Well, soba is still not as well known as ramen, but Fukada has been increasing its popularity even with a basic online presence
If you don’t get to Fukada early enough, good luck getting a table for you, your babies mama, your other babies mama, or for all your co-workers to your friends and family because this is one popular spot.
To avoid any hangry compadres, I simplified and made the online menu a little easier to understand when all you have on your mind is to eat.
About Fukada
Chef Fukada’san has over 20 years of experience specializing in authentic Japanese udon and soba.
The soba is made fresh every morning, along with the soup which is made up of konbu (kelp) and katsuobushi (shaved bonito) to give you the best quality and tasting soup stock.
Wherever possible, organic products from the brown rice to the all natural beef are used because that’s how they do it at Fukada.
The Menu
I have been to Fukada a number of times, but their menu is not so straight forward for first-timers which is why I revised it slightly to make it easier to order.
Noodle Combinations
If you really want to get a taste of what Fukada is all about, start with the noodle combo’s which come with your choice of noodles and a side dish (they just recently had a $1 increase, but it’s still a good deal).
- lunch $11.95 / $13.95 (seafood salad if you don’t like noodles)
- dinner $13.95 / $15.95 (seafood salad if you don’t like noodles)
STEP 1: Pick the type of noodle
- Soba (so-bah): thin buckweat based noodle (the healthier option).
- Udon (oo-d’own): thick wheat noodle.
STEP 2: Hot (soup) or cold (dipping) broth
- Hot: soup broth
- Cold: concentrated dipping broth (it’s not chillled).
STEP 3: Pick the noodle topping
- Sansai (san-sigh): mountain vegetable (the healthier option).
- Tanuki (ta-new-key): tempura flakes
If you’re wondering what a “mountain vegetable” is, it’s a very common ingredient used in shojin-ryori (vegetarian Buddhist cuisine). They were wild grown greens that were foraged, but most are farm grown nowadays. A common mix is typically made up of fuki (butterbur stalks), seri (oenanthe javanica) which is part of the parsley family, takenoko (bamboo), zenmai (Japanese fern plant), enokitake (flammulina velutipes) to kikurage (auricularia auricula).
Step 4: choose a side dish w/white or brown rice
The prices listed are the a la carte pricing, and only the unagi don comes at an additional charge.
| SPICY TUNA DON “スパイシーツナ丼” | Chopped tuna with mild spicy mayonnaise. | $10.50 |
| OYAKO DON “親子丼” | Chicken and egg cooked with special sauce. | $8.50 |
| KATSU DON “カツ丼” | Cooked pork cutlet and egg cooked with special sauce. | $9.50 |
| TEMPURA DON “天丼” | Shrimp and vegetable tempura. | $9.00 |
| TENTOJI DON “天とじ丼” | Shrimp tempura and egg cooked with special sauce. | $9.50 |
| VEGETABLE CURRY DON “野菜カレー丼” | Curry with vegetable. | $8.50 |
| UNAGI DON “うな丼” | Barbecued fresh eel ($2 lunch, +$4 dinner) | $10.50 |
The full menu, not just noodles
Disclaimer: The menu is subject to change, and I am not responsible for any errors although I do try to get it right. I can tell that this menu is more current than what they currently have on their website at the time of this post.
