In Los Angeles Chinatown, the popular fast food chain “Marukame Udon” opened its new branch in the Rowland Heights area on Friday afternoon. The grand opening attracted a large crowd eager to once again experience the allure of traditional Japanese cuisine. By around 10 a.m., a long line had formed outside the store with over a hundred customers braving the scorching sun or seeking refuge under umbrellas in anticipation of tasting the flavorful udon noodles.
Local resident Wang Wendi, upon hearing about the opening of the new “Marukame Udon” branch, hurried over with her husband to try out the fresh offerings. “I’ve always liked udon noodles because they are chewy and refreshing,” she said. She added that compared to overly salty and spicy foods, the lightness of Japanese cuisine appeals to the majority of people’s palates.
Impressed by the menu offering reasonable prices and a variety of Japanese condiments, Wang found the selection of several fried appetizers alongside the main dishes to be a delightful surprise.
Another resident, Jonathan, who frequents the “Marukame Udon” branch in Arcadia for their udon noodles, brought a friend to the new outlet to try out the new creation tailored to Chinese tastes, the “Spicy Hot Pot Noodles.” He expressed his fondness for the service and quality ingredients typically found in Japanese restaurants.
“Marukame Udon” is a large multinational chain specializing in udon noodles with thousands of stores in Japan and other countries. Udon noodles are particularly popular in Asian communities. In addition to Taiwan, there are “Marukame Udon” branches in Chinese-populated areas like the Philippines, Indonesia, and the U.K.
At the opening ceremony, the Executive Chairman of the U.S. division, Victor Hisao Misawa, joyfully introduced the store’s development to customers and guests. The Rowland Heights branch marks the 23rd “Marukame” noodle house in the United States. In September and November of this year, branches in San Diego and San Francisco will also open consecutively. The company plans to expand to the U.S. East and South in the coming years. To cater to diverse tastes, they are planning to introduce the “Yaki Udon” stir-fried udon noodles.
Charlie Meng, the general manager of the Rowland Heights branch, shared that their udon noodles are a hit in Japan. To meet the market demand in Chinatown, they specifically developed the Spicy Hot Pot Noodles.
“In the coming months, our team will introduce menus that are very popular among Asians, such as Creamy Pork Belly Udon and Eel Rice, all currently in active preparation,” Meng estimated that these new items will be gradually available in the next few weeks.
Furthermore, Meng highlighted that the seasonings provided for customers, including sea salt, are sourced from Japan. The udon noodles are made from high-quality flour imported from Japan, with each store adjusting the blend based on local climate conditions. Fresh vegetables are sourced locally from reputable suppliers such as Costco.
The new store is located next to the H Mart supermarket in Rowland Heights, displaying the distinctive “Marukame Udon” sign outside. The spacious store is clean, bright, and combines the traditional Japanese restaurant’s flavor profile with contemporary production efficiency.
Once customers queue up and reach the counter, they simply need to state their noodle preference, and within less than a minute, a piping hot bowl of udon noodles is ready. Each serving can be made in large or small portions to suit varying appetites.
“I believe the Rowland Heights community will enjoy our food. We are not just selling noodles; we also hope that customers have a great experience here and create wonderful memories,” said Manager Meng.