Udon Shop Kisuke

I visited Udon Shop Kisuke, a popular udon shop in Osaka that’s probably a household name among Sanuki udon fans. Not only was it selected for the Bib Gourmand in the 2022 Michelin Guide Osaka, but it’s also frequently named among Tabelog’s “Top 100 Udon Shops in the West,” so as a self-proclaimed udon enthusiast, it had long been on my list of places to try.

However, it seems fate hasn’t been on my side when it comes to this place—I’ve been left empty-handed several times in the past because they’d sold out and closed early. So, when I saw a long line outside the shop that day, I actually got excited, thinking, “Oh, I’m going to make it today!” Well then…

Considering everything that’s happened so far, this is no big deal… Just how long is the line at Udon Shop Kisuke, and how long is the wait?

I arrived at Udon Shop Kisuke around 1:00 p.m. that day. It was still the latter half of lunchtime, and I roughly counted about 20 people ahead of me, forming a long line outside the shop. With that many people ahead of me, I figured the wait would easily exceed 30 minutes, but for me that day, a wait of that length wasn’t a problem at all. After all, I’d already been turned away several times before finally joining this line.

In the end, after waiting about 40 minutes, I was finally able to get inside. The restaurant has a total of 24 seats, including four at the counter. I sensed a cozy, homey atmosphere that seemed perfect for families with children. However, as some online comments have noted, it seems true that the quality of service from the staff can vary, so it’s probably best to be prepared for that when you visit.

This sea bream chikuwa tempura has a one-of-a-kind flavor… Udon Shop Kisuke’s signature dish—Sea Bream Bhikuwa Tempura and Soft-Boiled Egg Bukkake—so how did it actually taste?

Now, let me introduce what I ordered that day at Udon Shop Kisuke: the restaurant’s signature dish, sea bream chikuwa tempura and Soft-Boiled Egg Bukkake (price: 1,000 yen, tax included). I added a large portion of noodles as an option, bringing the total price to 1,250 yen (tax included)…

About 10 minutes after ordering, the Sea Bream Chikuwa Tempura and Soft-Boiled Egg Bukkake I’d ordered was brought to my table. Just like the “Two-Flavor Seiro” I once had at Sato Yosuke Sohonten, I was impressed by how neatly the udon noodles were arranged.

Well then, let’s go ahead and pull up some noodles to give it a try… I was surprised the moment I took a bite. These noodles have an incredible chewy texture. They’re not stiff, but rather soft and springy—gentle yet firm enough to offer a satisfying bite. The texture is similar to the noodles at the nearby Takeuchi Udon shop. The broth, in contrast, strikes me as slightly sweet and light. The bonito flavor comes through strongly, with a hint of ginger, giving the sweetness a nice, clean finish.

And then there’s the sea bream chikuwa tempura—which, in a sense, could be called the star of this udon dish. Needless to say, it was freshly fried and piping hot; the batter was crispy, and the chikuwa inside had a gentle sweetness. With just one bite, that sweetness, along with the toasty aroma of the sea bream, softly spread throughout my mouth. This sea bream chikuwa tempura was, as its reputation suggests, absolutely incredible. I’d known about this sea bream chikuwa since my visit to Ogimachi Udon Asuro, but it’s a truly one-of-a-kind flavor you simply can’t find anywhere else. At 280 yen per piece, it’s a bit pricey, but I think it’s definitely worth adding two or three extra pieces as an option.

So, in just a few minutes, I polished off Udon Shop Kisuke’s signature dish—the Sea Bream Chikuwa Tempura and Soft-Boiled Egg Bukkake—and left the restaurant. As you’d expect from a Michelin-listed restaurant, the taste fully justified the long lines. That’s exactly why, if you’re even a little late for lunch, there’s a risk they’ll sell out and close early… Personally, I’d be super happy if they started serving udon even for a late lunch.

Other Menu Items at Udon Shop Kisuke (Prices include tax)

• Bukkake with Pork and Hot Spring Egg (Hot/Cold) 1,250 yen
• Pork Udon (Hot) 1,250 yen
• Bukkake with Double Sea Bream Chikuwa Tempura and Soft-Booiled Egg (Hot/Cold) 1,200 yen
• Bukkake with Eggplant and Pumpkin Tempura (Cold) 1,150 yen
• Mochi Tempura with Plum and Grated Daikon Bukkake (Cold) 1,100 yen
• Kama-tama Udon, Kisuke-style (with Sea Bream Chikuwa Tempura) (Hot) 1,000 yen

Kitsune Udon (Hot) 900 yen

Enjoy a light drink with some tempura on the side… Udon Shop Kisuke is a 7-minute walk from Nakazakicho Station on the Osaka Metro Tanimachi Line, the nearest station.

At Udon Shop Kisuke, in addition to their signature sea bream chikuwa tempura, they offer several other types of tempura toppings. The tempura is widely praised online for its high quality, with some reviews even saying, “This could hold its own at a specialty tempura shop!” It’s a great way to enjoy a light drink—like beer or shochu—while snacking on such high-quality tempura. Next time I have a day off, I think I’ll save up a little extra and pay them a visit…

Now, here are the shop details…

P.S. If you’re looking for delicious udon in Osaka, be sure to check out this article as well…