Walter Ponce
Gin Udon is a small Japanese udon restaurant in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Kotchasarn Road in the Chang Khlan subdistrict, the same part of town as the Night Bazaar. It serves a delicious and unique take on Japanese udon noodles, made from scratch in-house, and its tempura is one of the things diners mention most.
The atmosphere inside Gin Udon is cozy and intimate, with dim lighting and simple yet stylish decor. The highlight is the open kitchen, where you can watch the chefs prepare your meal right in front of you. The kitchen is always bustling with activity, which adds to the experience.
Gin Udon menu: what to order
Gin Udon offers a range of udon noodle dishes, all made in-house. The standout is the Gin Udon itself: thick udon noodles in a rich, savoury soy-based broth with tender slices of pork belly and a soft-boiled egg. It’s a hearty and satisfying bowl.
Another must-try is the Mushroom Udon, a good choice for vegetarians or anyone who wants something different. It features a medley of mushrooms in a flavourful miso-based broth with thin udon noodles, a light and delicious meal.
If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Wasabi Udon, which packs a punch with its spicy wasabi sauce. It comes with thin udon noodles, tender slices of beef, crunchy tempura bits and a perfectly cooked egg. The wasabi adds a unique flavour and is sure to wake up your taste buds.
To round out your meal, order one of the drinks. The restaurant offers teas, juices and sodas, as well as a few alcoholic beverages. The standout is the Homemade Plum Juice, sweet and tangy, and a perfect match for the savoury udon.
Beyond the dishes above, Thai and Japanese food guides and diner reviews also mention a tempura udon, a shrimp tempura rice bowl, curry udon and a mentaiko cream udon. The menu can change, so check their Facebook page for the current version.
Tempura udon, kake udon and gyudon: a quick guide
If you found this page searching for “tempura udon near me” or “gyudon near me” in Chiang Mai, here is what these dishes are, so you know what to look for on a menu.
- Kake udon: the simplest udon, thick wheat noodles in a hot broth of dashi, soy sauce and mirin, usually topped with spring onion. Most other hot udon dishes are built on this base.
- Tempura udon: kake udon with tempura on top or on the side, most often prawn, plus vegetables. The batter softens in the broth, so some people eat the tempura first while it is still crisp. Gin Udon is known for its tempura, and diners regularly mention the tempura udon.
- Udon noodle soup: the general name for any hot udon in broth, from kake and tempura udon to kitsune udon (with sweet fried tofu) and curry udon.
- Gyudon: not a noodle dish but a Japanese rice bowl of thinly sliced beef and onion simmered in a sweet soy sauce, sometimes topped with a raw or soft egg. It is a staple of Japanese casual dining. I could not confirm that Gin Udon serves gyudon, so check the menu before you go if that is what you are after.
Freshly made udon has a bouncy, chewy texture that is hard to get from dried noodles, which is why restaurants that make their noodles in-house, like Gin Udon, are worth seeking out.
Is Gin Udon worth it?
Overall, Gin Udon is a good stop in Chiang Mai for anyone looking for authentic Japanese udon noodles. The cozy atmosphere, friendly staff and carefully prepared dishes make it a pleasant meal. My rating is three stars overall, with four stars for the food and portions and three for service, location and price.
Where is Gin Udon? Address and getting there
Gin Udon Address: 69/1 Kotchasarn Rd, Tambon Chang Khlan, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50100, Thailand
Gin Udon Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075548994402
The easiest way to get there is with Grab or Bolt using the address above. Tuk-tuks and the red shared songthaews are also options, but agree on the fare before you get in. Nearby, the Night Bazaar is good for souvenirs and street food, and the Old City, with temples like Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, is a short ride away.
Japanese food in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai has a large and varied Japanese food scene, partly thanks to the many Japanese residents and visitors in northern Thailand. Besides udon, you can find ramen shops, sushi bars, izakayas and Japanese cafés across the city, especially around Nimmanhaemin Road and the Old City. Prices are usually lower than in Bangkok or in Japan itself. If you prefer plant-based food, I also reviewed Vegan Heaven, and my guide to the best things to do in Chiang Mai covers what to see between meals.
Tips for visiting
- Check current opening hours before you go. Small restaurants in Chiang Mai can change their hours or close on certain days.
- Go early or late to avoid the busiest lunch and dinner times.
- Cash and cards: many small restaurants in Thailand prefer cash or Thai QR payments, so carry some baht.
- Ask about spice: dishes like the wasabi udon can be strong. Ask for a milder version if you are not used to heat.
- Dietary needs: Japanese broths are often made with fish-based dashi, so vegetarians should ask before ordering.
FAQ
What are Gin Udon’s reviews like? My review is three stars overall, with the food and portions as the strongest points. Other diners often praise the homemade noodles and the light, crisp tempura.
What kind of food does Gin Udon serve? It specialises in Japanese udon noodle dishes, with options such as pork belly, mushroom and wasabi beef udon, plus tempura.
Does Gin Udon serve tempura udon? Diner reviews and local food guides mention tempura udon on the menu. Check the current menu on their Facebook page.
Where is Gin Udon in Chiang Mai? On Kotchasarn Road in the Chang Khlan subdistrict. Grab or Bolt with the address above is the easiest way there.
Is it a good place for vegetarians? The menu has included a mushroom udon, but ask whether the broth contains fish-based dashi.
Is it open every day? Opening days and hours can change, so check their Facebook page before you go.
