Marugame Udon

Fresh, fast and full of flavour

Marugame Udon near Liverpool Street offers a satisfying dining experience centred on freshness and simplicity. The udon noodles are made in-house, with broths that range from light and delicate to rich and warming. Dishes like the beef udon and katsu curry udon are filling without feeling too heavy, while the tempura selection of crispy prawns, sweet potato, and chicken katsu adds both variety and a chance to upsell. As you move along the canteen-style counter, there’s a natural opportunity to add extras, making it easy to build a more substantial meal. It’s not overly refined, but it gets the essentials right.

The design and ambience balance fast-casual efficiency with a lively, engaging atmosphere. The open kitchen becomes a focal point, allowing you to watch noodles being prepared and tempura freshly fried, reinforcing a sense of quality and transparency. Seating is practical rather than luxurious, with communal tables, simple layouts, and high window seating that may suit solo diners. Despite this, the space feels energetic rather than cramped. During peak hours, it can be busy and loud, but that hum of activity adds to the experience, perhaps echoing the feel of a bustling Japanese noodle bar.

Ordering is part of the overall experience and may feel unfamiliar at first, but it quickly becomes intuitive. You move along the counter with a tray, choose your udon dish, then add tempura and sides before paying at the end, reminiscent of a school canteen. The system is efficient and keeps queues moving, particularly during busy periods. There’s a self-service element too, with diners clearing their trays into racks once finished. Small design touches, like the quirky hand-drawn illustrations and icon set, add charm. We tried both the classic udon and the katsu curry to compare with Wagamama’s version…and Marugame comes out on top.