Mikaku Udon Bar

Mikaku Udon Bar has certainly generated a buzz, and it's easy to see why. The minimalist decor and friendly staff create a welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant clearly aims to offer a unique dining experience, and there are certainly elements of that here. The Korean influence, as my friend noted, adds an intriguing twist to the traditional udon offerings. We were eager to try the famous curry katsu chicken udon, especially with a bit of spice. The dish was visually appealing and had a delightful aroma. While the flavours were enjoyable, the sauce could have been a bit thicker and more robust for a more indulgent experience. The addition of chilies definitely elevated the dish. It would be beneficial for the staff to have a deeper knowledge of the ingredients and preparation methods. Knowing whether the noodles are house-made or store-bought, and the type of flour used, can enhance the dining experience. While the hype surrounding Mikaku Udon Bar is undeniable, our experience was a solid 7/10. It's possible that we visited on an off day or perhaps our expectations were a bit too high. Nonetheless, we would consider returning if we're in the area and craving a comforting bowl of udon.

December 1, 2024 on Google

Food: 2 Stars Service: 4 Stars Ambience: 4 Stars Value: 3 Stars Overall: 3.25 Stars Went to Mikaku Udon Bar with a friend last Thursday around 5PM, and it wasn't too busy. The atmosphere is lovely, decorated with Japanese-themed art and decor, which really adds to the experience. The warm lighting and traditional Japanese elements like the wood accents and art on the wall made it feel quite cozy and authentic. It was a relaxing place to sit down and catch up with a friend after a long day. We started with the Buta as an appetizer, which was presented nicely. This dish was actually quite good, and as it comes with the salad in the middle, it complemented the dish well. For our mains, we ordered the Spicy Cream Udon and the Seafood Udon, as we were both craving something with a bit of heat. Unfortunately, despite the two chili pepper symbols next to these items on the menu, we found the dishes to be extremely mild—there was barely any spice at all. This was quite disappointing, especially since we specifically ordered these dishes for their advertised spiciness. We even checked with our server to make sure the order was correct, and she assured us it was. The flavours overall were not bad, but nothing extraordinary. The Spicy Cream Udon had a creamy texture, and the noodles were cooked perfectly, with that nice chewy consistency that udon is known for. The seafood udon was also well-prepared in terms of udon texture, but the broth was quite mild, and there wasn’t much depth to the flavour. The seafood itself seemed fresh, but one area they really fell short was the shrimp—it wasn't deveined. As someone who cooks at home, I know that deveining shrimp is an important step, both for presentation and to avoid any off-putting taste. In this day and age, there are pre-cleaned shrimp options readily available at most grocery stores, so seeing the shrimp served with veins still intact made me question the attention to detail and overall quality control in their kitchen. It was a small detail, but one that left a negative impression. Aside from the shrimp issue, the udon itself was quite nice. The udon were bouncy with a pleasant chew, and it was clear that they know how to cook their noodles well. The portions were generous, and the ingredients used seemed fresh, which I appreciated. The atmosphere and the quality of the udon noodles were definitely the highlights of the experience. However, despite these positives, the overall experience felt a bit underwhelming. The lack of spice in dishes that were marked as spicy was a major letdown, and the menu itself didn't offer anything particularly unique or exciting that would make me want to return. The options were quite basic, and while they were executed adequately, there was nothing that really stood out or differentiated Mikaku Udon Bar from other Japanese restaurants in the area. Given the competitive landscape of Japanese cuisine, especially in a city with so many great options, I think it's important for a restaurant to have a signature dish or a unique twist that makes it special, and unfortunately, I didn’t find that here. Overall, while the food was okay, and the atmosphere was lovely, there wasn’t enough to make me want to come back. The menu options felt quite standard, and similar dishes can easily be found at other Japanese restaurants—many of which offer a bit more in terms of flavour and creativity. If you're looking for a cozy spot with decent udon, it might be worth a visit, but if you're after bold flavours or something truly memorable, you may want to explore other options. xx kellychan360

