Udon Caden in Hapjeong: A Famous Chef's Affordable Udon Spot
Udon Caden is a specialty udon restaurant run by Chef Jung Ho-young, a famous chef who appeared on the Korean cooking show 'Please Take Care of My Refrigerator'. The prices aren't too high, making it an easy place to visit without breaking the bank. It's known for having high customer satisfaction because the taste and service are great despite the affordable prices. For someone like me who is absolutely crazy about udon and eats it for almost every meal, this place was packed with high expectations.
I went through the usual foodie ritual of studying the menu, then ordered the Kitsune Udon (udon with sweet fried tofu) along with the assorted tempura. Funny enough, it was only after I finished eating that I heard this restaurant's actual signature dish is their cold udon. I'm not sure if that's true, but it gives me a great excuse to come back next time.
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| Kitsune Udon |
I'm not exactly sure if the udon broth was made with katsuobushi (dried bonito flakes), but its deep, rich fish-based flavor was really impressive. The umami was stronger and cleaner than your average udon broth, making its presence known from the very first sip. I especially liked that it wasn't too salty or greasy; it maintained just the right amount of savory flavor, making it very easy to drink. It's the kind of taste where one spoonful naturally leads you to empty the entire bowl.
The noodles weren't super chewy like you'd expect from a renowned udon spot; instead, they felt a bit soft and swollen, which made me wonder if this texture was intentional. I wasn't used to it at first—maybe it's an authentic Japanese style of udon noodle?—but it actually paired quite well with the broth. If you prefer chewy noodles, this might be a bit polarizing, but if you like a softer texture, you'll definitely be satisfied. Honestly, you could probably eat these even if you didn't have teeth.
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| Assorted Tempura |
The assorted tempura is on the pricier side. However, you'll be impressed once you taste it. The frying oil was so clean that there was absolutely no off-putting smell, making it very light on the stomach. It completely lacked that heavy, stale oil scent you sometimes get with fried food, and instead felt quite luxurious.
There isn't a massive variety of fried items, but the selection feels just right, including shrimp, chili pepper, mushroom, and sweet potato tempura. The shrimp tempura was particularly satisfying because the batter wasn't too thick and had a nice crispness to it. Much like the noodles, the tempura wasn't an ultra-crispy style; rather, it held a bit of oil and had a soft crunch. Looking at the meal as a whole, this definitely seemed like an intentional cooking style.
Because it was on the softer side, it was great for dipping into or eating alongside the udon, but those who prefer their tempura shatteringly crisp might find it slightly disappointing.
The restaurant's atmosphere is clean and free of any distractions while you eat. There is usually a wait, so I recommend checking the hours before you go. I'm not sure if the table turnover is exceptionally fast, but the dining area is spacious, so the wait doesn't seem to take too long. One thing I especially liked was how friendly the serving staff was, which made the overall service feel great.
Overall, it offers great value for money, making it a fantastic spot to enjoy delicious udon without any pressure. I'd definitely be willing to visit again if I'm passing by and they're open. 🍜