Kyoto, one of Japan’s top tourist cities, is home to many historical buildings. There are countless cultural experiences unique to Kyoto, such as wearing kimono and enjoying Japanese cuisine, that you will need several days to fully enjoy everything.
Although Kyoto is well-known for its traditional Japanese food, it is also an area with many long-established ramen shops. In this article, we will introduce the top 10 ramen shops in Kyoto that you should definitely visit.
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10. Men-ya Takakura Nijo 麺や 高倉二条
“Menyya Takakura Nijo,” which enjoys immense popularity in Kyoto, creates ramen based on the principle of “food is medicine” without using any chemical seasonings. After many years of effort, they developed a ramen without chemical additives.
Their pork bone soup, simmered for over half a day, combines with dried sardines and bonito to create a well-balanced double broth. Additionally, their homemade whole grain noodles are rich in vitamins and minerals. These noodles have a texture similar to soba, mix well with the soup, and offer a subtle wheat germ flavor.
Men-ya Takakura Nijo Detail
9. Shinpuku Saikan – Main Shop 新福菜館 本店
Located a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station, the main branch of Shinpuku Saikan, a renowned ramen shop established in 1938, represents Kyoto’s culinary tradition. They have over 10 locations, primarily in the Kansai area.
Although the jet-black soup appears to be very strong in flavor, its taste is surprisingly light, allowing you to drink it easily while savoring its rich umami. The soup is topped generously with Kyoto’s famous Kujo green onions, under which five slices of char siu pork are hidden. The generous amount of meat ensures you will be fully satisfied.
They use medium-thick noodles that pair perfectly with the aromatic soup, offering a pleasant texture and smoothness.
Shinpuku Saikan – Main Shop Detail
8. Ramen Touhichi らぁ麺とうひち
“Raamen Touhichi” is a top-rated ramen shop in Kyoto and the Kansai region. Their clear ramen is very popular. The soup is simple, made from chicken broth and raw soy sauce. The light soup has a strong chicken flavor that everyone loves. The aroma of chicken oil in the soup is also fantastic.
The medium-thin straight noodles are easy to slurp and slightly flat, giving them a unique texture. The char siu pork is firm and full of meaty flavor. Additionally, the chicken char siu is tender and juicy.
Ramen Touhichi Detail
7. Ramen Toritani 麺処 鶏谷
At Toritani, they focus on making safe and healthy ramen without relying on chemical seasonings. Their menu is extensive, offering both light and rich ramen options. In addition to their basic dishes like Chicken Soba and Aged Chicken Soba, they offer various types of ramen depending on the ingredients they have, so you can enjoy something new every time you visit.
Moreover, their famous char siu pork is a must-try for its incredible value. The generous amount of meat will surprise first-time visitors.
Ramen Toritani Detail
6. Honke Daiichi-Asahi 本家 第一旭 本店
Open from 5:00 AM to 1:00 AM, this long-established ramen shop has been serving its traditional soup for over 50 years. When people think of morning ramen in Kyoto, this place often comes to mind.
They use additive-free, high-quality raw soy sauce for their tare. The ramen features a clear soy sauce base, creating a clean and easy-to-drink soup. The noodles are made from a carefully selected blend of wheat flours, using only a small amount of salt and kansui (alkaline water).
The char siu pork topping comes from female pigs weighing around 120 kg. To keep the clear soy sauce soup pristine, they use lean domestic pork, resulting in an exquisite char siu.
Honke Daiichi-Asahi Detail
5. Wajoryomen Sugari 和醸良麺 すがり
Located near Shijo Karasuma, Wajo Ryomen Sugari is a sister restaurant of the popular Kyoto ramen shop, Menya Takakura Nijo. The two places share a similar style. Wajo Ryomen Sugari is famous for its tsukemen (dipping noodles) with a choice of three toppings: offal, char siu pork, or Wagyu beef.
The rich yet refined soup makes their tsukemen very approachable and popular. For tsukemen, you can choose between the usual 1.5 portions of noodles or 2 portions for the same price, which is a nice bonus. The charming and atmospheric space at Wajo Ryomen Sugari also adds to its appeal, making it hard to believe it’s a ramen shop.
Wajoryomen Sugari Detail
4. Masutani ますたに 北白川本店
Founded in 1948, “Masutani Kitashirakawa Main Store” has a long history as one of Kyoto’s ramen shops. This restaurant is considered the pioneer of Kyoto back fat ramen, now popular nationwide.
Their soy sauce soup, made from a chicken bone base and richly flavored with back fat, offers a sweet and deep taste in a thick broth. The thin, straight noodles pair perfectly with this exceptional soup, making you want to keep eating more.
The char siu pork topping, though light, releases the pork’s rich flavor with every bite. This bowl, representing Kyoto’s back fat soy sauce ramen, has satisfied many customers over the years, which is easy to understand given its quality.
Masutani Detail
3. Tenkaippin – Main Shop (Sohonten) 天下一品 総本店
The main store of the popular nationwide ramen chain, Tenkaippin, is located here in Kyoto. Close to Ichijoji, a hotspot in Kyoto’s ramen scene, this place attracts ramen enthusiasts and Tenkaippin fans from all over the country, making it a sort of pilgrimage site.
Their broth, meticulously prepared from chicken bones and various vegetables, concentrates the natural flavors of the ingredients. As a result, it is rich in nutrients like collagen and dietary fiber, making it a beloved dish across all age groups.
Unlike other soups, Tenkaippin’s broth is thick, yet mild and rich. You can choose between thin and regular noodles, both of which pair perfectly with the rich soup, making it incredibly delicious.
If you visit the Tenkaippin main store, be sure to try the exclusive “Beef Tendon Kimchi Ramen.” Although there are various broth options, you should go for their signature “Kotteri.” The thick soup clings to the noodles, creating a deeply satisfying and addictive experience.
Tenkaippin – Main Shop (Sohonten) Details
2. Ginjo Ramen Kubota 吟醸らーめん久保田 本店
Located in Gojo, next to Kyoto Station, Ginjou Ramen Kubota is a highly popular ramen shop. It’s within walking distance from Kyoto Station, making it a favorite not only among locals but also among tourists.
Ginjou Ramen Kubota is famous for its miso tsukemen, a rare dish even on a national level. The miso tsukemen, packed with bold flavors from fish powder and chili oil, offers a unique taste you can only experience at Ginjou Ramen Kubota. It’s no wonder this dish has become so popular.
Ginjo Ramen Kubota Detail
1. Men-ya Inoichi 麺屋 猪一
Menya Inoichi is a highly popular ramen shop located in Kyoto’s bustling district of Kawaramachi. After relocating from its previous location, the menu underwent enhancements, and both the exterior and interior now exude an ambiance reminiscent of a high-end Japanese restaurant. Relatively nearby, there is also a second branch named Menya Inoichi “Hanare”.
Their luxurious ramen, made with carefully selected ingredients such as Wagyu beef and freshly shaved bonito flakes, offers a taste experience unique to Menya Inoichi. They also offer a wide variety of side dishes, encouraging customers to leisurely enjoy their meal. It’s worth noting that Menya Inoichi is one of the few ramen establishments in Kyoto that accept credit cards and electronic payments, which is convenient for many.
Men-ya Inoichi Detail
Conclusion
Kyoto is renowned worldwide for its history and tradition, but it’s also one of the hotspots for ramen lovers. The fact that numerous ramen shops originated in Kyoto speaks volumes about its reputation in the ramen world.
There are so many ramen shops in Kyoto that it’s impossible to cover them all here. I encourage you to explore and discover your own favorite ramen spot.
