Let's enjoy great ramen in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture! 10 recommended spots

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Seaabura no Kami slurp is a 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the subway.

The interior, based on black tones, is a stylish space like a cafe, and there are two types of seating in total: counter and table seats.

Photograph:まいぽむぷりん

The photo shows the "Tokusei assortment tonkotsu (pork bone) tori paitan (creamy chicken broth) ramen."

The noodles are straight, medium-thin noodles that pair well with the rich, flavorful, velvety soup. The toppings, such as onion and yuzu peel, seem to add nice accents of aroma and texture.

Photograph:あ"い"う"え"お"

The photo shows the popular "Special Iberico Pork Tsukemen," a favorite in reviews.

The noodles are thin, straight noodles made with whole wheat flour, and they come soaked in cold kombu kelp broth. The soup is full of pork fat and umami, and while rich, it still tastes light.

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Ishiyaki Nama Pasta Kuranosuke is located about a 15-minute walk from Katsura Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

The interior, renovated from a kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse), has high ceilings and a bright atmosphere. There are 62 seats in total, with table seating and raised tatami seating.

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Even though it is a pasta restaurant, it seems you can also enjoy Jiro-kei (Jiro-style) ramen made with noodles from Menya Teigaku.

The pork and bean sprout "Stone Pot Jiro-kei (Jiro-style) Ramen" is said to have extra-thick, chewy noodles that go perfectly with the soy sauce based soup. It also comes loaded with toppings, and is popular for its satisfying portion and Manzoku.

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The fresh pasta served in a hot stone bowl is said to have an irresistible chewy texture.

The photo shows the "Cream Pasta with Beef Cheek meat and Gorgonzola." The rich cheese scented sauce coats the noodles well, and it also comes with chunky pieces of tender beef cheek meat.

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Saikatei is located in the North Annex of Kyoto Tower Building, a 5-minute walk from Kyoto Station Central Exit.

There are 144 seats in total across the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd floors, with Semi-private room and terrace seating available. The interior has a casual, approachable feel, with a lively and energetic atmosphere.

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Among Tabelog reviewers, the pictured "Umai! Ramen" is well liked.

The tonkotsu shoyu (pork bone and soy sauce) soup has a Kyoto style and is said to taste light and gentle. The chashu (braised pork) is simmered well until tender, and diners say you can really enjoy both the richness of the fat and the good flavor of the meat.

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In addition to the standard ramen, they also offer a wide range of noodle dishes you would expect from a Chinese restaurant.

The photo shows the "tantanmen (spicy sesame noodles)," which gets high praise in reviews. It is not very spicy, and the sesame and sansho (Japanese pepper) come through nicely, giving it an addictive flavor.

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Ramen Monsen Fushimizakagura Ten is a specialist in tori-gara ramen (chicken bone broth ramen) located inside Fushimi Sakagura Koji.

There are 15 counter seats and 4 tables for 2 people. The attentive service also gets good reviews online.

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The standard menu item, tori ramen (chicken ramen), is said to be the base for all the other ramen on the menu.

The soup, packed with collagen from chicken bones and vegetables simmered for a long time, has a slight thickness and is said to be surprisingly rich.

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Many people also seem to visit for the sake kasu ramen, where you can choose the kura-moto (sake brewery).

The ramen made with sake kasu (sake lees) from Joyo has a mild sake note and a faint sweetness. The chicken chashu (braised pork-style topping) is moist and tender, with concentrated umami.

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Located along the street in front of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Taimeshi Maki Kinkakuji Ten lets you enjoy tai soba made with madai (red Sea Bream) in a machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse) full of Kyoto charm.

All seats are at tables, so you can enjoy your meal in a relaxed setting.

Photograph:パンプキンハット山口

The photo shows the popular “tai soba (Sea Bream noodles),” a Shio Ramen made with madai (red sea bream).

The soup has a mellow saltiness, the rich umami of Sea Bream, and the aroma of nori (seaweed), giving it a full flavor. The pieces of tai have no off notes and are tender, and when you bite into them, the umami of the fish spreads across your palate.

Photograph:パンプキンハット山口

With the “Sea Bream Rice and Sea Bream Soba Gozen set,” you can add rice and yakumi (condiments) to the leftover Sea Bream soba soup after finishing the noodles, and enjoy it as ochazuke (rice in broth).

