Ramen Miyako Gion Main Shop — Restaurant in Kyoto

In my culinary journeys, I've had the pleasure of indulging in numerous bowls of ramen, but none have come close to the exceptional experience I had recently. This bowl was, quite simply, a masterpiece.

From the very first sip of the broth, it was clear that this was no ordinary ramen. Rich, complex, and layered with umami, the broth had been simmered to perfection, extracting every ounce of flavour from the carefully selected ingredients. It was both hearty and delicate, warming the soul with each spoonful.

The noodles were cooked to absolute perfection , al dente with just the right amount of chew, allowing them to absorb the broth without losing their delightful texture. Each mouthful was a harmonious blend of savoury depth and satisfying bite.

The toppings were a revelation. The chashu pork was melt-in-the-mouth tender, with a balance of sweetness and saltiness that lingered on the palate. The soft-boiled egg, with its creamy yolk, added an extra layer of indulgence, while the fresh spring onions and nori provided a refreshing contrast.

What truly set this ramen apart was the meticulous attention to detail. Every element, from the temperature of the broth to the presentation in the bowl, was crafted with the utmost care. It was clear that the chef not only understood the fundamentals of ramen but had elevated it to an art form.

This was not just a meal; it was an experience—a celebration of the finest aspects of Japanese cuisine. If you find yourself yearning for the ultimate ramen experience, this is where your search should begin and end. It was, without a doubt, the best ramen I've ever had.

I hope this captures the essence of...

Easily one of the top 3 ramen of my whole life!

Just arrived in Kyoto tired and hungry after a long hike in the morning & a combo ferry + Shinkanzen I was looking for something comforting.

While walking to get to the place I noticed that the vast majority of shops & restaurants were already closed. Luckily Miyako remains open until 11pm, with a last order at 10:30pm.

Maybe because of that, the place was full with people (like us) who didn't seem local, which would have been my preference.

We waited literally 2 minutes before being invited to sit at the counter.

I appreciated that we didn't get pressured to order food and could choose from the menu in our own time. Food was served incredibly fast though.

There are a few options of ramen and some things to enrich it (mostly toppings & sides). So a lot of focus, with an opportunity to go creative branch out a tiny bit.

Most soups are prepared with both chicken & pork, which makes them really tasty.

I opted for a thick soup which tastes even richer. I appreciated the warning on the menu saying that the thick broth would have been full of garlic and that I had the option to order it without.

I am no expert but I thought the noodles were cooked to perfection. The broth was extremely tasty and the roasted pork literally melted in the mouth.

Really happy that I followed the recommendation of other local guides and ordered a bit of fried rice which I deeply enjoyed.

The draught beer had maybe a taste that was too light. Next time I would likely opt for...

English Menus available! However, it's not as extensive as their regular menu. Tip: Download Google Translate to get real time translations of their menu since their regular menu has plenty of picture to point & choose from.

We were walking around the Gion area and was making our way to the pagoda in the evening. We figured we should grab a bite to eat first, so we stopped in for a late dinner. We were seated right away and handed the English menus, but it didn't appear to have the same options as the Japanese menu. We flip flopped between the two to read the descriptions and compared the photos.

For starters, we ordered a Ramune, karaage and gyoza. For our ramen, he chose the one with the most meat and then wanted additional toppings: chashu, egg and beansprout. The person who took his order verified to make sure he wanted extra haha. I kept mine simple with no extras since we had appetizers.

The gyoza was cooked to perfection with a crisp bottom and juicy interior. The karaage was flavorful and juicy too. Boyfriend was not impressed since it was too moist and not enough crunch. However, I found it enjoyable with the Japanese mayo and cabbage salad.

Condiments were on the table and labeled in Japanese and English. Very easy to distinguish and choose what we needed. Overall, really nice restaurant and a wonderful encounter. We left...