Atmosphere: Honolu Ramen Kyoto - Grande has a warm, inviting ambiance with a modern Japanese touch. The interior is clean and comfortable, creating a relaxed vibe that makes it a great spot for enjoying a hearty bowl of ramen. The seating is well-organized, and the restaurant offers a cozy experience without feeling cramped.
Food: The star of the show is, of course, the ramen. The signature spicy ramen packs a punch and is bursting with rich, savory flavors. The broth is well-balanced, not too oily or salty, and you can taste the quality in each spoonful. The noodles have the perfect chewiness, and the toppings are fresh and generous. Their karaage (fried chicken) is also worth trying – crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside, and full of flavor.
Service: The staff at Honolu Ramen are attentive and efficient. Despite the steady flow of customers, the team manages to keep wait times short and are quick to refill water or provide extra napkins. The ordering process is smooth, the staff make an effort to ensure you have a pleasant experience.
Value for Money: For Kyoto, the prices at Honolu Ramen are reasonable considering the quality of the food and the portion sizes. You leave feeling full and satisfied, making it worth the cost, especially if you’re a ramen lover.
Overall Experience: Honolu Ramen Kyoto - Grande is a must-visit for anyone craving authentic Japanese ramen with a spicy kick. With its delicious menu, friendly staff, and cozy setting, it’s a fantastic stop in Kyoto, whether you're on a quick meal break or want to...
Read moreI ordered beef sukiyaki + salad + oolong tea, as a semi course menu (lunch set recommended by the restaurant).
About the sukiyaki, the meat was well cooked and the flavor of the meat went well. The tanginess aroma of meat was gone but it kept both the flavor and the meat "sensation". The meat itself was a high quality meat. The sukiyaki itself blends pretty well with the rice and the negi leveled the sukiyaki further!!
As for the critique: The rice was too hard so the moisture from the sukiyaki did not go further into the rice. Maybe for 1 to 10 hardness scale, today's rice was at the scale 9-10. My suggestion is to use the hardness scale 7-8. If using 9-10 like today, I suggest adding more moisture for the sukiyaki or waiting for the moisture to enter the rice while heating using very low heat before serving.
About the overall course. Oolong tea and sukiyaki was a perfect option since oolong tea acted as the "refresher". The tea used was a good choice. A little problem with the course was the salad. The salad itself was okay, if I had to rate it individually (not as a course). For the course, the salad's taste was stronger than the sukiyaki and hence it overshadowed the main course. In my opinion, we cannot put the salad anywhere (either as an appetizer, side dish / eaten together with the main dish, or even dessert). My advice is to weaken the taste of the salad, either using weak flavored dressing or using vegetables such as cabbage.
I hope this advice will help improve the menu. I really enjoyed eating...
Read moreHonolu Ramen in Kyoto is Japanese ramen experience. Located slightly off the main tourist paths, this cozy spot is well worth the trip for its unique twist on classic ramen flavors, particularly its renowned spicy chicken-based broth. The broth is rich and creamy, yet not too overwhelming, creating a perfect balance with the noodles that are chewy and springy, just right for absorbing the broth’s flavors. The chicken chashu is tender, succulent, and pairs perfectly with the aromatic green onions and fresh garnishes.
One highlight is their spicy ramen, which adds a delightful kick without overpowering the other flavors. The spice is vibrant but nuanced, making it enjoyable even for those who don’t typically seek out spicy food. The service is also worth mentioning—staff are friendly and attentive, happy to help with any recommendations or dietary adjustments.
Despite being a small establishment, Honolu has a welcoming atmosphere, making it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a flavorful meal. Due to its popularity, you may experience a short wait, but the food quality makes it more than worthwhile. For ramen enthusiasts, Honolu Ramen is a must-visit in Kyoto for a memorable,...
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