Introducing Kanatake Handmade Sanuki Udon

Hello there!
This is Maru, writer for Sarukuma.

Today I’m taking you to Matsubase, Uki City, Kumamoto Prefecture, to a wonderful spot called
“Kanatake Handmade Sanuki Udon.”

I dropped by on a weekend and it was clearly a local favorite — the place was buzzing!

The shop sits along Route 14, directly across from the Lawson Uki Toyokawa convenience store. Parking is available right out front 🚙💨

Inside, you’ll find table seating…

…as well as counter seating.

There’s even one traditional tatami room in the back — a great spot to slip off your shoes and relax Japanese-style.

There’s also a child seat available 👦👧

Now, on to the menu — starting with the hot udon options:

Kake Udon (plain hot udon): 410 yen
Niku Udon (beef topping): 610 yen
Toriten Udon (with chicken tempura): 610 yen
Kitsune Udon (with sweet fried tofu): 530 yen
Chikuten Udon (with fish-cake tempura): 530 yen, and more.

You can also pick your favorite toppings to customize your bowl!

In summer, the cold bukkake and kamatama styles are absolutely irresistible 🌞🌻

Gobo-ten Bukkake (burdock root tempura): 550 yen
Imo-ten Bukkake (sweet potato tempura): 580 yen
Onsen Tamago Bukkake (with hot-spring egg): 560 yen
Oyako Bukkake (chicken tempura + soft-boiled egg tempura): 780 yen, and more.

Large portions are also available.
And of course, side rice dishes like kayaku gohan (mixed rice) and inari sushi are on offer too.

By the entrance, there’s a self-serve oden counter — and it looked seriously tempting!

Children’s bowls and utensils are also set out, making it easy for families with little ones 👦👧

Recommended Dishes at Kanatake Handmade Sanuki Udon

First up: the Gobo-ten Udon (burdock root tempura udon) — 510 yen.

Add the side condiments and crispy tempura flakes, and dig in!

These noodles are seriously thick and bouncy (ﾟ∀ﾟ) — quite possibly the thickest udon in all of Kumamoto!

Made entirely by hand from the flour up, this is the real deal — a true “jun-teuchi” (purely handmade) udon. You won’t find this kind of craftsmanship just anywhere. The chew is unbelievably satisfying.

The fragrance of the wheat flour really shines through — bold, dynamic, and downright delicious.

I even spotted an extra-long noodle hiding in my bowl — the kind of charming surprise you only get with handmade udon (^^)

Next up, the Toriten Udon (chicken tempura udon) — 610 yen.

Plus a side of onigiri rice balls (2 pieces) — 160 yen.

The chicken tempura is just as flavorful as you’d hope! And the dashi-rich broth is so light and clean that I couldn’t help finishing every last drop 😍😍

If you time it right, you can watch the udon being made by hand — either through the window outside the shop, or from inside! It’s a fun little behind-the-scenes peek you don’t always get.

This summer, treat yourself to the authentic, handmade udon at Kanatake. Highly recommended! ＼(^o^)／

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Frequently Asked Questions

※Information accurate at the time of reporting. Prices and hours are subject to change. Please confirm before visiting.