Strictly Dumpling Season 2 Episode 6 Trying Five Different Udon Noodles in Hawaii

In the sixth episode of Strictly Dumpling's second season, host Mike Chen travels to Hawaii to try five different types of udon noodles. Udon noodles are thick and chewy Japanese noodles that are typically served in a hot soup with various toppings. Hawaii has a large Japanese population, making it a great place to sample different types of udon noodles.

The first stop on Mike's udon noodle tour is Marukame Udon, a popular spot in Honolulu with a long line out the door. Mike tries their signature dish, the kamaage udon, which is served with tempura flakes and a savory dipping sauce. The udon noodles are made fresh in-house and have a chewy texture that pairs well with the crispy tempura flakes.

Next up is Akira Restaurant in Kailua, which specializes in udon noodles made with local ingredients. Mike tries the spicy tuna udon, which has a spicy broth and is topped with raw tuna and green onions. The udon noodles are made with local wheat and have a unique flavor that sets them apart from other types of udon noodles.

Mike then heads to Waipahu to try the udon noodles at Nakamura Udon. The restaurant has been around for over 60 years and is known for its traditional Japanese udon noodles. Mike tries their classic kake udon, which is served in a simple broth with green onions and kamaboko, a type of fish cake. The udon noodles are thin and have a delicate texture that pairs well with the light broth.

The fourth stop on Mike's udon noodle tour is Maru Sushi in Honolulu. While Maru Sushi is primarily a sushi restaurant, they also serve a unique dish called udon carbonara. This dish combines Italian and Japanese flavors, with udon noodles served in a creamy carbonara sauce and topped with bacon and parmesan cheese. Mike notes that the dish is rich and indulgent, and the chewy udon noodles stand up well to the creamy sauce.

Finally, Mike heads to Moena Cafe in Kapaa, which specializes in Japanese-Hawaiian fusion cuisine. Mike tries their udon noodle salad, which is topped with local greens, tomatoes, and ahi poke. The dish has a refreshing and light flavor that is perfect for the warm Hawaiian weather. Mike notes that the udon noodles have a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with the savory poke.

Overall, Mike's udon noodle tour of Hawaii showcases the versatility of this Japanese dish and the unique twists that Hawaii has put on it. From traditional udon noodles with a delicate flavor to fusion dishes that blend Italian and Japanese flavors, Hawaii has a lot to offer when it comes to udon noodles.