Menya Inoichi is a japanese ramen restaurant in Karasuma Kawaramachi, Kyoto.
A Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen counter three minutes from Kawaramachi Station. Light dashi broth, white soy and a chashu that earns its queue.
Signature dishes: White-soy ramen, Tsukemen
Must order: White-soy ramen with a soft-boiled ajitama
Tip: Line up before doors open at 11:00, lunch typically sells out by 13:30.
Address: Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8043, Japan
The Sanjo flagship of Kyoto's largest yakiniku family, run from a Kyoto Sanjo shopping-street site since 1997. Japanese black wagyu cuts grilled tableside.
Signature: Wagyu sirloin, Tongue salt, Harami skirt
Order: Premium wagyu sirloin and tongue salt for two
Tip: Walk-ins possible at the counter, reservations needed for tables on weekends.
A 1938-founded ramen counter near Kyoto Station, famous for its jet-black soy-sauce broth and chewy noodles. Side yakimeshi is half the order.
Signature: Black-soy ramen, Yakimeshi
Order: Black-broth ramen and a half order of yakimeshi fried rice
Tip: Cash-only counter. Open from 09:00 if you want pre-train ramen.
A shellfish-broth ramen room two minutes from Kyoto Station's north exit. Whole-wheat noodles, signature Hachiku bowl with a clean uni finish.
Signature: Hachiku ramen, Whole-wheat noodle ramen
Order: Hachiku shellfish ramen with whole-wheat noodles
Tip: Walk in at 11:00 sharp; the counter seats nine and lunch sells out by 13:30 most days.
The flagship of Kyoto's Ichijoji ramen street, a stretch with multiple ramen shops competing on a Sakyo-ku block. Light chicken-shoyu, Kujo-negi piled on top.
Signature: Chicken shoyu ramen
Order: Seabura Special Shoyu Ramen
Tip: Cluster ramen-jumping with Tentenyu and Takayasu, all on the same stretch.
Bib Gourmand-listed shojin-ryori inside Tenryu-ji's precinct in Arashiyama. Three-course set lunches eaten facing the temple's Sogen garden.
Signature: Shojin-ryori bento, Yuba, Sesame tofu
Order: Yuki shojin set with the temple's signature sesame tofu
Tip: Reservation required for parties of two or more, at least three days ahead. The ¥500 garden entry is separate.
Daitoku-ji shojin-ryori served in nested vermillion lacquer bowls modelled on a Buddhist begging bowl. Garden-view tatami inside the Daiji-in sub-temple.
Signature: Daitokuji bento, Shojin nesting bowls
Order: Tetsubachi ryori shojin set, served in seven nested bowls
Tip: Lunch only. Cash preferred. Combine with a Daitokuji walking tour.
The Sanjo flagship of Kyoto's largest yakiniku family, run from a Kyoto Sanjo shopping-street site since 1997. Japanese black wagyu cuts grilled tableside.
Signature: Wagyu sirloin, Tongue salt, Harami skirt
Order: Premium wagyu sirloin and tongue salt for two
Tip: Walk-ins possible at the counter, reservations needed for tables on weekends.
