Reservation
+1 213-346-9762
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329 1st St, Los Angeles, CA 90012, United States
Taste the moment
Welcome to Marugame Monzo
Marugame Monzo, located in the heart of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles, is a must-visit destination for udon lovers. Renowned for its fresh, handcrafted noodles, the restaurant offers a range of flavorful dishes that cater to diverse palates. Highlights include the creamy Uni udon and the spicy Hot Dragon udon, both praised for their rich flavors and quality ingredients. The cozy setting features outdoor seating, ensuring a relaxed dining experience. With a commitment to outstanding service and a unique take on traditional Japanese fare, Marugame Monzo has become a beloved spot, evident from the glowing reviews of satisfied customers.
Inspired Moments
Enjoy a mix of flavors and experiences
Beef Bukkake Udon
US$21.95Shiso Mentai Udon
US$19.25Ikura Oroshi Udon
US$22.65
Kake Udon
US$12.85Duck Nanban Udon
US$24.30Hot Sansai Udon
US$19.59
Mapo Tofu Udon
$US$22.65Gratin Udon
$US$22.65Vegetaful Udon
$US$23.99 Inside the Experience
Marugame Monzo
Welcome to Marugame Monzo, an exquisite haven for udon enthusiasts nestled in the vibrant heart of Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. Situated at 329 1st St, this gem is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic, handcrafted udon noodles that highlight both tradition and creativity.
Here at Marugame Monzo, you are greeted with a menu that tantalizes the taste buds. Each dish, from the famously creamy uni udon to the spicy yet delightful hot dragon udon, showcases the unparalleled freshness of the noodles—a sentiment echoed by customers like Amber Tran, who raves about the quality. The texture of the udon is notably chewy and tangy, a quality many diners have praised for elevating the dining experience.
While savoring your meal, the atmosphere around you is buzzing with excitement, partly due to the watchful eyes of chefs preparing dishes right before your eyes—though some, like Felix G, reminisce fondly about the times when the preparation was more visible. Despite its compact size, the restaurant offers an inviting ambiance where the friendly service enhances the overall dining experience.
Recommended dishes come with high praise. The miso carbonara udon has garnered mixed reviews—Michelle Nguyen found the bacon aroma strong—but it’s a dish that certainly caters to bacon lovers. Meanwhile, Luke Kim suggests a delightful pairing of plain broth udon alongside a creamy udon to achieve a well-rounded flavor profile, ensuring a sumptuous meal for couples or friends sharing a dining experience.
The appetizer options, including the well-loved takoyaki, add to the fantastic full-course offerings, inviting diners to indulge in savory bites before the main event. Each dish is a celebration of umami, crafted to evoke rave reviews from all who try them.
Whether you are a local or passing through Los Angeles, Marugame Monzo should undoubtedly be on your culinary list. With a vibrant atmosphere, top-tier udon and quick service, it promises a satisfying dining experience that rings true to its commitment to high-quality, delicious food. Your tastebuds will thank you!
What Guests Say
Guestbook
“ The udon here is terrific - you can taste the freshness of the noodles! Highly recommend the uni udon and the hot dragon udon, they’re top rated for a reason! ”
“ The wait time around 7pm was around 15min, given that most parties did not show up or left, which worked in our advantage. The House signature dishes are fantastic. The creamy Uni udon was fantastic. The appetizers as well. All around we had a great time here! ”
“ If you’ve never tried this place, it should definitely be on your list to try. It’s one of our top restaurants when we visit Little Tokyo, been coming here for years before the pandemic and I’m glad this place survived. The place is small, with outdoor seating available, Service is always fantastic and the wait isn’t usually too long. I will say I miss the days when you can see the chefs preparing the udon in front of you. It was an art. Now I think everything is pre-prepared. The udon is cooked perfectly, never had an issue Our go-to dish is the Sea Urchin udon. Rich, creamy, and delicious uni cream sauce with actual uni you can eat by itself or mixed in. It’s also surprisingly not too heavy of a dish so it’s perfect to have anytime whereas the carbonara is just too heavy for us to have all the time Opted for the beef udon with jidori egg udon. Cooked perfectly. Beef isn’t too sweet with the broth and egg mixed in. Fried chicken skin is delicious. Personally I would ask for the sauce to be on the side to use for dipping as some pieces don’t get enough sauce and some are drenched in it. As long as they’re open, they’ll always be one of our top options when we’re in the area. ”
“ I ordered the miso carbonara udon, and overall, it was enjoyable. The sauce was very creamy. The noodles had a slightly coarse texture, but they were still good. If you enjoy bacon, you would likely appreciate this dish more than I did. Personally, I found the bacon flavor overpowering, and the aroma was quite strong. In retrospect, I think I should have chosen a different item, though the dish was still good. We (party of 2) ate on a Sunday around 6:00 pm and the wait time was brief. The restaurant was small and cute, with a noisy atmosphere. I would come back to try another dish if I’m in the area. ”
“ Very chewy and tangly noodles! Wow what a crisp draft beer. Only if it was bigger… The creamy udons are specialty dish and it’s good but if you are going with your partner, i think it’s a good mix to get one plain broth udon and one creamy one to balance the meal out. Takoyaki was very good. ”