Looking for the best ramen in Kyoto? Here are our top picks!

Kyoto, Japan’s old capital, is known for its temples, shrines, gardens, and many more. Some famous temples include Kinkaku-ji, Tenryu-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, and Saihōji (Kokedera) Temple. But apart from the cultural heritage that the city is known for, Kyoto is also home to amazing food. They have good kaiseki (traditional multi-course meal), nishin soba (a Kyoto winter classic featuring buckwheat noodles in hot broth with sweet-simmered herring), saba-zushi (sushi made with mackerel), ramen, and yatsuhashi (mochi-like sweets made from rice flour, sugar, and cinnamon).

There are so many delicious finds in Japan to choose from, but for this particular food guide, we’ll take you through an adventure of the best ramen in Kyoto!

Fresh ingredients and high-quality ramen await you at Kyoto Wamen Yukichi Honpo! Here, your ramen will be prepared and cooked in front of you, giving you something to look forward to whether you’re here for lunch or for dinner.

The ramen place offers a cozy atmosphere with limited seating, which ensures a slightly intimate experience for you. Dining at Kyoto Wamen Yukichi Honpo is best for couples, as well as small gatherings with a maximum of 15 people.

One must-try here is the Wamen ramen, made with premium A5-grade Wagyu beef.

If you’re on the hunt for the best ramen in Kyoto, particularly in downtown Kyoto, then Ramen Muraji is the place to go! They serve chicken broth ramen here in a classic old Kyoto machiya (traditional Japanese wooden townhouse) setup. And because Ramen Muraji is quite a famous ramen place, it can get pretty crowded on weekends. So if you want to have a fuss-free experience, it’s best to plot your visit on a weekday.

Some must-haves here include lemon ramen, black ramen, white ramen, and even their fried chicken!

Just from the name of the place itself, Yakimeshi to Men Kyoto, you’ll know that they have two specialty dishes here — ramen and Japanese fried rice. Locals love to dine here, so best believe that you’re in for a treat! Apart from their Japanese fried rice, some of the best ramen in Kyoto can be found here, with specialty bowls such as chashu ramen and special ramen with truffle.

The ambience of the ramen place is also cozy, with warm lighting and wooden furniture. Yakimeshi to Men Kyoto is the perfect ramen place for when you’re with friends and family!

Another one of the best ramen places in Kyoto is Inoichi Ramen. With only 10 seats available, we promise you that a spot at this ramen place is worth the wait. Here, you can try a couple of items from their menu, such as the dashi soba, shina soba, tori soba, wagyu soba, and sweet shrimp soba.

Apart from ramen, they also offer rice bowls, desserts, and local beer. So if you’re looking for the best ramen in Kyoto, Inoichi Ramen is definitely a must-visit.

The highly rated ramen place, Ramen Sen no Kaze Kyoto, is known for its flavorful ramen, perfectly seared chashu pork, and light broth in different varieties (tonkotsu, shoyu, and miso). Most diners pair an order of gyoza with their ramen, making the meal extra comforting and delectable.

They don’t only serve ramen here, but also ramen sets if you feel like treating yourself a little more. Some must-tries on their menu include the local favorite Kyo no Shio Ramen, Kyo no Shoyu Ramen, Kii Soba, Yamato no Miso Ramen, Yamato no Pirikara Miso Ramen, Kyo-Fuu Sen no Shio Ramen, and many more! They also offer drinks here, like local beer, wine, and soda. If you’re searching for the best ramen in Kyoto, this spot totally deserves a place on your list.

Another option for a bowl of delicious and high-quality ramen is Chuka-Soba Rantan. Diners especially love their tender chashu pork and flavorful broth. Chuka-Soba Rantan proves that nothing beats a homey and hearty meal. Some highlights on the ramen menu are Aged Soy Sauce Japanese Ramen, Creamy Chicken Broth Japanese Ramen, and Aged Soy Sauce Ginger Ramen. For their exceptional rice bowl menu, some must-tries include the Soft Pork Braised Rice Bowl and the Rare Char Shu Rice Bowl.

They also serve local drinks here, but their highball is one that we’d recommend!

Apart from all the ramen places to go to or add to your itinerary in Kyoto, there are also other ways to embrace the city’s ramen culture. With that, here are two activities to do in Kyoto to learn more about ramen in general!

There are so many good things to say about ramen — the noodles, the meat, the broth, the taste, the richness, the flavor. But aside from eating it, there’s actually another way to enjoy ramen — by making it yourself, from scratch! With this Kyoto Ramen Noodle Making class, you’ll have the privilege to go behind the scenes of ramen before it’s assembled into a bowl and served on your table.

This specialty restaurant in the Gion district offers just that experience! Put your chef’s hat on and learn how to make ramen noodles from scratch using a noodle machine. You can also cook the ramen yourself, like a true Japanese chef.

Apart from the noodle making and ramen cooking, some packages of this activity also include painting! Feel free to choose what you want to paint on among the three: ramen bowl, ramen spoon, or apron. Make sure to bring your trusty cameras so you can document and commemorate this fun, one-of-a-kind experience!

This next ramen experience will take you on a Kyoto Ramen Morning Tour, where you’ll be guided by a local expert. The morning tour will include two restaurant stops with two mini bowls of ramen and one beverage already included when you book your tour on Klook. Forget about having a bowl of ramen for lunch or dinner, try something unusual and have your ramen for breakfast! Kyoto is known for its warm and light broths, so rest assured that having ramen in Kyoto in the morning is a great idea.

Since this tour is specifically for breakfast only, you’ll have plenty of time to plot other things to do in Kyoto for the rest of your day. You can take a walk around the neighborhood, or maybe have more ramen for lunch! And hey, don’t hesitate to ask your guide any questions about Kyoto or ramen if there’s anything you’re curious about or simply want to know more about.

And that’s about it for the best ramen in Kyoto, along with other fun ramen experiences you can try, such as ramen-making classes or morning ramen tours! Make sure to plan out your itinerary wisely, taking good note of the number of seats, opening hours, and exact locations of each ramen place we’ve listed down for you. Happy eating! 🤤

You can find great ramen in Kyoto at restaurants like Honke Daiichi Asahi, Ramen Muraji, Ramen Sen no Kaze Kyoto, Ichiran, and many more.

Kyoto is known for its rich, fatty Kyoto-style ramen with a shoyu broth, usually made from chicken or pork bones and topped with back fat.

Yes, Kyoto has several vegan and vegetarian ramen options. Some famous ramen spots include Vegan Ramen UZU, KYOTO ENGINE RAMEN, and Uno Ramen Sanjo Sushi.

No, most ramen shops in Kyoto don’t require reservations, and you can usually walk in and get a seat. 

Most ramen costs between JPY 900 and 1,200 in Kyoto.