Handmade udon noodles steal the show in Little Tokyo

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Freshly made udon noodles used to be hard to find in Los Angeles. Luckily, there’s Marugame Monzo, a new udon eatery located in downtown’s Little Tokyo district.

Monzo combines the authenticity of traditional handmade noodles with a fresh new take, perfect for LA's eclectic food scene. The noodles are rolled and cut by hand, right in front of customers — it's a nice show if you're lucky enough to get a front-row seat!

The small-but-clean shop is steps away from popular ramen restaurant, Daikokuya. But Monzo has the potential to become Little Tokyo’s newest noodle hotspot, and even serves sake!

In addition to simple hot and cold udon dishes, the menu offers creatively unique items sure to please adventurous foodies looking for a new thrill.

Udon noodles are deceptively filling — so go with a larger group to ensure you can try a variety of dishes. The uni cream sauce udon bowl is a standout dish — well worth its sixteen-dollar price tag. Monzo doesn’t skimp on the sea urchin in the dish’s creamy sauce.— It bursts with crave-worthy umami flavor, and the noodles are perfectly chewy, yet soft.

The al dente noodles' subtle flavor complements the rich flavors of the sauces. Additions, such as the tempura soft-yolk Jidori egg, add another dimension to the dishes. To top it all off, the Monzo waitstaff is highly attentive.

Other highlights include the squid butter and spicy cod roe udon, as well as the fusion miso carbonara udon. The miso component is hard to detect — but there's plenty of bacon and rich, creamy sauce for carbonara lovers.

The udon at Monzo has received rave reviews from Japanese diners who know and love their handmade noodles. The diner sitting right next to me on my visit even mentioned that the noodles tasted identical to those served in Tokyo.

Heads up — make sure to go before 6 p.m. to avoid waiting in the line that snakes down the sidewalk. Monzo doesn't take reservations for parties smaller than seven, and closes between lunch and dinner service.

If you'd like to keep following my adventures in food, you can follow me on Twitter @TanayaG.

Marugame Monzo is located at 329 E 1st Street in Los Angeles' Little Tokyo district. It is open daily, from 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.