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The hardest in Japan!? A special feature on Yoshida Udon, a specialty of Fujiyoshida.

Let's explore the allure of Yoshida udon, a must-try when visiting Fujiyoshida!

The most famous specialty of Fujiyoshida is undoubtedly Yoshida Udon. These firm noodles, which allow you to savor the flavors of the ingredients and broth with every bite, are topped with sweet and savory braised horse meat and boiled cabbage. The broth, made with a special soy sauce and miso base, is a unique local dish that can only be found here. The most distinctive feature is the firmness of the noodles, and its deliciousness is so renowned that some fans have become "udon masters," attempting to visit every single udon restaurant in the city.

This article introduces the charm of Yoshida udon, a must-try dish when visiting Fujiyoshida, as well as restaurants where you can enjoy it and how to best experience it.

The most distinctive feature of Yoshida Udon, a local dish that Fujiyoshida City is proud of, is its incredibly firm and chewy noodles. Countless people become captivated by the noodles, as the delicious flavors of the ingredients and broth spread throughout their mouths with every bite, and udon restaurants are packed with customers every day. To allow customers to fully enjoy the taste of the noodles and broth, many udon dishes are simply seasoned, such as kake udon (udon in broth) or tsuke udon (udon with dipping sauce), and are typically topped with cabbage or horse meat. Let's take a closer look at the charm of Yoshida Udon, a dish that captivates anyone who tries it!

What is Yoshida Udon?

A local specialty featuring the firmest noodles in Japan, coated in a rich soy sauce and miso broth.

The most distinctive feature of Yoshida Udon, a local dish that Fujiyoshida City is proud of, is its incredibly firm and chewy noodles. Countless people become captivated by the noodles, as the delicious flavors of the ingredients and broth spread throughout their mouths with every bite, and udon restaurants are packed with customers every day. To allow customers to fully enjoy the taste of the noodles and broth, many udon dishes are simply seasoned, such as kake udon (udon in broth) or tsuke udon (udon with dipping sauce), and are typically topped with cabbage or horse meat. Let's take a closer look at the charm of Yoshida Udon, a dish that captivates anyone who tries it!

The characteristics of Yoshida udon!

The hardest noodles in Japan!? Noodles with a strong chewy texture.

Yoshida's udon noodles, kneaded with all their might, release a rich flavor of ingredients and broth that fills your mouth with every bite.

Carefully selected broth

The broth is typically a blend of soy sauce and miso. Its gentle yet profound flavor pairs perfectly with the noodles.

Boiled cabbage goes perfectly with noodles.

Boiled cabbage, when eaten with firm noodles, creates an addictive texture. It also contains vitamins that aid digestion, making it a gentle topping for the stomach.

Horse meat simmered in a sweet and savory sauce

In Fujiyoshida, where horse meat is a staple food, horse meat is used as an unusual topping for udon noodles. The horse meat, simmered in a sweet and savory sauce of soy sauce, sugar, sake, and mirin, is very flavorful and has become a very popular topping.

How to make udon noodles taste even better...

Adding "suridane" (fermented soybean paste) gives it a connoisseur's taste!

Restaurants serving Yoshida udon often have a condiment called "suridane" available. This is a special condiment made by mixing sesame seeds, sansho pepper, chili peppers, and other ingredients, and adding it will give your udon a unique flavor. It's recommended to add it later to your liking rather than adding it from the start.

Why are Yoshida udon noodles so hard?

The firmness of Yoshida udon noodles is due to the history of Fujiyoshida City!

In the early Showa period, the main industry in Fujiyoshida was textiles, and it was so prosperous that more than half of the households in the Shimoyoshida district were involved in the textile business. It is said that in these households, men began making udon noodles for lunch so that the women who operated the weaving machines could continue working without interruption while preparing lunch, and so that the women's hands would not become rough from handling the textiles. The men kneaded the dough vigorously to make udon that would keep them full, and as a result, chewy and firm udon became the mainstream. Even today, you can enjoy traditional udon, kneaded with all your might, at udon restaurants.

List of Udon restaurants in Yoshida! (40 restaurants as of 2026)

Find your favorite shop!

Find udon restaurants here!

A convenient udon map for exploring udon restaurants in Yoshida.

All stores in Fujiyoshida City are listed!!

