Of all the Japanese noodles, my favourite are the springy thick strands of udon. Udon doesn’t leave this after taste at the back of your throat like ramen does and I prefer the texture too. Especially if they are served in a well flavoured broth. If you know Shanghai noodles, udon is very similar to that.
Newly opened Den Udon in Kings Cross serves their home made noodles in a few choices of broth. Housed in a converted pub, it is tucked away in a side street near Kings Cross. There are large wooden benches and long tables for communal seating and a has a very minimalist decor. It is still new and their decor is still evolving.
In case you are unfamiliar with their menu or noodles, they have a graphical explanation on the back of their menu. This explains how the udon is made.
The bowls are bigger than your face and there is a very generous portion of noodles, meat and vegetables. Their rich slow cooked pork broth envelopes you like a warm duvet on a cold winters night. The udon could be a bit springier but that is a personal choice not unlike how al dente like pasta. The other choice of broth with a thick sauce a bit reminiscent of a Hokkien Loh Mee. This was not as highly flavoured as the first.
Pork Belly and Cabbage Udon in Dark Broth
On the menu are a few interesting items like these crispy udon worms. They make quite a good accompaniment to drinks. Other starters that they did well are the tempura prawns and chicken kaarage.
Crispy Udon Pretzels
seaweed salad
crispy chicken kaarage
If you are a ramen fan you should give udon a try. It might be a texture that you will like. If noodles in soup is not your thing, they have a selection of rice Donburi too. I think is is definitely worth a detour to try their pork udon.
Den Udon
2 Acton Street
London WC1X 9NA
EatCookExplore was a guest of Den Udon
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