Marugame Udon, Japan’s largest udon chain, is celebrating eight years on Sawtelle this month with a slate of community festivities.
Highlights include the return of fan-favorite dishes from the restaurant’s opening week, debut of new limited-time menu items, spin-the-wheel prize giveaways, and hands-on udon-making classes (fully booked within days).
Opened in 2017, Marugame Udon Sawtelle was the brand’s first U.S. mainland location, making it a milestone store in the company’s growth and expansion in the U.S.
Hands-On Udon-Making Classes (fully booked)
- Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 16, and Friday, Sept. 19
- Times: 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. (each session about 90 minutes)
- Details: Guests learn Marugame’s udon fundamentals, from mixing to cooking.
- Note: Classes are already fully reserved, reflecting strong community interest.
Spin-the-Wheel Prizes
- Dates: Tuesday, Sept. 16; Friday, Sept. 19; Saturday, Sept. 20; Sunday, Sept. 21, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 7 p.m.
- Details: Guests with a same-day receipt receive one spin for Marugame goods and prizes.
- Prizes: Original fans, pin badges, and coupons for future visits. (Numbers are limited; first-come, first-served)
Limited-Time Anniversary Menu
- Available starting Monday, Sept. 15 (while supplies last)
- Highlights: Bringing back customer favorites from opening week, including:
Kama-age Udon — The restaurant’s signature dish, served with hot cooking water and a traditional dashi dipping sauce.
Mentai Kamatama Udon — A creamy, savory udon without broth, topped with mentaiko roe and egg.
Alongside the revival menu, Marugame will debut a selection of new dishes created especially for the anniversary.
Marugame Udon is located at 2029 Sawtelle Blvd. in West Los Angeles.
Marugame Udon is owned by Toridoll Holdings Corp., a Tokyo-based global restaurant group. Known as Marugame Seimen in Japan, it is the country’s largest udon chain, celebrated for its authentic sanuki-style noodles crafted fresh on-site daily, along with freshly prepared tempura and a lively, theater-like dining experience. Today, Marugame operates 857 locations in Japan and more than 1,100 worldwide.
As part of Marugame Udon’s eighth anniversary, Takaya Awata, president and CEO of Toridoll, Holdings Corp., and Victor Hisao Misawa, CEO of Marugame Udon (USA), will attend the celebration on Sept. 19.
Takaya Awata
Takaya Awata’s His journey began in 1985, when he left Kobe City University of Foreign Studies to open a small yakitori shop. That single restaurant laid the foundation for what is now a global food-service empire spanning more than 2,000 locations across Asia, Europe, and the U.S.
Awata has built his career on a passion for food that goes beyond flavor — celebrating the craft of cooking, the warmth of hospitality, and the joy of discovery. Under his leadership, Toridoll has achieved milestones such as acquiring Hong Kong’s Tam Jai International in 2018 and listing it on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 2021. In the fiscal year ending March 2025, Toridoll reported $1.9 billion in revenue, marking 16% growth year over year.
What sets Awata apart is his mission to deliver a “passion for freshness” to people everywhere. From the heat of the open kitchen to the masterful hands of his chefs, Awata envisions dining as an experience with all five senses — turning simple bowls of noodles into moments of connection and delight.