Soichiro Honda (1906-1991) was a successful engineer and industrialist from Japan. He is quoted as saying, "There is a Japanese proverb that literally goes 'Raise the sail with your stronger hand,' meaning you must go after the opportunities that arise in life that you are best equipped to do."
Well, when the owners of the Marukame Udon in Waikiki announced that it was opening a branch restaurant in downtown Honolulu I was more than ready to seize the opportunity to check out this new eatery off Fort Street Mall.
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| Okay, I admit it. I love udon noodles, and I love them at Marukame Udon on Honolulu. So, there! |
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| Located at the corner of South Hotel Street and Fort Street Mall in downtown Honolulu, Marukame Udon provides a festive, few-frill and affordable venue for satisfying Japanese udon cuisine. Yummy-licious in my book! |
When I was an instructor at Kapiolani Community College's Honda International Center my students from Japan and South Korea raved about the restaurant off Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki. The lines to get in the door were always long.
My students at that time said that the food served there was the closest thing to home they could find among Waikiki's numerous noodle shops. Still, I have a thing against standing in line for food. It's nothing to do with pride; it's about a hectic schedule that allows little time for such waits.
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| Marukame Udon is a favorite among Honolulu's downtown business community and college students from Hawaii Pacific University's nearby campus. Don't be fooled by the line here. Things -and people- move quickly here. |
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| If you are a downtown Honolulu professional, college student or strolling the streets of nearby Chinatown as a tourist you will find a warm welcome and a refreshingly affordable experience at Marukame Udon's Downtown location. |
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| Just after you enter you get to choose the style of udon noodles you prefer from the selections here. The cooks behind the counter listen to your wishes and grant your culinary desires accordingly. |
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| The thick udon noodles served here are not defrosted from the freezers on tanker ships. No, your udon noodles and mine are hand-made. You don't see that too often at all in restaurants where the selections are below US$10.00. How refreshing! |
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| You can be quite creative with a choice of side dishes to accentuate your udon and your palate. The friendly staff behind the counter are more than happy to comply with your wishes. |
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| These guys are well-prepared and the ingredients are fresh. This ain't no Red Lobster, McDonald's or Burger King. I never get the sense that Marukame Udon is contrived to be Americanized. This is affordable, budget-friendly Japanese cuisine at its best. Yes, even my former student from South Korea raved about Marukame Udon. |
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| Every time I come here I am reminded of the wondrous hawker food so delightfully enjoyed on my visits to Singapore. Everything here is fresh and healthy. You'll love the festive attitude the staff behind the counter exudes -all-smiles and lots of aloha! |
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| Yes, your udon cook will offer you these choices according to your wishes. Since I've become a bit spoiled by my cuisine experiences in Singapore the freshness of ingredients is a big issue with me. I was not disappointed at Marukame Udon. |
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| I've enjoyed both the calamari and fish cakes in tempura. Recommended and easy in the budget? Absolutely! |
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| I tend to stay away from fried chicken, but this side selection was milder than I expected. |
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| These imaginative sides include Tuna Mayo, Ginger Beef and Kombu wrapped in Japanese nori. So ono good! |
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| That's not the annoying spam we online know all too well! Spam is huge in Hawaii. In fact, this state is the number one consumer of spam. I've tried the tofu wrap which is a mild and delicious healthy choice. |
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| On this visit I chose the paitan udon with tempura, fried chicken, sushi and a special green tea. That bowl is larger than it appears. All this, by the way, was less than US$10.00. That's not bad for Honolulu! |
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| There is a steady stream of activity behind the counter. Everything is immaculately clean. That's a big issue with me - cleanliness. The staff is friendly, festive and always helpful. |
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| The interior is cafeteria-style with comfortable seats and benches. It's hot and humid in Honolulu most of the time, so the air-conditioning was a welcomed relief. The loft-like atmosphere of the place felt comfortable, too. I sat that the far table near the window. There are electrical outlets for recharging your phone or laptop. There is a McDonald's across the street, and if you are able you might be able to tap into its free wifi. |
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| Yes, not that the obvious needs repeating. Marukame Udon is on Facebook. Click here! |
Marukame Udon's Downtown Honolulu location is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. It is closed Sundays. Reservations are not taken, nor are they necessary. Yes, it accepts credit and debit cards.
Parking can be a big issue -though that's true anywhere in the business district. Bike parking is available. There are convenient bus stops on South Hotel Street, as well as off South King and Bishop streets. Just expect to be dodging some of the downtown area's street characters (meth-heads and homeless).
The restaurant does not deliver, but there is a take-out window facing out South Hotel Street. So, for those of you on-the-go or desiring to bring your udon-fix to the office this is very convenient.
This is a great place for families with children to come, and it's popular with groups. I've seen tour groups and office staff alike here enjoying themselves and the food. Don't concern yourself with dressing up. The atmosphere here is casual.
Trust me when I tell you that when you come to Downtown Honolulu you will enjoy your meal and the experience here -and you will be back for more!
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