Yummy-licious by Design: Marukame Udon Restaurant in Downtown Honolulu.

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. 

Okay, I admit it. I love udon noodles, and I love them at Marukame Udon on Honolulu. So, there! 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.  

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!

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. 

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. 

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! 

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. 

I've enjoyed both the calamari and fish cakes in tempura. Recommended and easy in the budget? Absolutely! 

I tend to stay away from fried chicken, but this side selection was milder than I expected. 

These imaginative sides include Tuna Mayo, Ginger Beef and Kombu wrapped in Japanese nori. So ono good!

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. 

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! 

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. 

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.  

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! 

Lights, Camera, Hawker! Chinatown Food Street Pays Off

When it comes to culinary happiness in Singapore I believe that it is best attained at the hawker food stands. 

Sure, I've enjoyed a Malaysian-styled lunch at the Raffles Hotel, savored unparalleled steaks at New York City's Delmonico's as well as the buffet luncheon at the United Nations Delegates Dining Room, and a picnic on the sands of Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. But Singapore's hawkers are renowned in a class all their own. 

I wandered around Chinatown Food Street. In doing so I observed that the hawkers took a great deal of pleasure in carrying on their time-honored traditions for people like you and me. Some went further. Every activity behind their countertops and displays showed an artistic audacity I rarely see elsewhere. Many smiled for the cameras, including mine. They were not mere cooks; these hawker proprietors were artists of a tradition that spans generations. Determined? Dauntless? Enterprising? This is Singapore, after all. I would expect nothing less. 

The sun was setting. It was edible showtime! The fun was about to begin!

While the sign says 'Chinatown Food Street,' the official name of this shophouse-framed boulevard of delectable delights is (drum roll please...) Smith Street. 

I arrived a bit early. This is looking out towards South Bridge Road. It rained for the first time in over two months marking the longest dry spell in over 154 years, according to local news reports. 

Chinatown Food Street was recently renovated. The project cost millions, and this avenue of cuisine opened just before my arrival in February. Note the overhanging ceiling canopies above. 

The skies cleared from earlier torrents of rain. The infamous 'haze' from Sumatra was washed away for the time being. Tables began to fill quickly with locals and tourists alike. There was clearly an air of celebration. Indeed, this was the best culinary block party I'd been to in years. 

I was told that visitors could select from twenty-four hawker stalls and a half-dozen restaurants in converted shophouses. 

After wandering around and around I decided on this one.

The ingredients were laid out as seen here. I made my choices to the hawkers, who got to work immediately. 

My fellow Americans? Do you know what it means to 'Q Here'? 

I personally enjoyed walking around and savoring the diversity of delights at all of the restaurants and hawker stands. Each was unique just like the people who run them. Likewise, it was fun getting up close and conversational with the hawkers who clearly enjoy what they do best!

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Meet the hawker who personally cooked my dinner! Friendly and gregarious, we had an enjoyable time chatting while he prepared my dinner. 

And here it is! Fast, easy and oh so good! I was delighted! 

I loved the atmosphere of this urban food paradise. True, it felt like a hawker center, but the concept here was festive. The tables are all opening seating, so you rarely sit alone. It was for me a great way to meet other visitors and local residents alike. 

The food here is, by many accounts, more expensive than Maxwell Food Centre, the Chinatown Food Complex and other hawker locations nearby. Chinatown Food Street is mainly frequented by tourists and visitors. So is Clark Quay; I preferred this place overall. 

Though I only came here once I recommend it to you foodie types out there. Still, I was impressed with the quality of the food, the speed by which my dinner was cooked, and the laughs, smiles and conversation I enjoyed with the hawkers. 

The sounds of sizzling flavorful goodies combined with the bustling of people chatting over dinner lent itself to a fine experience. Entertaining, fascinating, scrumptious and engaging, Chinatown Food Street had it all for me. 

Yum Yum Good! Final Morning Breakfast at Maxwell Food Centre, Singapore

"Nobody in Singapore drinks Singapore Slings. It's one of the first things you find out there. What you do in Singapore is eat. It's a really food-crazy culture, where all of this great food is available in a kind of hawker-stand environment." Anthony Bourdain

I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain's show No Reservations. I still remember clicking on the Travel Channel to see him having the time of his life sampling and savoring Singapore's rich food culture. Every bit of his positive impressions is true.

Internationally famous, the Maxwell Food Centre was featured in that episode on Travel Channel. It is located a mere two or three blocks from my two accommodations in Chinatown, Hotel 1929 and the Duxton Hotel in Tanjong Pagar. 

There is much to select from here! Such a variety of choices had me grinning from ear-to-ear. Seemingly zillions of juice stands and healthy Chinese soups, Malay dishes galore! This is good old fashioned Mom-and-Pop Asian fast food with that home-style touch that leaves one satisfied -and wanting more. 

I stopped by here early in the morning on my final day. It was roughly 7:30 a.m., a bit early since many of the stalls were not open. Dark clouds hung in the sky, signaling that long-awaited rain was on its way. I wanted something hot but not overwhelming. I was not looking for 'Western' breakfast fare since I could always get that after my (not very desired) return to the USA. 

The Maxwell Food Centre is very conveniently located at a busy intersection in Chinatown. Its location near Hotel 1929 and the Duxton was perfect for my wants and needs. 

As it was early in the morning (though 7:30 a.m. is late for me!) many of the stands that line both sides of the public eating area were still closed. Ye there were a few stands open for those early-birds who need a savoring get-up-and-go homestyle breakfast. Hooray for me!

I sampled a couple of pork buns from this place. How were they? Delicious, fresh and healthy! I knew my breakfast adventure was off to good start. 

After a little more wandering among the hawker stands I decided on this wonderful combo. This is 'bird-in-a-bag' as I was told. It is cooked in a soft bag. The bird -quail? chicken? not sure- was incredibly tender, the juices pleasantly aromatic yet not overwhelming. I also enjoyed two prawn dumplings with a can of sugar cane juice for a little energy pick-me-up.

I never had a bad meal at the Maxwell Food Centre. Along with the food and juice stands, the hawkers and local customers were both helpful and charming. The hawkers who cook day in and day out as they have for years, even generations, are the heart and soul of Singapore. Long may they reign supreme!

Maxwell Food Centre is one of THE BEST of Singapore's hawker centers. This is what fabulous fast-food ought to be!

During my Singapore adventures I visited a nice variety of such food havens. Each has its own personality so do not ask me to judge one from the other. Maxwell Food Centre's location in Tanjong Pagar, Chinatown and near the central business district makes this culinary delight a must-see-and-savor destination.

Will I be back? You betcha!