Sanuki Udon Kawahara is an udon restaurant in Mabi, Kurashiki City.
It has been a beloved local establishment for more than 25 years since it opened.
However, it was hit by the “July 2018 Heavy Rains.”
The damage was so severe that continuing business became difficult.
Kawahara reopened about 3 months after the disaster.
It was among the earliest businesses and shops in Mabi to reopen, and many customers came to celebrate its return.
In fact, I have often visited Kawahara since I was a child.
Now I have also taken my own children there, so three generations of my family—grandparent, parent, and child—enjoy it together.
Because I have such fond memories of the restaurant, its reopening was welcome news to me, too.
Along with introducing what makes Kawahara’s udon, loved locally for many years, so appealing, I spoke with Ryo Kawahara about what led him to decide to reopen so quickly and his feelings about the local community.
▼In May 2021, the restaurant relocated, built a new premises, and made a fresh start!
The information presented was current when this article was published in May 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
Sanuki Udon Kawahara is a long-established udon restaurant rooted in the local community
Kawahara is a long-established udon restaurant in Mabi.
The restaurant has been run primarily by owner Yukio Kawahara and his wife, Tsuyako.
Their son, Ryo, joined them in April 2019, and the restaurant is now run by the three family members, two part-time staff, and one temporary worker.
Kawahara opened in 1993, after Yukio became independent from an udon restaurant in the Mizushima area of Kurashiki City.
In 2019, it marked 26 years in business.
Yukio’s delicious udon and Tsuyako’s cheerful, energetic service have made the restaurant a local favorite for many years.
Reopened quickly after the July 2018 Heavy Rains
Kawahara was damaged when the Oda River flooded during the “July 2018 Heavy Rains.”
Almost everything inside the restaurant, including the interior and equipment, was destroyed, but it reopened in October 2018, about three months after the disaster.
▼The sign at the restaurant after it reopened also says “Bring Mabi back to life,” expressing its strong feelings for the local community.
Among businesses affected by the disaster in Mabi, it was one of the first to resume operations, and locals expressed their joy.
▼Messages from customers and local residents are displayed inside the restaurant.
Popular menu items at Sanuki Udon Kawahara
▼Kawahara offers 17 types of udon as its main dishes. You can get a large serving for an additional 150 yen.
▼In addition to udon, side dishes such as oden and seasoned rice are available. Alcoholic drinks are also served.
All items are also available for takeout for an additional 50 yen for the container.
The most popular choices are the various Bukkake udon dishes, including squid Bukkake udon
Of all the udon dishes, Bukkake udon is the most popular.
There are five types of Bukkake udon.
All are available hot or cold.
▼Of the five types of Bukkake udon, the most popular is the “squid Bukkake udon.”
▼This generously portioned bowl is topped with plenty of chopped squid tentacle tempura.
▼The thick, chewy noodles pair well with the sweet, richly flavored broth.
The next most popular after squid Bukkake udon is “small shrimp Bukkake udon.”
Small shrimp Bukkake udon is topped with one large mixed vegetable and shrimp fritter.
Meat udon is popular year-round
Another popular dish besides Bukkake udon is “meat udon.”
According to the restaurant, although meat udon is served hot, people enjoy it throughout the year, regardless of the season.
▼There is plenty of meat, allowing you to savor its rich flavor. It also comes with lots of tenkasu (tempura bits).
▼The clear broth has a pleasant dashi aroma.
Tempura zaru udon is popular in summer, and yudame tempura udon in winter
Other popular dishes include “tempura zaru udon” in summer and “yudame tempura udon” in winter.
Both come with an assortment of tempura alongside zaru udon or yudame udon.
The tempura assortment includes:
- Large shrimp (2)
- Sweet potato (1 piece)
- Shishito peppers (2)
- Shiitake mushroom (1)
Side dishes such as inari sushi and oden are also recommended
Kawahara also has a wide selection of side dishes.
▼The “inari sushi” had a simple, home-style flavor.
▼There are many varieties of oden.
▼During our visit, we tried four kinds of oden.
- Konjac
- Daikon radish
- Beef tendon
- Egg
Each ingredient is infused with flavor.
Plenty of tables and tatami seating make it easy for families to enjoy a meal
Kawahara has a spacious interior.
There are seven counter seats, as well as plenty of tables and tatami seating.
This makes it easy for groups and families to dine here.
▼There were three tatami rooms.
There is plenty of space between the tables, so it’s comfortable even with small children.
There are no steps, making the restaurant easy to access by wheelchair.
Despite suffering extensive damage in the July 2018 torrential rains, Kawahara was among the first to reopen.
Local residents affected by the disaster expressed their joy.
We spoke with Ryo, son of owner Yukio Kawahara, who decided to carry on the legacy of Kawahara.
Sanuki Udon Kawahara Information
| Name | Sanuki Udon Kawahara |
|---|---|
| Address | 94 Arii, Mabi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 0866-98-8286 |
| Parking | Available There are several businesses on the premises besides Kawahara, and they share the parking lot |
| Hours | 11:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Mondays Open on public holidays (no substitute day off) |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted Reservations may not be available during busy periods |
| Seating | 48 seats ・Counter: 8 seats ・Six tables seating four ・One tatami table seating four ・Two tatami tables seating six ※ Seating capacity may change |
| Smoking | Smoking permitted |
| Restrooms | Western-style toilet |
| Families with children | Children’s chairs, tableware, bibs, udon cutters, and more available |
| Accessibility | No steps; wheelchair access available |
| Website | Sanuki Udon Kawahara Official Website |
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