Best Udon in Waikiki: Local Favorites, How to Order & What to Try

Ever tried udon? Once you’ve enjoyed it, you know those cravings can hit at any time!

If it’s during your Honolulu vacation, you’re in luck.

 There are several options with some of the best udon restaurants in Waikiki. 

Not familiar with udon? It’s a thick, Japanese noodle made with wheat flour, often served hot in a broth.

But it can be enjoyed cold with a dipping sauce like Zaru Udon.

Some like Yaki Udon, stir-fried with noodles, while others enjoy it served in hot water with various seasonings and a dipping sauce, called Kamaage Udon.

If you’ve got a craving, you probably already know which udon you want.

You just need to know where to go! Living and working here in Waikiki, we have our favorites.

If it’s new to you, sample several types to find your own favorite – a fun and easy task at the top Waikiki udon restaurants.

Best Udon Restaurants in Waikiki

Marukame Udon

Marukame Udon is by far the most popular restaurant for udon in Waikiki.

Hungry locals and tourists are happy to wait in line to satisfy their cravings for udon, and it’s all homemade.

With the line often stretching down Kuhio Avenue, it’s an obvious sign of just how good it is.

In fact, may see it’s the best udon they’ve ever had with its springy, slurpable texture.

Plus, you can even watch a master prepare the handcrafted noodles based on a centuries-old technique in the theater kitchen for a truly unforgettable experience. 

The menu is simple, with everything from plain udon in a kake sauce to udon with eggs and beef.

Soy udon is available for vegans too.

You can also get rice bowls and tempura.

The tempura is just as impressive as the udon, with your choice of shrimp, squid, chicken, and various veggie options.

While Marukame Udon is a must-try in Waikiki, there are several others worth sampling right in this district or very close by.

Insider tip: To avoid the longest lines, consider a late lunch as it will be more reasonable later in the afternoon.

Parking can be quite challenging, but if you stay at FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII, you’ll be just a short walk away.

Udon Gama-Dashi Kapahulu

One of the newer udon restaurants, Udon Gama-Dashi Kapahulu, is set within the Wong Leong Building, a bit farther inland from Waikiki Beach behind the Ala Wai Golf Course.

It has an authentic Japanese atmosphere in a cafeteria-like setting, complete with Japanese music and friendly service.

Known for its Hakata-style udon, with soft, thin udon noodles served in a clear, light broth, there are 10 different udon bowls to choose from, with varying ingredients and toppings. 

An excellent tempura selection is available too.

You’ll place your udon order, and while waiting, you can choose your tempura, which is sold by the piece.

Some of our favorites include the Ebiten Udon, Kake Udon, Niki Udon, and the Mentai Butter Kamatama Udon.

But whatever you select, you’re sure to be impressed.

But there’s more, continue on for affordable, tasty, and quick…

Udon Yama

Udon Yama offers a truly authentic udon experience.

Its broth recipe was passed down from an illustrious Kagawa family, and today everything is homemade. 

The basic stock is made fresh every day using ingredients that were imported from Japan, where you’ll find more than a dozen Udon Yama eateries across the country.

The Waikiki outlet brings a bit of Japan to Hawaii, and it’s just around the corner from us at FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII.

Prices at Udon Yama are quite reasonable, the service is quick, and the flavors are comparable to the more well-known Marugame but without the long wait.

We highly recommend the Nikutama Udon.

It has sweet onions, eggs, and beef – get it with the optional crunchy tempura.

Tsurutontan Waikiki

Located in the Royal Hawaiian Center, Tsurutontan Waikiki offers udon along with many other Japanese dishes.

It was named for the sound of slurping noodles, Tsuru, and the kneading and shaping of the noodles: Ton.

Steps away from FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII, it’s perfect for a quick lunch.

We love the Curry Udon, which comes in a huge bowl, best enjoyed with a side dish of Ahi Poke over rice. 

The restaurant also serves sake, wine, and handcrafted cocktails to pair with it.

Now that you know where to go, it’s time to go more in-depth for the best experience, with a better understanding of everything from how to order and how to eat udon to the side dishes that pair well with it.

How to Order Udon

Ordering udon usually starts by deciding whether you’re like hot or cold noodles. 

Then you’ll choose your dish from options like Zaru Udon or Kake Udon.

Toppings like tempura or fried tofu can also be added.

There are also specific words that are often used that explain what temperature you’d like the broth and noodles to be:

• Atsu atsu: the broth and udon are hot
• Atsu hiya: the broth is cold, but the udon is hot
• Hiya atsu: the broth is hot, but the udon is cold
• Hiya hiya: Both the broth and the udon are cold

But is it better hot or cold?

Cold vs. Hot Udon

Udon is delicious whether enjoyed hot or cold.

Some udon lovers like to enjoy cold udon when it’s hot out, and hot udon on a chilly winter’s day, but nothing is set in stone.

Cold udon, like Zaru Udon, is generally served chilled and accompanied by a dipping sauce. 

Hot udon, such as Kamaage Udon, features noodles served in a hot, savory broth, but the noodles can also be dipped in a broth.

This dish isn’t complicated to eat, and there is no hard rule stating chopsticks MUST be used.

How to Eat Udon

Typically, udon noodles are eaten with a combination of chopsticks and slurping the noodles into your mouth as you lift the bowl to prevent spills.

You can pick up the noodles with chopsticks and then place some broth, noodles, and vegetables onto a large spoon or ladle.

While chopsticks are the most common and authentic way to enjoy udon, it’s acceptable to use a fork and spoon.

So, what to enjoy with it?

Side Dishes to Try

You can enjoy udon on its own, but most add a side dish or two to enhance the experience.

Some of the most popular include tempura, salads like a Japanese spinach salad or cucumber salad, onigiri (rice balls), and miso soup.

Now that you’re armed with all you need to know about udon, it’s time to consider where to stay to enjoy it.

Don’t worry, there are plenty of options in addition to udon and other Japanese fare.

Waikiki Dining: More Than Just Udon

There’s a lot more than just udon and other Japanese cuisine in the Waikiki dining scene. You’ll find everything from authentic Hawaiian eats to dishes with influences from the Filipino and Polynesian cultures. 

There are plenty of international favorites too, including Italian and Mexican.

But where should you stay that’s well-located?

Wanna Stay at a Well-Located Hotel in Waikiki?

We live and work in Waikiki, here at FIRST CABIN INTERNATIONAL HAWAII, and although we may be biased, we think it’s not only one of the most well-located hotels, but it’s a top pick for many types of travelers. 

It’s walkable to everything, including Waikiki Beach and several of the best udon venues. Plus, the Japanese-style capsule hotel was stylishly designed with the elegance of a first-class airplane cabin while providing affordability and friendly service.