Hanamaru Udon Japan Guide for Tourists: Sanuki Udon, Portion Sizes & How to Order

Quick Facts

What it is

Hanamaru Udon, founded in Takamatsu, Kagawa Prefecture in 2001 and operated by Hanamaru Co., Ltd. (part of the Yoshinoya Holdings Group), is one of Japan's big two Sanuki udon self-service chains with roughly 430 stores nationwide. It is renowned for its golden, aromatic broth brewed with high-grade dried sardines (iriko) from the Seto Inland Sea, paired with springy, fiber-enriched wheat noodles. Guests grab a tray and slide along a self-service counter, selecting fresh tempura, simmered oden skewers, and rice balls before ordering their freshly cooked noodles. With affordable prices, fast service, and clear English photo menus, it is a healthy, budget-friendly staple for international sightseers.

How to order

Ordering at Hanamaru Udon follows an intuitive counter line, but with a unique order flow where you pick side items before ordering your noodles:

1. Pick up a tray and plate: Grab a serving tray and a small plate at the start of the line.
2. Select tempura, oden, and rice balls first: Slide your tray along the heated counter. Use the metal tongs to place freshly fried tempura (like prawn, chicken kashiwa, or sweet potato), hot simmered oden skewers (at equipped stores), or rice balls (omusubi) onto your plate.
3. Order your udon at the noodle counter: Tell the staff (or point to the photo menu) your order:
   • Udon type: e.g., Kake (clear hot broth), Bukkake (concentrated sauce), or Ontama Bukkake (with a soft-boiled egg)
   • Temperature: Hot (On) or Cold (Rei)
   • Size: *Small (Sho), Medium (Chu), or Large (Dai)*
4. Understand the portion size secret: In Hanamaru terminology, *"Small (Sho)" is 1 full ball of noodles (approx. 210g)—which equals a standard regular bowl at other restaurants! "Medium (Chu)" is 2 full balls (approx. 420g), and "Large (Dai*)" is 3 full balls (approx. 630g). Unless you are extremely hungry, start with Small!
5. Receive your bowl and pay at the register: The staff will hand you your noodle bowl directly. Slide your tray to the register and pay via cash, credit card, transit IC card, or QR code app.
6. Add free condiments and grab cold water: Step to the condiment counter right past the register. Add complimentary crispy tempura flakes (tenkasu), grated ginger (shoga), ground sesame seeds, and grab a glass of water.
7. Return your tray when finished: Carry your tray and empty bowls to the dish return rack (Henkyakuguchi) near the exit.

What to order first

All signature dishes below are verified on the Hanamaru Udon Official Website and row reference data (prices tax-included as of September 17, 2026):

• Ontama Bukkake Udon (Hot or Cold): Hanamaru's number-one signature dish—chewy Sanuki udon topped with a silky soft-boiled hot spring egg (ontama) in concentrated savory dashi sauce; Small (Sho) starts in the ¥400s tax-included (as of September 17, 2026).
• Kake Udon (Hot Golden Iriko Broth): Traditional Sanuki noodles in steaming golden dashi broth brewed with fragrant Seto Inland Sea dried baby sardines (iriko); Small (Sho) starts in the ¥300s range (as of September 17, 2026).
• Seasonal Vegetable & Chicken Tempura: Freshly fried prawn (Ebi-ten), seasoned chicken breast (Kashiwa-ten), chikuwa fish cake, and pumpkin tempura (around ¥130–¥200 per piece as of September 17, 2026).
• Simmered Oden Skewers (at participating branches): Daikon radish, boiled eggs, and fish cakes simmered in hot dashi broth.
• Takeout Udon Bowls: Takeout is supported at all stores with a specialized leak-proof separated container (container fee +¥50 as of September 17, 2026).

Payment & practical info

Accepted payment methods and in-store amenities across Hanamaru Udon:

• Accepted Payment Methods: Varies by location; generally accepts cash, major credit cards, transit IC cards (Suica, PASMO, etc.), electronic money (WAON, iD, nanaco, QUICPay, Rakuten Edy), and mobile QR apps (au PAY, d-barai, LINE Pay, PayPay, Yucho Pay, Rakuten Pay, WeChat Pay, Alipay).
• Tax-Free Status: Not eligible for tax-free shopping (restaurant dining is a domestic service).
• Wi-Fi & Power Outlets: Generally not provided in standalone branches, though branches located inside commercial shopping mall food courts often have access to facility Wi-Fi and food court seating.

Good to know / Common mistakes

• Ordering a "Medium" thinking it is a regular size: Remember that at Hanamaru, *Small (Sho) is a full standard 1-ball portion (210g)*. Ordering a Medium gets you a massive double portion (420g) of noodles!
• Picking toppings after ordering noodles: At Hanamaru, the tempura and oden racks come before the udon ordering counter. Grab your side items first as you enter the line.
• Missing out on free ginger and tempura flakes: The condiment station past the register provides unlimited free crunchy tempura flakes (tenkasu) and freshly grated ginger to elevate your broth.
• Tipping staff: Tipping is never accepted in Japan.

Sources

• Hanamaru Udon Official Website: https://www.hanamaruudon.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-17)
• Hanamaru Udon Official Store Locator: https://stores.hanamaruudon.com/ (Verified: 2026-09-17)
• Hanamaru Udon Official Ordering Guide: https://www.hanamaruudon.com/order/ (Verified: 2026-09-17)