Nestled in Japan’s beautiful countryside landscapes, Kyoto offers a perfect blend of historic temples, vibrant markets, and serene gardens. This beloved city is a tapestry of rich tradition and modern charm, inviting you to explore its treasures — but it all begins with savoring a steaming bowl of authentic ramen.
Every major city in Japan has its own “style” of doing ramen. As both a traveler and a foodie, you owe it to yourself to try every city’s take on this incredibly popular dish. Are you ready to sink your teeth into some ramen knowledge, Kyoto-style? We got your back.
Best Ramen Shops In Kyoto
It’s hard to put an objective spin on this, simply because every person has their own preferences. With that said, these venues are often said to offer the best ramen in Kyoto.
By the way, if you’re more of a sushi person, check out our 10 best sushi restaurants in Kyoto.
Takakura Nijo
If there was one ramen shop that gets the nod of approval from everyone in Kyoto, it’d be Takakura Nijo. This shop is famous for its tonkotsu gyokai-kei ramen, made with broth from fresh pork bones and seafood.
The food here is decadent, especially their melt-in-your-mouth tsukemen ramen. Grabbing lunch here is a smart move, full stop. The broth is simmered for 20 hours, so you KNOW it’s good.
Heck, some even choose to drink the broth, just because its flavor is so tasty.
Menbaka Fire Ramen
Are you ready to see one of the most impressive ramen shops in Kyoto? Menbaka is a fiery option that comes with a real-life fire show. Their specialty is shoyu ramen, but from what we hear, you can also get a creamy tonkotsu.
Unlike other ramen restaurants, you do not have to worry about vegetarian options or other menu items for picky eaters. Fried rice, gyoza, and other tasty treats are on board too.
PRO TIP: Kids love this restaurant, so if you need to spend time with little ones, this is a great place to do it.
Kyoto Engine Ramen
Ramen bowls are about as popular as they can get. Among both foreigners and locals, budget-friendly Kyoto Engine Ramen remains a favorite hotspot.
The soup here is dirt cheap, but you’d never guess it when you taste the flavors and noodles served up in every bowl. They also have vegan ramen options, if you want to keep things earth-friendly.
Ramen Sen No Kaze Kyoto
Looking for a place that serves bowls of delicious spicy ramen? Ramen Sen No Kaze gained a serious reputation for serving some of the best ramen with a kick to the tastebuds in Kyoto.
Like many of the top ramen restaurants, you might experience a wait while you’re here. Going during off-peak hours is a smart choice.
Ippudo
Ippudo is regularly cited as one of the top ramen restaurants in Kyoto by major magazines as well as travel guides. Every bowl of soup features perfectly-prepared noodles, savory broth, and great toppings.
Visiting Kyoto means you get to deal with a lot of different restaurant options. This is one option that you clearly won’t want to miss. The original location of this chain is in downtown Kyoto, so if you’re a purist, hit up this joint.
Ramen Muraji
Are you ready to try a ramen style that’s thick, creamy, and absolutely unique to Kyoto? Right in the heart of Gion, in South Higashiyama, is one of the best places to get white ramen. White ramen is a soup with a broth that has been simmered for so long, the bones have dissolved into a creamy broth.
The noodles at this place are now the stuff of legend. Add some chicken charshu as a topping, and you’ll eat like a king. Be forewarned, this small restaurant is a lot more upscale than others on this list, so while the soup is rich, so are the prices.
Ginjoramenkubota
Are you looking for a ramen stop that is simple, sweet, and upscale? Ginjoramenkubota is a great choice for you then. Ordering a bowl here will give you a savory tsukemen-style dish you’ll enjoy.
Unlike other restaurants on this list, Ginjoramenkubota doesn’t involve a sit-down restaurant or a ramen bar. Rather, you order your ramen noodles from a vending machine. Don’t be put off by it, though!
The ramen here is so good, you still have to wait to order!
Shimogamo Shiomiya Tongtong
Located within a short walking distance to several shrines is Shimogamo Shiomiya Tongtong, a veritable shrine to all things ramen. As one of the less traditional ramen shops on this list, Shimogamo is actually Chinese-Japanese fusion.
Yes, you can get bunch of delightfully salty Shio ramen noodles here. However, you can also order up traditional Chinese dishes like Mapo Tofu alongside fresh Kyoto vegetables. Yum!
Gion Duck Noodles
There’s no lie here: people are going quackers for Gion Duck Noodles. This restaurant is famous for a number of reasons. First off, the ramen soup you get here is incredible and savory, topped with fresh Kyoto vegetables and optional meat.
Second, everything on the menu is not written in Japanese. In fact, it’s not even in English. It’s all emojis. Third, this is one of the only Kyoto ramen shops to have a French chef at the helm.
Rare is the venue that has a duck ramen soup on the order. For a truly unique take on ramen in Kyoto, you gotta look for the sign with the emojis.
Ichiryu Manbai Ramen Shop
Sometimes, you just want to have a restaurant that serves up great soup in a city filled with amazing views. Ichiru Manbai is one of the many restaurants to specialize in ramen, but it’s not just great bowls they offer here.
It’s variety.
Chefs at this cute stop offer not one, but three main types of broth to choose from. You can get soy sauce ramen, miso ramen, or white ramen by the boal. Along with a variety of broths, you can choose fresh Kyoto ingredients like vegetables, egg, and seared meat. It’s always worth a trip.
Tips For Your First Kyoto Ramen Trip
Now that we’ve gone over all the top ramen shops in Kyoto, it’s time to impart a little bit of wisdom when it comes to navigating them. Here’s what you need to know:
- Yes, some ramen shops will require reservations. Not all do, but if you want to go to one of the more exclusive ones, you may need to book your trip online. Check with the venue to find out what to do.
- Prepare to eat fast. Some restaurants allow you to spend your sweet time, but ramen shops in general don’t do that. Thes are the closest thing to traditional Japanese fast food as you’ll get. Try to spend 30 minutes at most eating.
- Slurping is not required, but appreciated. Yes, it’s true. Noodle slurping is a way to show you appreciate the ramen in Kyoto. With that said, it’s still good to avoid being obnoxious about it.
- Research the different types of soup you can taste before you go. Every bowl of ramen is going to be different. Broths, toppings, and even the noodle types can make a huge difference in flavors and texture.
- Please don’t take signs barring foreigners personally. It’s easier said than done, yes, but the truth is that you can’t impose on shopkeepers. First, they won’t budge. Second, it’s not a good look.
What’s The Best Type Of Ramen To Try In Kyoto?
In Kyoto, the most popular ramen noodles are soy sauce based ramen, also known as shoyu. With that said, shoyu is so popular, it’s a smart go-to for almost any city’s ramen scene.
Close runners up include tonkotsu ramen, which is pork bone broth-based, and Kyoto’s own invention, tonkotsu gyokai-kei ramen, which is a blend of broths made of pork bones and seafood, carefully blended for a more savory, melty broth.