Munich woman opens Umi: a udon paradise in the university district!

Munich woman opens Umi: a udon paradise in the university district!

At just 23 years old, Ika Chen is fulfilling a colorful dream: On October 15, 2025, she opened her own restaurant “Umi” in the lively university district at Amalienstraße 46. The focus is clearly on the culinary highlight from Japan – udon noodles. This thick pasta made from wheat flour, water and salt is very important in Japan, but often remains unknown in Germany. The committed young woman now wants to change that. If you look at the menu, it quickly becomes clear that Chen is bringing a breath of fresh air to the Munich gastronomy scene with creative dishes such as udon carbonara (14 euros) and tempura udon (15 euros).

The udon noodles are made in-house at Umi, which not only ensures freshness, but also offers the ideal conditions for different types of preparation. These can be served cold, warm, in a broth or with a delicious sauce. The new restaurant has attracted quite a bit of attention in the two weeks since it opened and also offers Japanese sandwiches called “sandos” and rice bowls. The latter are also a tasty addition to the udon dishes.

Traditional enjoyment meets modern inspiration

Chen was inspired to found her restaurant during her travels to Japan, where udon cuisine plays a central role. Here you will learn that udon is not only a popular type of noodle, but also a symbol of Japanese food culture. Traditionally served in a broth with vegetables, tofu or meat, they are a staple of the Japanese food landscape. Chen also adds a highlight to her menu: the freshly prepared sandos, which are filled with “Shokupan”, a soft milk bread. Variations such as the Egg Sando (10 euros) and the Tempura Sando (12 euros) are particularly popular.

Interestingly, the preparation of udon is a true work of art. The dough consists of the three main ingredients flour, water and salt and is kneaded in a complex process, allowed to rest and finally made into noodles. The result is a valuable component of Japanese cuisine that is both internationally popular and has produced numerous variations in traditional preparation. For example, udon can be served in a spicy broth with dashi, soy sauce or even miso and dressed up with a variety of toppings, from tempura to vegetables.

A look into the future

Ika Chen, who previously studied business administration in Vienna and spent the last few years in an office job, has decided to live out her passion for Japanese cuisine in her own restaurant. Your goal? Umi aims to grow in a controlled manner and offer guests a relaxed atmosphere in which to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine. Opening hours are Monday to Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Whether udon, sandos or rice bowls – Ika Chen has something for every palate.

Anyone who is curious about the new culinary address in the university district will be surprised by the taste experiences of the udon dishes and more and discover a piece of Japan directly in Munich.