Udon (うどん) is a white long noodle often (but not always) made from wheat that is usually served hot with a broth or cold with a dipping sauce. Originally, udon is thought to have come from China, which had earlier access to wheat than Japan, by way of Fukuoka Prefecture. Udon noodles, as we know them today, had a boom in popularity in the Edo period and have been a staple for home cooks and restaurants ever since. From famous styles, like Sanuki udon (讃岐 うどん), to lesser-known delicacies, like Mimi udon (耳 うどん), this primer dives deep into the best Japanese udon noodles across the country. Whil…