MELBOURNE | Whenever someone asks me for some Melbourne “cheap eats” recommendations, I respond by asking what their budget is. Cheap eats is a subjective term, and can differ wildly from person to person. There are some places, however, that fit everyone’s definition of a cheap eat, and Udon Yasan is one of them. I’ve walked past the consistently busy udon spot many times with curiosity, and finally popped in the other day for What’s On Melbourne.
Udon Yasan specialises in udon bowls, with the noodles made fresh on site each day. A large menu at the front displays the 17 hot and cold udon options, almost all priced under $10. The cheapest will only set you back $5.30. There’s also a handful of donburi (rice bowls) on offer. Choices include things like sukiyaki beef udon, bean curd udon, and tonkatsu curry.
$1.50 gets you double noodles, and there are several additional free toppings. Service is extremely fast, with barely a minute passing between placing your order and your food being served with a smile. Shuffle up with your tray and you’ll find a warming station filled with fried extras priced at around $2 a serve. Things like karaage, assorted tempura, and tonkatsu. Grab the tongs and pop any extras you might want onto your tray, pay, and find a table. It’s easy, quick, and efficient.
I opted for the most popular, option on the menu, sukiyaki beef and half boiled egg on udon noodle soup. I also went for the sukiyaki beef on curry udon noodle, and the tonkatsu donburi. All quality options, and brilliant value considered. The broth, light, complex, and slightly smoky, combined with the bouncy, chewy udon are a wonderful base from which to build a bowl.
Udon Yasan is a place that fits any definition of a good cheap eat. Just like the places in Japan that inspired it, Udon Yasan strikes the perfect balance between price, speed and quality.
Udon Yasan
186 Bourke Street
Melbourne
Victoria 3000
Australia
Telephone: n/a
E-mail: n/a
Website
Open
Mon – Sun: 11:30am to 8:30pm