udon – Jellybeans in the City

Marugame Udon brings flavor and convenience to Arcovia City

Marugame Udon, the celebrated Japanese fast-casual chain known for its freshly handcrafted udon noodles, has expanded its reach with a new branch in Arcovia City, Pasig. This addition brings Marugame Udon’s signature blend of fast, flavorful, and affordable Japanese fare to Pasiguenos like me and my fam, offering a satisfying dining experience that fits seamlessly into the bustling lifestyle of our city.

The Concept Behind Marugame Udon

Marugame Udon’s concept revolves around authentic, handmade udon noodles served in a fast-casual setting. The chain prides itself on its meticulous noodle-making process, ensuring that every bowl of udon is fresh, chewy, and flavorful. With a self-service model, customers can customize their meals with a variety of udon soups, toppings, and side dishes. This approach has resonated with diners globally, particularly in busy urban areas, by offering quick yet high-quality meals that cater to diverse tastes.

Arcovia City Branch Highlights

Situated in Arcovia City along C5 Road, the new Marugame Udon branch is strategically placed in a vibrant and rapidly growing area. Arcovia City is known for its modern residential condominiums, retail hubs, and office towers, making it a prime location for dining establishments. The Marugame Udon branch here features a modern, clean design that reflects the casual, welcoming atmosphere of traditional Japanese eateries. The branch is designed to be both accessible and inviting, contributing to the area’s appeal as a dining destination.

The Ordering Experience: Fast Food with a Twist

At Marugame Udon, the ordering process mirrors that of fast-food restaurants, but with a focus on quality and customization. Diners queue up at the counter, where they can watch their udon noodles being freshly prepared. The menu offers a range of options, allowing customers to choose from different udon soups, toppings, and a selection of pre-made side dishes like tempura and gyoza. The efficiency of the service ensures that meals are served quickly without compromising on quality. Customers can pick up their trays, add condiments, and find seating, making it a convenient choice for those on a tight schedule. Of course, in consideration of the other people on queue, it’s best not to linger too long in the line so making quick decisions about what to order is definitely a must.

Personal Dining Experience: A Taste of the Menu

During our recent visit to the Arcovia City branch, the fam and I sampled a variety of dishes that highlighted the menu’s versatility. The Beef Ontama Bukake Udon (Php275) featured soft, chewy noodles topped with thin beef strips and a half-boiled egg in a mildly sweet soup, offering a unique twist on the traditional gyudon. The Tonkotsu Udon (Php300) stood out with its rich, creamy paitan soup, fresh handmade udon, and toppings of karamiso, egg, mushrooms, and pickled ginger, showcasing a well-balanced flavor profile. The Beef Udon (Php190) was a comforting dish with tender beef slices and a soft-boiled egg over chewy noodles, perfect for traditionalists. For rice lovers, the Gyudon Rice (Php200) provided a savory bowl of sautéed beef and pickled ginger.

The sides, including Ebiten (Tempura Shrimp, Php70 per pc), Sweet Potato Tempura (Php45), Tamago Ten (Half-Boiled Egg Tempura, Php45), and Chicken Karaage (Php65), complemented the main dishes well. The quality of these sides, combined with their affordability and generous portions, made the dining experience both enjoyable and budget-friendly.

Why Marugame Udon is a Hit in Pasig

Marugame Udon has been well-received among Pasiguenos for its blend of quality and convenience. The restaurant’s ability to cater to quick lunches and relaxed dinners appeals to a wide range of customers. We appreciate the fresh ingredients, customizable options, and the overall value for money, making Marugame Udon a popular choice for both busy professionals and families looking for a satisfying meal.

Final Thoughts

Marugame Udon’s new branch in Arcovia City brings fast, flavorful, and affordable Japanese fare to Pasig, enhancing the area’s dining landscape. The fast-food-style ordering process, combined with high-quality dishes and a welcoming atmosphere, makes it a must-visit destination. Whether you’re in need of a quick bite or a leisurely meal, Marugame Udon in Arcovia City is worth checking out.

This Marugame Udon is located at Ground Floor Unit A5-A6, The View Deck, Arcovia City, 99 E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue, Pasig City, open Mondays to Thursdays from 11am to 10pm and Fridays to Sundays from 10am to 10pm. For inquiries, call +63 926 8760974.

Know more about Marugame Udon by visiting its website and following it on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok.

Check out my previous posts about Marugame Udon

Hearty noodle meal at Marugame Udon, SM North EDSA

A Marugame Udon Power Lunch, thanks to GrabFood

#HandsDownGoodFood at Hanako, Estancia

Are you a fan of Japanese food too?

Thanks to its focus on fresh and seasonal ingredients, simple yet methodical preparation as well as its artful presentation, Japanese food continues to be among the most popular cuisines in the metro.

One of the premier destinations for Japanese cuisine is Hanako. With its “bang for the buck authentic Japanese food” proposition, it makes delicious Japanese dishes more accessible to foodies in the metro.

It recently opened a branch in Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, adding a cozy space for Japanese food lovers to discover and enjoy their favorites.

Sushi

California Maki (Php219). Maki made with kani, mango, cucumber and ebiko.

Salmon Cream Cheese (Php269). Maki made with salmon, cream cheese, cucumber, sesame and tempura flakes.

Ultimate Dynamite Roll (Php269). Maki made with salmon, tuna, kani, togarashi and tempura flakes.

Torched Cheese & Salmon (Php304). Sushi rice topped with marinated salmon and torched cheese.

