Sanuki Udon is a slice of Japan right here, offering an authentic self-serve dining experience that captures the heart of traditional Japanese udon shops. From the moment you step inside, you’re greeted by the warm aroma of freshly made noodles and sizzling tempura, all in a space that is impeccably clean and well-maintained. The spotless counters, tidy seating area, and organized stations immediately set the tone for a pleasant dining experience.
The process is both simple and delightful. You grab your tray and choose your udon—whether it’s classic kake udon, hearty curry udon, or something unique with seasonal ingredients. The chefs prepare your udon right before your eyes, ensuring that every bowl is fresh, steaming hot, and perfectly cooked. Watching them work in the open kitchen, which is spotless and highly organized, adds to the authenticity and excitement.
Once your udon is ready, the real fun begins! You move down the line to select your tempura and sides. The variety is impressive crispy shrimp, sweet potato, vegetable kakiage, and even unique options like squid or katsu. Each piece is perfectly fried to golden perfection, light and crispy without feeling greasy. The self-serve station for tempura, sides, and drinks is consistently clean and well-stocked, a testament to the staff’s attention to detail.
The toppings and sauces station is another highlight. It’s pristine and inviting, with freshly sliced green onions, tempura flakes, grated daikon, and a variety of sauces for you to customize your bowl. It’s a small but thoughtful touch that makes the experience even more personal and authentic.
The atmosphere is casual and inviting, reminiscent of a bustling noodle shop in Japan. The staff ensures that everything is kept tidy and efficient, making the self-serve process seamless. The prices are reasonable, the portions generous, and the flavors absolutely hit the mark.
A perfect , quick yet satisfying meal or even a leisurely lunch where you can soak in the ambiance. With its clean and well-maintained setting, authentic food, and customizable options, it’s more than just a meal—it’s a culinary...
Read moreSaw this place on social media and was drawn in by the 50% tempura offer. It's right by Washington Square Park and the NYU buildings.
This is probably a popular spot for students during the school year as the offerings are decently priced and the food is filling.
I went with the beef udon and for the tempura I got the crab claw stick, shrimp, fish cake and chrysanthemum garland. A few of the tempura were empty when I was placing my order but it looks like they're constantly replenishing it (might just take a while since only a few pieces of tempura are made at a time). My favorite was the crab stick and fish cake tempura. The chrysanthemum one was a bit too oily for me.
The beef udon was very filling. The soup was flavorful but not oily and it felt like there was an endless amount of noodles. It was one of the best udon I've ever had, the noodles had just the right amount of chew and didn't have that sour taste that some udon has. I think the udon is made in house as you can see into their kitchen prep area, similar to how Din Tai Fung is. Definitely getting my money's worth here.
My brother got the kamaage udon that comes with a dipping soup. It had a very clean soy sauce flavor. He also got their taro fries and fried tofu. The fries and tofu were both soft so they weren't really that memorable.
I appreciated how there were directions everywhere so you're guided on how to order. After paying, there's another station with katsu sauce (cold and hot), ginger, radish, scallions, tempura bits, hot oolong tea, cold water and utensils. There's even take out containers and bags in case you can't finish your meal. They really thought of everything you might need.
Bathrooms need a code to access and were clean. The hand soap smelled like yuzu and there were paper towels which is...
Read moreI had the most appalling dining experience at Sanuki Udon recently, and I feel compelled to share it with others to spare them from a similar ordeal. Picture this: you're slurping away at your udon, expecting a satisfying meal, when suddenly, you encounter something unexpected lurking in your broth. Lo and behold, it's not some exotic ingredient, but a fake nail! Yes, you read that correctly—a repulsive, plastic fake nail, swimming in my supposedly wholesome udon.
Naturally, I called over the staff to address this egregious issue. They pretty much insinuated that my friend and I were fabricating the whole ordeal, suggesting that we planted the nail ourselves!
It's bad enough to discover foreign objects in your food, but to be accused of such a revolting act by the very establishment responsible for serving it is beyond comprehension. The lack of accountability and professionalism displayed by the staff was utterly appalling.
In any other reputable establishment, one might expect a swift apology, a refund, or at the very least, a gesture of goodwill to rectify the situation. But not at Sanuki Udon. They chose to brush off our concerns and tarnish their reputation further with their disgraceful handling of the matter.
Needless to say, I will never set foot in Sanuki Udon again, and I strongly advise others to steer clear unless they have a penchant for finding unexpected surprises in their meals and being accused of unthinkable acts by the staff. Save your appetite—and your dignity—and...
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