On a street that leans heavily toward Western cafes and fusion bistros, Marukame Udon occupies a specific niche: a single-focus Japanese noodle house built around wheat udon and made-to-order broths. Seven soup bases anchor the menu, ranging from the clean, restrained kake dashi to the richer tonkotsu and miso variants, giving the kitchen enough range to pull in both light eaters and those after something more substantial.
The Miso Yakiniku is the bowl most worth noting — stir-fried beef in yakiniku sauce over udon in miso broth, finished with a seasoned egg. The Curry Udon with fried pork cutlet stacks Japanese curry sauce over both noodles and beef, producing a heavier, more filling option. For something different, the Tan Tan Miso combines miso broth with minced pork and bok choy with a mild heat, while the Tonkotsu with marinated egg is the closest the menu gets to ramen-adjacent comfort. A Spicy Seafood variant in lightly sour-and-spicy kake broth rounds out the range for those avoiding meat.
Weekend hours start at 8 AM — earlier than most sit-down restaurants in the neighborhood — making it one of the few places serving a proper hot bowl before 10. The location on Thảo Điền street puts it within easy reach of the district's residential clusters, and the 1,334 Google reviews at a 4.4 average reflect a steady, loyal customer base that includes Japanese expats, local families, and office workers on lunch rotation.
Portions come in regular and large, and the format is built for efficient turnover rather than lingering. In a neighborhood where Japanese dining options typically mean sushi counters or izakaya menus, the udon-only focus is a practical alternative.
Udon Bulgogi Combo (L) + Yuzu Lemon Strawberry Hokkaido Drink
183k VND
Combo Udon Bbq Beef And Hokkaido Tomato (L) + Hokkaido Hibiscus Strawberry Tea
173k VND
Salmon Rice With Teriyaki Sauce
172k VND
Rice, Salmon With Teriyaki Sauce, Broccoli, Carrot, Sweet Corn
Bulgogi Rice Combo (L) + Yuzu Lemon Strawberry Hokkaido Drink
172k VND
Udon Bulgogi Miso Cay (L)
161k VND
Full menu below · prices in VND.
I dont even know what to say anymore , THIS is the pinnacle of japanese food , oh my god , the curry is SOO good its packed with flavours , the udon's texture is so addicting , the tonkatsu was very crunchy , tender on the inside , i dont even know how to describe it , this is amazing , the drinks are okay i guess?
A simple lunch that quietly fixed our day No big plan. No special craving. Just one of those “let’s eat something simple” lunches and somehow it became exactly what we needed. Marukame Udon in Thảo Điền is one of those places that doesn’t try to impress you. It just delivers what you need. Spacious, calm light, no noise, no rush. You order, you sit, and suddenly the food arrives clean and honest. Fresh udon noodles, rich but light broth, crispy tempura, soft marinated eggs, wakame, kimchi, a cold yuzu drink and warm hojicha tea — nothing fancy, everything comforting. The kind of food that leaves you quietly satisfied. We ate slowly. We talked more. We didn’t look at our phones much. Total bill: about 420,000 VND for two people for a lunch that felt calm, nourishing, and grounding. If you’re in Thảo Điền and need a soft reset this place does it gently and perfectly. 🐼🐼
Whenever business calls or family ties bring us back to the vibrant energy of Saigon, there is one gastronomic ritual we never skip. This beloved Udon chain has become our sanctuary of consistency, delivering an elevated comfort food experience year after year. The Consistency: In a fast-changing culinary scene, their commitment to authenticity is unmatched. It tastes just as phenomenal today as it did on our very first visit. The Broth: The absolute star of the show. It is remarkably clear, light, yet packs a deeply nuanced, umami-rich punch that heals the soul after a long day of travel. The Noodles: Pure perfection. The texture achieves that elusive, masterful balance—perfectly chewy (mochi-mochi) with just the right amount of bite. The overall experience would be significantly enhanced and more refreshing if the venue were equipped with a better air conditioning system. Toan Nguyen Travel Blogger
Marukame Udon Thao Dien is easy to find and with parking available for both motorbikes and cars (not many). The restaurant follows a fast-food model: customers choose their dishes, take a tray, and move along the counter, so service is quick and convenient. The space is bright, clean, and neatly arranged, though often crowded during peak hours. The menu focuses on udon dishes, with the most popular being beef and egg udon with a rich broth and soft-boiled egg. Other options include spicy pork udon, seafood cheese udon, and salmon rice bowls. The noodles are pre-cooked, thick, and soft, with broths that are generally light and easy to eat. Prices range from 70,000 to 135,000 VND per portion, which is mid-range compared to Japanese restaurants in Ho Chi Minh City. The main strengths are the speed of service and consistency of the food; the drawback is a noisier atmosphere at busy times. Overall, it’s a suitable option for a quick, straightforward Japanese-style meal.
My colleague recommended here for Udon so I decide to visit and found that atmosphere looks like a fast food restaurant. When you walked in, you will pass many stations to order, the first one will be main dish - noodle - follow by add on and drink then cashier. Once done settled payment, there will be a sitting area in many style with a central counter to grab ice and some ingredient - lemon, onion, garlic etc. I like udon here the most as the price is reasonable and taste is delicious so it’s my favorite place to visit for dinner if no other new choice to go.
Breakfast available: Opens by 8 AM — a viable breakfast stop in Thao Dien.
Menu starts from: 11k VND, based on 81 priced items on the public menu.
Reservations: Call +84 28 7309 9910 to book — recommended for weekend dining.
Best for: quick lunch, family dinner, weekend brunch, weeknight meal.
Delivery: Listed on GrabFood.
Udon Noodles with Satay and Fried Snacks
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Beef Udon Soup
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