Honke Daiichi-Asahi - Main Shop — Restaurant in Kyoto

There is a difference between how foreigners are treated vs. how locals are treated, which is to be expected. In fact, I don’t expect it over the standard serving of food or water refill. I’ve been to other ramen shops and I’ve loved my experience, despite language barriers because there is at the very least a level of respect.

We are foreigners and it would be our fault if there is a standardized practice of ordering ramen and we didn’t come to understand it. At this store, however, you enter into the store and place your order before returning back into queue. None of the ramen stores we’ve eaten at in the last 2 weeks had that. We didn’t know and assumed after an order was placed that you find a seat. The male server said harshly in English, “What are you doing? There are others in front of you.” This is valid but again, there are no signs to indicate their practice.

I understand it can be frustrating to deal with confused customers, I’ve also worked in customer service. What made it worst was the obvious difference in treatment he gave us vs. other locals. While he cheerfully greeted other customers, he said nothing to us, gesturing and making us feel as if we shouldn’t have been there. Utensils are often not obviously displayed on tables in Japan, which is fine, just let us know where they are. He aggressively opened the utensils case for us and left without any word. And when we left afterwards, as he cheerfully greeted every other guests leaving, he saw us and said nothing.

The only reason I won’t give service a 1 star was because the female waitress was kind and greeted us with respect. I’m not petty to dismiss an entire establishment over the actions of one employee but the contrast made me realize how he viewed us and it’s saddening, to say the least.

Their ramen is delicious, in particular their pork chashu topping. It’s flavourful and blends well with the bamboo shoots and noodles. It is rather oily, so it might not be ideal for all tastes but I did enjoy it.

You don’t have to be comfortable with foreigners and at the very least, be understanding we don’t know your practices, especially when they vary differently from other ramen establishments. You don’t have to serve us if you don’t want to but if you do, at least treat us like...

Review from 2025: Most is the same as 5 years ago (read further down), but you rather have to wait longer now. Seems to be even more popular. When I came there (at 4pm) there were "only" 18 people in front of me, but I still had to wait for almost 40 minutes. The store would have 30 seats, but most of the time they only seat 2 people per table. So the capacity is only about 15 person and each of them stays 20 to 30 minutes. Here is how it works: Queue in the line. Once you get to the front of the line a lady will come outside and ask you to go inside and order everything you want (Ramen, Gyoza, Drinks) at the ticket machine (you can pay with cash or card). Don't worry, it is all in English. Once you paid you get a ticket. Go outside and join the queue again at the spot where you left it. Later the lady will come again and collect your ticket. When a seat is available the lady will come to get you and bring you to your table. The ramen are certainly good, but not much different than at other good ramen restaurants. However, it is the whole atmosphere and the long history of this shop which makes the difference. It is still an authentic place. So overall it is still a nice experience and worth the wait (if you have time). From 2019: Authentic ramen restaurant with good tasting ramen. I am not an expert on ramen, but I think they are not too salty like others say. But of course I am from Europe, so we are used to different levels of salt. I arrived at 9 am on a Friday and only had to wait 10 minutes. After I left nobody was waiting. The shop is very small but if you are alone you can sit at the counter. They don't speak English, but the menu is simple. If you are not so hungry just choose the "Standard noodle", otherwise the "Special noodle". I think I will come back again for...

Rudest customer service experience EVER

We waited in line for over an hour with our luggage, and the waiter saw us multiple times—clearly noticing our bags—but said nothing. The second time he spoke to us, it was just to ask how many people were dining. We had seen videos recommending this place, and since it’s close to the station, we assumed (like others had shown) that luggage could fit under the table.

When it was finally our turn, one of us entered the restaurant first, only to have the waiter aggressively grab her luggage without asking, and shoved it outside—no explanation, no courtesy. He tossed it out causing it to topple onto the street. He could’ve simply explained the policy calmly and politely.

Despite speaking fluent English, he continued to speak to us in Japanese despite our politeness in trying to handle the situation. It wasn’t made clear that our luggage would have to stay on the street unattended. When we asked to cancel the order right after since we didn’t feel comfortable, he refused, and instead repeatedly and aggressively ushered us out with no explanation or answer to our cancellation question.

A few minutes later, he opened the door and handed us our refund in coins (around 2,000 yen) in his hands, which felt intentionally disrespectful—especially in Japan, where it’s customary to use a tray for payment.

Just because we’re tourists doesn’t mean we deserve to be treated with such disrespect. Based on other reviews, it’s clear that this kind of behaviour—particularly from the same server with the moustache—has happened before multiple times and hasn’t been addressed, even though management replies to reviews.

Save yourself the time, stress, and disappointment. Avoid this place...