PSA: Orchard Road just got more exciting with the international debut of Udon Shin in Singapore. Is this cult-favourite restaurant worth the hour-long queues in Tokyo?
Call off your next trip to Japan ‘cos Tokyo’s acclaimed Udon Shin has landed on our sunny shores! For fans of this cult-favourite eatery that sees snaking queues daily, this new opening will be music to your ears. Curious if this Japanese restaurant in Singapore is worth the hype (and the alleged two to three-hour queues in Tokyo), I made my way to Takashimaya for a copious amount of handmade udon and crisp tempura.
Details at a glance
Best for: Silky, smooth handmade udon for noodle fanatics
Must-try items: Carbonara udon; tempura zaru udon
How much: Mains from $15; toppings from $2; drinks from $3
Opening hours: Daily, 11am to 10pm
Address: Udon Shin, #B2-32, Takashimaya Shopping Centre, 391 Orchard Road, Singapore 238872
Shibuya’s cult-favourite gets a space upgrade
Those who have patronised Udon Shin’s Tokyo eatery will know it is a squeeze with compact seats. Good news: the Takashimaya outpost offers more breathing space, with a seating capacity of 60 pax. Dine comfortably at the regular table seating area, or perch yourself in front of the open kitchen display to witness the live cooking action.
Sleek and minimalist, the interior sets up a comfy dining experience without upstaging the main star: the fresh bowls of udon. The team shares that each strand of udon is made in-house every morning, so you know it’s as fresh as it gets.
Chopsticks out for slurp-worthy bowls
Every restaurant has its signatures that have customers in a firm chokehold. Udon Shin’s carbonara udon ($24) is that hot favourite. Even if you’re not the biggest fan of carbonara, I recommend giving this East-meets-West creation a try.
The freshly boiled udon comes immersed in umami-rich dashi, accompanied by a raw egg, parmesan cheese, butter, pepper and spring onion. It also comes with a huge slab of bacon tempura. Give the dish a vigorous stir so every strand of udon is evenly-coated in the rich, creamy sauce.
As expected, the fresh udon had a nice bite. Each strand was chewy but not to the extent of rubbery, with a smooth, glide-down-your-throat silkiness. While the sauce looked heavy, I didn’t find it cloying and would happily down an entire bowl.
Lightly battered, crisp golden tempura
If udon is the golden child, the made-to-order fresh tempura is a close second. Have it as an add-on ($29 for a tempura set), or go for the udon bowls with tempura.
Get the premium tempura kake udon ($34) if you want to try an assortment of ingredients, including shrimp, vegetables, fish, and squid – a pleasant surprise that’s springy and tender. Thanks to the tempura’s light batter, you don’t have to worry about thick doughiness or excess grease, too.
Another signature is the tempura zaru udon ($28). You’ll get a decent mix of shrimp and vegetable tempura, alongside cold udon with a side of dipping dashi sauce. Between the hot and chilled variations, I’ll go with the latter. The kake udon’s broth was a tad salty for my liking, while the chilled version was a refreshing complement to the deep-fried tempura.
Is this udon restaurant worth queuing for?
Fresh, silky udon noodles without needing to take a six-hour flight? We say it is worth a trip to Orchard Road. Japanese restaurants that have polished their craft in udon-making are gems in Singapore, and Udon Shin’s version left me pretty impressed with its unique texture.
Personally, I’d wait for the hype to die down – ‘cos no thank you, hour-long queues – but I’ll be back for the mentai-tamgo butter shoyu udon and spicy beef shoyu udon, which I hear is a must-try for mala fans.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect at Udon Shin?
At the first international outpost of Tokyo’s Udon Shin, expect the restaurant’s signature handmade udon and freshly-made tempura. The udon noodles are prepared in-house daily, with its Four Fresh philosophy: freshly kneaded, freshly cut, freshly boiled and freshly fried.
Is Udon Shin a family-friendly spot?
Yes, Udon Shin is a casual dining restaurant located in Takashimya’s basement, ideal for small gatherings with friends, family and casual dates.
Does Udon Shin’s outpost in Singapore offer its signature dishes?
Yes, you can find the restaurant’s cult-favourites like carbonara udon, signature assorted tempura, as well as hot and chilled udon.
Does Udon Shin's Singapore outlet accept reservations?
Nope, Udon Shin currently does not accept reservations!