A convenient map featuring every single udon restaurant in the city is available! We also have fun events planned, such as a system where those who visit every restaurant listed on the map will be awarded the title of "Yoshida Udon Master"!

click here to download

Aim to become a Yoshida Udon Master!

Conquer all the udon restaurants listed on the Yoshida Udon Map and become a Yoshida Udon Master!

If you visit every single udon shop listed on the Yoshida Udon Map, you will be certified as a Yoshida Udon Master. Currently, there are 298 Masters (as of February 2026), and some avid Yoshida udon fans are said to be visiting Yoshida udon shops every day in pursuit of becoming a Master. You too can visit every shop and become a Yoshida Udon Master!

Certification Procedure

1. Visit all the restaurants listed on the Yoshida Udon Map and eat udon. *There is no time limit for visiting all the restaurants. *You may also refer to past editions of the Udon Map.

2. Take photos of the restaurant's udon noodles and the restaurant's exterior to document your experience. *Please obtain permission from the restaurant staff before taking photos.

Bring the 3:2 aspect ratio image and the udon map you used as a reference, and submit them at the tourist information counter at Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida.

4: Certified as a Yoshida Udon Master!!

More details

For those who want to enjoy Yoshida udon at home!

Here are some related foods that allow you to enjoy Yoshida udon!

Good news for those of you who have fallen in love with Yoshida udon! You can now buy that delicious, firm Yoshida udon at convenience stores, supermarkets, and roadside stations throughout Yamanashi Prefecture, making it easy to enjoy Yoshida udon at home! It also makes a great souvenir.

Yoshida's udon-related food products!

Yoshida Udon Cup Noodles

Enjoy the delicious taste of Yoshida udon in a convenient cup noodle format.

[Sales locations] Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida, and others

[Inquiries] 0555-21-1033

Yoshida Udon (convenience store cup noodles)

Recommended for those who want to eat Yoshida udon, whether it's morning or night. Available at all Seven-Eleven stores in Yamanashi Prefecture!

[Sales locations] Seven-Eleven stores throughout Yamanashi Prefecture

Yamashita Seimen

Made with domestically produced wheat flour. No additives are used.

[Sales location] Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida

[Inquiries] 0555-22-1227

Men's Fujiyama

Yoshida udon, made using traditional handmade methods, has a firm, chewy texture.

[Sales locations] ・Our store (6-9-1 Kamiyoshida, Fujiyoshida City / Closed Tuesdays and Sundays) ・Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida

[Inquiries] 0555-21-5035

Check now

Iwata Noodles

Yoshida udon noodles made with spring water from Mount Fuji.

[Sales location] Our store (2-25-18 Daimyoken, Fujiyoshida City / Closed on Sundays)

・Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida (Roadside Station Fujiyoshida) [Inquiries] 0555-23-6693

Marushin Seimen

Yoshida Udon: Safe, Secure, Healthy, Environmentally Friendly, and Delicious

[Sales locations] ・Our store (2-5-7 Ryugaoka, Fujiyoshida City / Closed on Sundays) ・Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida

[Inquiries] 0555-23-5209

Tanabe Seimen

Yoshida udon, known for its chewy texture, is made using spring water from Mount Fuji.

[Sales location] Our store (2-27-6 Shin-Nishihara, Fujiyoshida City / Closed on Sundays)

[Inquiries] 0555-22-2835

Yamaya's udon soup base

"Yoshida Udon" Authentic Soup Base

[Sales locations] ・Our own store (5-2 Matsuyama, Fujiyoshida City (Coin Laundry Arai-ya Honpo)) ・Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida

Yoshida's Udon Dashi MAX

This "Yoshida Udon Dashi" is a perfectly balanced blend of soy sauce and miso, enhanced with the umami of dried sardines. It boasts a fragrant aroma of dried sardines and a simple, rustic flavor. ~Supervised by the Udon Club of Yamanashi Prefectural Hibarigaoka High School~

[Sales locations] Michi-no-Eki Fujiyoshida, and others

[Inquiries] 0555-21-1033

Yoshida's Udon Bowl

Yoshida no Udonburi-chan will help promote Yoshida udon!

Yoshida no Udonburi-chan is a popular character promoting Yoshida udon noodles nationwide. She shares fascinating information on Twitter (@udonburichan)!

Profile

Age: 3 years old

Gender: Female

• Birthday: July 1st (the day Mount Fuji opens for climbing)

Personality: Strong-willed and tenacious

Catchphrase: "The best in Japan!"