Last updated on September 14th, 2024
If you’re in Kyoto, you must try the Gion Duck Noodles. The food was delicious – super tender duck, perfectly cooked and seasoned egg. Would recommend it!
I recently visited Gion Duck Noodles during my trip to Kyoto and had a unique ramen-eating experience. The restaurant is located in a narrow alleyway and offers a lovely lunch experience in a small and intimate setting. The duck ramen from Gion Duck Noodles was exceptional, and the service and ambiance were great. It is one of the best duck ramen restaurants in Kyoto. Be prepared to wait for your bowl of tasty duck ramen, but it’s definitely worth a visit.
Continue reading about my food experience at Gion Duck Noodles – one of the best duck ramen restaurants in Kyoto.
Gion Duck Noodles
The Gion Duck Noodles is a popular ramen restaurant in Kyoto. It’s a small restaurant tucked away in a tiny alleyway and could be easily missed. There’s no name on the restaurant, just a cute signboard hanging above.
Gion Duck Noodles
Address: Japan, 〒605-0073 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Gionmachi Kitagawa.
Business Hours: Daily from 11:00 to 15:00, 17:30 to 21:00 / From 11:00 to 21:30.
Expected to pay ¥1,500 to ¥3,000 per person.
To find Gion Duck Noodles, look for the small sign in the alley. You can enter from either end, but the easiest entrance to find is near the busy intersection of Shijo Dori and Higashioji-dori, opposite the Western entrance of Yakasa Shrine.
How To Queue at Gion Duck Noodles
If you plan to visit, it’s best to arrive before the peak hours.
The restaurant can only accommodate about eight to ten people at a time. It’s recommended to arrive 10 to 15 minutes before they open at 11 am to secure the first seating of eight. Otherwise, be prepared to wait in line until some seats become available. The line can get quite long, so plan your visit accordingly.
No reservation from Gion Duck Noodles Restaurant.
While waiting, the restaurant has an efficient process to manage the line. To reduce inconvenience to the locals, the line breaks into two sessions. The friendly staff will guide you where to start your line when you arrive. Expect to wait about 40 to 60 minutes for a table.
There are no chairs in the tiny alley, so be prepared to stand while you wait. When it’s your turn to dine, the staff will explain the menu and take your order.
What To Order
The menu at Gion Duck Noodles is simple but creative. It offering a variety of delicious duck specialty dishes priced between ¥1,000 and 2,500. You must try their duck ramen and tsukemen (dipping noodles) with customizable toppings – they are both delicious.
Drink options for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are available.
Inside the Gion Duck Noodles Restaurant
The restaurant has a charming setting, with duck-themed cutlery adding to the ambiance.
There is a seating area at the bar counter for about 5 people and a table seating area for 3 people. We are not recommended for larger groups or families unless you are prepared for a potentially lengthy wait.
Once seated, the chef immediately began preparing our order to ensure we received freshly cooked ramen and reduce the waiting time.
During our visit, we ordered the duck noodles in soup and it will come with 2 pieces of duck meat. We decided to add an extra 6 pieces of duck breast meat for the meal. You can choose between breast and thigh meat based on your preference, and the staff recommended a mix of both.
Tasty Duck Noodles
Our bowl of duck ramen arrived less than 5 minutes after we were seated.
The bowl contained tender, properly cooked duck meat, bamboo shoots, and ramen. The presentation of the plates was beautiful, with a sprinkle of some sort of pepper along the edges of the plate that complemented the duck well.
Tender Duck Meat
The duck meat was well-cooked, tender, and delicious.
Light but Flavorful Broth
The broth was light but flavorful. It’s not your typical ramen broth like tonkotsu ramen, which is thick and heavy, but you can taste the great flavor of it. A nice and delicious broth!
Chewy Ramen Noodles
The duck noodles were the star of the dish! The noodles were chewy and i enjoyed eating the noodles.
Our order also comes with the ramen egg. As usual, it was so amazing and best paired with the ramen!
The Gion Duck Noodles are a bit more expensive compared to other shops, but it’s probably because they use only premium ingredients. You can tell they put a lot of care into crafting their bowls of ramen. One of the best duck noodles I’ve had in Japan.
Overall: Must-Eat Kyoto Duck Noodles
All in all, Gion Duck Noodles is on a whole different level. The food is delicious, and you honestly can’t go wrong with any dish or variation of dishes you choose from their impressive menu. The service was amazing, and the overall experience was exceptional. A must-try while in the Kyoto/Gion area.
Related Kyoto Food Blog:
- What to eat in Kyoto: Top 7 Must Eat Food in Kyoto
- Menbakaichidai Kyoto Fire Ramen
- Menya Inoichi: Kyoto Michelin Guide Ramen
- Kyoto Yakiniku Hiro: Affordable Japanese Wagyu Beef Grill
- Katsukura: Kyoto-Based Tonkatsu Restaurant
- AWOMB Kyoto: An Unique Teori Sushi Dining Experience
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Lastly, if you’re heading to Kyoto, feel free to also check out my Kyoto travel stories:
- 15 Things To Do and Eat for 3 Days in Kyoto
- Where to Stay in Kyoto (Tips For Your Best Stay in Kyoto)
- Half Day Trip To Arashiyama
- Ride On Arashiyama Sagano Scenic Railway
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine: A Complete Travel Guide
- Trip To Kinkakuji, Golden Pavilion
- Kiyomizudera Itinerary with Walking Guide
- Nishiki Market Travel Guide: What To Eat and Buy
