[Ropponmatsu Udon] Soft yet chewy! A popular restaurant in Fukuoka that prides itself on its handmade noodles.

Hello. I'm Sho Fujita, a writer introducing recommended gourmet spots in Fukuoka.

This time, we'll introduce a handmade udon noodle specialty restaurant located in Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, which attracts many udon lovers from all over the country.

"EMIUDON" (Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City) is a renowned restaurant specializing in handmade udon noodles that has been loved for over half a century.

Located a 7-minute walk from Ropponmatsu Station on the Fukuoka City Subway Nanakuma Line, EMIUDON is a long-established handmade udon noodle specialty restaurant with a history of over 50 years.

Image: Sho Fujita

The story began in 1968 (Showa 43) when Emi, the aunt of the current owner Satoshi Ichinomiya, converted her 24-hour coffee shop into a udon restaurant. Initially, they sourced noodles from a noodle factory and served udon in the same coffee shop interior.

Image: Sho Fujita

Ichinomiya, who became the second-generation owner, traveled to Shikoku alone after graduating from high school and spent two years training at the renowned Sanuki udon restaurant "Udon no Sho Kanaizumi".

After returning to Fukuoka, he renovated the shop and, through trial and error, put the hand-made udon techniques he had brought back to use, eventually establishing the current style of a "hand-made udon specialty shop."

Image: Sho Fujita

They continue to make their own unique udon noodles every day, unbound by tradition, and celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2018 at their founding location in Yakuin. However, due to tenant contract issues, they relocated to their current location in Ropponmatsu in March 2019.

Even after relocating, the restaurant remains just as popular, attracting many regulars and visitors from far away who come seeking Mr. Ichinomiya's warm personality and the delicious taste of his udon noodles.

Image: Sho Fujita

The restaurant has a cozy and warm atmosphere with 10 table seats and 8 seats in a raised seating area.

Image: Sho Fujita

The walls are adorned with numerous musical instruments, including guitars, and the lighting fixtures, which use cymbals as shades, are just some of the unique interior design elements that reflect Ichinomiya's continued band activities with his friends.

Image: Sho Fujita

It's also known as a place where contemporary artist KYNE used to work, and the shop even has shopping bags featuring his illustrations. Apparently, fans from both Japan and abroad now come to visit.

Image: Sho Fujita

One-of-a-kind handmade udon noodles, born from skills and passion honed over 30 years.

The udon noodles at "Megumi Udon" are completely handmade, using a unique blend of wheat flour from the Chikugo Plain and top-grade Australian wheat flour, finished with only salt water.

Image: Sho Fujita

The noodles, which are made to be so thin they are almost translucent, are characterized by their smooth, slippery texture and a unique chewiness that is both soft and firm.

Image: Sho Fujita

For Ichinomiya, who says, "Everything about handmade noodles—the feel, the aroma, the sound, and the appearance—is so pleasant," handmade udon is his very reason for living.

While many udon restaurants have switched to noodle-making machines and the authentic handmade style is gradually disappearing, this owner continues to hone his handmade udon-making skills every day and constantly updates his own standards for handmade udon.

Image: Sho Fujita

Based on over 30 years of experience working with noodles without fail, we constantly strive to create the most delicious bowl of ramen by adjusting the thickness and cooking method of the noodles according to the climate and season.

Image: Sho Fujita

Furthermore, the udon broth is made with a base of dried round herring, dried mackerel, and natural Rausu kelp, and uses only soy sauce from Maruhara Soy Sauce, a long-established company in Hita City, Oita Prefecture, my aunt's hometown, resulting in a mellow flavor that you "can eat every day without getting tired of it."

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From lunch to your final bowl of udon! Introducing the carefully crafted menu at "Megumi Udon"

The menu features a diverse lineup of unique dishes, including the "Tori Oroshi Udon" (920 yen), which is enjoyed with a dipping sauce containing condiments; the "Yoridori Udon" (1,020 yen), which allows you to enjoy beef, grated daikon radish, and four kinds of vegetable tempura all at once; and the "Goboten Udon" (740 yen), which is made by simmering burdock root in broth, seasoning it, and then frying it.

Image: Sho Fujita

They also have a wide variety of rice bowls and other rice dishes, including the popular "Katsudon" (pork cutlet rice bowl) (950 yen) and "Tendon" (tempura rice bowl) (950 yen), as well as the "Toriten Teishoku" (chicken tempura set meal) (1,250 yen), which comes with four pieces of chicken tempura, rice, and a mini udon noodle soup.

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For side dishes, you can choose from fried items such as "Chicken Tempura" (2 pieces for 300 yen), "Fried Fish Cake" (200 yen), and "Pumpkin Croquette" (180 yen), as well as cup-packaged side dishes from the refrigerator (from 150 yen each).

Image: Sho Fujita

If you want to enjoy a drink casually, we recommend the "Quick Drink Set" (800 yen), which includes a highball or shochu and two small side dishes. Many people stop by after work or for a second round of drinks, treating it like an izakaya (Japanese pub), and finish off with udon noodles before heading home.

Image: Sho Fujita

You can only taste this here! I tried the owner's recommended "Tori Oroshi Udon" (chicken and grated radish udon).

On this day, we enjoyed the popular "Tori Oroshi Udon," which Mr. Ichinomiya says "best showcases the quality of handmade udon noodles."

Image: Sho Fujita

The udon noodles that were brought to the table were flat, thin noodles with a glossy sheen. They had a texture that was exactly as described – soft yet firm – and the smooth noodles, without any roughness, slid down my throat effortlessly.

Image: Sho Fujita

The dipping sauce has a rich flavor, made with chicken simmered in broth and grated daikon radish.

Image: Sho Fujita

The generous amount of condiments, such as sesame seeds and ginger, adds a nice touch, making it easy to eat and enjoy.

Image: Sho Fujita

"Megumi Udon" is packed with Mr. Ichinomiya's passion for handmade udon noodles and the history of being loved by many people since the time of his predecessors.

Be sure to try this one-of-a-kind handmade udon that will captivate even the most discerning udon connoisseurs. (Text by Sho Fujita)

Image: Sho Fujita

＜Click on the store name for more details about the store ↓＞
■Megumi Udon
Address: 102 In8 Building, 4-3-2 Ropponmatsu, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture
Opening hours: 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM / 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM *Open until 3:00 PM on Mondays and Thursdays
Closed on: None
*This article contains information current as of the publication date. *Prices mentioned in the text include tax.
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