Discover Udon Shin in Shinjuku: Tokyo’s Best Handmade Udon with Tempura Delights
Shinjuku, along with Shibuya and Ikebukuro, is an area lined with numerous shopping spots. Shinjuku is home to many izakayas and restaurants, making it a popular entertainment district among foreign tourists as a representative of Japan's nightlife.
The abundance of restaurants is particularly notable, offering various cuisines from Japanese to Western dishes. Among these, udon restaurants are especially plentiful, ranging from affordable establishments to high-end venues.
One particularly recommended spot is Udon Shin, located in a back alley of Minami-Shinjuku. While the taste is certainly exceptional, the restaurant is also well-known for its beautiful presentation. Today, we'll introduce Udon Shin, one of Tokyo's finest udon establishments.
Shinjuku: Home to Tokyo's Highest-Quality Udon Restaurants
Shinjuku has long been known as a fierce battleground for udon restaurants, with many high-quality establishments. The variety ranges from affordable chain restaurants to upscale dining venues.
Many popular shops have daily queues, and some require lengthy wait times. Several restaurants are particularly popular among foreign tourists, and some even require obtaining a numbered ticket in advance. If you're planning to visit, it's recommended to arrive early.
What is Udon?
Udon is one of Japan's representative noodle dishes, characterized by long noodles made from wheat flour kneaded with water. Its chewy texture is particularly appealing, and it has long been enjoyed as a satisfying noodle dish.
Udon has a longer history than soba and has been loved as a common people's dish since the Edo period. Its smooth texture and filling nature are notable characteristics. The noodles can be adjusted in firmness through cooking time, allowing for various arrangements and adaptations.
Like zaru soba in summer, udon can be eaten cold with dipping sauce, or hot with warm broth in winter, making it enjoyable throughout all seasons.
Udon Shin: A Prestigious Tokyo Restaurant Featured in the Michelin Guide
Source: Tabelog
Udon Shin, known as one of Shinjuku's representative udon restaurants, is among Tokyo's finest establishments that has been featured in the Michelin Guide. The owner is dedicated to serving the ultimate udon of their ideals, ensuring that fresh noodles are always made and boiled to order.
Located in a narrow alley in Minami-shinjuku, this small restaurant with only 12 seats consistently draws long lines of customers. As a result, they implement a ticket distribution system before opening. If you want to taste their udon, you'll need to arrive early.
One of its distinguishing features is the beautiful presentation that makes you want to take photos. Once you taste it, you'll be captivated by its deliciousness, making it a must-visit destination for anyone wanting to experience udon in Japan.
5 Charms of Udon Shin That Every Udon Lover Knows
Fresh Udon Made to Order with Utmost Care
Source: Tabelog
At Udon Shin, they consistently serve fresh udon to maintain the highest quality possible. The noodles are strictly made to order, ensuring delicious udon is available at all times.
To deliver their ideal ultimate udon, they directly source the perfect flour, let it rest overnight to achieve optimal moisture and salt content - this is Udon Shin's commitment to excellence. They only prepare enough noodles for the day's service, never making them in advance.
Even the noodle cutting is done after ordering, which means it takes some time from order to serving. They offer various flavors, so you can choose according to your preference.
Carefully Selected Ingredients for the Broth and Smooth, Firm Noodles
Source: Tabelog
Udon Shin consistently focuses on making fresh noodles. Since they cut the noodles for each order, you can always enjoy smooth noodles with perfect firmness. They are particular about the boiling method, using a large pot of water to cook the noodles evenly without any inconsistencies.
The broth ingredients consist of carefully selected shaved bonito and kelp from Hokkaido. They take time to carefully extract the umami, creating a broth you'd want to taste every day. This broth is combined with soy sauce from Kagawa Prefecture and seasonings to create the perfect soup.
Like the noodles, the broth is never prepared in advance. If you want to taste exceptional udon with attention to every detail, this is the recommended restaurant.
Various Signature Dishes and Seasonal Limited Menus
Source: Tabelog
Udon Shin offers not only their carefully crafted regular menu items but also seasonal limited editions. Their cold udon selection primarily features Bukkake udon, where boiled noodles are topped with sweet and savory sauce.
The udon can be enjoyed with various toppings such as sudachi citrus, mentaiko (spicy cod roe), sesame, and butter, allowing you to experience different flavors with each visit. If you want additional toppings, they can be added for an extra charge.
They also offer seasonal limited menus throughout the year. Their vegetable tempura, in particular, features seasonal vegetables that change throughout the year. You can enjoy different types of udon throughout the year, so take your time to savor them all.
A Cozy, Relaxed At-Home Atmosphere
Source: Tabelog
Despite being located near Shinjuku Station, Udon Shin offers a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere that makes you feel right at home. The restaurant is situated in a quiet residential area, with its wooden exterior giving it the charm of a hidden gem.
