Marugame Monzo — Restaurant in Los Angeles

I've been to this restaurant many times throughout the past two years because of their unique udon flavors. The service usually has been pretty mediocre, not particularly great but just what you would expect especially when they are busy. However, yesterday when 2 of my friends and I went to the restaurant, we experienced service that left a poor taste in my mouth.

There were around 3 names on the waitlist, and we were the next group to be called. Despite us signaling that we were there by hand movements and by saying we were there (we were right next to the receptionist), we were ignored and she called the next group and sat them. During this process we followed the receptionist and notified her that we were there and had been waiting for our seat. She proceeded to say there were no more seats except outside on a foldable plastic table with plastic chairs. We did eventually ask to move to the wooden tables and chairs.

We took the seats but the attitude when talking to us was shocking and upsetting. Sitting outside, they barely checked up on us and because they didn't come out to pick up the check my friend went inside to pay. When receiving the receipt, my friend wanted to write the tip at our table because customers should have the privacy to tip as much as they want. However, the same receptionist didn't let my friend take the check to our table. After judging that the tip was not high enough, the receptionist highlighted the suggest tipping amounts and condescendingly reminded her that those were the suggested amounts for tip. This is unbelievable.

Besides from the horrible service we received, all the times I've been here the food is somewhat inconsistent. The carbonara does not taste like real carbonara, just white pasta with bacon. Sometimes the noodles have been amalgamated in weird ways but the prices are not bad...

So, the first time I came here, which was December 2022, I got Hot Dragon Udon and Octopus Takoyaki. Everyone else in the group got Miso Carbonara Udon. My udon was about what I expected based on what I've heard about Monzo. The takoyaki were even better. But the carbonara udon that I tried was really amazing. It was so good that I often thought about it and wanted to come back again to get it for myself. Well, I finally had the chance to do just that! Unfortunately, I don't know what went wrong.

The Miso Carbonara Udon this time around was nothing like what I previously had. The dish I was given was extremely bland. There was little flavor and it tasted oily, as if the sauce used wasn't prepared properly. The service was also terrible. It was a nice day, but the inside was warm enough to have me sweating. I was given a cup of warm tap water that had no ice, had my order taken, and then never saw the waitress again until they came back to give the check while expecting a nice tip for doing nothing. It's not as if they were busy or understaffed that day either. There were only two other tables they had to check on with three or less people at them. The waitress was surprised when I didn't tip them the 18% they were expecting for bad food (not the waitress's fault, but they could have been checking if everything was good) and worse service (this is the waitress's fault). They then made a scene about it after I calmly explained why it wasn't 18% that was given.

Anyway, no real loss. Little Tokyo and the street where Monzo is located are flooded with extremely good noodle spots. Hachioji, which is a few restaurants to the left, has some of the best ramen and pork bao buns I've ever had. I recommend those if you're ever...

-Lunch Review-

I really wanted to fall in love with this place, but sadly I walked out disappointed. I came for lunch, which turns out to have the same pricing as dinner with the exception of discounted rice bowls.

The bowls are discounted to $3 (Beef, Kakiage, Pork Belly Don) and $4 (Shrimp Tempura Don).

My order:

Miso Carbonara Udon - $12.50 Too Rich, I felt like I was going to have a heart attack after a couple of bites! I've read over and over the other reviews about this dish being too rich, but I was being stubborn. I am a fan of Carbonara, but this dish made me feel like I was getting injected with butter into my veins! Yikes!!! I would NOT recommend this dish for your sole entree, but as one to share with a party of 4.

Chicken Tempura Udon - $8.95 It's just a regular Udon noodle soup with Chicken Tempura on the side. Hmm? I wasn't wowed, the bowl was as simple as it gets. Plus, there were only two pieces of chicken for this entree.

The Udon noodle itself was superb, so I am willing to come back to try their other entrees. As for the ones that I have tried, PASS! For those who has no idea what an Udon dish is, here's the general description: Udon is usually served hot as noodle soup in its simplest form in a mildly flavored broth....think soy sauce! They also have cold ones available, which is great on a hot summer day. Monzo's Udon noodles are made at location guaranteeing the freshest noodles available and I agree with everyone on this point.

As I was leaving, I saw a lot of orders for Beef Udon that actually looked pretty good. The chef makes it with the regular Udon noodle soup with the addition of the marinated beef inside. I foresee this being my next order! So who wants to try some...