About Meiji Seimen Costa Mesa
Beyond their size, small businesses are defined by their spirit. And at the helm are their intrepid founders—scrappy, ambitious, and resilient. They invent and build things despite uncertainty, because it’s what drives them. Their risks lead to innovation that moves the world forward. And we need them.
Put yourself on their waiting list! People got there and start lining up before they open. We arrived when they open and we were already #8 in line. We waited 45 mins before being seated and the line was twice as long when we left. It's a very small restaurant but so worth the hype. The Nabeyaki udon was absolutely delicious. Such a clear broth full of flavor with chewy udon noodles. It was a big bowl and I love that it has enoki mushrooms, fish cake, an egg, and a delicious shrimp tempura. Can't wait to go back again. Drooling just thinking about it.
Wow everything we tried was top notch and service was amazing. Sesame tofu was a pleasant surprise that had everyone wanting more. Shabu shabu udon was seasoned to perfection and it even came with ponzu for the meat! Nabeyaki udon was spot on as well. You can tell they take care to make the dashi very well. Tempura chicken curry udon broth was also not too thick and not too salty, which was very pleasant too. Of course the chicken kaarage was super well seasoned and not heavily battered. Perfection. I’d love to come back to try more. Very few places do udon so well.
First time visiting this spot and we wished we’d visited sooner! Everything we ordered was delicious, we had the shabu udon with egg, eel box and a shrimp tempura. We’ve been missing authentic Japanese food since our trip to Japan and this hit the spot, will definitely be back. Wait was around 30+ minutes so might be worth trying to get there early to avoid the crowds.
Arrived about 30 minutes before opening and people were already lining up to join the waitlist. By the time the doors opened, there were around 14 parties ahead — a clear sign this place is popular for a reason. Thankfully, we were seated right away and started ordering immediately. We tried the Nabeyaki Udon, Shabu Shabu Udon, karaage, beer, and sake. They even brought out beer snacks, which was a fun and unexpected touch. Every dish was outstanding. The noodles were fresh and perfectly chewy, the broths were packed with umami and depth, and the karaage was crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. Service was friendly, quick, and attentive even with the rush. The food came out hot and fast, and everything tasted incredibly fresh. Everything we had was a 5 out of 5, no question. Amazing udon, great sides, and a well-run team.
One of the best places to get udon or soba outside of Japan. My wife ordered the shabu shabu udon and I got the katsu curry udon. We also ordered a side of the kaarage. The shabu shabu udon is a classic and one I have ordered multiple times. They also serve it with some extra tare so you can season it to your liking. The katsu curry udon came with a nice, thick pork cutlet and you can customize the spice level of the curry. Their kaarage is so tasty and crunchy and they give you a lot of chicken compared to other places. This place is always my go-to if I'm in the area and craving some Japanese noodles. If you're prone to making a mess, be sure to ask for a bib! The owner has a sense of humor with customers who get messy.