Menbo Yamamoto

At Menbo Yamamoto, curry udon comes in several combinations of toppings and noodles. The popular Age Curry Udon is topped with chopped fried tofu and spring onion; the menu also offers versions with soba or Chinese-style noodles. One diner described the noodles as slender and pleasantly firm, paired with a spicy, dashi-rich broth that was light rather than thickened. Another said the broth was so enjoyable they drank every last drop. For a beef-topped option, consider the Niku Curry Udon, made with domestically sourced beef. The restaurant says its curry is prepared with dashi and curry roux, without potato starch, and notes that the flavour changes with the toppings and choice of noodles.

Beyond curry, options include Kyoto-style Tanuki Udon, topped with chopped fried tofu in a thickened sauce, and the tempura soba or udon, which the restaurant describes as a long-standing speciality pairing shrimp tempura with dashi. Chirashi Udon is scattered with tempura crumbs; the restaurant notes that the dish may be called tanuki or haikara in other regions. For a more substantial meal, there are bento and set meals served with a small hot soba. One diner who ordered the fried-chicken bento recalled that it came with rice, soba, salad, a side dish and pickles, and said the lightly coated chicken went well with the rice. Another was impressed by the crisp coating and tender meat, as well as the gentle dashi flavour of the soba. The chicken cutlet bento is made with a thick portion of domestically sourced chicken thigh, while the pork cutlet bento uses domestically sourced pork loin. The cutlet set meal is topped with egg; enjoy it as a side dish with rice, or put it on the rice for a bowl-style meal.

Rice bowls include Kyoto-style Kinugasa Don and a dish of chopped fried tofu and spring onion bound with egg. The Tamago Don pairs egg with fish cake and spring onion, then adds an egg yolk on top; mix it in at the start or save it for later. Whether you come for noodles or rice with a small soba on the side, dashi is a through line across the menu. The restaurant opens for lunch and again in the evening, and has counter seating. It accepts cash only and does not take reservations.