Shigenoi: Hand-Kneaded Kama-age Udon in Nara
A small, long-running udon restaurant near JR Nara Station, known for hot, hand-kneaded noodles served with a dipping broth.
Verified site photographs are being prepared.Discover Shigenoi: Hand-Kneaded Kama-age Udon in Nara
Shigenoi specialises in kama-age udon: freshly cooked noodles are served hot in their cooking water, with a separate bowl of dipping broth. The shop's own description says it follows a traditional hand-kneading method, gives the dough about six hours of preparation, and cooks noodles after an order is placed. That made-to-order approach means a short wait is part of the meal. Its broth uses kombu, bonito and dried shiitake, according to the operator. The restaurant sits on a quiet street south of JR Nara Station, outside the busiest temple approach, making it a useful stop for visitors staying near the station or arriving by train. Published opening times differ substantially, so check before planning a meal here.
Understand kama-age udon
Kama-age means noodles taken directly from the cooking pot and served hot, rather than rinsed and cooled. At Shigenoi, the noodles and hot water arrive in a large serving bowl, while the flavourful broth is served separately for dipping. The contrast between the warm, soft-chewy noodles and concentrated broth is the point of the dish. You can add the provided condiments as you eat; follow the shop's current table guidance for the local way of serving it.
The operator's approach to dough and broth
Shigenoi describes a hand-kneaded process that takes about six hours and says each order is boiled after it is placed, with around ten minutes' wait. The operator lists kombu, bonito and dried shiitake among the natural broth ingredients. Those are the maker's own production descriptions; recipe details, fish content, allergens and cross-contact should be confirmed with staff, especially for vegetarian, vegan or fish-allergy diets.
Read current hours carefully
The restaurant's own website lists 11:00–22:00, last order 21:30, closing Wednesday and the first and third Tuesday, with a lunch period until 14:00. Visit Nara lists 11:00–18:00 and Wednesday plus the third Tuesday. Nara City Tourism Association's school-meal listing gives 11:00–14:30 and Wednesday plus the first and third Tuesday. Because those published schedules conflict, call 0742-26-7748 before travelling, particularly for dinner or on a Tuesday. The operator's site was last crawled years ago, so it may not reflect recent changes.
Plan a station-side meal
The address is 17-1 Surugamachi. Visit Nara estimates a six-minute walk from JR Nara Station; the official Nara City guide gives a shorter estimate, so follow a current route from your station exit. The city tourism association lists shrimp, egg and wheat in an education-trip meal set; this is not a complete allergen guarantee for every menu item. Ask about current menu, ingredients, group seating and accessibility. The local tourism authority lists seven seats for a school meal arrangement while other listings show more; group capacity is not settled.
What to look for
Kama-age udon: hot noodles with a separate dipping broth
Operator describes hand-kneaded dough and made-to-order boiling
Opening-hour listings conflict; call before travelling
Photo notes
No MyNara-licensed photo is attached. The operator's site and directory photos are not reused. Ask before photographing staff, customers or the interior.
Make 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.
- Shigenoi operator — noodles, preparation, broth and published hours
- Nara City Tourism Association — school-meal hours, closure days and allergy note
- Visit Nara D00013 — current directory identity, address, access and alternate hours
- Nara City Tourism Concierge — broth, closure days and parking listing