Prepping for the cold with some hot, steamy udon

The day I put away my Rainbow flip-flops is a sad one for me.  The cold is coming and it is only emphasized when the socks are finally taken out and put on.  But looking on the brighter side of things, it also means getting to slurp some soups, broths, and eat more noodles.

When I mentioned to my foodie friend that I was craving some Japanese udon, he knew just the place to take me.  Finding a satisfying bowl of udon can be a bit like hitting the jackpot, a rarity but still possible and boy, I lucked out with Menya Noodle Bar Mappen:

What's going to hold me through the autumn and winter here, pictured left.

Aside from serving their hearty and filling udon, they also offer soba and curry rice dishes.  They've got 3 branches around Sydney, with each of those specializing in something different.  Here at the Menya Noodle Bar in Town Hall, they've got 2 types of soup:

Kakedashi Soup: Made from combining premium soy sauce with a stock of delicious flavors of carefully selected fish (bonito, mackerel etc) and dried kelp.

Tsukedashi Soup: Kakedashi soup from a stock of selected fish (bonito, mackerel etc) and dried kelp made thicker and richer, making it like a sauce.

The interior of this casual noodle bar houses some old-school movie posters plastered on the concrete walls.

 

I already went back a second time within the same week and I'm bound to go back as well as check out the other 2 branches.  They've definitely got a regular customer out of me.  Just hop in the line, read the directions on how to order, place your order, hop into the self-serve tempura line, and you're ready to eat! Oishi!

Menya Noodle Bar Mappen (Town Hall)

537-551 George St, 

Sydney NSW 2000

02 9283 5525

Hours: 11:30am - 10:00pm, 7days