Quick Dinner Stop @Nakau (English)

Hello, I’m Mamington, a working mom of three.

I like to tell myself that I am a hard worker and I usually live up to those words. But as a human being, I don’t have an infinite supply of energy and I have learned a few tricks over the years on accomplishing more with less effort. Sometimes, I just say that I am NOT going to cook today.

On those days, if the 5 of us are together, we go to Nakau. Nakau is a fast food udon noodle chain in Japan. They are kind of like McDonalds or Wendy’s in the US, appearing periodically on the road across the country.

The food is nothing extravagant but very practical. There is a shop on our way home from my son’s childcare and my daughters’ cheerleading school, and it has become a familiar place to visit for my family. For my 3 year old son, I think he appreciates a bowl of udon noodles than a fancy 5 course meal (LOL). He loves the Nakau original background music and I find it hilarius to listen to him sing it. “Nakau♪ Nakau♪” 😊

This restaurant originated as an udon noodle chain but has evolved now to offer a variety of Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. You can have soba noodles, rice bowls with seafood or meat, and there are healthy sides like cabbage salad and miso soup. I selected cold chicken tempura and raddish soba noodles last night, which is slightly more friendly to weight loss challengers like me. Sodium level is slightly concerning as Japanese foods in general and usage of soy sauce increase the level of sodium intake, but I feel that Nakau’s flavors are tastier and less salty compared to their competitors (like Sukiya or Yoshinoya in Japan). Prices are reasonable (<500yen for a bowl of noodles) and wait time is short, so it is an easy and family friendly choice for a quick dinner stop on the way home.

Since I didn’t cook yesterday, there were barely any dishes to deal with except for the kids’ water bottles and bento box (dishes are daddy’s chores anyways, but still). The time saving from not cooking was used well to meet overdue work deadlines and I felt weight released off my shoulders afterwards. Cutting some slacks once in a while is good! Thank you Nakau!