Yamashita Udon (山下うどން) is widely credited as the originator of bukkake udon. The dish is thick noodles dressed with a small pour of concentrated broth and a squeeze of lemon. Served cold, the noodles are exceptionally firm, sharp-edged and dense, and several reviewers call them the chewiest udon they have ever eaten. The broth is a gentle iriko (dried sardine) stock. The shop has appeared repeatedly on Tabelog's Udon 100 lists (WEST 2020 and 2022, KAGAWA 2024).

Almost every review praises the bite of the cold noodles. The house favourite is niku bukkake, topped with sweet-savoury beef. Hiya-atsu (cold noodles in hot broth) has its own following, and many drink the iriko broth to the last drop. At the self-service counter, reviewers single out the large shiba-ebi kakiage (shrimp fritter), the eggplant and squid-leg tempura, and the oden with miso. Turnover is fast and the counter staff are friendly.

Most criticism centres on the tempura, which can be cold or soggy after the lunch peak. Hot noodles are noticeably softer, and some regulars say only the cold version is worth ordering. Some diners find the niku bukkake too sweet, and a few long-time visitors feel the noodles used to be firmer. Isolated reports mention undercooked kamatama, tough beef-tendon oden and one hot, noisy visit.

Reviewers in 2025–2026 paid around ¥300 for a small kake, ¥330 for a small bukkake, ¥400 for a medium shoyu udon and ¥630–680 for a small niku bukkake. Tempura runs ¥120–250 (sweet potato ¥120, eggplant ¥150, kakiage ¥250), and oden costs ¥130–170. A typical lunch comes in under ¥1,000. There is no dinner service, as the shop closes at 4pm. Most reviewers find it remarkably cheap for the quality, and a small portion fills most people. One reviewer felt the niku bukkake was slightly high for the price.

Getting there: about 10 minutes by car from JR Kotohira Station or 15 minutes from JR Marugame Station. By bus from Zentsuji Station, take the Kukaigo City Bus toward the Yokita Course bus parking lot, get off at Nakatado Agricultural Mutual Aid stop and walk 4 minutes (297 m). Bicycles can be rented at Zentsuji Station for ¥100–500.
Parking: 50 spaces, including 2 for large vehicles.
Payment: cash only. Credit cards, electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted. No napkins are provided.
Booking: reservations are not accepted, so you walk in and queue.
Queues: 30–60 minutes at holiday lunchtimes, but the line moves fast. Go around the 9:30 opening or mid-afternoon. The shop closes early if the noodles sell out.
How it works: self-service. Order your noodles, pick up tempura, oden and condiments as you pass, then pay at the end.
Seating: 68 seats (4 counter, 46 table, 18 on tatami). No private rooms. Non-smoking. Children welcome.
Takeaway: packaged udon is sold as a souvenir.
Tip: order the noodles cold to get the signature firmness.

Getting there: about 10 minutes by car from JR Kotohira Station or 15 minutes from JR Marugame Station. By bus from Zentsuji Station, take the Kukaigo City Bus toward the Yokita Course bus parking lot, get off at Nakatado Agricultural Mutual Aid stop and walk 4 minutes (297 m). Bicycles can be rented at Zentsuji Station for ¥100–500.
Parking: 50 spaces, including 2 for large vehicles.
Payment: cash only. Credit cards, electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted. No napkins are provided.
Booking: reservations are not accepted, so you walk in and queue.
Queues: 30–60 minutes at holiday lunchtimes, but the line moves fast. Go around the 9:30 opening or mid-afternoon. The shop closes early if the noodles sell out.
How it works: self-service. Order your noodles, pick up tempura, oden and condiments as you pass, then pay at the end.
Seating: 68 seats (4 counter, 46 table, 18 on tatami). No private rooms. Non-smoking. Children welcome.
Takeaway: packaged udon is sold as a souvenir.
Tip: order the noodles cold to get the signature firmness.

Yamashita Udon: Original Bukkake Udon, Self-Service

Yamashita Udon: Original Bukkake Udon, Self-Service