Discovery of the Sanuki Udon of YAMAGOE San
It is said in Kagawa that the most renowned establishment in this regard is the one located in Ayakawa Cho (Kagawa). Open for more than 60 years, it bears the name of its founder, YAMAGOE San. The Udon of Kagawa are known under the name Sanuki Udon. The Yamagoe establishment is very popular for its "Kamatama Udon" recipe — my personal favourite. The udon, once boiled, are simply topped with a raw egg and soup.
Every day, locals and visitors queue from late morning to enjoy one or more delicious bowls of udon. In summer, it is even common to see 1.5 km of vehicles queuing to access the place. The restaurant is visited by an average of 1,000 people daily, and this figure can more than triple during the summer period. During my visit, I had to wait 45 minutes, but it was an opportunity for unexpected encounters.
What is extraordinary is that it will cost you between €1.50 and €2.50 to enjoy this dish. The exterior appearance of the place is reminiscent of a warehouse. No tables, just benches to sit on or a few small low tables to rest a tray on. Everyone makes do. Here, there is no time to waste. The udon are cooked in their basket, then placed in a bowl and garnished according to the customer's choice.
Anyone visiting Kagawa should not miss this appointment. For me, sanuki udon are indisputably part of Japan's culinary heritage.
To discover our noodles, visit the Nishikidori shop.
