Heading south from the popular meeting spot “Gyoki Bosatsu-san” fountain near Kintetsu Nara Station, through the Higashimuki Shopping Arcade, and walking leisurely towards the approach to Kasuga Taisha Shrine, at the intersection with Sanjo Street.
And there, to the left front, a crowd gathers around the sound of “Petan, Petan, Petapeta Peta…!” – the rhythm of pounding mochi.
It’s the famous Nakatanidou, known for its high-speed mochi making.
Amidst the shouts of “Watch out for cars‼” through a megaphone, travelers with smartphones in both hands and freshly made Yomogi Mochi are watching the superhuman mochi pounding spectacle.
The restaurant name is Mentouan!
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Popular No.1 Menu at Mentouan “Kinchaku Kitsune”
Kinchaku Kitsune 950 yen (tax included)
A large piece of fried tofu (aburaage) floats in a generous amount of broth!
It’s shaped like a drawstring bag, with udon noodles inside.
The owner, who studies delicious udon from all over Japan, came up with the idea to make something interesting.
It’s very popular because of its impressive appearance and delicious taste!
The fried tofu is stuffed with noodles and cooked in broth, so the noodles inside are well-flavored.
Please split open the drawstring bag, scoop out the udon, and don’t forget to take a commemorative photo.
The Broth is Rich with the Flavor of Fried Tofu
The shop’s original drawstring bag is about the size of a palm, with rounded noodles and neatly tied green onions, which looks adorable.
The broth has a good mix of fried tofu oil, enhancing its umami and sweetness!
The udon is soft, perfectly matching the gentle broth.
Takeout for Home Cooking and Customization is Also Recommended
For those who want to enjoy the famous “Kinchaku Kitsune” at home, and as a perfect souvenir, a take-home set is also available.
Named “Kogitsune Set.”
I bought it myself, and both the name and the packaging are very cute◎
The “Kogitsune” drawstring bag and broth set is 900 yen, the “Kogitsune” alone starts from 700 yen, and a value set of 3 is 2,000 yen.
I bought 2 “Kogitsune” and 1 bottle of broth, allowing for custom combinations.
※Only the broth is not sold separately.
The Evolution of the Owner Who Devised Delicious and Fun Udon Continues
Owner Mr. Tsuhoi cultivated Mentouan into a super popular store in Nara through experiences from his salaryman days, and his unique research and inventive ideas.
He shared his passion for udon with a gentle smile.
Besides delicious udon making, you can feel his dedication in his work clothes (samue) and hairstyle.
New Seasonal Menu “Shika Udon” to Enjoy
Popular among fried tofu lovers is “Shika Udon.”
This dashi udon topped with three pieces of 7cm square simmered fried tofu, features burnt-in designs related to Nara, like “Daibutsu-san,” “Ashura,” “Kasuga Lanterns,” and “Shika” (deer).
Part of the ongoing “Nara Tourism Series.”
It seems to add delicious and fun memories like “We’ve been here,” “The Bambi was cute～♪.”
＜MENU＞
・Curry Kinchaku 1,200 yen
・Shika Udon 1,100 yen
・Tempura Udon 1,100 yen
・Tendon (IN・OUT) 1,100 yen
・Kogitsune (3 pieces with concentrated broth) 2,200 yen
Udon Restaurant Mentouan (Mentouan)
Udon Restaurant Mentouan
Address: 30-1 Hashimoto-cho, Nara City
Business Hours: 11:00～15:00 approx. ※Ends when sold out
Regular Holidays: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Access: 6 minutes walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, 15 minutes walk from JR Nara Station
309m from Kintetsu Nara Station
Seating: Counter 7, Tables 15
TEL: 0742-25-3581
