If you’re interested in udon, TsuruTonTan is a name you might have seen on social media or travel guides. Known for its variety of udon and Japanese old style interior, TsuruTonTan has become a must-visit spot for travelers in Osaka. But does it live up to the hype?
In this article, we’ll provide details such as opening hours, location, and menu at TsuruTonTan. Also sharing experience, giving you an in-depth review of the taste, weather traveler friendly or not, price from a traveler’s perspective. If you’re considering adding TsuruTonTan to your travel plan, this article is for you.
What is Tsurutontan
TsuruTonTan was founded in 1989 in Osaka, and has expanded to over 10 locations across Japan. Here is highlights of TsuruTonTan:
Delicious Udon Noodles:
- Made fresh daily.
- Known for their thick and chewy texture.
Wide Variety of Menu Options:
- Extensive selection of udon dishes.
- Tempura, rice bowls, and sweets are also available.
Traditional Japanese Interior:
- Decorated to reflect old-style Japan.
- Enhances the dining experience with a cultural touch.
Basic infomation
In this section, you can find the basic information about Tsurutontan. Make sure to check it out before visiting the restaurant.
Operation hours
The operation hours of TsuruTonTan vary depending on the location. Be sure to check the specific information before you visit.
Below are the operation hours for TsuruTonTan in Osaka:
Mensho no Kokoro Tsukushi TsuruTonTan Soemoncho Branch
- Weekdays and Sundays: 11:00 AM to 6:00 AM the next day
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 AM to 8:00 AM the next day
Mensho no Kokoro Tsukushi TsuruTonTan Kitashinchi Branch
- Monday to Saturday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 AM the next day
- Sundays and holidays: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Mensho no Kokoro Tsukushi TsuruTonTan Honmachiro
- 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Kitashinchi Hondori TsuruTonTan Koto Shouro
- Weekdays and Sundays: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
- Fridays and Saturdays: 11:00 AM to 5:00 AM the next day
Agetachi Takumi no Hosomen TsuruTonTan (Daikokucho)
- 11:00 AM to 6:00 AM the next day
TsuruTonTan TOP CHEFS
- 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Location
As mentioned before, there are some TsuruTonTan locations in Osaka. Most of them are located in popular tourist areas, making them easily accessible for travelers.
Menu
At TsuruTonTan, you can order using a touch panel. The menu offers a wide variety of udon dishes, as well as sushi, rice bowls, and desserts. Additionally, you can customize your udon to your liking by choosing the amount and thickness of the noodles, as well as various toppings.
Reservation
At TsuruTonTan, reservations are only available for course meals at 4,000~6,000 yen ($25.26~$44.20) . Please note that you cannot make reservations for only seats. Reservations can be made through the official website.
▶️Tsurutontan official website
However, for groups of 9 or more, reservations can only be made by call, and the conversation will typically be in Japanese.
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Honest reviews
I went to TsuruTonTan (Soemoncho store) to provide honest reviews from a traveler’s perspective, covering aspects such as taste, whether traveler friendly or not, price, and more.
Use this guide when considering a trip to TsuruTonTan.
Traveler friendly
TsuruTonTan (Soemoncho store) offers semi-private seating arrangements. They can accommodate both small and large groups, making it very convenient for travelers.
TsuruTonTan (Soemoncho store) seems to attract more than 90% of its customers from abroad. According to the staff, it is always packed with travelers. This time, I was lucky enough to get in with only a 5-minute wait.
The menu is available on a touch panel with options in English, Chinese, and Korean, and there are staff members who speak English, making it easy to navigate for non-Japanese speakers.
However, I noticed a group of travelers next to me asking for help from the staff because they were unsure how to order. With the extensive variety of udon and customization options available, some might find ordering a bit challenging.
Additionally, TsuruTonTan offers a unique cultural experience. The traditional Japanese-style interior strongly reinforces the feeling of being in Japan.
Food
This time, I ordered udon, which is one of the most popular on the menu and two pieces of Anago sushi. Let’s see honest reviews.
Tsuruton Zanmai : 1,830 yen (USD11.56)
You can customize your udon when you order. You can choose the noodle type( Normal or Thin) , add toppings, and even increase the amount of noodles for free. (As a big eater, I appreciate being able to get more noodles at no extra cost.)
About 10 minutes after ordering, the udon arrived. The first thing that surprised me was the size of the bowl. It is super big lol. I was also amazed by the amount of toppings too.
The toppings included two shrimp, eggplant, pumpkin, thick fried tofu, shiso leaf, wakame seaweed, egg, beef, green onions, and kamaboko. The udon that I ordered comes with these toppings. So you can enjoy a variety of Japanese ingredients. Also the noodles are very chewy, providing a high level of satisfaction for this udon.
Anago suhi : 380 yen (USD2.40)
Anago is a type of saltwater eel, often used in Japanese cuisine. It is commonly served as sushi or tempura.The Anago sushi was good, but not particularly special. I probably wouldn’t order it again next time ( not saying in a bad way). I would like to try other side dishes instead.
Price
This time, the total bill was 2,210 yen (USD 13.96). For udon, this seems a bit expensive. In Kagawa Prefecture, you can get high-quality udon for around 500 yen (USD 3.16). However, considering the restaurant’s location in a popular tourist area and the ability to customize your udon, it might be the proper price.
Overall evaluation
TsuruTonTan (Soemoncho store) was really good. It’s a popular spot for international travelers. So there are staff who can speak English and menus available in multiple languages, ensuring that language barriers are not an issue for visitors.
You can customize the amount of udon and toppings to suit your taste, allowing you to enjoy a filling meal. It’s a good thing for big eaters.
Additionally, the interior is fantastic, with seating arrangements that can accommodate large groups and a traditional Japanese atmosphere that enhances the dining experience. TsuruTonTan can be considered a representative udon restaurant in Osaka that is well worth a visit for travelers.
The only downside is that the prices are a bit high for udon.
If you come to Osaka, be sure to visit TsuruTonTan!
The recommendation score : 8.5 out of 10
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