Matsushita Seimensho: Self-Service Udon at a Noodle Factory

Matsushita Seimensho (松下製麺所) is a working noodle factory, open since 1966, that doubles as one of Takamatsu's busiest breakfast stops. You order at the back and receive a bowl of plain noodles. You warm them yourself for a few seconds in a basket in boiling water, then ladle on your own broth. Service starts at 7am, and the shop's appearance in the TV series Kodoku no Gurume (Solitary Gourmet) brings a steady stream of visitors. It has been selected for Tabelog's udon "Tabelog 100" several times, most recently for Kagawa in 2024.

Reviewers praise the broth above all: a light, slightly sweet dashi of iriko (dried sardine) and bonito that many drink to the last drop. The sweet soy sauce on the cold sauce-dressed udon is also mentioned often, as is the quick self-service routine. Several describe the slim, glossy noodles as springy, and a few call this their best udon in Takamatsu. Regulars order a mixed bowl of half udon and half chuka (Chinese-style) noodles. Soba is available from about November to March. Recommended toppings are the korokke (croquette), the chikuwa-ten (tempura fish cake) and an onsen egg.

Noodle texture divides opinion. A sizeable minority of Japanese and Korean visitors found the pre-boiled noodles soft, short and lacking koshi (firm chew), and one compared them to supermarket udon. The tempura sits pre-made in bags and is often cold by midday. The room is cramped. One visitor was curtly refused extra broth, and another advised low expectations on cleanliness.

Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around ¥280 for one portion (tama) of noodles, ¥420 for two and ¥570 for three. Tempura was ¥150 a piece and an onsen egg ¥100, so a one-portion bowl with tempura came to ¥430, and three people ate for ¥1,290. Expect to spend under ¥1,000 at lunch. The shop closes mid-afternoon, so there is no dinner service. Value is exceptional: even reviewers who disliked the noodles conceded the price, and one portion is enough if you are touring several udon shops.

• Getting there: 5 minutes' walk from Ritsurin-Koen-Kitaguchi Station (JR Shikoku), 4 minutes from the Nakanocho bus stop (Kotoden bus) and 14 minutes from Kotoden Ritsurin-Koen Station. From Chuo-dori, turn in beside the Shikoku Shimbun building and take the first one-way street on the right.
• Hours: Mon–Sat 7:00–15:00, closed Sunday. Noodles can sell out before closing.
• Payment: cash only. Credit cards, electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
• Booking: no reservations, so just walk in. Weekend-morning queues of about 15 people move in around 10 minutes.
• Seating: 20 places (8 seats and standing room for 12) at a counter, with no private rooms. Non-smoking. Children are welcome.
• Ordering: say the number of portions (1, 2 or 3 tama) and whether you want them hot (atsu) or cold (hiya). The menu is mostly in Japanese, with one report of an English menu. You get one pass at the broth, spring onion, ginger and tenkasu, so take enough the first time. Clear your own tray afterwards.
• Parking: spaces in front of the shop and nearby, but they are few and the surrounding streets are one-way. Reviewers recommend a coin car park.
• Take-out: available.