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Enjoy sanuki udon noodles that you will not find anywhere else Highly recommended sanuki udon shops in Zentsuji City Enjoy sanuki udon noodles that you will not find anywhere else Highly recommended sanuki udon shops in Zentsuji City

Five Things to Do in Zentsuji City

Sanuki udon noodles are a local food representative of Kagawa. Some people say that their origin is Kukai. There are many udon noodle shops in Zentsuji City where he was born.

There are a wide variety of udon noodles in Zentsuji City, ranging from traditional styles such as kake, bukkake, and kamaage and local styles developed over a turbulent history to epoch-making new styles. Here we list six famous udon noodle shops that local people recommend confidently.

Three Sanuki udon noodle shops
representative of
Zentsuji City

Miyagawa Seimensyo

A shop famous for its kake udon with an aromatic soup based on dried sardines from the Seto Inland Sea
Miyagawa Seimensyo preserves its traditional recipe

This traditional noodle shop has been loved by many fans for over 60 years since its foundation. The shop is always filled with the aroma of the dried-sardine-based soup, which stimulates your appetite. They are a self-service noodle shop that requires customers to cook, including boiling the noodles and pouring the soup. "Pour the soup stock and then take your first bite. Then add grated ginger and mix. Sprinkle some sesame seeds on top. Add hot pepper. Soak tempura in the soup. This is the five-step way to enjoy our udon noodles. Find your favorite ratio for mixing the ingredients to make your own udon noodles while enjoying the gradual change of their flavor taste," said the proprietor of the shop. Alternatively, we recommend that, to compare them, you try both kake udon to enjoy the aroma of the soup and bukkake udon to enjoy the texture of the noodles.

Their signature dish, kake udon

The soup is based on dried sardines from the Seto Inland Sea that they carefully select based on their many years of experience. It is characterized by a clear taste free of uncomfortable bitterness and unpleasant smells and by its brilliant aroma. Put dried sardines in a bowl as desired. A proper way to pour soup is to carefully sink a ladle into the pot until it reaches the bottom of the pot, without stirring, and scoop out the soup together with the dried sardines. This ensures a good flavor.

The proprietor taught us how to enjoy udon noodles. When asked how old she was, the proprietor said mischievously, "840 months old." "There are no special rules. We just do ordinary things." Obviously, they have preserved their flavor sincerely and carefully: they make noodles using traditional methods, stepping on the dough and preparing the soup carefully in the way they inherited from the previous owner of the shop. She communicates with customers from other countries in English. Their hospitality is one of their charms as they welcome everyone warmly.

Store name
Miyagawa Seimensyo
Address
1-1-20 Nakamuracho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-62-1229
Opening hours
8:00~18:00
(Closed when the udon noodles are sold out)
Regular days closed
Sundays
Capacity
20 people
Parking lot
Available

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Yamashita Udon

Yamashita Udon is the originator of bukkake udon noodles, which features noodles with an overwhelmingly chewy texture
They are authentic Sanuki udon noodles

Established in 1981, Yamashita Udon is famous around Japan as the originator of bukkake udon noodles.
You can enjoy authentic Sanuki udon noodles which have a bouncy texture. The origin of their signature item, bukkake udon noodles, is in a staff meal. They roughly threw a dipping sauce over the noodles without dipping them. This was the beginning of bukkake udon noodles.
In addition to bukkake udon noodles, another hidden gem that some connoisseurs enjoy is topping kake udon noodles with fried tofu. Many customers are mesmerized by the marriage of supple noodles and juicy thick fried tofu that is cooked to be salty and sweet. They procure their fried tofu from the Horiguchi Tofu Shop in their neighborhood.

Their signature dish, bukkake udon noodles

The elastic and chewy texture that remains even after the noodles have been boiled and the noodles have a smooth feel going down the throat. They have many repeat customers from inside and outside the prefecture who are fascinated by the unique taste and texture of the dish, The dish is representative of Kagawa. You cannot stop eating these udon noodles that have an aroma of lemon and condiments.

