Kitsune Udon (JDT Recommends)

A slight variation on the popular noodle dish, Kitsune Udon is udon topped with abura-age, or friend tofu skin. While the name may imply a fox is the main ingredient, the dish doesn't use any. Rather, the name is believed to either come from abura-age being a fox's favorite food, or because of the fox brown color of the dish. If abura-age seems familiar, that's because another dish foxes love also use abura-age: inarizushi. Kitsune udon is said to originate from Osaka, and has long become a staple in Japanese culture. In fact, the popularity of kitsune udon has led to a special Kitsune Udon Flavored Tortilla Chips launched in mid 2018.

Kitsune Udon can be found at various noodle-houses in Japan, or in convenience stores and supermarkets as an instant-noodle snack! If you're in need of a quick bite after landing in Tokyo or Osaka for your vacation, kick your Japan tour off with a bowl of instant kitsune udon!