Best Ramen in Kyoto, Japan: Men-ya Inoichi Review + What to Order

Postcards from Japan: The ramen dinner in Kyoto, I still think about

Everybody who goes to Japan normally passes by at least one ramen place, willingly or not.

And I’m all for a bowl of noodles and soup, even in the hot, humid heat we’re approaching now. Which is exactly what my boyfriend and I did when we went to Kyoto last year, and I’m still thinking about the bowls of ramen we shared at this place.

This is part of a little series I’m calling Postcards from Japan, where I’m painting recipe cards inspired by the meals, places, and memories I brought home with me.

This one is for Men-ya Inoichi in Kyoto.

Men-ya Inoichi麺屋 猪一542 Ebisunocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8033, Japan

Inside Men-ya Inoichi in Kyoto, Japan. A lovely open ramen kitchen.

A Kyoto Ramen Spot We Found by Luck

Hands down, this was the best ramen I had in Kyoto, and conveniently, it was across the street and less than a block down from our hotel.

We saw the line first, then a person holding a board, and then a permanent sign-in sheet. So, immediately, it felt like one of those places where it could be either fake hype or fully worth the wait.

We signed up, went the next day, and truly lucked out. This ended up being one of my favorite dinner dates we had in Kyoto.

What I learned about the Ramen Restaurant

So I went on their website to see why this place had such a great effect on us, because to be honest, it did taste amazing.

On their website, they describe their ramen as leaving “a quiet happiness that lingers after meals,” which is kind of funny because that is actually what happened. I finished the meal, left, and was still thinking about it later.

And apparently, we were not the only ones impressed. Men-ya Inoichi has been recognized with Michelin Bib Gourmand status, and their ramen is known for a cleaner, more refined broth rather than something super heavy.

What Makes the Broth So Good

The biggest thing I learned was that their soup does not rely on animal fats.

Instead, their broth is made with carefully selected dried seafood flakes, and the umami is slowly extracted at low temperatures.

That probably explains why it tasted so rich, but still clean and light.

It was the kind of broth where I kept going back for another sip, not because it was overly salty or heavy, but because it had so much flavor without feeling like too much.

The 0.01mm Katsuobushi Shavings

Here’s the detail that made me go, okay, that explains a lot.

They top each bowl with ultra-thin shavings of honkarebushi, which is a high-grade aged katsuobushi. Their website says the flakes are shaved to 0.01mm, which is honestly kind of wild.

Yeah, that is quite thin.

The point is that because the flakes are freshly shaved and so delicate, they add more aroma and umami right into the bowl. And after eating it, I get it. It gave the broth this deeper flavor without making it taste too fishy or overwhelming.

What We Ordered

We ordered ramen, shumai, and pear juice.

The ramen was obviously the main reason we were there. I got the lighter broth, and my boyfriend got the darker broth. Both were good, but I still think about mine because it was simple, clean, and so comforting.

The noodles were ultra-thin, and according to Men-ya Inoichi, they use a blend of Hokkaido wheat and stone-milled whole wheat flour from Kyoto. We also got shumai for an appetizer, and it delivered.

I honestly wasn’t expecting to remember the shumai that much, but I do. It was warm, savory, and exactly the kind of side dish you want while waiting for ramen. And then we got pear juice, which sounds random, but I still remember it. It was so good and refreshing with the meal.

Is Men-ya Inoichi Worth the Wait?

Yes, and get on the waiting list ( be there or square).

If you’re looking for where to eat in Kyoto, Japan, especially if you want a ramen spot that is popular for a reason, I would recommend Men-ya Inoichi.

It is not one of those places I would treat like a quick walk-in dinner.

There was a line, a sign-in sheet, and clearly a system. But if you’re already nearby, or if you’re planning where to eat in Kyoto, it’s worth adding to your list.

For us, it was less than a block from our hotel, which made it even better. But even if it had been farther, I would have still been glad we went.

The best ramen in Kyoto imo

This meal is one I still think about from Kyoto. A dinner date that consisted of two bowls of ramen, shumai that was delivered, pear juice that randomly stayed in my memory, and a place that was actually worth the wait.

Also, this is subject to change. I've only had ramen in Kyoto a few times; this is just an opinion, not a fact.

Sources: https://menyainoichi.net/

Men-ya Inoichi Official Website. Information referenced for the restaurant’s broth, Michelin Bib Gourmand recognition, honkarebushi shavings, and noodle details.