When you think of udon, thick, chewy noodles probably come to mind. But Inaniwa udon, a specialty from Akita Prefecture, is a bit different.
Inaniwa udon, considered one of Japan’s three great udon varieties, is best known for its exceptionally smooth and silky texture.
Its shape differs from typical udon, being much thinner, known for its pleasant texture on the palate, and the smooth, pleasant sensation as it goes down your throat.
Inaniwa udon at Ginza Sato Yosuke
If you’re in Tokyo and want to try some authentic Inaniwa udon, look no further than “Ginza Sato Yosuke.”
A few people typically start lining up before the 11:30 AM opening, and by lunchtime, a queue is inevitable at this popular shop.
It’s not just Japanese locals who line up either—many international tourists also flock here, proving that the taste of Ginza Sato Yosuke’s Inaniwa udon crosses borders.
(in front) TEMPURA SEIRO UDON NOODLES 2,400 JPY (tax included)
Savor Akita’s famous Inaniwa udon in the heart of Ginza
Located in Ginza 6-chome, just a 10-minute walk from Yurakucho or Hibiya stations, Ginza Sato Yosuke specializes in Inaniwa udon.
All noodles are handmade by skilled udon artisans over the course of three days. During the final drying stage, the drying time is adjusted according to the day’s weather and humidity—highlighting their skilled craftsmanship.
Udon sets are available to purchase in-store
To fully appreciate the appeal of Inaniwa udon, it’s recommended to enjoy the noodles chilled.
Cooling the noodles in cold water tightens their texture, enhancing both their firmness and that signature smooth slurp.
The restaurant recommends the cold seiro (bamboo-steamed) style—”chilled noodles” served with dipping sauces.
The shop’s most popular dish is the “TEMPURA SEIRO UDON NOODLES” which comes with two types of dipping sauce, “Soy Sauce Broth” and “Sesame Miso Broth,” along with tempura.
The Soy Sauce Broth, made from dashi extracted from bonito flakes and kombu (kelp), is delicious when you add a touch of wasabi for an added kick.
The Sesame Miso Broth uses Akita miso, another regional specialty, offering a rich, sweet, and umami-packed flavor.
Alternating between these savory and sweet sauces keeps your palate engaged from start to finish.
(left) Soy Sauce Broth, (right) Sesame Miso Broth
In between bites of the udon, enjoy the tempura set — its coating is light, crispy, and perfectly textured.
The lineup is plentiful, with two shrimp tempura pieces, kisu (whiting) tempura, and vegetables like pumpkin and eggplant.
Even with this generous serving, this set of tempura and soba is reasonably priced at 2,400 JPY (tax included).
Its affordability and high quality are likely reasons behind the ever-present line of customers eager to order it.
Tempura featured in the TEMPURA SEIRO UDON NOODLES
You can also pair your udon with a tempura rice bowl
There’s also a set featuring a hearty tendon (tempura rice bowl), generously topped with sweet-savory sauce.
The “TEN-DON & UDON NOODLES SET” includes half a serving of noodles—just the right amount to pair with the full-sized tendon.
You can choose between hiyakake or atsukake styles, served with cold or warm broth for your noodles, depending on your preference.
“天丼セット,” TEN-DON & UDON NOODLES SET 1,750 JPY (tax included)
The shrimp, whiting, and vegetable tempura are generously coated in a particularly sweet sauce designed specifically for tempura rice bowls, making it feel like a luxurious treat.
The saltiness enhances the flavor complexity, and the rich sauce makes it all the more appetizing.
The tempura rice bowl featured in the TEN-DON & UDON NOODLES SET
The sauce-soaked rice is so flavorful that you could enjoy it all on its own.
Of course, when paired with the crispy tempura, it becomes even more irresistible. While the spotlight is on Inaniwa udon at Ginza Sato Yosuke, the tendon holds its own as a star dish.
A unique fusion of traditional udon and Thai flavors! The “DOUBLE CURRY TSUKE UDON NOODLES”
Rivaling the popularity of the TEMPURA SEIRO UDON NOODLES is the “DOUBLE CURRY TSUKE UDON NOODLES” set.
This set lets you enjoy Inaniwa udon with two dipping curries inspired by Thai green and red curry.
“タイカレー二味（ふたあじ）セット,” DOUBLE CURRY TSUKE UDON NOODLES 1,800 JPY (tax included)
Ginza Sato Yosuke’s green curry dipping broth is enhanced with shottsuru, a traditional Akita fish sauce that adds extra saltiness and umami, instead of the usual Thai nam pla—a nod to the restaurant’s Akita roots.
As featured in multiple media outlets, this set delivers a truly exceptional flavor.
The mellow sweetness of coconut tempers the saltiness of the shottsuru, creating a unique flavor that’s different from traditional green curry.
Green curry dipping sauce
Add a sprinkle of the shichimi (seven-spice blend) available at the table, and the flavor profile transforms with a kick of heat.
Be sure to experience this delicious interplay of sweetness, saltiness, and spiciness coming together in perfect balance.
The red curry sauce is spicier than the green, but it’s not just heat—it also offers deep richness.
That’s thanks to a seafood-based dashi broth.
By using dashi as a base to extract umami, the original sweet undertones of the red curry are complemented by saltiness and depth, transforming it into a rich flavor.
Red curry dipping sauce
Tradition meets innovation at Ginza Sato Yosuke
Ginza Sato Yosuke opened in 2006.
However, “Sato Yosuke Shoten,” the restaurant’s parent company, traces back to its founding in 1860 during the late Edo period.
Once a family secret passed down from generation to generation, the Inaniwa udon-making techniques were made public in 1972 to expand from a household craft to a full industry.
Subsequently, Sato Yosuke Shoten’s Inaniwa udon, which became broadly recognized with Akita as its home base, went on to gain even more popularity nationwide.
Ginza Sato Yosuke is the brand’s first directly operated location in the Tokyo metropolitan area.
Ginza Sato Yosuke’s exterior
Udon may be a simple dish, but it’s that very simplicity that lets the silky-smooth texture and elegant mouthfeel of Inaniwa udon shine.
Once you try it, it’ll leave a lasting impression—and you just might find yourself hooked.
Information
| Store name | 銀座 佐藤養助 ぎんざ さとうようすけ Ginza Sato Yosuke |
|---|---|
| Address | Idei Honkan 1F, 6-4-17 Ginza, Chūō-ku, Tokyo
|
| Access |
Ginza Station 2-minute walk from Exit C3
Hibiya StationA1出口から徒歩4分
|
| Phone number | 03-6215-6211 |
| Reservations | Accepted only for dinnertime courses on weekdays Phone |
| Payment |
|
| Service charge/Table charge | 10% service charge when entering after 17:00 |
| Hours | Weekdays 11:30-15:00（last order 14:30）, 17:00-22:00（last order 21:00） Sat-Sun. & nat’l holidays 11:30-15:00（last order 14:30）, 17:00-21:00（last order 20:00） |
| Closed | No fixed holidays Unscheduled holidays |
| Seating | 60 seats 40 table seats, 20 tatami room seats |
| Smoking | All seats are non-smoking |
| Official website | https://www.sato-yoske.co.jp/ |
| Other information |
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※Menu contents, prices, store information, etc. are current as of April 2025.
