Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Marufuku Udon @ Jaya 1, Petaling Jaya

Udon-licious...

Whilst it may be new and slightly hidden, at the back of a passageway in Jaya 1 (sort of behind Fronterra/ under the PJLA),... Marufuku Udon has already been getting quite a lot of attention online:
(Especially since it is sort of a branch of the more established Sanuki Udon in Taman Desa)
The passageway to Marufuku....

Personally, I have never been to Sanuki, but I have been told that Marufuku is more geared to being a self service, fast food type eatery** where you line up and order at the counter, then take your noodles by yourself:
(Note: The servers are very friendly there though. If it's quiet they will be more than happy to serve you instead, as they did for us that night)
Inside the restaurant....


As for the menu, they have quite a variety of different udons (about 10 types?) as well as a few side dishes like grilled items (yakitori), desserts and beer/ booze to go along with your food.

First up, the yakitori we tried that night:
- Chicken (RM 3)
Japanese chicken satay....

- Ladies Fingers (RM 2) and Shitake (RM 2)
Some of the vegetable grilled dishes....

Tastewise, they were all pretty good - the chicken was fairly tender and tasty, while the ladies fingers and shitake were fresh and fragrant.

The most amazing thing (to me) though is their exceptionally reasonable pricing - all of the grilled items are only either RM 2 or RM 3 per stick.

As for the mains, we tried the House Special Udon - hot (RM 6):
(Note: This udon can be served cold as well)
The house special udon....

You can also stir in some of the fragrant chili oil (served in a little canister on the side) and then it ends up looking (and tasting) a bit like chili pan mee instead:
After mixing with the Chili....

Overall, this is a simple dish that depends on the quality of the noodles... and thankfully, Marufuku managed to pull it off - thick yet not starchy, and with the right amount of "bounce" vs moistness....
(Warning though: If you are a meat lover, like Gary who ordered this, you will not be satisfied as there will be nothing to satisfy your carnivorous cravings. Of course, this is easily fixed by ordering some chicken yakitori...)

I'm much more of a soup person though, so I perferred the Niku Soup Udon (RM 10):
Japanese Beef noodles....

The slices of beef could have been just a tad more tender, but otherwise, I enjoyed the hearty soup matched with the thick udon noodles that had the perfect level of bite. :)

Between the 2 soupy dishes we tried that night, my favourite was the Nabeyaki Udon (RM 10):
Comfort food....

:) :) :)
The soup was slightly thick and oh so hearty, complementing the udon well - great stuff on a cold, rainy day. There was also a good amount of deep fried goodies like tempura prawn, a dumpling and some tofu, making it a filling meal despite it being a fairly small serving.

To be completely fair, the serving sizes there are generally pretty small. I kinda like that though, because I can have a smaller noodle serving for a cheaper price and have just add on some side dishes if I feel like it,... as opposed to having a massive serving which costs more and I feel too stuffed later/ end up wasting it because cannot finish.
:)

So, it's: Small, cosy eatery serving a variety of freshly made udon and some side dishes for a very reasonable price, friendly service BUT nothing bad really, its just that if you don't like Udon then you won't find much to eat here (Beer + Yakitori is a good combo tho)...


Summary Sheet:

Marufuku Udon @ Jaya 1, Petaling Jaya
L-18-G-1, Ground Floor,
Palm Square, Jaya One,
72A, Jalan Universiti, 46200 Petaling Jaya.


Taste: 7
Ambience : 6
Service : 7
Price** : RM 15 per person
Parking: OK

** Approximation - 3 course meal, excluding drinks

Telephone No.: 03-7957 6368
Opening Hours: 11am to 10pm

NO PORK SERVED




OTHER REVIEWS:
- Masak-Masak
- Cumi Dan Ciki
- A Whiff Of Lemongrass
- Black Tie White Lie
- Highway In The Forest


TAGS: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

21 comments:

  1. Me like you: My heart got stolen by the Nabeyaki Udon. It's my new fave. :)

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  2. Why crunch numbers when you can eat Udon like these?

