Kamaiki Udon Nara: A Michelin-Recognized Udon Gem

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Your Must-Try Restaurant in Nara, Osaka, Japan,

Kamaiki Udon

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Words & Photos ©Hibubu

Of all the amazing day trips from Osaka, one place that truly captured my heart was

Nara.

With its enchanting Deer Park and the majestic Todai-ji Temple, it's a city that promises pure rejuvenation just by visiting!

But after an unforgettable time with those adorable deer, you might find yourself feeling a bit peckish!

And then the question hits you: what to eat?

If you're hunting for a fantastic eatery during your Nara adventure,

I absolutely recommend Kamaiki Udon, which I'm thrilled to share with you today!

Your Go-To Restaurant Recommendation for Nara, Osaka, Japan

Kamaiki Udon うどん専門店 釜粋

Opening Hours: Daily 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM - 9:00 PM Location: 13-2 Higashimuki Minamimachi, Nara, 630-8216 Japan (Higashimuki Shopping Street)

Kamaiki Udon is perfectly situated right in front of Nara Station, nestled within the vibrant

Higashimuki Shopping Street.

This makes it incredibly convenient to visit right after you arrive at Nara Station, or even as a delightful final stop after exploring Nara Deer Park.

Being a Michelin-recognized eatery, I was a little worried about a potential wait.

However, perhaps because we arrived just before noon, we were lucky enough to be seated almost immediately!

(Pro tip: If you want to skip the queues, make sure to avoid peak dining hours!)

Kamaiki Udon: The Ambiance and Menu

The interior of Kamaiki Udon isn't overly spacious.

Beyond a couple of two-person tables, most seating is at the long bar counter,

where you sit side-by-side, sharing in the culinary experience.

But don't let that deter you! Udon is served relatively quickly,

and since it's a dish enjoyed fairly quickly, the turnover rate is excellent, meaning waits aren't usually too long.

Kamaiki Special Udon 1,450 yen ~ 1,500 yen

Nabeyaki Udon 1,650 yen

Chicken Nabeyaki Udon 1,780 yen

Tsukemen (Dipping Noodles) 900 yen ~ 1,150 yen

Bukkake Udon (various types) 830 yen ~ 1,450 yen

Curry Udon (various types) 880 yen ~ 1,500 yen

Dashi Udon (various types) 830 yen ~ 1,450 yen

Zaru Udon (Chilled Udon, various types) 830 yen ~ 1,450 yen

Nabeyaki (Hot Pot) Udon 1,650 yen

Torichikutendashi Udon 1,100 yen

(Chicken and Fish Cake Tempura Udon)

Draft Beer 600 yen

Now, let's dive into the most exciting part: how everything tasted!

The Verdict: My Kamaiki Udon Taste Test

First off, after exploring the enchanting Nara Deer Park and the magnificent Todai-ji Temple,

we were incredibly thirsty.

So naturally, a refreshing draft beer (Namabiru) called our name,

and we ordered it to accompany our udon.

The draft beer was wonderfully smooth, gliding down easily,

and it made for a perfect pairing with the hot udon.

My only minor note is that the portion size felt a little small for the price.

The Torichiku Tendashi Udon arrived first.

This warm udon dish comes with two pieces of fried chicken and

one fried fish cake.

First off, the broth itself wasn't overly strong,

but it had a surprisingly deep and savory umami flavor.

It's the kind of taste that doesn't really divide opinions,

and anyone would likely enjoy it.

We visited and enjoyed it on a hot day,

but I imagine it would be absolutely divine in winter.

I believe the noodles are truly the most important part of udon.

The udon noodles here were delightfully chewy and bouncy, which I really appreciated.

What's more, the noodles themselves were lightly seasoned,

making them delicious even without the broth.

It seems like an udon dish that kids would also enjoy,

so it might be a great spot to visit with your children.

While udon on its own can sometimes be a bit plain,

the combination with the fish cake and fried chicken was fantastic.

Eating them crispy provided a great texture,

and they were equally delicious when softened by soaking them in the broth.

And surprisingly, the portions were quite generous,

making it feel like excellent value for the price.

Next up is the Nabe Udon (Pot Udon).

Nabe Udon in Japan has always been a hit for me,

so I decided to order it.

Kamaiki Udon's Nabe Udon comes with a soft-boiled egg

and shrimp tempura as toppings.

The pot is incredibly hot, so be careful!

The broth of the Nabe Udon was much thicker and richer

compared to the regular udon above.

If you break the soft-boiled egg into it,

you'll experience an even nuttier, richer flavor.

The udon noodles themselves were similar to the regular udon.

However, since it's boiled once more in the pot before serving,

it's much hotter, so I recommend blowing on it before you slurp!

Kamaiki Udon: The Verdict

Kamaiki Udon, located in Nara near Osaka,

certainly lived up to its Michelin-recognized reputation, offering a truly satisfying

lunch experience.

If you're craving a clear and clean broth, I recommend the

Torichiku Tendashi Udon.

But if a rich and thick broth is more your style,

then the Nabe Udon is definitely the way to go.

Both dishes were a success, so personally,

I'd love to revisit if I'm ever in Nara again.

However, it's not a must-visit restaurant to the extent that I'd wait

over 30 minutes for it.

I'd recommend trying to avoid long waits if possible.

For those who, like us, prefer to skip the queues,

I suggest visiting before or after peak lunch hours!

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