They use the traditional method of preparing noodles, which includes stepping on the dough, to achieve the suppleness and texture that are specific to Sanuki udon noodles. They cut udon noodles by hand at the shop, which makes each strip of noodle slightly different in its thickness and length. According to udon connoisseurs, this difference due to the hand-made process allows the optimal amount of soup to season each noodle. There are many side menu items such as tempura, kakiage (a tempura made by frying an assortment of ingredients together), and oden (an eclectic stew). You can choose any of them and combine them with your udon noodles to your liking.

Store name
Yamashita Udon
Address
284-1 Yogitacho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-62-6882
Opening hours
9:30~16:00
Regular days closed
Tuesdays(Closed on the following day if a national holiday)
Capacity
68 people
Parking lot
Available

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Nagata in Kanoka

It's a must-go when you visit Zentsuji City, even though you have to wait in line
Nagata in Kanoka is a popular kamaage udon noodle shop

They attract many fans from all corners of the country who want kamaage udon noodles, which are soft noodles with a comfortable texture served with a rich soup.
The people at Kanoka decide when to take noodles out of the pot. They do not use a cooking timer but judge whether the noodles are done using the experience and intuition they have developed over years. They aim to serve udon noodles at the optimal time. They warm a sweet, rich dipping sauce with a full-bodied aroma in a sake server in hot water. They explain that this way of warming dipping sauce enhances its mildness while smoothing its flavor. Their udon noodles reflect their commitment to detail and their pride. You can take out their udon noodles and soup to enjoy the taste of the famous shop at home.

Their signature dish, kamaage udon noodles

Kamaage udon noodles are noodles perfectly boiled to a texture that is chewy inside and soft outside with a sweet and salty dipping sauce. The irresistible aroma of their dipping sauce escapes as soon as you pull the plug from the sake server. Enjoy the harmony of the dried sardines from Ibuki, bonito and sea kelp. Apparently, connoisseurs say the proper way to enjoy them is to dilute the dipping sauce with the hot water used to cook the noodles and drink it at the end like you do with soba.

Kanoka is a very popular shop, so many customers wait in a long line outside the shop on consecutive holidays. In the kitchen, they boil noodles in a large pot filled without breaks. "The tools that we have used for years help us reproduce the familiar taste of the noodles," said the shop's host. The gentle taste of their udon noodles reflects their kind consideration of people and tools. Their efficient way of serving customers charms fans, in addition to the good taste of their noodles.

Store name
Nagata in Kanoka
Address
1180 Konzojicho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-63-5921
Opening hours
9:00~15:00
Regular days closed
Wednesday and Thursday(Open on public holidays)
Capacity
120 people
Parking lot
Available

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Local udon noodles and
new styles of udon noodles

Kamafuku Udon

A local udon noodle style invented by General Maresuke Nogi
Nogi udon noodles are topped with chicken and mochi

This udon noodle shop is run by Yamaji Seika, a long-established Japanese-style confectionery store. In Kagawa, they customarily provide udon noodles to guests at Buddhist memorial services. When Yamaji Seika started to sell udon noodles in addition to sweet buns presented to congratulate people or offer condolences, their udon noodles developed a good reputation for being delicious. They opened an udon noodle shop in 1980 in response to the requests of local people.
Characteristically, their noodles are supple and a little thinner. They serve original items such as udon noodles with curry in an earthen pot and Nogi udon, in addition to their standard udon noodles. Their exclusive side menu items are also recommended. They include takikomi Nogi gohan, which is Sanuki glutinous Daishimochi barley boiled in the soup used for Nogi udon.

Their signature dish, Nogi udon

Nogi udon is a filling dish with chicken and mochi. It is said that General Maresuke Nogi invented the dish. He was the first commander of the 11th Division of the Imperial Japanese Army whose base was located in Zentsuji City during the Meiji period. Kamafuku Udon's Nogi udon is authentic and very original at the same time, with its noodles in a soup based on locally raised chicken and salt that enables you to experience its umami and the homemade mochi they boast of.

Because the shop is run by Yamaji Seika, you can choose from many different types of mochi, for example, mochi that contains red bean paste, mochi that contains Daishimochi and shrimp mochi. Choose one of the 12 types of mochi available: Five types of soft rice cake and seven types of moffle, mochi waffles. Mochi is that very stretchy and soft is made by pounding rice with a pestle. With moffles, you can enjoy their texture as it changes from crispy to melting as it absorbs the soup.

