New Location in Carrollton, TX

September 19, 2020 3:55 PM PST

CARROLLTON, Texas (Aug. 17, 2020) Marugame Udon, the world’s largest udon concept based out of Tokyo, Japan, brings its authentic, handmade Japanese Sanuki udon noodles, fresh tempura, robata grill and katsu sandos to Texas this month with the opening of its Carrollton location at 3450 E. Hebron Parkway on Aug. 31.

Marugame Udon first came to the U.S. in Hawaii more than 10 years ago with its flagship store in Waikiki, then expanded into California with eight more restaurants in the past few years. Its food remains true to the authentic tradition of noodle making, which started in Japan centuries ago, serving up Sanuki-style noodles that are a thicker but “bouncy” style of noodle that is unique in its chewiness and tenderness, pairing perfectly with broths and sauces alike.

The lively, theatrical kitchen is the centerpiece of Marugame Udon, with all food being prepared and assembled to order in the exhibition kitchen. Noodle masters make fresh noodles behind the glass at the start of the order line, as fresh tempura, katsu sandos and char-grilled proteins are also cooked just feet away from the line and in full view of the guests.

Marugame Udon is known for high energy, ultra-high attention to transparency and a kitchen that offers versatile food offerings. The new restaurant prototype introduced in Carrollton, featuring a double-sided line, will be take-out and pick-up friendly, with online ordering available. The restaurant will also offer third-party delivery via Uber Eats, Door Dash and several others.

In Carrollton, Marugame Udon will debut four new katsu sandos featuring a Kobe beef cheeseburger with house-made slaw and the traditionally prepared ‘bulldog sauce’, along with a Spam and cheese katsu with pickles, a chicken katsu and the ever-popular egg salad sando – all served on lightly toasted Japanese milk bread.

Char-grilled robata items include chicken meatballs (also offered in an udon bowl), grilled steak with shiso salsa verde, Japanese BBQ pork belly and a vegetable skewer with maitake mushroom, shishito peppers and kumato tomatoes.

Also new to Marugame Udon is U.S.-made Momo Kawa organic Junmai Gingo sake and ice-cold Japanese beer both available on draft.

Marugame Udon is brought to Dallas by an experienced restaurant team of investors led by President and Chief Strategy Officer Mark H. Brezinski, Chief Operating Officer Pete Botonis and the growing private equity firm of Hargett Hunter, based in Raleigh and Dallas.

Brezinski, a Dallas resident since 1991, is locally well-known for his co-founding work at Pei Wei Asian Diner, Velvet Taco, Banh Shop and other DFW area restaurants. He reunites with Botonis on the project after being instrumental in the successful growth of Pei Wei from opening the original restaurant in Phoenix and growing it nationally to more than 200 restaurants.

“Pete and I have a great history together and we couldn’t be more excited to be bringing our version of this wildly successful concept to the DFW area,” said Brezinski. “Japanese foods are, in my opinion, the most versatile of all Asian foods and we promise to make it a tough decision for Marugame guests to choose between the great bowls, sandos, skewers and freshly made tempura. In fact, we think guests will find many new favorites to enjoy on multiple visits at lunch and dinner.”

A second Dallas area location is set to open in Old Town on Greenville Avenue in the fall and several others are planned for Houston and Dallas in 2021-22.

About Marugame Udon

Founded in Kakogawa City, Japan, in 2000, Marugame Udon is the world’s No. 1 udon concept with more than 1,000 locations in 13 countries serving up authentic, handmade-to-order Japanese Sanuki udon noodles and fresh tempura. Led globally by founder and President Takaya Awata, U.S. growth will be led by private equity firm Hargett Hunter, Dallas-based food industry visionary Mark H. Brezinski, and longtime collaborator Pete Botonis. Learn more at https://www.marugameudon.com and follow the brand on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram