📍Mikaku Udon Bar – 229 Carlton St., Toronto, ON M5A 2L2
🌍Country: Japan 
🔥Must-try dish: Halal Chicken Curry Udon
🪑Seating: Indoor seating only.
👍The High: The staff makes you feel welcome from beginning to end, and all have very pleasant demeanors. 

👎The Low: Although shrimp tempura is offered as an alternative to meat in the main udon dishes, there isn’t flexibility to order it a la carte. 

Each bite of udon is its own little rhythm, springy, soft, and somehow joyful. You can get them dry or swimming in broth, both packed with depth and heart.

Mikaku in Cabbagetown is the first of its kind in the area, with a second downtown spot already on the horizon. It’s the kind of place that instantly fits into your routine: unfussy, reliable, and satisfying any time of day. The same owners also run an omakase for when you’re feeling fancy, but Mikaku nails that middle ground between everyday comfort and a meal worth talking about.

The appetizer lineup ranges from crisp salads to golden octopus balls and plump dumplings. We skipped the Tofu Salad this time (next visit!), and the shrimp dumplings were sold out, making the case as a good enough reason to return.

We started with the Torched Unagi Nigiri, a beautiful mix of char, warmth, and richness. It’s a small bite with big energy, and proof that barbecued eel rarely misses.

The Vegetable Tempura followed, lightly battered, crunchy, and mellow in flavour. It’s less of a show-stealer and more of a solid backup, balancing the stronger dishes to come. Each piece hits that satisfying crunch before melting into something soft and earthy.

Then came what we were really here for: the udon.

You can go dry or soupy. The noodles stay perfectly bouncy either way, but the personality of each dish changes depending on the sauces and toppings. The dry versions are glossy and full of umami, while the soup-based bowls are more soothing, like a blanket in food form.

The Halal Chicken Curry Udon is the standout. It’s rich, fragrant, and the kind of dish that might leave a few splatters (worth it). The sauce is velvety and spiced just right, with a mellow sweetness that brings it all together. Think Japanese curry, comforting but far from boring.

The Best Buta Udon plays the opposite role. It’s the understated classic, simple and restorative. The soy broth brings a clean, savoury depth without feeling heavy, the kind of dish that hits the spot whether it’s a cold day or just a tired one.

Don’t overlook the house-made pickles that come on the side, they’re crisp, briny, and the perfect reset between bites. Honestly, one serving isn’t enough.

And then came dessert. Skipping the mochi ice cream was never an option. Flavours include strawberry, chocolate, and caramel, but we went for strawberry, it matched the mood of an unexpectedly sunny October day. It’s bright, chewy, and lightly sweet without being cloying, leaving you refreshed rather than full.

If soup or noodles are your thing, Mikaku should be on your fall rotation. It’s comfort food that feels personal, quick enough for a weekday, and warm enough to linger over.

Eat with you soon!