The Best Restaurant In America Is 2,500 Miles Away From The West Coast
By Megan Shute|Published October 04, 2017
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From upscale seafood restaurants to hole in the wall sushi joints and everything in between, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible restaurants. But did you know that the best restaurant in all of Hawaii will only set you back $15? That’s right – one of the best restaurants in the Aloha State is Marukame Udon, a casual, cafeteria-style Japanese eatery with a cult following. With 4.5 stars and more than 6,000 reviews, it was rated as the 10th best restaurant in the country in Yelp’s “Top 100 Places To Eat In The US” for 2016.
Let’s dive in:
This casual Japanese eatery specializes in delicious noodle soup, and there is almost always a line out of the door.
(Except for in this photograph, for whatever reason.)
Noodles are made using the Sanuki-style method, and you can watch cooks sheeting and cutting the fresh dough into noodles while you wait. Each step of the udon-making process is taken care of by a different person, by hand. And it shows — the udon is absolutely mouthwatering.
Next, you’ll load up on musubi, as well as a variety of meat and vegetable tempura (favorites include asparagus, mushroom, and shrimp), before grabbing a drink, reaching the end of the cafeteria line, paying for your meal, and hoping you can find a table inside. Unfortunately, seating is rather limited, but you can usually grab a table if you’re observant, or patient.
Did we mention that Marukame Udon is one of the most affordable places you could possibly eat in Waikiki? Bowls start at just $3.75 and max out at approximately $7.50. With a tempura side or two and a drink, you’re looking at approximately $10 for a complete meal that is not only delicious, but is sure to fill you up, whether your plans include catching waves or sipping umbrella drinks.
Be prepared for a wait, especially if you visit at lunch or dinner time. Luckily, the line moves relatively quickly. Trust us, though, any wait is worth it at this iconic Honolulu restaurant.
Though Maurkame Udon is technically a Japanese chain (the Kuhio Avenue location was the first outside of Japan and opened in 2011), you won’t find better Udon anywhere on the island, and the cafeteria-style eatery is certainly fun.
Marukame Udon is located at 2310 Kuhio Avenue Suite 124 in Waikiki and is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. If you have yet to eat at Marukame Udon, what are you waiting for? It should be added to — and crossed off of — your 2017 Hawaii dining bucket list as soon as possible!
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