The Sea Bream flavor becomes even richer, and the sharp kick of wasabi makes a nice accent.

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"Ramen Konjiki Fukakusa Ten" is a popular ramen shop known for its ramen made with tori-paitan (chicken white broth) soup with no added chemical seasonings.

Located a 10-minute walk from Fukakusa Station, it is a compact shop with 13 seats in total, all at the counter.

Photograph:くまけんタイガー

The photo shows the highly rated Tori Paitan Shoyu (soy sauce chicken paitan).

The thick, creamy soup is said to have a gentle taste while still being rich. The straight thin noodles from Menya Teigaku have a smooth, springy bite, and they are popular for pairing well with the soup.

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There were also many reviews praising the Mazesoba.

The sauce for the "Mazesoba Taiwan" has a Kyoto style and is said to be refined yet still has a solid sweet and spicy flavor. The noodles are flat and firm, with a chewy texture.

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At Higo Mokkosu, you can enjoy authentic Kumamoto ramen.

It is also in a great location, just a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 of Kitayama Station. The interior has a Japanese modern feel, and you can enjoy your ramen in a calm atmosphere.

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The photo shows their most popular item, Kumamoto ramen.

The tonkotsu (pork bone) soup, with fragrant ma-yu (roasted garlic oil) added, is said to have a mellow mouthfeel. Reviews also say the texture of the kikurage (wood ear mushrooms) and the ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg) add nice accents, giving the bowl good overall balance.

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If you like seabura (back fat), the "Rich Shoyu Tonkotsu (soy sauce pork bone) Ramen" is recommended.

The soup has a rich, full bodied flavor, and while it is thick, it still goes down easily. The seared chashu (braised pork) is fragrant, and its sweet fat and savory meat flavor fill your mouth.

Photograph:食いしん坊の拾壱

About a 5-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station, OikeCafe×HACHINOBO, located on the 1st floor of Park Hotel Kyoto Oike, is known for its signature cappuccino ramen made with a rich, fluffy, mellow pork broth.

In the clean and stylish space, you can enjoy a variety of ramen, with a focus on creative and unusual options.

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The signature “Cappuccino Ramen” features a soup whipped into a light foam.

The mellow soup goes down smoothly and really lets you taste the rich flavor of tonkotsu (pork bone broth). It also seems you can enjoy changing up the flavor with the separately served mildly spicy takana (pickled mustard greens).

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The photo shows the "Tanrei Chashu Men," inspired by Kitakata ramen.

The clear broth is light and pairs perfectly with the chewy flat curly noodles. It is topped with enough chashu to cover the Rice bowl, making it very satisfying.

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Ramen Goku is in a great location, just a 3-minute walk from Kuramaguchi Station on the subway.

There are only 12 seats in total, all at the counter. The seats are well spaced, so you can enjoy your ramen in a relaxed setting.

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"Kiwami Ramen" is a thick and creamy tori paitan (chicken white broth) ramen.

The soy sauce flavor comes through just the right amount, and it pairs perfectly with takana (pickled mustard greens) and spicy miso. The noodles are thin, straight, low-hydration noodles, and some reviews say they go down very smoothly.

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The photo shows the “Kiwami no Niku Soba,” which is not only delicious but also has a striking look with lavishly arranged chashu (braised pork).

The soy sauce based soup, rich with dashi (soup stock), is said to be light rather than heavy, and it pairs well with the thick, chewy noodles, making it very tasty.

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At Reggae no Izakaya Rasuta, you can enjoy ramen in an exotic atmosphere.

There are 48 seats in total, with 6 counter seats and 42 zashiki (tatami seating) seats. It has a take off your shoes style, and many people seem to find it comfortable.

Photograph:よっちゃんのパパ

The soup of ie-kei ramen (Yokohama-style pork and soy sauce ramen) is said to be creamy, with a salty and well-balanced taste.

The flat, curly noodles have a springy bite and nice firmness, and they seem to go perfectly with the soup.

Photograph:よっちゃんのパパ

They also offer a wide variety of a la carte dishes, mainly ethnic cuisine.

The Jamaican soul food dish "jerk chicken" is said to have a spicy, addictive flavor. Squeezing the lime served on the side adds a fresh tartness and aroma that bring out the good flavor of the chicken.