Udon Kadoya

Udon Kadoya is a long-running casual udon shop in the Honmachi district of Maebashi, Gunma's prefectural capital, that has built a loyal following around its hand-made flat noodles. The restaurant's specialty falls within the himo-kawa udon style — extremely wide, ribbon-like noodles that are a Gunma regional variant, broader and chewier than the standard udon found elsewhere in Japan. Dough is prepared each morning from local Gunma wheat flour, rolled to a greater width and lesser thickness than conventional udon, producing a silky texture that distinguishes the noodles from the thicker cylinders of Kagawa-style sanuki udon. The tempura himo-kawa udon — served hot in a light soy-based dashi broth with a crisp seasonal tempura accompaniment — is the most ordered dish; the cold zaru variant allows the noodle's texture to be tasted clearly, dipped in concentrated tsuyu sauce. Kitsune udon, topped with a slab of sweetened fried tofu, rounds out the core menu. The restaurant occupies a narrow shopfront near Maebashi's central shopping district; the interior is simple, with counter seats and a handful of tables, and fills quickly at midday. Service is efficient. The operation closes when the day's noodles sell out, which on busy days occurs before 2:00 PM. Prices are among the most affordable in Maebashi's dining scene, making it a popular choice for office workers and students in the area. No alcohol is served; the focus is entirely on noodles.