Want Sanuki-style udon without the queues at Kanda’s Maruka? Hit up Tokyo Mentsudan in Shinjuku for chewy udon noodles you won’t need to wait several hours for. Cheap, cheerful, delicious. What more could you ask for?
Tokyo Mentsudan - image © Florentyna Leow
Sometimes, it’s fun to customise your noodle bowls and decide for yourself how you’d like to eat it. Tokyo Mentsudan in Shinjuku allows you to do just that. Like udon chains Hanamaru and Marugame, this is a cafeteria-style self-service joint where you order from a vending machine, and add on any deep-fried tempura pieces you want alongside. Don’t forget to shower on some tenkasu (crispy tempura batter bits), grated ginger, and chopped green scallions.
Tokyo Mentsudan udon menu - image © Florentyna Leow
What sets Tokyo Mentsudan apart from the aforementioned udon chains is the quality of the noodles. All of them are made in-house by people who apprenticed in Kagawa prefecture, the home of chewy Sanuki-style noodles. It’s a super casual restaurant but all the better for it.
Best of all, an average meal at Tokyo Mentsudan will likely cost you under JPY1000. Generously-sized, crispy-battered tempura pieces ranging from bacon to squid legs to prawns clock in around JPY100 to JPY150 a pop, while noodle bowls average out at JPY400 to JPY600. How’s that for a tasty budget meal?
Tokyo Mentsudan - image © Florentyna Leow
For more Tokyo udon choices, see our Best Udon in Tokyo page.
English name:
Tokyo Mentsudan
Japanese name:
東京麺通団
English address:
7-9-15 Nishi-shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023
Japanese address:
〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿7-9-15
Opening hours:
10am-11:30pm
Price:
Non-smoking section:
No
Reservations:
Possible
Nearest Transport:
Subway: 2-minute walk from exit D5 of Shinjuku-nishiguchi Station on the Toei Oedo line.
Train: 6-minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku Station.
Telephone:
+81-3-5389-1077
Website:
Official website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
Read customer reviews of Tokyo Mentsudan on TripAdvisor.
Near To Here:
Tokyo Mentsudan is located in Tokyo's Shinjuku district. See our complete list of things to do in Shinjuku, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
More Tokyo Restaurant Recommendations:
See all udon restaurants we recommend on our Best Udon in Tokyo page and get the complete list for all cuisines on our Best Tokyo Restaurants page.
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