Toyohama Service Area (Upward)｜Review of Toyohama Nikutama Udon and Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura at "Sanuki Udon Pippi-tei"
My wife and I left home without having breakfast and started driving from Ehime toward Okayama on the expressway. We soon became hungry, so we decided to have Sanuki udon for breakfast. Since Sanuki udon is available at Toyohama Service Area (Upward) without leaving the expressway, we stopped by for the first time in a while.
Morning Atmosphere at Toyohama Service Area (Upward)
At 8:09 AM on Saturday, August 22, 2026, the sky was clear and bright. The sunlight was already strong and the temperature was rising. My wife walked briskly toward the entrance of the service area building, and I followed her, eager to get inside where the air conditioning was running.
Ordering System and Wait Time at Sanuki Udon Pippi-tei
The udon shop we were aiming for, "Sanuki Udon Pippi-tei," was thankfully open. At this udon counter, meal tickets are not required; you simply place your order verbally at the counter. However, there was a waiting line, and we were told, "Please wait 5 minutes," and given a number card. The waiting time varies depending on timing--people behind us were told to wait 15 minutes.
Since we had about 5 minutes before ordering, we used the time to look over the menu again.
Why I Chose the Toyohama Nikutama Udon
Pippi-tei offers both regular menu items and summer-only items. At first, I was torn between the regular "Kake (small)" (450 yen) and the summer-only "Cold Kake (small)" (500 yen). Since it was summer, I thought the seasonal item would be the right choice.
But as I looked again, the prominently highlighted "Recommended" item--Toyohama Nikutama Udon--caught my eye.
The phrases "Sweet & creamy," "Tender thick-cut meat," and "Only here!" were very appealing.
The price--980 yen for small, 1,140 yen for medium--felt a bit high, but what concerned me more was whether it was too heavy for breakfast, since I'm currently dieting. My wife encouraged me, saying, "Eat what you want," and I also felt that since we rarely visit this place, I would regret not trying it. So I decided to order the Toyohama Nikutama Udon (small) instead of the Cold Kake.
After waiting about 5 minutes, our number was called and I placed the order. As I walked toward the register, another temptation awaited.
Discovering the "Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura" at the Tempura Corner
The tempura corner had triangular tempura pieces I had never seen at other udon shops.
The sign labeled "Recommended!! (rich seasoning)" indicated that these were "Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura." The price was 260 yen, which seemed very reasonable for the size.
My wife again said, "If you want it, go ahead," so I decided to try it. Other tempura options included chikuwa (200 yen) and shrimp (250 yen), all of which looked good, but the Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura looked the most delicious. Next to the tempura corner were gomoku inari (200 yen), but I refrained from ordering them to avoid overeating. My wife ordered gomoku inari instead, which pairs perfectly with her kake udon.
Tasting the Toyohama Nikutama Udon and Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura
Here are the Toyohama Nikutama Udon and Toyohama Aji Tofu Tempura we ordered at Pippi-tei--both looked delicious.
My wife took a bite of the tofu tempura and said, "It tastes like something between aburaage (fried tofu pouch) and tofu. More like aburaage, I think. It's really good." As for me, I found it sweet, flavorful, and very enjoyable--especially since I love tofu.
The impressive part of the Toyohama Nikutama Udon is the generous amount of meat--so much that the udon noodles are barely visible. Despite its thick appearance, the meat is extremely tender and sweet, pairing wonderfully with the udon. The warm broth is comforting, and the soft-boiled egg adds a perfect creamy texture. I also appreciated the lemon and green onions.
We were very satisfied with this delicious Sanuki udon breakfast. Being able to enjoy authentic udon on the expressway is a blessing. I would love to stop by Toyohama Service Area (Upward) again when we have the chance.
Location of Toyohama Service Area (Upward) (Toward Takamatsu / Okayama)
Address
2180-1 Minoura, Toyohama-cho, Kanonji City, Kagawa Prefecture