Given how much I am a fan of Japanese udon noodles, it really is quite surprising that it took me so long to get around to visiting Udon Izakaya Maedaya. Just over a year since its opening in fact, but I suppose better late than never. What’s not surprising however is that I’ve since squeezed in a second visit; visit number one took place a few weeks ago prior to our second round of The Cursed Child, and the second only last week. The quality of the udon is THAT good; silky with a nice bite, accompanied by fresh and clean flavours captured in the soup bases we’ve tried or a plate of beautifully delicate tempura battered veggies. And it’s not just the udon that shines; the taste and quality of our appetisers (silky agedashi tofu, flavoursome and fresh aburi salmon and takoyaki) rivalled that of the udon. And if I haven’t sold you yet, then there’s the ridiculously affordable price tag slapped on most of their dishes AND drinks that effectively makes happy hour an all-day thing. Happy slurping, folks!

Choya umeshu.

Agedashi tofu.

Aburi salmon roll.

Takoyaki.

Nabe (hot pot) udon.

Yasai tempura udon - served with 12 vegetables.

Udon Izakaya Maedaya

168-174 Bourke St,

Melbourne, Victoria, 3000.

+61 3 9650 0440