Stepping in to lend a much appreciated hand with a slightly unwieldy (if utterly delicious) editorial load is seasoned travel writer and cultural essayist Maddie Salters. After her recent visit to newly opened Den Udon, Maddie reckons 2015 may turn out to be the “year of the noodle – at least at King’s Cross.” Is it time for Japanese food lovers in London to rejoice? Have a read of her review and see what you think.
Den Udon’s hip new venue just opened its doors to business, with a clean layout and alternating menus that convert it from a casual luncheon spot to a cosy place for conversation over dinner and drinks. The trendy, minimalist vibe and welcoming staff make you feel right at home, and hearty menu options offer an array of traditional Japanese food with a bit of a twist. Fair portion sizes, a long list of sharable appetisers, and communal tables make Den and especially appealing alternative if you’re dining with a large group.
I enjoyed my initiation to Den Udon. Wait staff was attentive, cheerful, and knowledgeable. A small selection of appetisers set the tone for the meal and included some of its highlights. The crispy fried chicken kara-age (£5) was especially tender, and the red wine stewed pork belly (£6) delighted in a rich sauce, for a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Both paired off well with cold, fresh seasonal vegetables in a sesame rub (£4.50). Of particular note was the crunchy Udon pretzel in a mirin dip, available on the shared platter (£11), a creative tag-team invention by the Japanese and Italian staff.
Also a product of the fusion kitchen – which serves mainly traditional fare, from udon in salty Tokyo-style black broth, to don buri with mounds of fermented soy bean natto for those with a brave tongue – comes the Udon Carbonara (£11). Fresh egg and cod keep the dish wonderfully light and flavourful, with a rub of Parmesan that makes it tangy and filling. Also excellent was the house special, Duck Tempura (£12). I opted to have it with cold soba noodles in a spring onion and ginger-infused soy dip, but would be curious to try it over a hot bowl of rice on my next trip. As the menu is heavy on salt, dishes pair well with their Asahi Super Dry beer (£3.50), or a palette-cleansing carafe of Shochikubai Gokai hot sake (£5.50) between courses.
While Den Udon offers no dessert option, a hot green tea (Den’s mixture of brawny sencha leaves and bright matcha powder, £2) served up in posh contemporary glassware completes the meal,
Den Udon is located at 2 Acton Street, WC1X 9NA. Sure to become a hit, visit for the thoroughly modern ambiance and amenities (heated toilet seats, anyone?) and come with an appetite, expecting to combine menu options and flavours. The self-described “Udon Evangelists” make everything in-house, so you can be sure you’re getting both quality and quantity. Learn more at den-udon.uk.com.
Written by Maddie Salters, a native New Yorker who has lived abroad for half of her life – from cities spanning Montreal to Osaka. While there’s still a lot on her “to trek” list, she has currently landed with both feet firmly in London. As a seasoned travel writer and cultural essayist, you can find her work on TripAdvisor.com, and in print in Wanderlust Magazine and other international publications.