Salmon Sashimi (Php249/5pcs | Php319/8pcs).

Tuna Sashimi (Php209/5pcs | Php294/8pcs).

Snacks

Creamy Mushroom Udon (Php249). Thick udon noodles doused in a savory and creamy mushroom sauce.

Gyoza Sampler (Php179/6pcs | Php619/18pcs). Combination of classic pork, beef and chicken Japanese potstickers.

Starters

Beef Sukiyaki (Php249). A hearty nabemono (“hot pot dish”) made with sliced beef slowly simmered along with vegetables in a broth of soy sauce, sugar and mirin.

Tuna Tartare (Php249). Sushi-grade tuna chopped into tiny pieces and tossed in Japanese mayo with togarashi, tempura flakes and chopped scallion.

Mains

Ebi Tempura (Php209/3pcs | Php309/5pcs). Battered and deep-fried shrimp served with special sauce.

If you’re an avid fan of Ebi Tempura, I suggest you take advantage of its dine-in promo wherein you can enjoy unlimited tempura with a serving of gohan (steamed rice) for only Php499/person. This offer is available Mondays to Thursdays (2 hours maximum), thankfully extended until June 9, 2022.

Yasai Itame (Php154). Fresh and crisp vegetables stir-fried in a flavorful sauce.

Karaage (Php259). Marinated and lightly-floured chicken pieces and deep-fried then served with special sauce.

Chicken Teriyaki (Php294). Rice bowl topped with grilled chicken glazed with teriyaki sauce.

Gyudon (Php299). Rice bowl topped with finely sliced beef simmered in a sweet sauce with onions.

Tonkatsu (Php284). Breaded pork cutlet that’s been deep-fried then served rice and katsu sauce.

Craving for great-tasting Japanese food? Well, now you know where to go to sate your craving without having to burn a hole through your wallet.

It may be time to hie yourself over to any of these Hanako branches in the metro:

4th Floor, East Wing, Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons, Pasig City
30 Doña Soledad Ave., Better Living Subd., Brgy. Don Bosco, Parañaque City
83 B Mindanao Avenue, Quezon City, Bagong Pag-asa,, Quezon City (beside Car Doctor)
131-C Armstrong Ave., Brgy. Moonwalk, Parañaque City
GF, SM Center Pasig, Ortigas East, Pasig City
2nd Floor, The Rock, Holy Spirit Drive, Brgy. Don Antonio, Quezon City
Robinsons Townville Regalado Ext Ciudad Verde, Quezon City

You may also order online at cravehanako.ph.

To stay updated on Hanako’s offers and promos, follow it on Facebook and Instagram.

Disclosure: I attended a food tasting held at this restaurant where food items were served at no cost to the attendees.

Check out my previous posts on Hanako:

Hanako, Katipunan — Sate your Japanese food cravings at Hanako, Regis Katipunan

A Marugame Udon Power Lunch, thanks to GrabFood

Just to be clear: I’m a firm believer of the #HappyLunch, the practice of taking your precious lunch break by going out to eat at one of your favorite restaurants or trying out a new place together with your officemates. This is a great way to decompress and bond with your workmates after a busy morning at work.

Lately, though, this can’t always be possible, especially as we’re all encouraged to practice social distancing and avoid crowded areas.

So how can we office-based foodies enjoy the food we love when we can’t go out of the safety of the workplace?

Thankfully, the largest udon noodles restaurant chain in the world, Marugame Udon, delivers via GrabFood!

Marugame Udon is dedicated to provide Japanese authentic made-to-order Udon noodles which are freshly kneaded, boiled and cooked every day. These noodles are made according to the practices in Sanuki, a region in the Kagawa prefecture known for the quality of its udon. The noodles’ flavors and textures are further enhanced by the broths made by the restaurant in small batches to maintain quality.

My officemates and I all placed our orders for two of Marugame’s popular udon dishes thirty minutes before lunchtime (that’s how long the delivery will take).

They arrived hot and steaming, totally appetizing!

Beef Ontama Bukkake Udon (Php210 regular | Php260 large). Made with marinated gyudon beef strips, Japanese poached egg, and mildly sweet bukkake soup.

Chicken Paitan Udon (Php200 regular | Php250 large). Made with sauteed chicken, a soft boiled egg, and creamy chicken soup that calls to mind your favorite chicken sopas.

With their plentiful broth and thick and chewy noodles, these udon bowls are very filling and helped fuel our work for the remains of the workday. I certainly didn’t mind my desk lunch too much!

This meal was ordered from the Marugame Udon branch located at the Lower Ground Floor, Fisher Mall, Quezon Avenue, Del Monte, Quezon City via GrabFood. Download the Grab App on the App Store or Google Play. Get a discount on your first food order when you use my code: GRABJELLYBEANS.

Other branches in the metro are located at:

Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City North EDSA, Bago Bantay, Quezon City
Ground Floor, Phase 2, UP Town Center, Katipunan Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City
Upper Ground Floor, Main Building, SM City Fairview, Novaliches, Quezon City
Ground Floor, SM City Marikina, Marcos ighway, Calumpang, Marikina City
Third Floor, Building A, SM Megamall, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Second Floor, The Podium, ADB Avenue, Ortigas Center, Mandaluyong City
Ground Floor, Main Mall, Ayala Malls Circuit, Carmona, Makati City
Third Floor, Glorietta 4, Ayala Center, Glorietta Complex, Makati City
Ground Floor, Uptown Place Mall, 36th Street corner 9th Avenue, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
B7, Bonifacio High Street, Lane P, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig