It’s not laborious to discover a first rate bowl of noodles in Kagawa, the unofficial “Udon Capital of Japan.” This prefecture on Japan’s Shikoku island boasts greater than 700 eating places targeted squarely on udon. Regardless of the place you might be, you’re solely minutes from thick, chewy noodles bathing in a steamy, flavorful broth.
However should you’re after the greatest udon in Kagawa, then there’s nowhere higher to show than the Udon Taxi. This native tour service takes vacationers on an udon crawl you’ll brag about to each foodie good friend you might have again at dwelling. Suppose: tiny village joints, family-run outlets with traces dozens deep, and eating places that serve up daring twists on the standard noodles.
So if slurping your approach by way of the most effective bowls of noodles in Japan seems like your sort of journey, hop in. This scrumptious detour by way of Kagawa’s udon scene is in contrast to something you’ll discover in a guidebook—and all of it begins with a taxi experience. Right here’s what to know concerning the well-known Udon Taxi.
Drivers are licensed noodle specialists
The Udon Taxi, marked by a large noodle bowl on its roof, takes vacationers to Kagawa’s high udon eating places.
Your information isn’t only a driver—they’re an authorized udon skilled.
“I want data concerning the historical past of udon, the style of the udon at every restaurant and their costs, location, menu and so forth,” explains June Tada, a tour information at Udon Taxi.
Earlier than they’re allowed behind the wheel of a black taxi topped with a large bowl of noodles, potential guides should show their udon experience. The applying course of contains written and discipline exams—plus a hands-on udon-making take a look at. It’s a rigorous course of, and acing it’s a critical level of satisfaction. These drivers are desperate to share their deep love of udon with vacationers from Japan and overseas.
“There’s quite a lot of well-known udon round in Japan, however you possibly can eat the most effective udon in Kagawa. It produces all of the elements essential for udon-making,” says Tada, noting that the area’s wheat is particularly top quality.
Discover the various types of Japan’s favourite noodle
Attempt a number of kinds of udon with the Udon Taxi.
Udon Taxi excursions final two to 3 hours and begin at 10,800 yen (round $75) for as much as 4 folks. The longer the experience, the farther off the overwhelmed path you possibly can go to seek out the most effective udon in Japan.
Earlier than hitting the street, guides ask what sort of udon you are craving—whether or not it’s zaru udon (chilled noodles with shredded nori and a robust broth), niku udon (heat noodles topped with thin-sliced, ginger-seasoned beef), Geso’s tempura udon (that includes crispy fried squid), or the basic kake udon in a deeply savory dashi broth. All it’s essential to carry is your urge for food and a willingness to slurp with out disgrace.
No two excursions are the identical
Get pleasure from a steaming bowl of udon along with your information.
Consider the Udon Taxi drivers as udon concierges—they personally choose two or three standout eating places in Kagawa tailor-made to every visitor’s tastes. They’ll even be part of you on the desk, turning each meal into an opportunity to swap tales and dive deeper into Japan’s noodle tradition.
No two excursions are fairly the identical, along with your information’s private favorites shaping the place you’ll go. Tada enjoys taking vacationers to Ayauta Seiman, a self-service udon stand in Marugame with gorgeous views of Mount Iino.
“They’ve a singular dish referred to as vegetable udon, made with garlic olive oil. It’s very scrumptious,” Tada says.
Tada additionally recommends stopping at Kamakiri udon store in Kanonji Metropolis, “a really fancy restaurant the place you possibly can get pleasure from chewy udon noodles,” and Teuchi Udon Okada, run by a devoted grasp of handmade noodles.
Wherever the street leads, one factor’s sure: you’ll end the tour with a stomach filled with noodles—and a newfound love for Kagawa’s signature dish.