Nakamura: Self-Service Sanuki Udon and Kamatama

Nakamura (なかむら) is one of the old self-service institutions of Sanuki udon, Kagawa's local wheat noodle, set among houses in Hanzancho on the edge of Marugame. Its noodles are thinner than most in the region, slippery with a springy, gummy bite. You warm them yourself, dipping a basket into the boiling pot for about five seconds, then pour on your own broth. Reviewers credit the shop with popularising kamatama: hot noodles tossed with raw egg and soy.

Almost every review praises the smooth texture and the clean iriko (dried sardine) broth. Hiyakake (cold noodles in cold broth) and shoyu udon (cold noodles with the house soy) are often singled out. Many order kamatama and add hot broth halfway through, turning it into kamatama-kake, two bowls in one. Among the tempura, the whole chikuwa (fish cake) and the simmered koya-dofu earn repeated praise. Korean reviewers call it the best udon of their lives.

Criticism is limited. Two reviewers found the counter staff brusque. One first-timer was told off in front of others for getting the self-service step wrong. A minority felt it was ordinary for its fame or found the noodles too soft. Some disliked the thick, hard tempura batter, and one found the shrimp-and-vegetable tempura very salty.

Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around ¥290 for a small kake (noodles in broth), ¥350 for a small kamatama and ¥450 for a large one, and ¥470 for a large cold bukkake. Tempura ran to ¥130 for chikuwa and ¥180 for kakiage (mixed fritter). A large hot kake with two pieces of tempura came to ¥670. A typical breakfast or lunch costs under ¥999. There is no dinner service.

Value is exceptional, and reviewers keep remarking how cheap it is for so famous a shop. A small bowl is a single portion of noodles, so most people order two.

• Getting there: about a 5-minute walk from Takayanagi Bus Stop on the Marugame Community Bus. It is about a 5-minute drive from Sakaide IC and about a 15-minute drive from JR Marugame Station. Reviewers treat it as effectively car-only, reached on narrow residential roads.
• Parking: 30 spaces, spread over two car parks, with a parking attendant.
• Booking: reservations are not accepted, so just turn up and queue. Waits of 30–60 minutes are common, and up to 90 minutes on holidays. Weekday mornings around opening are quietest.
• Hours: the shop is open until sold out, and the noodles often run out around 12:30–13:00.
• Payment: credit cards and electronic money are not accepted. QR payment via PayPay is accepted; otherwise bring cash.
• Seating: 60 seats, including an open terrace. There are no private rooms and no private hire.
• Smoking: designated smoking area.
• Families: children of all ages are welcome, babies included, and so are strollers.
• Language and etiquette: there is some Korean signage but little sign of an English menu. Watch the locals or ask before dipping your noodles.