Salads
| CUCUMBER SALAD “酢の物” | Cucumber and wakame seaweed with citrus vinegar sauce. Add shrimp $1.45 or crab for $2.00. | $4.50 |
| ORGANIC GREEN SALAD “オーガニックグリーンサラダ” | Organic salad served with house onion dressing. | $6.50 |
| ORGANIC TOFU SALAD “オーガニック豆腐サラダ” | Organic salad with tofu served with sesame dressing. | $7.50 |
| SALMON SKIN SALAD “サーモンスキンサラダ” | Organic salad with salmon skin served with citrus dressing. | $7.50 |
| SEA VEGETABLE SALAD “海藻サラダ” | Organic salad with sea vegetable served with sesame and citrus dressing. | $7.50 |
| CHICKEN SALAD “地鶏のサラダ” | Organic salad with chicken served with spicy miso dressing. | $8.00 |
| CRAB AVOCADO SALAD “蟹とアボカドサラダ” | Organic salad with crab and avocado served with creamy tomato dressing. | $10.95 |
| SEAFOOD SALAD “シーフードサラダ” | Organic salad with seared tuna, albacore, salmon and real crabmeat served with pepper onion dressing. | $13.00 |
Appetizers
| EDAMAME “枝豆” | Boiled organic soybean. | $3.00 |
| TOFU “冷や奴” | Cold organic tofu. | $3.50 |
| GOMAAE (SPINACH OR GREEN BEAN) “ほうれん草又はいんげんのごま和え” | Boiled vegetable marinated in sesame soy dressing. | $4.50 |
| HIJIKI “ひじき” | Sautéed hijiki seaweed. | $4.50 |
| KIMPIRA “きんぴら” | Sautéed burdock root and carrots. | $4.75 |
| OHITASHI “おひたし” | Boiled spinach. | $4.50 |
| NASUMISO “なす味噌” | Lightly fried Japanese eggplant with sweet miso paste. | $5.50 |
| AGEDASHI TOFU “揚げだし豆腐” | Lightly fried organic tofu with tempura sauce. | $5.50 |
| KIMCHEE NATTO “キムチ納豆” | Kimchee & fermented soybean. | $4.50 |
| YAKI SHIITAKE “焼きしいたけ” | Grilled shiitake mushroom. | $5.50 |
| ALBACORE TATAKI “白マグロのたたき” | Seared albacore tuna with pepper onion sauce. | $10.50 |
| SALMON TATAKI “サーモンのたたき” | Seared salmon with pepper onion sauce. | $10.00 |
| SALMON SASHIMI “サーモン” | 7pcs of fresh salmon sashimi (raw). | $10.00 |
| SALMON HARAMI “サーモン” | Grilled salmon belly (limited qty). | $7.00 |
| SALMON KAMA “サーモン” | Grilled salmon cheek/collar (limited qty). | $8.50 |
| GRILLED MACKEREL “さばの塩焼き” | Grilled mackeral. | $7.50 |
| STEWED PORK | Braised pork belly | $6.50 |
| YU-TOFU | Organic tofu in a pot with sea kelp broth (comes with sauce) | $5.50 |
| GYOZA (6PCS) “餃子” | Pan-fried pork dumpling | $5.50 |
| AGE-GYOZA (6PCS) “揚げ餃子” | Deep-fried pork dumpling | $5.50 |
| SUI-GYOZA (6PCS) “水餃子” | Pork dumpling served in hot pot. | $6.50 |
| TATSUTA-AGE “竜田揚げ” | Japanese style fried chicken | $5.00 |
| CHICKEN WINGS (6PCS) “手羽先の唐揚げ” | Deep-fried chicken wing with Fukada’s original sauce. | $5.50 |
| PORK LOIN CUTLET (1PC) “黒豚トンカツ” | Breaded and deep-fried pork loin. | $5.50 |
| FRIED SQUID LEGS | Deep-fried squid legs | $6.50 |
| FRIED OYSTER (5PCS) | Deep-fried oysters | $7.50 |
| SOFT SHELL CRAB (1PC) | Deep-fried soft shell crab with ponzu | $8.00 |
| SPICY CHICKEN “地鶏の辛味焼き” | Deep-fried chicken cooked with mild chili pepper sauce. | $8.50 |
