Hello, fellow travelers!
This is Cho-san, writer for [SaruKuma]!

Today I’m excited to introduce
Yama Momiji, located in Ueki-machi, Kita Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture.
“Yama Momiji” is the place to know!
Sitting along National Route 208,
this is a beloved local udon shop that’s truly worth seeking out!
The spacious property has plenty of parking, which is a real plus if you’re driving.
As the sign warns, give yourself plenty of time —
be prepared for a bit of a wait! ♪
I dropped by on a weekday at lunchtime,
put my name on the waiting list, and was seated in about 20 minutes.

Two friendly older gentlemen ahead of me turned out to be regulars,
and they struck up a conversation while we waited.
“The tempura here is out of this world!” they told me with big smiles!
Inside, you’ll find four table seats,
some with bench-style seating that gives you extra room to spread out.
There are also two traditional Japanese-style tatami seating areas (zashiki).
Families with kids are typically guided to these tatami rooms — a lovely cultural touch for international visitors!
Counter seating is available too, perfect for solo travelers.

Recommended Menu

The menu is wonderfully extensive!
You can even add your favorite toppings, so choosing can be a delicious dilemma…
Taking the regulars’ tempura recommendation as a must, I went with the
Meat & Vegetable Tempura Bukkake Udon (Cold) — ¥1,000 ☆
Ta-daaa!!
Look at this presentation! ☆☆
It’s almost too beautiful to eat — pure edible art!
The udon noodles are practically buried under a mountain of toppings!
Add some green onions and pour over the broth, then dig in!
Each noodle has a satisfying, springy bite — these are seriously firm, chewy udon with real character.
And that bukkake broth? Absolutely incredible!

The vegetable tempura keeps surprising you — hidden beneath the surface are
shiso leaf, green pepper, eggplant, kabocha pumpkin, sweet potato, carrot, and maitake mushroom —
seven different vegetables in total!!!

The meat is delicious too, of course,
but every piece of tempura is fried to order, and oh, that fresh-from-the-fryer flavor is unbeatable! ♪

Those regulars knew exactly what they were talking about! ☆
And here’s the Vegetable Tempura Bukkake Udon (Cold) — ¥700.
More than enough volume for one — fantastic value for money! ♪
A quick side note —
even the cold water here was outstanding! ☆
I usually can’t tell water apart, but this was so crisp and refreshing
that I drank three glasses without realizing it! Haha!

This is an udon shop that’s absolutely worth the wait!
On weekends and holidays, they often close once they run out of noodles, so I highly recommend arriving early!

Frequently Asked Questions

※Information is current as of the time of reporting. Prices and hours may change. Please confirm before visiting.