Eating Sanuki Udon

Kagawa Prefecture ( above ), located in the north-east of Shikoku Region, used to be called Sanuki Province which is so famous for Sanuki Udon ( Japanese wheat noodles ), chewy and dense. Kagawa Prefecture, whose population is less than one million, has several hundreds Udon restaurants/shops while local people love Udon so much.

So almost all the people visiting the prefecture eat Sanuki Udon. Actually there are many who visit Kagawa Prefecture in order to eat Sanuki Udon rather than to see tourist spots. Needless to say, there are many restaurants/shops serving Udon all over Japan. However Sanuki Udon in Kagawa Prefecture is one of the best udon in Japan. Kagawa Prefecture is called "Udon Ken" ( Udon Prefecture ).

It is said that Kukai ( Kobo Daishi ) was born in Sanuki Province, who founded Koya-san Kongobu-ji Temple Complex in A.D.816. They believe that Kukai introduced the cooking method of Udon to Sanuki Province. Also it is said that Shikoku Henro pilgrims visit 88 temples which were related to Kukai.

Sanuki Udon is served in various styles, among which the most basic is Kake Udon ( above ), which is Udon noodles served in a hot broth soup and topped just with chopped green onions. The above photo was taken in Yamauchi Udon Restaurant, located in Manno-cho, Kagawa Prefecture, which is one of famous and popular Udon restaurants.

Most of Sanuki Udon Restaurants offer various toppings. For example, Yamashita Udon Restaurant, located in Sakaide City, offers various kakiage ( thick mixed tempra - above ) of shiba-ebi ( prawns ), vegetables, squid, sardine, potato and so on as toppings. Customers could choose favourite toppings among the prepared.

The above photo shows Kake-Udon topped with Shiba-ebi ( prawns ) Kakiage, which is one of the popular toppings offered in Yamashita Udon Restaurant. Toppings make udon much richer.

Bukkake Udon is another popular style of Sanuki Udon. The above photo shows Bukkake Udon served in Matsushita Seimenjo, located in Takamatsu City. Bukkake is not udon noodles served in hot broth soup but those onto which fish broth seasoned with soy sauce is poured.

Bukkake Udon could be served with toppings. The above shows Bukkake topped with meat served in Yamashita Udon Restaurant, located in Zentsuji City. It is said that Yamashita Udon Restaurant is the inventor of Bukkake Udon.

Please note that there are two Yamashita Udon Restaurants, one of which is located in Sakaide City, while the other is located in Zentsuji City. Both are popular among local people and tourists.

The above photo shows another variation of Bukkake Udon, Hiya-Ten-Oroshi served in Okasen Udon Restaurant, located in Utazu Town. Their Hiya-Ten-Oroshi is Bukkake Udon served cold ("Hiya") and topped with prawn tempura ("Ten") and grated Japanese radish("Oroshi"). Hiya-Ten-Oroshi and the restaurant is so popular and usually long queue is seen in front of the restaurant.

Kamaage Udon is also popular in Kagawa Prefecture. Kamaage Udon Noodles are served in hot water together with a dipping sauce. The above photo shows Kamaage Udon and a dipping sauce served in Nagata-in-Kanoka Udon Restaurant, located in Zentsuji City.

The above photo shows Curry Udon, Udon Noodles in a hot and thick curry flavoured broth, served in Bakuka Udon Restaurant, located in Marugame City. It is said that Udon was brought to Japan in the 8th century from China and evolved in Japan. Curry was broughtin the 19th century via United Kingdom from India to Japan, where Curry Udon was invented.

An-Zoni-Udon ( above ), served in Fukuda Restaurant located in Kanonji City, is unique. An-Zoni-Udon is served in hot soup topped with various ingredients including An-Mochi, which is Mochi rice cake with sweet red bean paste filling. I have not seen such Udon served except in Fukuda, which was established not as a Udon Restaurant but as a Mochi ( rice cake ) shop.

Sometimes a long queue would surprise tourists who visit famous and popular Sanuki Udon Restaurants such as Chikusei ( above ), located in Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture.

After queueing, customers enter the restaurants where so many people eat their favourite Sanuki Udon. The above photo shows inside Chikusei Udon Restaurant, which is one of the most popular and famous Udon restaurants in Kagawa Prefecture.

The above photo shows Kake Udon served in Chikusei Udon Restaurant. Yes, it is worth queueing. Also they prepare various kinds of toppings, among which tempra of soft-boiled egg could be the best.

The above photo shows another long queue in front of Gamo Udon Restaurant, located in Sakaide City. Gamo Udon Restaurant is also famous and popular among tourists.

Though so many people queue and big parking spaces are prepared, the building of Gamo Udon Restaurant ( above ) is far from big and there are not many tables inside. Tables are to be shared with strangers. Some people eat Udon standing outside.

The above photo shows Kake Udon topped with Abura-age ( deep-fried bean curd ) served in Gamo Udon Restaurant. It is one of my most favourite Sanuki Udon as well as Gamo Udon is one of my most favourite Udon restaurants.