When you think of Kagawa Prefecture, ‘Udon’ noodles likely come to mind. While Udon is enjoyed nationwide as a home cooking dish, Kagawa Prefecture is renowned for its high-quality Udon, leading to its nickname, ‘Udon Prefecture’, due to having the highest production and consumption of Udon in Japan.

Udon is a simple yet profound traditional Japanese noodle dish. Characterized by its thickness and chewy texture, it is typically served in a warm soup. The soup is made from soy sauce, mirin, kelp, and bonito flakes, offering a rich umami and delicate flavor. However, Udon in Kagawa Prefecture is the best.

Udon from Kagawa Prefecture, commonly known as ‘Sanuki Udon’, is notably thicker and more elastic compared to other Udon. This texture is achieved through a meticulous process of hand-making the noodles, allowing them to mature slowly, and then boiling them using a unique method. Moreover, Sanuki Udon is sometimes served cold with a special soy sauce or dipping sauce.

There are nearly 500 Udon shops in Kagawa Prefecture, most of which make their noodles locally. As a result, each shop has subtly different Udon thickness, chewiness, and flavors of the sauces. One of the joys of the journey is to enjoy these differences and find your personal favorite.

For a deeper understanding of Udon, Nakamura Udon School is recommended. This facility allows you to learn the traditional manufacturing techniques of Kagawa Prefecture’s “Sanuki Udon” and acquire professional skills. First, you create your own dough using wheat flour, water, and salt, which are the ingredients of Udon. Then, through a series of processes of kneading, rolling, and cutting the dough, you can experience making your own handmade Udon. In addition to the techniques of making Udon, you will also learn how to boil the Udon, and you can taste the Udon you made on the spot. The taste is distinctly different from store-bought Udon.

Furthermore, at Nakamura Udon School, you can also learn about local culture and history. By learning how Sanuki Udon became a specialty of Kagawa Prefecture and how its manufacturing methods have evolved, your Udon-making experience will be enriched. It provides an excellent opportunity for travelers not only to enjoy a meal but also to deeply understand and experience local culture.

When visiting Kagawa Prefecture, be sure to taste the local Udon. The unique texture and deep flavor of the noodles, and the experience of observing the cooking process, offer more than just a meal. Each bowl of Sanuki Udon expresses the rich food culture of Kagawa Prefecture and the passion of the locals, providing visitors with an unforgettable bowl.