Hanamaru Udon

Just north of Nakano Station, down a flight of stairs along Nakano-dori, Hanamaru Udon offers an easy, accessible stop for a satisfying bowl of Sanuki udon whenever the craving hits. Freshly fried tempura lines the self-service counter, making it simple to assemble your ideal meal alongside rice bowls and combination sets.

Those who appreciate the firm chew of thick wheat noodles will find cold bukkake or chilled broth dishes especially rewarding. The Shio-buta Oroshi Bukkake, which pairs savory pork with refreshing grated daikon radish, lets the firm texture of the noodles take center stage. Adding a generous piece of chicken tempura or a mixed vegetable kakiage to a chilled broth creates a deeply satisfying contrast between savory dashi and crisp, golden batter.

The menu also caters well to lighter appetites and health-conscious dining. The 10-vegetable salad udon, topped with steamed chicken, broccoli, pumpkin, and vibrant greens, is an effortless way to work more produce into a daily routine. A complimentary condiment station stocked with grated ginger, tempura flakes (tenkasu), and sliced scallions lets you tweak the flavor profile as you eat, a classic perk of the self-service format.

Opening at 7:30 in the morning, the shop is a reliable stop before work or a busy day of sightseeing, serving morning sets featuring hot, chewy noodles alongside raw egg over rice (tamago kake gohan). With a mix of counter seating and booth tables, it accommodates everything from a quick solo lunch to a late-evening bite.