The seating is intimate, with just 6 counter seats and 2 tables. The staff provides excellent service, readily answering any questions about how to order udon. Additionally, the restaurant frequently serves international tourists, and the staff is well-equipped to assist foreign customers.
Prime Location Within Walking Distance from Shinjuku Station
Source: Tabelog
Udon Shin is ideally located within walking distance from Shinjuku Station. While it's a 6-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station, it's just 2 minutes from Exit 6 of Shinjuku Station on the Toei Shinjuku and Oedo Lines, making the subway the more convenient option.
Due to its excellent location, expect lines not just on weekends but also on weekdays. You'll need to get a numbered ticket from the dedicated machine before joining the queue. Plan accordingly and be prepared for potential wait times when visiting Udon Shin.
3 Must-Try Dishes at Udon Shin Recommended by an Udon Enthusiast!
Shrimp and Seasonal Vegetable Tempura Zaru
Source: Table Check
If you want to enjoy both udon and tempura, try the shrimp and seasonal vegetable tempura zaru. This generous portion features chewy udon topped with two shrimp tempura and four seasonal vegetable tempura pieces.
The cherry tomato tempura is particularly noteworthy, offering a surprising combination of crispy texture and tomato sweetness. The artistic presentation of the carefully rolled udon and tempura arrangement is Instagram-worthy.
This dish is perfect for those who want to fully enjoy both the udon and crispy tempura to their heart's content.
Premium Tempura Zaru Udon
Source: Tabelog
For an even more extensive tempura experience, order the Premium Tempura Zaru Udon. While the previously mentioned dish comes with six tempura pieces, this one features eight varieties, including fish and squid tempura.
The tempura is perfectly crispy with a light batter and is always served fresh. While it's delicious dipped in the sauce, trying it with the table salt is also recommended.
If you want more tempura, additional options are available, including chicken tempura and bacon tempura, among many other varieties.
Meat Kama-Tama Udon
Source: Tabelog
The Meat Kama-Tama Udon, featuring beef and raw egg, is one of Udon Shin's most popular dishes. The tender beef topping is prepared in a sweet sauce that will leave you craving more.
When eating, mix the egg and meat together with the udon to create a harmonious blend of flavors. You can customize your dish with additional toppings for an enhanced experience.
Udon Shin offers 13 different toppings, including green onions, grated radish, onsen egg, lemon, and mentaiko (spicy cod roe). Feel free to experiment with various combinations.
Access to Udon Shin
Address: 1F Soma Building, 2-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2 minutes walk from Shinjuku Station on Toei Shinjuku and Oedo Lines, 6 minutes walk from JR Shinjuku Station New South Exit
Hours: 11:00-22:00
Closed: Never (except New Year's holidays)
Phone: 03-6276-7816
Official Website: https://udonshin.com/
For Udon Lovers: Another Michelin Guide-Listed Restaurant "Kirimugiya Jinroku" in Shinjuku!
Source: Official website
For udon enthusiasts visiting Shinjuku who want to experience delicious udon, Kirimugiya Jinroku near Shinjuku Gyoen is highly recommended. This renowned establishment, previously featured in the Michelin Guide, specializes in freshly made and cut noodles prepared in-house.
The noodles are crafted using carefully selected flour and salt water, resulting in udon with excellent firmness (koshi) and elasticity. The broth is made with high-quality kombu-smoked fish flakes, carefully chosen mirin and soy sauce, with honey added to enhance the sweetness.
The tempura is always served fresh and crispy. Dinner reservations on weekdays are available for parties of two or more, which is recommended to avoid crowds.
Address: LAND-DEN 1F, 1-17-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line
Business Hours: Lunch 11:30-16:00, Dinner 17:30-23:30
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-6273-2646
Official Website: https://r.goope.jp/jinroku-gyoen/
Perfect for Late-Night Dining! Popular Shinjuku Restaurant "Tsurutontan" Open Until 8 AM
Source: Official website
In Japan, the final dish of a meal is called "shime." Noodle dishes like ramen and udon are popular choices for shime, especially after drinking, as they're believed to taste even better after alcohol.
If you want to experience shime during your visit to Japan, head to Tsurutontan in Shinjuku's Kabukicho district. Founded in Osaka in 1989, Tsurutontan prides itself on its firm noodles served in a broth made from Hokkaido kombu and bonito flakes.
They offer a wide variety of udon, with their signature dish being Kitsune Udon, topped with sweet-savory simmered fried tofu. The name "kitsune" (fox) comes from the belief that foxes love fried tofu.
Their menu also includes Korean-inspired options like Samgyetang and Spicy Miso Hot Pot, as well as creative variations like Crab Cream and Onion Potage udon. Being open until 8 AM, it's perfect for late-night dining.
Address: Amimoto Building B1F, 2-26-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 7-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station East Exit
Business Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00-8:00 (next day)/Sun & Holidays 11:00-23:00
Closed: Never
Phone: 03-5287-2626
Official Website: https://www.tsurutontan.co.jp/