November 30, 2024 on Google

Mikaku Udon Bar – is it a Japanese restaurant? A Korean restaurant? Or a love child of the two? Well, let's just say it's a culinary fusion that's as confusing as it is delicious. We, the three udon enthusiasts, ventured into this quirky little eatery on a busy Friday night. The place was buzzing, and we quickly snagged a table. Our orders were placed: a Spicy Cream Udon (a seafood extravaganza), a Ma-La Udon (a fiery Chinese-inspired dish), and the ever-popular Chicken Curry Udon. The staff were friendly, if a bit lost in translation. But hey, a smile goes a long way, right? The dining room was a strange mix of modern art and minimalism, which is a style choice, I guess. Now, let's talk food. The Ma-La Udon was a spicy sensation. The pork and shrimp were a delightful duo, and the mushrooms added a mysterious depth of flavour. It was spicy, but in a good way –we loved every spicy bite. The Curry Udon, on the other hand, was a bit of a letdown. It was watery, lacking in chicken, and overall a bit underwhelming. But hey, we'd still order it again, just to see if it could redeem itself. The Spicy Cream Udon was... interesting. It was a bit too fishy for our taste, and we're not sure what the sea creatures were thinking when they agreed to be in this dish. It was a valiant effort, but a 6/10 at best. Overall, Mikaku Udon Bar is a fun and quirky place to eat. Would we travel far to eat here? Maybe not. But if you're in the neighborhood and looking for a unique dining experience, give it a shot. Just be prepared for the bathroom to greet you with a warm "Welcome."

November 30, 2024 on Google

Been wanting to try this place out for some time and it was even better than I’d hoped! My partner and I got the chicken curry udon and it was amazing. Chicken is crispy and not oily at all, noodles are chewy and delightful. I do wish there were more noodles in the dish than bok choy however it added a sweet crunch to contrast with the noodles. The curry was very flavourful, not spicy at all. Restaurant is pretty small so best to arrive before busy times to secure a spot. Staff were very welcoming and friendly, prices are decent for the quality of the meal. Definitely coming back!

November 18, 2024 on Google

Huge fan of the udon texture here. A lot of places serve overcooked udon but the udon here is delightfully chewy and has a satisfying bite. I wish they had a simple cold dipping udon option so I could just enjoy the noodles on their own. The flavours are definitely a little more unique and not “traditional” Japanese style which makes sense as this is a fusion place. The curry udon sauce is one of our favourites and is super creamy and rich but if you’re not feeling well, it can leave a bit of an unpleasant feeling in your throat as I found out recently due to the richness of the cream. However, I will sometimes just suddenly get a big craving for this udon. Something about the flavour and texture just keeps me coming back. The chicken on top is also crispy and juicy. Maze udon flavour is good but the portion was a bit on the smaller side. It does come with a bowl of rice afterwards to soak up the sauce though which is a nice touch. For both udons, I just wish it came with more noodles or an option to add extra as the portions are not super big. Chicken karaage is crispy and flavourful although I wish they had given us more sauce as it’s good. And again, portion for this was also quite small especially for the price point of $12.99. Place is not very big so if you go during peak hours, there may be a bit of a wait. The AC can also be strong in there so it’s chilly. Service overall was good and efficient.

October 8, 2024 on Google

Just tried this new local spot and loved it! Definitely my new favourite for sit down food in the area and great Udon overall. We had the Rose Udon which was creamy and delicious as well as the braised beef Udon which was equally as good. The fried squid was also way better than I was expecting- light batter, not too heavy, and overall tasty. Cheesecake was also delicious! Back patio atmosphere and service was lovely, I have only good things to say. So glad this place opened and we will definitely be regulars here! ☺️

September 25, 2024 on Google

Pretty decent udon bar. For me the value for money at udon places in general have never been the greatest, but this one was pretty decent. We ordered the buta udon and the spicy cream udon, and both were really good. The amount of seafood in the bowl was pretty decent. We also decided to try the onigiri which was really tasty with bits of ground pork in it. Atmosphere is okay overall but there is a bit of a cold draft in the place in specific spots. Service was good too - our server was really helpful explaining what things in the menu consisted of.

August 18, 2024 on Google

After watching one of the influencer mentioning about this place had to go and try. There is ample parking space, it is not that spacious so do not plan to visit during busy times. Let's talk food. I got the chicken curry udon, which was creamy and flavourful, Seafood udon had a spice kick to it, which I really liked pairing it with shrimp, mussels & squid. Chicken karaage was bite size with a light sauce & good side salad. Overall ambiance was nice, servers are friendly food was amazing should stop by and try it once. Will be back again soon 😋

June 2, 2024 on Google