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  3. Yumz.. the world is going udon crazy! :) I must go try this place since so many have recommended it x

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  4. ciki likes this. the cold udon in NUMBER ONE!!

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  5. you guys really know how to find out the hidden goods!

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  6. something cheap to bring Jenn to :)
    she loves anything Japanese... which is weird coz she's a true blue Chinese!

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  7. ya, i wonder why there aren't huge crowds here every night. the food is more satisfying than 70 percent of the other eateries at jaya one. but i guess it'll still do well with faithful customers :D

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  8. Hey

    I would like to share with fellow bloggers a cafe specializing in espresso coffee in Mont Kiara.

    The highlight of this cafe is that all its coffee whether it is latte, flat white or cappuccino, cost only RM3!

    Email me for the location of this cafe. I can be reached at daniel.ristretto@gmail.com or 012-5281679.

    Thanks

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  9. How completely weird. I posted the same joint today. That place is lovely.

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  10. and i just blogged bout their sister restaurant
    was temped to go again today :P

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  11. to Life For Beginners:
    *high five!*
    You have very good taste, btw. ;)

    to Brother B:
    I wish I had a choice but they don't pay me to eat udon worrr... :P

    to aly:
    Hope you'll enjoy it, babe. :)

    to ciki:
    Will have to try that next time, if I can stop myself from ordering the Nabeyaki udon again...

    to ai wei:
    Well, maybe in certain areas...
    Jaya 1 I go to with my friends because of the PJLA shows... but other places outside the main KL/PJ area - I am lost. :)

    to thule aka leo:
    Well, Japanese is still Asian, and much closer to Chinese food taste (vs. Korean food)! :)

    to UnkaLeong:
    Seems they do soupy udons really well there. No one seems to not like them, so far...

    to Sean:
    I guess the general public don't like udon so much? I prefer ramen usually but I'll make an exception for Marufuku anytime.... :D

    to Anonymous:
    Cool. Now I have a new place to check out to satiate my other addiction (for coffee/ caffeine).

    Thanks. :)

    to Paranoid Android:
    Well, you know what they say: Great minds think alike....
    ;P

    to may:
    Oooh. Now I know where I can check out if I'm ever in that part of town. :)

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  12. Hehe, I got great taste in friends too... so blessed to have you as pal, dear.

    *hugs and merry 20+ more days to xmas*

    Hehe.

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  13. Hi there! Marufuku has changed my perception of the Japanese udon noodles...

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  14. To lfb: *hugs* :) You r such a sweetie.

    To fergus: Me too! Actually, I never liked Udon before that.

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  15. Hi there J. Have u tried their coffee? I supply them that. I have chocolate drinks too, which u may like. Cheers!

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  16. to Fergus:
    No worr. Haven't tried the coffee there (bcos I'll usually order green tea at Jap restaurants)...
    :)

    Are the chocolate drinks available there (or where else)? Sounds interesting...

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  17. Marufuku serves Japanese styled coffee.
    Have u tried Tappers Cafe in Jaya 1. They have chocolate :)

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  18. Marufuku's 2nd outlet @ Taylors University (http://on.fb.me/marufukutaylors) is now open. This location is very breezy as there is a nice lake next to it. Perfect for a relaxing week nights' dinner and weekends' getaway. We are open daily from 10 to 10. Ample car parking space, so come and enjoy a simple bowl of udon with the lake view. (We are close on this 19th and 26th Feb for minor reno work. Thank you.)

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  19. To Ken Wong:
    Hey thanks for the info! :)
    Will definitely check it out if I'm in the area...

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  20. They are still at Jaya One but move to unit 65-G, Block D, Palm Square. Same row with Maxwell and Postcode.

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Appreciate your thoughts, opinions and feedback. :)