Mentoan: Open the Pouch for Nara's Kinchaku Udon
A compact udon shop near the entrance to Mochiidono Shopping Street, known for noodles served inside a large fried-tofu pouch.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Mentoan: Open the Pouch for Nara's Kinchaku Udon
Mentoan makes its signature udon memorable through a simple reveal: a large triangular pouch of seasoned fried tofu floats in the bowl, and the noodles are tucked inside. Open the pouch carefully with chopsticks and the noodles emerge into the hot broth. The dish turns inari-zushi's sweet tofu pocket into a warm noodle vessel, bringing familiar Japanese ingredients together in a playful form. The restaurant is at the entrance to Mochiidono Shopping Street, a short walk from Kintetsu Nara Station, and works naturally as a lunch stop while walking between Sanjo-dori, Naramachi and Nara Park. Its small capacity and sell-out risk make an early arrival sensible.
Open the tofu pouch at the table
Kinchaku means a drawstring pouch, and the restaurant's signature dish borrows that shape from a large piece of fried tofu. The noodles sit inside the pouch, in a bowl of Japanese stock; split the tofu gently and let the udon fall into the broth. The Nara City Tourism Association's school-trip listing names kinchaku kitsune and kakiage among the meal options. The shop's menu and exact broth recipe can change, so use its current printed or displayed menu for the day's details.
Look for the Nara-themed variations
The restaurant is associated with variations that use grilled motifs connected to Nara, such as deer or temple imagery, on the tofu. A local 2026 food feature describes a spicy curry version and a small three-pouch 'ko-gitsune' take-home set; those are time-sensitive examples rather than guaranteed stock. Confirm the current dishes, prices and take-away conditions when ordering. The official city listing identifies wheat and shrimp in its allergy information; ask staff directly about ingredients, cross-contact and dietary restrictions.
Plan around a short lunch service
Visit Nara lists lunch service on Monday and Friday and weekends, with no hours for Tuesday through Thursday. The Nara City Tourism Association lists 11:00–15:00 and notes temporary closures on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. A recent restaurant listing reports a later Saturday closing, while another describes sell-out closure. These sources do not fully agree; check the restaurant's current notice or phone 0742-25-3581 before making a dedicated trip. The small room can mean a queue, and the kitchen may stop serving when stock runs out.
Find the shop at the arcade entrance
The address is 30-1 Hashimotocho, at the entrance to Mochiidono Shopping Street. Visit Nara estimates about five minutes on foot from Kintetsu Nara Station; other route sources estimate about six. Follow Higashimuki Shopping Street toward Sanjo-dori and turn into Mochiidono. The city tourism association lists seven seats, while Visit Nara lists 23, so current seating is uncertain; ask about space for a group, stroller or wheelchair before arriving. No parking is confirmed in the sources checked.
What to look for
Signature udon noodles tucked inside a large fried-tofu pouch
Near Mochiidono Shopping Street, between central Nara and Naramachi
Limited lunch hours and conflicting closure listings; check before travelling
Photo notes
No MyNara-licensed photograph is attached. Do not reuse Visit Nara or customer-posted restaurant images. Ask permission before photographing staff, customers or the interior.
SEASONAL CALENDAR
Events connected with Mentoan: Open the Pouch for Nara's Kinchaku Udon
These records are shared with MyNara’s event calendar, so dates and notices have one source. Recurring patterns are not confirmed dated editions; check the organizer’s latest guidance.
20th Arukunara Central Nara Stamp Rally (2026)
The 20th Arukunara campaign invites visitors to explore eight shopping streets between Kintetsu Nara and JR Nara. The official 2026 participant list names registered MyNara stops including Hotel New Wakasa, Kasuga Hotel, Hotel OBANA, Hotel Nikko Nara, Nara Washington Hotel Plaza, Asukaso, Sarusawa Pond Yoshidaya, Nara Guesthouse 3F, Kakinoha-zushi Tanaka, Cafe Fluke, Umasshu, Com Ngon, Sakura Burger, Kamaiki, Yamazakiya, Genkishin, Manshodo, Shubo Aya, Hiyori, Mafu Okai, Nakatanido, Mentoan, Nara Izumi Yusai, Manmando, Kaki no Senmon, Yatagarasu, Isshindo, Konjaku Kimono Akio, Salon Naramachi, Bambuno, Cherry's Spoon and LAMP BAR. A stamp is earned only when using a participating shop's service, buying something or dining there, while a stay earns two. Collect three stamps in the campaign booklet for one no-blank draw, up to three draws per booklet. The organizer lists more than 420 points and one booklet per person. The prize-draw goal is in front of Nakagawa Masashichi Shoten Sanjo on Sanjo-dori; it is not one of the Higashimuki shop venues. Confirm the official point list and each shop's opening before visiting. The 2026 edition ends November 9; no 2027 dates are confirmed.
Check organizer informationMake a day of it
Explore guides close to this map point, then check the actual route before travelling. Distances below are straight lines, not walking distances or travel times; map points may not be entrances.
Sources & editorial status
Original MyNara draft based on the linked sources. Sources reviewed 19 October 2026. Opening arrangements, prices and offers may change; use the operator's current information before travelling.