Japanese udon chain opens its first U.S. branch at Ala Moana

If you like Marukame’s quick, affordable take on udon, you’ll also love Iyo Udon, now open in the former Panya space on the mauka side of Ala Moana Center.

The restaurant specializes in thick, Sanuki-style noodles served hot or cold. The simplest dishes offered are kamaage udon served hot with dipping sauce, cold zaru udon (also served with dipping sauce) or kake udon served in hot broth; all run $3.75 for a regular portion or $4.75 for large.

Get in line to order your noodles before proceeding to pick up deep-fried, a la carte sides of onion-heavy mixed vegetable tempura balls ($1.75), shrimp tempura ($1.75 per piece) and moist, tender chicken karaage (two pieces for $1.50).

Iyo Udon is owned by the Osaka-based Hannan Ribiyo Co. and is known as Iyo-seimen in Japan, where the company has 30 udon restaurants. The company recently expanded to open a shop in Korea, and the Ala Moana store is its first in the United States.

Iyo Udon hours are 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Call 955-5888 or visit www.iyo-udon.com.