Ramen (ラーメン)
Japanese noodle soup dish with Chinese-style wheat noodles served in a meat broth. There are various flavors such as soy sauce, miso sauce, or salt. Very popular fast food in Japan.
You’ll find numerous Ramen places around Kyoto and they all have their own recipe and peculiarities. Here are a few we often go to.
Ramen Fuji ラーメン藤 $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/n8wMss4KCvrC9Jm59
URL: https://www.ramen-fuji.jp/lib/store_dsp.php?id=48
TEL: 075-561-5956
Close: Monday
Reservation: x
The restaurant looks out of date, the chefs are not friendly, they don’t talk much, but their ramen is delicious. The ramen bowl is filled with soup and Kujyonegi (green onion from the Kujo area), Shoyu tastes only. There are only 14 seats, so you often have to wait (outside) but the turn ver is fast and you should try the real Kyoto Ramen.
Musoshin Gion 無双心祇園店 $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/exBVKWQqAuDQDDNH7
TEL: 075-551-0345
Open every day
Reservation: x
They are using homemade noodles and their broth is quite thick. I love their Black Ramen, with a lot of black sesame. For someone who loves sesame, that’s the hit.
Ramen Nishiki らーめん錦 $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/J7QQ65Vt467HpTWB7
URL: https://www.ramen-nishiki.com/
TEL: 075-606-5210
Close: Monday
Reservation: x
Very stylish ramen restaurant and the Dashi broth-based soup is supreme. The restaurant is on the 1st floor and they make the noodle on the second floor. The problem is that it’s always full and you’ve got to wait – but it’s worth it.
Soba (そば)
Japanese buckwheat noodle. Soba noodles are served either chilled with a dipping soy sauce or in hot broth as a noodle soup. Also very popular fast food.
Nishinsoba Matsuba にしんそば松葉
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rEaijkLDEm88xa4H7
URL: http://www.sobamatsuba.co.jp/
TEL: 075-561-1451
Close: Wednesday
Reservation: x
With more than 160 years of history, they are providing Nishin Herring soba. This is Kyoto’s special dish consisting of Soba with a piece of sweet-savory simmered herring (nishin) on top. The restaurant is next to the Minamiza Kabuki Theatre in Gion.
Honke Owariya Honten 本家尾張屋本店 $$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/bkMprYzi3uMVEYbMA
URL: https://honke-owariya.co.jp/
TEL: 075-231-3446
Open every days
Reservation: TEL
It’s a beautiful old Japanese house, located in the south of the Gosho Imperial Park. They open at 11:00 and close at 15:00, and there are always people lining up to get in.
Misoka-an Kawamichiya 晦庵 河道屋 $
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/9eohR8v1zTbkNpNF8
URL: http://www.kawamichiya.co.jp/english.html
TEL: 075-221-2525
Close: Thursday
Reservation: TEL
This Soba buckwheat noodle restaurant started its business in the 17 century. It’s known for the hot pot named “HOKORO”. The restaurant is in a traditional Japanese house with a garden and you can enjoy the atmosphere. Steven Jobs loved this restaurant.
Udon (うどん)
Thick wheat flour noodles. They are often served hot as a noodle soup, but they also exist cold. This is also a popular fast food dish like soba.
Omen Shijo Pontocho おめん四条先斗町 $
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/47wUSNsSdDmzEyHW9
URL: https://omen.co.jp/
TEL: 075-253-0377
Close: Thursday
Reservation: TEL
Omen is a well-known udon restaurant in Kyoto, famous for its handmade noodles and flavorful dipping broth. Thick, chewy udon noodles are served with a variety of fresh seasonal vegetables and a rich sesame-infused dipping sauce.
Yamamoto Menzo 山本麺蔵
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/sAKVVkLryyxsvhR6A
URL:
TEL: 075-744-1876
Close: Thursday
Reservation: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/yamamotomenzou/reserve?utm_source=google
Located near the Heian Jingu Shrine, one of Kyoto’s most famous udon restaurants, known for its handmade udon noodles and deeply flavorful broths. Curry Udon is one of their must-try dishes.
