Marugame Udon can fail? The tempura at this Batam branch… thanks for nothing.
qponx
2026-03-05
Thinking about visiting Marugame Udon at Grand Batam Mall? This review gives you a heads-up. While the signature udon bowls like the Niku Udon are a definite highlight with springy noodles and rich broth, the tempura is a major letdown—often served cold, greasy, and hard. The article also points out issues with crowds and hygiene. Find out how to navigate your visit, what to order, and what to absolutely avoid for a better dining experience.
Every time I pass by this Marugame Udon at Grand Batam Mall, there's always a line long enough to circle the globe at the entrance, it's insanely popular[1]. I thought, for a global udon chain, the quality must be guaranteed, right? Today I finally went to try it out, and how should I put it… Anjay, I have mixed feelings. 😂
The whole process is semi-self-service: first you line up, grab a tray, and order your udon, then you pick your own tempura and drinks, and finally, you pay and find a seat[2]. I ordered a bowl of their signature Niku Udon[3], the beef was quite tender, the broth was also quite rich, and the udon itself had that familiar taste, springy and chewy[4], Mantap! My friend ordered the Spicy Tori Baitan Udon[5] and said the spiciness was really satisfying.
But! Here comes the main event (and the disaster zone)—the tempura. I eagerly picked up several pieces, but after one bite, I was stunned. The tempura was actually cold! 🥶 The batter was thick and hard, not crispy at all, leaving my mouth full of grease[6]. It felt like it had been fried long ago and left sitting there for half a day, which completely ruined the experience. Moreover, it gets super crowded during peak hours, it was hard to find a seat, and when I did, I found the table and the self-service condiment station were sticky. The hygiene situation is worrying[7].
So, girls, take my advice! If you want to visit this place, I've summed up a few tips for you to avoid the pitfalls:
Store Visit Guide (Super Detailed)
- Stick to the udon, be cautious with the tempura: The udon itself is good quality and worth a try. But the tempura is like Schrödinger's cat; unless you see it coming fresh out of the fryer, don't take it!
- Go during off-peak hours: On weekends and during meal times, you could be waiting forever. If you want to Nongkrong comfortably, it's best to avoid peak hours.
- Service is a gamble: I've seen reviews saying the service is a mixed bag[8], some praise it to the high heavens while others curse it to death. My experience was just average, so just manage your expectations.
- Don't expect authentic condiments: The self-service station here only has soy sauce and chili. Looking for tempura dipping sauce and wasabi? Nope, they don't have it[9].
- Drinks are refillable: The tea (Ocha) is only 13,000 IDR, and you can get unlimited refills, which is a small consolation for this meal. 😂
- Niku Udon: Tender beef, rich broth, and perfectly chewy noodles. A classic, comforting flavor you'll recognize [1][2].
- Free-flow drinks! For just 13,000 IDR, get unlimited tea refills. An unbeatable value and a simple pleasure for your meal [3].
- The line might wrap around the block, but this wildly popular global udon chain is an absolute must-try [4].
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