Store name
Kamafuku Udon
Address
661-14 Konzojicho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-62-4337
Opening hours
11:00~14:00
Regular days closed
Wednesdays(Closed on public holidays as well)
Capacity
37 people
Parking lot
Available

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Kawa Kawa Udon

Fusion of full-fledged spice curry and Sanuki udon noodles
A shop with a strong presence providing a new style of udon

Established in 2019, the stylish Kawa Kawa Udon is similar to a Western-style cafe. The Kawada brothers operate the new style of udon noodle shop as partners.
The elder brother makes udon noodles. The noodles are moist, delicate and thin, shining in the light. The younger brother is in charge of their original menu items. Leveraging his experience at a spice curry shop and a Chinese restaurant, he invents unique and unorthodox dishes.
With many other nearby udon shops, they aim to create exclusive udon noodle dishes. This is why they provide innovative udon noodle dishes and open the path to the new possibilities of Sanuki udon noodles.

Their signature dish, keema curry udon

It is a new style of udon noodles served in curry, achieving the perfect balance between the keema curry with the gorgeous aroma of spices and the umami of ground meat and the thin noodles that are moist and pleasant to eat. This revolutionary udon noodle dish is the consequence of the trust and respect the elder brother in charge of noodles and the younger brother in charge of curries have for each other.

Kawa Kawa Udon amid a peaceful pastoral landscape Their shop is a comfortable and charming space anyone can visit to enjoy delicious udon noodles in a gentle place. You cannot help but come back repeatedly because of their unique seasonal menu items. Why not enjoy their sophisticated udon noodles emphasizing both appearance and deliciousness.

Store name
Kawa Kawa Udon
Address
442 Konzoji-cho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-55-7247
Opening hours
11:00~LO14:00(Closed when the udon noodles are sold out)
Regular days closed
Tuesday, Wednesday, and other times when the store is temporarily closed
Capacity
23 people
Parking lot
Available

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Udon is entertainment!
Fully experience
Sanuki udon noodle making

Zentsuji Shikokukan

Let's learn how to make Sanuki udon noodles! Enjoy the freshly made local udon noodles at home, too.

They were founded in 1966. Zentsuji Shikokukan opened at the same time the Great Seto Bridge was opened. They started with Udon no Shikoku, the first self-serve udon shop in Kagawa.
Their signature kamaage udon reaches the peak of deliciousness the moment it is taken out of the pot. They serve it in its best condition by individually boiling noodles in a pot warmed using solid fuel. You can enjoy the flavor of freshly made dish.
The Sanuki Udon School is also a must-see here. It is an udon noodle making experience, an activity that we want all visitors to enjoy in Sanuki, the home of udon noodles. Why not learn the traditional methods of making Sanuki udon noodles and make some yourself?

Their signature dish, Sanuki Udon School

(2200 yen per person)
Note: Two person minimum, must make a reservation at least one day in advance

At Sanuki Udon School, you can learn traditional methods of making udon noodles that people in Kagawa are familiar with when enjoying udon at home. The traditional methods, which include stepping on the dough, enable the creation of noodles with a texture that is specific to Sanuki udon noodles. Why don't you try it to take home memories and traditional techniques that are unique to Kagawa?

The opportunities to experience udon noodle making in places outside Kagawa are rare. The instructor shares techniques during an easy-to-understand and enjoyable talk. You can make proper Sanuki udon noodles at home after you return. After the lesson there is a graduation ceremony. Participants receive a certificate of graduation and a rolling pin. It is a satisfying experience that makes even grown-ups excited.

Store name
Zentsuji Shikokukan
Address
1002 Yogitacho, Zentsuji City, Kagawa Prefecture
Phone number
+81-877-63-4591
Opening hours
10:00~17:00
Regular days closed
Year-end and New Year holidays
Capacity
1st floor: 100 people: 2nd floor: 300 people
Parking lot
Available

Click here for more information

Five Things to Do in Zentsuji City