Move over ramen, here comes udon
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.
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.
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
