Japan’s Marugame Udon isn’t slowing down in Dubai. The brand has opened its newest UAE outlet at The Dubai Mall on 1 September 2026, bringing its handcrafted Sanuki-style udon to one of the city’s most-visited destinations, just over a year after its UAE debut at City Centre Deira in July 2025.
A Rapid Run Through Dubai’s Malls
Since launching in the UAE, Marugame Udon has moved quickly, following up its Deira opening with locations at BurJuman and Ibn Battuta Mall before landing at The Dubai Mall. In roughly 14 months, the brand has built out a footprint across some of the city’s biggest retail destinations, a pace that reflects how well the concept has landed with Dubai diners since day one.
The Philosophy: Fresh, Visible, Simple
Founded in Japan in 2000, Marugame Udon runs on one core idea: udon should be fresh, visible, and made with care. The brand specialises in Sanuki-style udon, a tradition rooted in Japan’s Kagawa Prefecture, and makes its noodles fresh using just three ingredients: flour, water, and salt.
The signature move is the open kitchen. At every location, guests watch their noodles get made in real time before moving down the counter to pick from bowls like Kake Udon and Bukkake (BK) Udon, paired with freshly fried tempura, sides and complimentary toppings. It’s built to work for a fast solo lunch or a relaxed group meal, same format, different pace.
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Strong Early Numbers In The UAE
The brand’s UAE launch gave an early sign of how this would go down locally; its first restaurant at City Centre Deira served over 900 bowls on opening day alone. That kind of turnout has clearly shaped the expansion strategy since.
With The Dubai Mall now added to the list, Marugame Udon is betting that its open-kitchen format and hands-on udon-making will keep pulling in the city’s diners, whether they’re stopping by for a quick bowl or settling in with tempura and company.
Cover Image Courtesy: Supplied