Udon in both Hawaii and Japan, I can confidently say this is as close to the real deal as you can get without hopping on a plane.

The experience starts the moment you step into the bustling queue, which moves like clockwork despite the consistent crowds during lunch hours. The efficient service ensures you’re savoring your bowl of goodness in no time.

The beauty of this place is the versatility. If you’re in the mood for something light and comforting, the simple udon with its silky noodles and delicate broth is perfection. Add your choice of extras like a soft-boiled egg, thinly sliced beef, or crispy tempura to elevate the experience. Craving something more indulgent? Opt for the rich tan tan or curry bases, paired with tender chashu or savory beef, for a hearty, soul-satisfying meal.

Speaking of tempura, the offerings here are exceptional—light, crispy, and fried to golden perfection. Pair them with your udon or enjoy them as a side. The tempura shrimp, zucchini, and chicken are standout picks.

The flavors are spot on, the prices are reasonable, and the entire setup caters to both quick eats and heavy meals that truly hit the spot. Highly recommended for udon enthusiasts and anyone craving authentic Japanese...

Went here with my mother for the first time on New Year's Eve, as she said she was craving udon – and we were both thoroughly pleased with our meal! We each had the Nikutama, Chicken Katsu Teriyaki, and a few different tempura – everything was fresh, flavourful, and all around fairly reasonably priced considering the state of the economy right now. The service was exemplary as well, both in friendliness and attentiveness; the employees were happy to answer questions and constantly moving through the tables to check on folks or whisk away empty trays and dishes.

Atmosphere, however, gets a 4/5 simply out of personal preference – the restaurant is small, which means it gets very crowded and very noisy quickly, especially given how popular it seems to be (it was PACKED during the early evening on New Year's Eve). As someone with sensory issues, it was difficult to really enjoy my time there. This is in no way a critique of the restaurant, but moreso a word of caution to others with sensory issues – it can be overstimulating and trigger an overload, so consider ordering out, or taking something to help focus/ground yourself if you eat in! In my opinion, the food is definitely worth it, if you can handle crowds and a somewhat fluctuating...

Non-native English speakers, do not come to this restaurant. There is a discriminatory employee here. The rude staff member at the counter couldn’t understand what we were saying while ordering, so they switched to another person to help. They even said in front of us that they couldn’t understand us and mocked us. Is this how Japanese companies manage their employees? Allowing them to mock others without any sense of professionalism or proper training? Do you think we could enjoy our meal under such circumstances? This employee needs proper training and should not be working at the counter. From start to finish, there was no smile. Even the staff clearing the tables offered more friendly service. I’ve visited other branches before, and they listened to us carefully and smiled. The employee here lacks training. You should either terminate them or provide more thorough training. I’m very disappointed in this branch and will not come back. This is not the attitude I expect from a Japanese company. The atmosphere of the meal was ruined by this employee, and I even saw others experiencing the same situation on...