Marutani Seimen

Marutani Seimen sits in the middle of Takamatsu's Tabelog 100 udon cluster by price and formality, under 1,000 yen for a bowl, walk-in only, tatami seating, and a residential location that keeps tourist crowds lower than the downtown spots. Teuchi Udon Shimizuya runs the same price bracket and self-service model but draws heavier foot traffic because of its more central location, so Marutani Seimen is the quieter choice if you're tired of queues. Miyatake Udon is slightly cheaper and faster, counter-only seating, minimal frills, making it better for a quick stop if you're chaining multiple shops in one morning; Marutani Seimen's tatami room feels more like a meal than a pit stop, though the four-hour daily window (10 AM–2 PM) means you're racing the clock either way.

Matsubara offers a fuller menu with tempura and side dishes, so it's the better pick for groups who want variety beyond plain udon; Marutani Seimen sticks to noodles and basic toppings, which keeps the experience focused but limits repeat-visit appeal. Kona Ya has a cleaner, more modern interior, worth it if you care about ambiance, but Marutani Seimen's converted-house vibe is part of the older-generation Kagawa udon story, so pick based on whether you want polish or authenticity. Nakanishi Udon holds a higher Tabelog score and draws more serious pilgrims, so if you're only doing one or two udon stops in Takamatsu, prioritize Nakanishi first; Marutani Seimen is the better second or third shop when you want consistent quality without the pressure of a top-ten destination. All five run similar pricing, so the decision comes down to location (Marutani Seimen's suburban Enza address requires a car or taxi), timing (the 2 PM close here is stricter than most), and crowd tolerance (Marutani Seimen stays quieter because of access friction).