Marugame Udon: A fast-food udon chain
Simpang 6, Jl. Teuku Umar No. 141, West Denpasar
A fast-serving udon chain located in the heart of Denpasar. That was Marugame. The building’s exterior was an attempted take on the Machiya, a traditional Japanese townhouse. I liked it.
The interior was undoubtedly Japanese. It featured structures like paper lanterns, wooden table and chairs, and the shoji on the far left corner, which housed a separated dining area for bigger groups.
Udon: Beef Curry Udon (IDR 56k)
The dish was customizable. There was a station at the center of the restaurant for people to add their choice of sides, ranging from sesame seeds to crispy tempura flakes. Me being me, I added tons of chilli.
The curry-infused broth was rich, the noodles were perfectly tender, but unfortunately the beef was soggy. I ordered my udon with a side of Chicken Katsu (IDR 14k), Skewered Shumai (IDR 12k), and a mug of cold ocha (Japanese green tea) to complement the entire meal. It was not the most authentic of udons, but I felt like it was not meant to be. Their dishes are semi-fusion, introducing hints of Japanese flavors into the Indonesian tastebuds.
At its given price, Marugame sits on the higher end of the spectrum. But given its genre and overall quality, this chain does not really have a competitor. It thrives in the current market.
