How is it that we've only just discovered Marugame Udon, London's Japanese fast food diner that it's up the ultimate in cold weather comfort food.
There are a few around town, but with new openings in Canary Wharf and St. Christopher's Place this month it's a brand that's steadily growing. The concept is simple; choose your noodles, choose your broth, meat or toppings, and accessorise with temporary to create your ultimate bespoke noodle dish.
Wednesday evening, barely 6pm and the place was buzzing. With an open kitchen, customers can watch their noodles being lovingly handmade, fresh every day. Grabbing a tray, the menu was pondered before settling on a two port tonkostsu, udon with charsu pork, spicy miso pork, rich tonkotsu style soup and a seasoned egg. Round the counter, a feast of tempura from asparagus and egg, to sweet potato, bell pepper and prawns. It seems that if it sits still enough, it will be battered...
A selection of drinks and desserts are available, as well of course as all the post-purchase trimmings you can muster; soy, chillis, breadcrumbs - go crazy (we did...). Finding a spot in the bustling restaurant was no mean feat - the Liverpool Street/Spitalfields branch is enormous - but it was worth the wait when we eventually tucked in. Cosy, comforting, warming broth is definitely the name of the game on a cold day and this is certainly one worth getting in your lunchtime little black book. The spicy pork had a decent kick without being too much, the tempura prawns fantastic in their indulgent crispiness. Next time we're trying the beef nikutama, udon with beef and caramelise onions in a sweet and smoky BK dashi broth with a poached Onsen egg.
In fact, given its proximity to the office, this might just be a new lunchtime favourite.
