Marugame Udon

Tucked into the bustling Sawtelle corridor, Marugame Udon offers a no-frills approach to one of Japan’s most beloved comfort foods. The setup is straightforward: grab a tray, queue up, and watch as your udon is prepared fresh before your eyes. It’s the kind of place that feels wonderfully unpretentious, where the focus is squarely on the noodles themselves.

The star of the show here is the cold beef tsuke udon, a satisfying combination of chewy, springy noodles paired with a rich dipping broth and tender slices of beef. The udon has that ideal texture—firm with just the right amount of bite—that keeps regulars coming back for their weekly fix. As you shuffle along the line, you can also add a rice bowl or grab some tempura to round out your meal.

The cafeteria-style experience means this isn’t the place for a lingering dinner date, but it’s absolutely perfect for a quick, satisfying lunch that gets you away from your desk without breaking the bank. The pace is brisk, the portions are generous, and there’s something deeply satisfying about the whole assembly-line ritual.

A word to the wise on the tempura: if you want it at its crispiest, try to snag a piece straight from the fryer rather than one that’s been sitting under the heat lamps. Otherwise, stick with the udon and you won’t be disappointed. For a budget-friendly noodle run in LA’s Little Osaka neighborhood, Marugame delivers exactly what you need.