Marugame Udon to make UK debut in former Wahaca site

One of the world's largest udon noodle restaurant chains is to open its first London site in July.

Marugame Udon, which has over 800 restaurants across Japan and a further 250 in Asia and the US, has taken the former Wahaca site at 1-3 Widegate Street near London Liverpool Street station.

The brand is being brought to the UK as a joint venture between Japan's Toridoll Holdings and European private equity firm Capdesia Group, who plan to use London as a starting point for a wider European expansion involving a combination of both owned and franchised operations.

Marugame specialises in serving Sanuki udon, popular in the Kagawa prefecture in Japan, which has a chewier texture than other udon varieties and can be served a variety of ways.

The London restaurant will have 100 covers and offer takeaway, click and collect and delivery, with main dishes starting at £3.45.

Customers will choose their udon from an open kitchen counter and add a choice of condiments and sides, with menu items including two-pork tonkotsu with chashu and spicy miso pork; and chicken katsu curry udon.

The restaurant will also offer the global brand's first vegan dishes, which make up 30% of the menu.

Toridoll Holdings Corporation is also behind brands such as Wok to Walk and took a £7m stake in Shoryu Ramen in 2017. Capdesia Group has also invested in the Wasabi chain in the UK.

The companies are aiming to grow Marugame to 6,000 restaurants worldwide.