Marugame Udon

This is an udon shop that always has massive lines at their Hawaii and Sawtelle, LA locations, so of course I had to try their newest restaurant in Aliso Viejo! You can watch them make their fresh udon from scratch and assemble the bowls right in front of you. And don't forget to grab your own tempura! Portions are filling and super affordable, especially for California standards, with bowls starting at just $5.95(!!), and they even have a curry broth option and rice bowls. In my honest opinion, not overrated. Have you ever had handmade udon like this before? Thanks for reading! ^-^

Cafeteria style, with a contagious energy and built-in regiment for efficiency. We had no trouble with seating, at dinner. Udon delightfully fresh and tasty. Tempura crispy. Gyoza better from my microwave- falls short from the rest of the meal. Overall tasty choice for an upbeat suoer casual dinner.

I used to live near her, and my family and I would stop by the plaza for dinner and a stroll around the shops. Today, I visited the 99 Ranch for the first time and my daughter wanted to eat here, and I have to say I wasn't disappointed. I got the Tonkatsu, with a fried sweet potato, and it was nice. I was glad the fish based broth didn't have a fishy taste, and it was perfectly seasoned, and the noodles were good. We will definitely return to Marugame Udon!

Marugame Udon - A Bright New Spot at The Commons Aliso Viejo The famous Japanese udon franchise Marugame Udon has opened a brand-new location at The Commons in Aliso Viejo, a freshly developed plaza featuring several exciting new shops. The restaurant boasts a two-level storefront with high ceilings, creating an open, airy dining hall feel. On sunny days, the space is filled with natural light, making it a very inviting environment. Dining here is a cafeteria-style experience. Customers line up, move through the counter, and build their meals step-by-step. First, you choose your udon base and the bowl size—medium or large. Add-ons like extra sliced beef (niku) or a soft egg are highly recommended, as they complement the udon beautifully. Staff will also offer free toppings like green onions and tempura flakes to customize your bowl. Next, you can pick from a variety of delicious tempura sides, including fried sausage, fried red potatoes, karaage (fried chicken), and fried pumpkin. Finally, you select your drink, though it’s worth noting that the drink prices are relatively high—you might prefer grabbing a beverage at a nearby Daiso or grocery store after your meal. Luckily, they offer free ice water. I chose the Nikitama Udon (hot version), and it was excellent—a perfect balance of udon noodles, soft-cooked egg (tamago), and sliced beef (niku). The noodles were tender yet chewy, and the broth was rich without being heavy. The dining area is spacious, and there’s a large outdoor patio where dogs are likely welcome. Plenty of parking is available in the plaza, making access easy and stress-free. Overall, Marugame Udon at The Commons offers a quick, satisfying, and customizable meal experience—a fantastic new addition to the Aliso Viejo area!

There is something exciting about finding that Marugame in Aliso Viejo. Though it is a bit of a drive from California, I find the food to be a bit better in terms of flavor and dish quality than in Costa Mesa. I particularly enjoy the udon dishes they offer in this location. This is a large facility with many tables inside and on the patio (outside). I would describe the dining environment as very peaceful and relaxing. Among their shopping options are Daiso, Trader Joe's, and 99 Ranch Market. There is so much more to come to this plaza that I cannot wait!

Delicious noodles and tempura sweet potato was delicious everybody was nice there. It's clean I do recommend this place during lunch time. During the weekday less crowded.

After my daughter’s basketball game in Mission Viejo, we drove about 12 minutes to Marugame Udon in Aliso Viejo for lunch. The food was great. My kids really enjoyed the noodles and everything tasted fresh. The restaurant was clean, spacious, and had a nice setup for families. The only downside was how hot it felt inside. There was no air conditioning, and with the temperature outside at 88 degrees, it was uncomfortable eating the hot udon noodle soup. My kids even said the restroom felt cooler than the dining area. Overall, we liked the food and the space. If the AC were more powerful and consistent, it would definitely elevate the entire experience and make dining much more enjoyable.