We spotted this udon restaurant and decided to check it out. We remember waiting at least an hour in Tokyo to try the famous Himokawa Udon, and now it’s here in Melbourne! The place is called Yamamoto Udon.
The first bite? Absolutely amazing. The noodles are chewy and perfectly textured! The restaurant offers two types of udon, Himokawa (wide) and Sanuki (thin).
The staff told us the udon is handmade fresh daily, and you can really taste it. The wide udon is limited daily, and you can choose either dipping noodles or soup noodles, with different flavours including Wagyu curry and miso broth! They also serve assorted chicken and vegetable tempura as snacks.
We ordered the Wagyu curry dipping noodles, and every strand was coated in rich sauce. Each bite was incredibly tasty!
The prices are reasonable, around $20 for a single bowl or $20–$30+ for a set.
They also have different side dishes you can try. Pork Belly, Sweet and tangy, with a perfect fat-to-lean ratio. Tender and juicy, it pairs well with the udon. Tako Wasabi, $5 for a small serving of wasabi octopus. The slight wasabi kick and fresh octopus create a tangy, appetising bite, small but flavourful. Wagyu Stew, Soft, tender beef with a rich, layered flavour. A great side dish for the noodles.
Yamamoto Udon
Address – 108 Bourke Street, right at the entrance of Paramount Bourke St.