Last updated on September 14th, 2024
If you are a ramen enthusiast and would like to taste one of the best Kyoto ramen, the Michelin Bib Gourmand – Menya Inoichi is your choice. The food was exceptional, simple but with very high-quality ingredients.
Menya Inoichi is a Michelin Bib Gourmand ramen restaurant where I had this delicious bowl of shiro shoyu ramen. This tiny ramen shop is one of the most highly-rated ramen shops among locals and travelers. The shop was also in the spotlight after it was recognized by Michelin Bib Gourment for years. Let’s check out my food review on Menya Inoichi.
Menya Inoichi
Men-ya Inoichi is a tiny 10-seat ramen joint in downtown Kyoto. The convenient location and nod from Michelin Bib Gourmand Guid has made it popular with tourists. Due to the popularity, the waiting can be quite long.
Menya Inoichi has another branch, Men-ya Inoichi Hanare in Kyoto.
Men-ya Inoichi (麺屋 猪一)
Address: 542 Ebisunocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto.
Business Hours: Daily from 11:00 to 14:30, 17:30 to 21:00
Men-ya Inoichi Hanare (麺屋 猪一 離れ)
Address: Japan, 〒600-8076 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Senshojicho.
Business Hours: Daily from 11:00 to 14:30, 17:30 to 21:00
Expected to pay ¥1,500 to ¥3,000 per person.
We went to Men-ya Inoichi to taste Kyoto’s best ramen. We arrived 30 minutes before opening time when the line was already more than 20 people. For late comer, you’ll get a ticket to come back later. We took about 50 minutes to get seated.
Noted that photography is strictly prohibited inside the premises at Menya Inoichi except for food.
The ramen shop is simple with a cool interior design. It has a beautiful minimalist interior with counter seating.
Menya Inoichi Menu
Service was extremely good and the waiters could speak very good English. You can look through the menu while waiting. Their Chinese and English menu has very good explanations for each item to be ordered.
Men-ya Inoichi carries multiple types of ramen.
The menu goes beyond typical pork ramen to include wagyu beef option! Menya is renown for its dashi and bonito broths. You can get a choice of shiro shoyu (white soy sauce) or black soy for your base. We ordered different broth for tasting.
Check out Menya Inoichi Official website for their latest menu and pricing.
Their ramen is a bit more expensive compared to other restaurants, almost doubling the cost of some other shops. Probably because they use only premium ingredients.
Shiro Shoyu (White Soy Sauce) Ramen
Here’s a closer look at those delicious ramen from Men-ya Inoichi.
The signature dish “Dashi Soba (Shiro)” with extra topping. The ramen was beautifully presented with all the goodies. Besides the usual noodles and topping, there are also bamboo shoots, green onions, bonito flakes, and half a ramen egg for a complete meal.
I had the white soy sauce ramen and truly enjoyed it.
Among the toppings in the soup, the thin slices of pork are a big highlight. The thickness is just right, and it has enough fat but not too greasy. It was delicious and went so well with the seafood flavors of the ramen.
The seafood broth is made by blending various types of dried bonito flakes sourced from Kagoshima. The resulting dashi broth is light yet rich, bursting with umami. It has an overall gentle flavor, but is still, full of deep rich seafood flavor.
The ultra-thin shaved bonito flakes add depth to the flavor. The marinated soft-boiled egg was perfect!
While the noodles are slightly firmer than other common ramen shops.
Dark Soy Ramen
While my friend have the dark soy ramen. The soup is more thick but not too fatty. Both were incredibly flavorful and at the time, the most complex and nuanced bowls of ramen we had ever tasted.
At the counter, there are various types of spices and condiments available on the table. You can use them to enhance your dining experience.
Special highlight: There is freshly shredded kelp (konbu), which can be used as a condiment for the broth. You can add shredded kelp to increase the soup’s saltiness. However, we recommend that you taste the original soup first before adding any, as it can be slightly salty.
Overall: Kyoto Michelin Guide Menya Inoichi
In short, if you are looking for the best ramen in Kyoto, Menya Inoichi is definitely worth a try. The quality of their ramen is exceptional and they offer a memorable dining experience.
However, be prepared for a long wait as the queue can take up to 90 minutes. If you have a tight schedule, this may not be the best option for you. But if you can plan ahead and arrive early, you won’t be disappointed with the taste and quality of the ramen. Overall, I highly recommend Menya Inoichi for an authentic and delicious ramen experience in Kyoto.
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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
