Review: Marugame Udon & Tempura

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Choosing the kind of restaurant I would dine at would be of three criteria: type of food, location, and price. I like Japanese food, Chinese food, a bit of Italian and Mediterranean. Actually, I am not very particular about the kind of food for as long as the price is affordable and it would not require me to travel more than one hour just to be able to eat. Luckily, I live in an area where there are a lot of restaurants to dine at plus, the convenience of having some of them delivered instead is a great relief.


I grew up loving Japanese food. This is probably because my dad was a great influence since he studied his M.A., Ph.D. and post-doctoral degrees in Japan and maybe subconsciously it made me a bit closer to my birthplace. I was born in Kagoshima City, Japan. The year? Oh, we don’t need to mention that here! LOL


My dad would prepare Japanese food sometimes when I was a kid with the whole Japanese set-up. My siblings and I just grew fond of eating tempura (I mean, who wouldn’t), sukiyaki (oh, yes!), sashimi, sushi (Halleluiah!), tonkatsu, and the list just goes on. My two sons have learned to love it, too. Even when we dine at Yakimix or Viking’s, our plate would just be filled with Japanese food and very rarely, Chinese and Filipino food. (Yes, I confess, aside from eating Japanese food from these two buffet restaurants, I go crazy with the desserts!)


Just very recently, a new Japanese restaurant opened in SM City North Edsa. And since it was new, I asked my sister in law to try it out with me. She isn’t much of a Japanese food lover unless there is Yaki Udon, which is just what she eats aside from the Ebi Tempura. So, just a few days ago, we visited Marugame Udon & Tempura. There was a long queue but we managed to wait since we don’t have other things to do expect to wait for 2:30PM to pick up our order for the children from RSCC.


We were greeted by the fast-food staff with the usual greeting " Irisshaemase", which is an honorific expression of welcoming someone. The set-up was pretty much like a fast food joint wherein you have to fall in line to order what you want. The open kitchen was a bit steamy brought about by the continuous bubbling of water for the noodles (udon). They serve Teriyaki Chickendon, Beef Yakiniku Don, Beef Udon, Sukiyaki Udon, Katsudon, Beef Yaki Udon and Curry Udon. There was a lot of fried stuff like the Tempura, Pork Tonkatsu, Sweet Potato Ten, Gyoza, Chicken Karaage, Kanikama Tempura, and Salmon Flakes Omusubi, just to name a few.



I wasn’t that hungry that time but I decided to order the Beek Yaki Udon while my sister ordered the Beef Yakiniku Don and added the Kakiage Tempura. It costs us just over Php500 with two cans of soda. For me, it was affordable. The serving was just quite right.





 I saw one lady who was a lot thinner than I am but she managed to eat a bowl of Sukiyaki Ninja Udon and Kamaage Udon. She saw my tray with the KakiageTempura and asked if it was for free. Maybe she didn’t want to spend more, so she didn’t order that. I wonder where she hides all the calories from what she eats. I wish I could eat that much and remain under 60kgs!




Itadakimasu
It was just after about 5 minutes or so when our orders were served. So, it was not a long wait and the foods served were all piping hot. I have mentioned that the serving was good enough. An order of the Beef Yaki Udon filled my tummy. I was expecting it to be served without getting drenched with sauce. The taste? Well, it wasn’t what I have expected. Although I would not say that it wasn’t good. But somehow, I was hoping that the food would be more flavorful. I also tasted the Beef Yakiniku Don that my sister-in-law ordered, and for me, it needed a little more salt. Well, to each his own, I guess.


Beef Yakiniku Don








Beef Yakiudon



Kakiage Tempura



Verdict:
Price: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Food Choices:⭐⭐⭐
Ambiance: ⭐⭐⭐
Presentation: ⭐⭐⭐
Taste: ⭐⭐⭐



Would I go back? Hmmm, probably if someone asks me to join them. I like more flavorful food and if I wanted Japanese food, this might not be the first place that would cross my mind. I am not sure if it was because I wasn't that hungry that affected how I feel about the food that I ate. Maybe, I'd try it again...who knows.

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