House special udon with egg
The name Sanuki Udon is steeped in history. In fact, rumour has it that udon originated in the Sanuki province (Kagawa prefecture in Japan). Of course, there are other udons that rank up there with Sanuki’s – Akita’s Inaniwa Udon (what I like to call udon-on-a-diet due to its flatter shape) and Mizusawa Udon. Having said that, I am not sure if Sanuki Udon in Taman Bukit Desa, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia can rival the udon from the Kagawa prefecture, but it is probably our best bet at getting good udon in our kampung. The udon is made daily in the shop, and the texture of the wheat noodles is chewy and has a good bite. Only udon (no Soba, please, thankyewbellymuch) is served in this no-frills place, and one can choose to have the noodles either hot or cold, and add toppings such as raw egg, ebi tempura, kakiage, wakame and kitsune on top of the choice of udon. There are only 7 types of udon preparations on the menu. Plain udon with soup is RM5, and similarly, the house special with egg (picture above) is priced at RM5. The most expensive bowls (kakiage udon and curry udon) cost RM7 each. The toppings are priced between RM1 and RM2 each. Sides are a little more expensive – karaage (fried chicken) is RM3 while the chinmi moriawase (assorted appetisers) is RM8. The chinmi I had on one of my visits consisted of crunchy pickled garlic that didn’t give you garlic breath, some body parts from scallops (the Japanese will eat anything), ginseng-like root and pickled jellyfish. I loved the karaage which came in 3 bite sized morsels, while the kakiage (mixed tempura vegetables) initially took some getting used to as I felt the flavour was a little too subtle, but the rather sweet taste lacking in savouriness grew on me. If you’re there early enough, ask for the freshly made mochi (glutinous rice cake). I’m not usually a fan of Japanese desserts, but I was bowled over by the home made mochi.
Fresh udon is also sold by the kilogram (now at a promotional price of RM15 per kg) and Japanese housewives can be seen carting away packets of these noodles from the shop.
Oh, I should also add that the owner, Seiji Fujimoto, is quite a dish. All 6 feet and rippling muscles of the man too.
Sanuki Udon
No.9, Jalan Bukit Desa 5
Taman Bukit Desa
58100 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-7980 3704
(Opening hours: I think they’re open daily for lunch and dinner. Looks like I shall have to pay Seiji Fujimoto-san yet another visit to reconfirm that information. Ahem.)
Dry cha cheong style (to suit the Malaysian palate)
Curry udon (with extra raw egg topping)
Ebi tempura
Wakame udon
Kakiage
Cha cheong style before stirring
Spot the dish
I was house-viewing in this area just two days ago, saw Sanuki Udon and for some strange reason, thought it must be an udon wholesaler office or something… seemed too unassuming to host such sinful looking delights. The neighbourhood stock just multiplied in my books!
The udon looks so silky smooth when it is incorporated with half-boiled egg. Yummy…
oooh yum. The noodle and the chef. Can i go with ya when you’re heading back for seconds?
looks tres tres yum.. lunch calls.. lets go! (is that the chef? looks like he is wearing makeup.. )
Oh, wow. Checking out the curry udon! But I do love soba (sob! 🙂 ), I’m just not sure which I prefer!
I wanna eat, now!
slurppsss i’m full oredi looking at the dish! :p
Minchow: Yeah, it’s literally in the middle of some housing estate. At least parking isn’t that difficult there. No one will saman you if you park along the roadside.
Tarts-and-Pies: Yup, it’s such a simple dish, but so good.
A Lil Fat Monkey: You mean thirds or fourths, right? hehe. Of course you can go with me, BFF! ^_^
cumidanciki: Oui! Tres sedap! He’s the owner, not the chef, and no, he’s not wearing makeup. Yerrrrr.
Manggy: I’m like you, I love my soba too! But a little variety’s good too, ya know. 😀
KY: hehe. Tell me something I dunno la, bro. 😛
babe_kl: Hehe…photos accumulated over several visits. 🙂 The portions are just right for an average diner.
udon with karaage, tempura, raw eggs etc. it doesn’t get more authentic, common Japanese than this. definitely more novel that the growing high-end Japanese restaurants in town. we should have more of these as well.
lurve the first pic. like udon after Japanese comestic treatment liddat. delish.
Mmmmm.. the udon looks yummy.. and the prices seem really reasonable too! 🙂 🙂
i would go for the cha cheong style.
Wow.. that’s really CHEAP by normal standards!!! Jenn is a huge fan of Japanese stuff, so I know where to bring her without having to break my wallet… lol! thanks meena
I must go see those rippling muscles myself! =D
You had me at the first pic. Must go check dem noodles out soon 😛
Wow! Thanks so much. I have to start asking friends where this Taman Bukit Desa is now. When I read postings that say, ‘this is where they serve the best ….. in KL”, I just have to try it. It’s a weakness, but I’m enjoying it haha.
Anyway, I just stumbled across your blog from Keats’. Never knew about this site earlier. I hope you would share this info with more people, especially KL-ites, cos I personally think that KL-ites are eating substandard quality of food served by our so-called restaurants and stalls. So any info such as this wd be helpful. So if you have the time pls share it with the readers of http://www.blog4ft.com. I myself shares info abt some of the charities I’ve worked with years ago (just cdn’t find time now after married and babies) – who knows some might find it in their hearts to go help.
In fact, your postings are damn good – you might even win something. They’ve got plenty of prizes, and so far, no food review entry has won anything yet. You stand a good chance my dear.
seem like very small portion ler…is it? I scare I have to eat 2 bowls, haha!!
ooh, who’s cleavage was that? nice!
Delish! Got to visit and waloop some when I am down end of this month 😀 Can’t wait to sample all sorts of food.
i’ve eaten at Sanuki like a million times already. The udon is yummy yummy!! Love the Cha Cheong Udon!! Add in the chilli oil and it’s SUPERB!!!
Btw, taman bukit desa is awfully near Mid Valley Megamall.
Went there for 2 days straight during the weekend…love the udon and soup……and the price!!!!!!
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