| SPICY ROCK SHRIMP | Rock shrimp cooked with mild chili pepper sauce. | $9.00 |
| CHICKEN TERIYAKI “地鶏の照り焼き” | Grilled chicken with original teriyaki sauce. | $8.00 |
| KAMOSHIO “鴨の塩焼き” | Grilled duck with salt | $8.50 |
| CHAWANMUSHI | Egg custard with shrimp | $5.50 |
Noodles: soba or udon
| ZARU “ざる” | Most basic cold noodle (cold). | $6.50 |
| KAKE “かけ” | Most basic hot noodle (hot). | $6.50 |
| SOMEN | Thin wheat noodle (hot/cold). | $6.50 |
| TANUKI “たぬき” | Tempura flakes (hot/cold). | $7.00 |
| OROSHI “おろし” | Grated Japanese radish. | $7.00 |
| NATTO “納豆” | Fermented soybean. | $7.00 |
| WAKAME (HOT) “わかめ” | Wakame seaweed | $7.50 |
| TAMATOJI (HOT) “卵とじ” | Cooked egg | $7.50 |
| KITSUNE (HOT) “きつね” | Soy bean curd | $7.50 |
| TORINANBAN (HOT) “鶏南蛮” | Cooked chicken | $8.00 |
| TORINAN SEIRO “鶏南せいろ” | Cold noodle with hot dipping soup with chicken | $8.00 |
| SANSAI (HOT/COLD) “山菜” | Assorted Japanese mountain vegetable. | $9.00 |
| KINOKO (HOT/COLD) “キノコ” | Sautéed various mushroom. | $9.95 |
| YAMAKAKE “やまかけ” | Grated Japanese mountain potato. | $9.50 |
| CURRY (HOT) “カレー” | Japanese style curry sauce with vegetables | $9.50 |
| CHIKARA (HOT) “ちから” | Mochi (pounded rice cake) | $9.95 |
| VEGETABLE TEMPURA “野菜天ぷら” | Vegetable tempura assortment. | $10.50 |
| MIXED TEMPURA (HOT/COLD) | Shrimp and vegetable tempura assortment. | $11.50 |
| GIANT SHRIMP TEN ZARU “特大海老天ざる” | Jumbo size shrimp and vegetable tempura. | $13.00 |
| KAMONANBAN (HOT) “鴨南蛮” | Cooked duck. | $11.50 |
| KAMONAN SEIRO “鴨南せいろ” | Cold noodle with hot dipping soup with cooked duck. | $11.50 |
| NABEYAKI (HOT) “鍋焼き” | Casserole style with shrimp tempura, chicken, and egg. | $13.00 |
| SEAFOOD NABEYAKI (HOT) “シーフード鍋焼き” | Casserole style with shrimp tempura and seafood. | $15.50 |
Noodles: extra toppings
| TANUKI | $1.00 |
| OROSHI, EGG, WAKAME, SPINACH | $1.50 |
| UME, KITSUNE, NATTO, MOCHI | $2.00 |
| SANSAI, CHICKEN | $2.50 |
| KINOKO, YAMAKAKE | $3.50 |
| KAMO | $6.00 |
Donburi
Served over organic brown or white rice with a small salad and miso soup.
| OYAKO DON “親子丼” | Chicken and egg cooked with special sauce. | $9.50 |
| VEGETABLE CURRY DON “野菜カレー丼” | Curry with vegetable. | $9.50 |
| CHICKEN TERIYAKI DON “地鶏照り焼き丼” | Chicken with original teriyaki sauce. | $10.50 |
| TENTOJI DON “天とじ丼” | Shrimp tempura and egg cooked with special sauce. | $10.50 |
| KATSU DON “カツ丼” | Cooked pork cutlet and egg cooked with special sauce. | $10.50 |
| KINOKO DON “きのこ丼” | Sautéed various mushroom. | $11.00 |
| TEMPURA DON “天丼” | Shrimp and vegetable tempura. | $11.00 |
| SPICY TUNA DON “スパイシーツナ丼” | Chopped tuna with mild spicy mayonnaise. | $13.00 |
| GIANT SHRIMP TEN DON | Giant shrimp and vegetable tempura with sauce. | $17.00 |
| UNAGI DON “うな丼” | Barbecued fresh eel. | $17.50 |
Entree
Choice of organic brown or white rice served with green beans and miso soup.
