Sara udon is as popular as champon. You can choose between thin noodles with a thick sauce and crispy noodles, or thick noodles made with champon noodles, which is unique to Nagasaki, the birthplace of udon. We will introduce recommended restaurants that serve both thin and thick noodles.

The history and characteristics of Sara Udon

· History

Like sara udon and champon, it is said that Shikairo's founder Chin Heijun invented this dish as an adaptation of champon. Originally, the noodles were fried slowly while soaking in soup, but it was easier and quicker to cook them by making the noodles thinner and deep-frying them, so deep-fried thin noodles were born.

· Features

It is famous nationwide. Fried noodles (thin noodles), but in Nagasaki, many restaurants have two types of noodles on the menu, thick noodles and thin noodles, so you can choose according to your preference. Thin noodles and thick noodles are made differently, and have different textures and flavors. It is common to put Worcestershire sauce on thin noodles, and the spicy "Kincho Sauce" that was made especially for sara udon is well known.

Fascinating chewy texture! Thick noodle type

"Sara Udon" (1,100 yen) from "Chinese Cuisine Kyokaen" is a thick, chewy noodle that is infused with the deliciousness of the soup. The thick noodles are infused with the flavor of the vegetables and soup, giving it a feeling similar to a soupless champon.

"Kakuni donburi" is also recommended.
It contains as many as four large, chunky kakuni, and the unique flavor of Shaoxing wine also makes it mouth-watering.

"Chugoku Meisai Kyokaen" is a famous restaurant that continues to follow the traditional champon cooking method of "pot cooking". Vegetables and other ingredients are fried over high heat all at once, then the soup is poured in and cooked together with the noodles. This creates a unified flavor. The carefully selected ingredients, including custom-made light soy sauce, are also key to the dish's deliciousness. The restaurant is a vividly colored, six-story Chinese-style building.

◾️ Chugoku Meisai Kyokaen

Address: 9-7 Shinchi-cho, Nagasaki
TEL:095-821-1507
Opening hours: 11-14:00 30LO, 17-19:30 LO
Closed: Unregular holidays
Access: 2 minutes walk from Shinchi Chinatown tram stop
Parking: None

Crispy texture is GOOD! Thin noodles

"Manpuku Curry Sara Udon" is a crisp, ultra-fine noodle, which is made of ultra-fine noodles and spicy curry bean bean paste, and if you eat a bite, it's delicious, and it's sure to be addictive.

We also recommend a Chinese bowl with an appetizing curry flavor. It can be mixed with eggs to give a mellow finish.

The restaurant is located in Shianbashi Yokocho, and many local customers drop in after drinking. For about 30 years since it opened, its curry-flavored champon and sara udon noodles have been extremely popular. The special soup is made from pork bones and chicken carcasses, and the curry powder is added in a perfect balance to create a spicy, rich flavor. There are three tables and a counter.

◾️ Chinese Manpuku

Address: 5-1 Honlime-cho, Nagasaki
TEL:095-823-1029
Opening hours: 18:00 to 0:30 the following day.
Closed: Sunday
Access: 3 minutes walk from Shianbashi tram stop
Parking: None

The taste of gentle home cooking will soothe both your tongue and your soul

The texture of the fine noodles is crisp because they are fried after the order is received. You can also take it out.

We also recommend the champon, which uses about 10 different ingredients, including fresh squid from the local fishing port of Mogi Town, and has a clean, mild flavor.

A restaurant run by a 90-year-old female owner. The dish is filled with plenty of sauce that overflows from the plate, and the thin, crispy noodles are delicious! The key to the flavor is the blended soup made from pork bones and chicken bones that is cooked until it becomes soft and mushy. It is located in a narrow alley behind the former Chinese residence.

◾Suzuya

Address: 10-15 Juonincho, Nagasaki
TEL:095-822-0996
Opening hours: 11:30-14, 17-18 (LO)
Holidays: Sunday, other unregular holidays
Access: 15 minutes walk from Shinchi Chinatown tram stop
Parking: None

• This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu Information Edition" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
• The data listed are as of March 2025. Prices, business hours, regular holidays, menus, etc. may change or may not be available due to temporary holidays. Please check in advance when using it, as the content may change.
• The holiday of stores and facilities omits the year-end holiday, Obon holiday, Golden Week, and temporary holidays in principle.
• The published fees are in principle the fee including consumption tax that we have confirmed at the time of the interview, and the entrance fee is the adult fee if there is no special mention.
• In principle, the published times are open (hall) to closed (hall). Please note that the last order or entrance (hall) time is 30 minutes to 1 hour before the normal closing (hall) time. The last order is denoted LO.
• For the spring quality and efficacy of the hot springs listed, manuscripts are prepared based on answers from each facility.