Introduction:
Just a short walk from Shinjuku Station’s South Exit, Udon Shin is one of Tokyo’s most popular udon restaurants. Despite its compact size, it regularly attracts long lines of customers—including many international visitors—eager to try its freshly made noodles and crisp tempura.
Freshly Made Udon at Udon Shin
Located seven minutes on foot from Shinjuku Station’s South and New South Exits, Udon Shin has been selected for the Tabelog “Top 100 Restaurants” list multiple years in a row.
The restaurant emphasizes freshness, serving noodles that are kneaded, cut, and boiled only after an order is placed. This dedication means a short wait (about 10–15 minutes), but the result is springy, flavorful noodles that embody the owner’s pursuit of the “perfect balance” between firmness and elasticity.
Inside the Restaurant
The narrow, wood-accented interior has 12 seats—six at the counter and two tables. Despite the small space, it feels warm and welcoming, with a clear view of tempura being fried in the back. Orders are taken while customers wait outside, but additional items can be added once seated.
Recommended Dishes
- Kake Udon with Maruten (¥980)
Served with a freshly fried, round fish cake (satsuma-age). The noodles are pleasantly chewy, and the clear broth is light yet flavorful. - Kashiwa Ten Zaru (¥1,000)
Cold noodles with dipping sauce, accompanied by chicken tempura. The noodles are firmer than the hot version, offering a springy, satisfying bite. The slightly sweet dipping sauce pairs perfectly with both noodles and tempura. - Soft-Boiled Egg Tempura (¥150)
A popular side dish, the egg is fried to a perfect soft center. Enjoy it with a sprinkle of salt or add it to your udon for extra richness.
Why Visit Udon Shin?
Udon Shin is worth the wait, offering an authentic experience of freshly made udon and crisp tempura in Shinjuku. For the best texture, the cold zaru style is especially recommended. Pair it with tempura or even sake for a classic Japanese dining experience.
Shop Information:
- Name: Udon Shin (うどん 慎)
- Address: 1F Soma Building, 2-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0053
- Access: 7 min walk from Shinjuku Station South Exit; 2 min from Toei Shinjuku Line Exit 6; 6 min from Minami-Shinjuku Station
- Hours: 11:00–23:00 (Sun–Thu), 11:00–24:00 (Fri–Sat)
- Closed: Open daily
- Seats: 12 | Wi-Fi: No | Smoking: No
- Payment: Cash only
- Tabelog Rating: 3.74
Looking for the original article in Japanese?
Click here to view the Japanese version on Daily Shinjuku:
https://daily-shinjuku.tokyo/2019/12/02/shinjuku-udonshin/