| SABASHIO “さばの塩焼き” | Broiled mackerel. | $9.95 |
| CHICKEN TERIYAKI “鶏照り焼き” | Grilled chicken with original teriyaki sauce. | $11.00 |
| PORK LOIN CUTLET “黒豚とんかつ” | Breaded and deep fried pork loin. | $11.50 |
| SALMON TERIYAKI “サーモン照り焼き” | Grilled salmon with original teriyaki sauce. | $16.00 |
| GIANT SHRIMP TEMPURA “特大海老天ぷら” | Jumbo shrimp tempura and vegetable tempura. | $17.00 |
| PRIME BEEF STEAK “プライム牛ステーキ” | Charbroiled prime rib eye with “YUZU” soy sauce. | $17.50 |
| CHILEAN SEABASS | Chilean seabass with special miso sauce. | $18.00 |
| CHICKEN TERIYAKI AND MIX TEMPURA “地鶏照り焼きと天ぷら” | Grilled chicken with original teriyaki sauce. | $17.50 |
| SALMON TERIYAKI AND MIX TEMPURA “サーモン照り焼きと天ぷら” | Grilled king salmon with original teriyaki sauce. | $20.50 |
| PRIME BEEF STEAK AND MIX TEMPURA “プライム牛ステーキと天ぷら” | Charbroiled prime rib eye with “YUZU” soy sauce. | $22.50 |
Beverage
Free refills
| LEMONADE | $2.00 |
| ICED BLACK TEA (MADE IN-HOUSE) | $2.00 |
| ICED GREEN TEA (MADE IN-HOUSE) | $2.00 |
Beer
| ASAHI (BOTTLED) | $3.50 | $6.50 |
| SAPPORO (BOTTLED) | $3.50 | $6.50 |
| ASAHI SUPER DRY, ON TAP (GLASS/PITCHER) | $4.50 | $15.50 |
Sake
Small (5oz) / Large (10oz)
| HOUSE (COLD/HOT) | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| KUROSAWA (COLD/HOT) | $6.00 | $12.00 |
| NIGORI (COLD) | $12.00 | |
| KATANA (COLD/HOT) | $6.50 | $13.00 |
| HATSUMAGO (COLD/HOT) | $6.50 | $13.00 |
| OTOKOYAMA (COLD/HOT) | $8.00 | $16.00 |
Dessert
| ICE CREAM | Green tea or vanilla. | $2.50 |
| MOCHI ICE CREAM | Green tea, strawberry, mango, or capuccino. | $4.00 |
| TEMPURA ICE CREAM | Green tea or vanilla. | $5.00 |
| ZENZAI | Sweet red beans with rice cake. | $4.50 |
| ANMITSU | Japanese jelly (made from agar-agar) with red bean and fruits. | $4.50 |
| CREAM ANMITSU | Anmitsu with ice cream (green tea or vanilla). | $5.50 |
My favorite
Everything is good, but this is my goto order:
- Cold soba tanuki style (fried foods don’t care).
- I love the tendon here, and like everybody else, I also order the spicy tuna don.
Tip
If you order the cold soba, don’t put the wasabi into the dipping sauce. Dab it directly on your soba noodles, and slurp it up with your soba noodles (just make sure you spread it over the noodles evenly, otherwise it’s like snorting wasabi).
Pros
Everything on the menu, but try the green tea because it’s a must if you like green tea. Also, Fukada has been one of, if not the best soba and udon restaurant in Orange County.
Cons
They nickle and dime you on small things like extra green onions.
Fukada
Los Olivos Marketplace
Irvine Spectrum
8683 Irvine Center Dr
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 341-0111
www.fukadarestaurant.com
| Tues-Sun | Mon |
| 11:30am-2pm, 5-9pm | Closed |
Looks fabulous, Greg! 😋
Oh it is good, and I miss going there. I need to be like you and try my hand at kneading and rolling soba noodles.
Noodles are so much fun, Greg!