Ramen Nishiki — Restaurant in Kyoto

The exterior of the restaurant is standard look for kyoto. Nothing too special. There is a bench for you to sit on outside while you wait. While we were waiting (and had already been waiting for 30 minutes) another two top walked up to the restaurant to take a look inside to see if they wanted to eat there. They had ushered to us to enter and I was a bit confused. When I entered the restaurant, there was an empty bench but the server didn’t say anything or guide us to the bench immediately. I had to kind of guide him to guide us to sit on the bench. While we waited another 30 minutes ( four foreigners sat there and talked for a very long time and one of them kept talking instead of eating, despite there being actually 8 other people behind us waiting for a seat. When we finally sat down the chef had pretty much finished preparing our food so we got it fast. Unfortunately he seemed to be in somewhat of a rush and the egg yolk on his roast beef set popped and it was delivered to one of our party looking not so nice. He didn’t say anything. Not a big deal I guess but not enough attention to detail. I have been to a lot of ramen shops, even not so special ones, chain ones that wouldn’t serve something that way.

The taste of the rice bowls were standard. The price was not. It was expensive for it being cold thinly slice roast beef and almost cold rice as well.

The ramen was fine. The noodles were cooked nicely. It had a clean flavor but there wasn’t anything that I felt made it stand out from any other bowl I’ve had.

The wait (and this might’ve been a special circumstance because of the foreigners who sat an extra long time) was not worth it.

I wouldn’t go back. Sorry. You pay a lot for nothing that extraordinary. Feels like a tourist trap almost.

After we got up and paid, no one said thank you to us and it was like we didn’t matter anymore after they...

As a ramen enthusiast, I have explored numerous spots across Japan, but Ramen Nishiki in Kyoto stands out as a gem in the realm of noodle soups. This quaint restaurant, with its cozy ambiance of just seven seats, offers an intimate and engaging dining experience that is both rare and delightful.

The star of the show is undoubtedly their seabream ramen broth. It's a culinary masterpiece, unlike anything I've ever tasted before. The depth of flavor in the broth is astounding, striking a perfect balance between richness and subtlety, which makes every sip an adventure in itself.

What elevates the experience at Ramen Nishiki is not just the food but the artistry and dedication of the chef. Watching him meticulously prepare each meal is a performance in itself. His attention to detail, coupled with an almost Zen-like focus, adds a layer of appreciation for the dish you are about to enjoy. It’s not just a meal; it’s a masterclass in the art of ramen making.

The noodles deserve their own accolade. Achieving the ideal consistency in ramen noodles is an art, and Ramen Nishiki has perfected it. The noodles had the perfect thickness and just-right softness, creating a harmonious blend with the broth and toppings. It's no exaggeration to say that these are some of the best noodles I've had in any ramen dish.

In conclusion, Ramen Nishiki is more than just a restaurant; it’s a destination for anyone seeking a unique and exquisite culinary experience in Kyoto. Whether you're a ramen aficionado or a curious traveler, this little eatery is a must-visit. The combination of the unique seabream broth, the theatrical preparation by the chef, and the perfectly crafted noodles makes for an unforgettable dining experience. Highly...

After taking lots of photos at Shirakawa Lane, we headed to this place for lunch as it is one of the closest Ramen places from there.

Not sure how common this type of restaurant is in Japan, but there was one single chef and he did everything end-to-end himself. We were asked to queue outside as all the seats were taken. Once we were in, he cleaned and prepared the table for us. Then he took our orders, cooked, and served, in front of us. All by himself. This explains why there are only 7 seats in this restaurant.

The ramen I had, was pretty impressive. It was well prepared and tasted good. The beef we ordered was also very good. My wife normally did not like medium rare steak, but she finished them all.

The atmostphere, however, to be honest, was a bit tense. Our couple of friends have a toddler (2.5 years old) who picked up and accidentally dropped the chopstick rest on the empty food tray, which made the chef quite angry though and he said "hey, no" in cold and insisted to take back the chopstick rest from the toddler. The toddler was definitely panic and my friend had to bring her outside to calm her down. I feel lucky that my toddler was sleeping at that time and did not make any noise. Anyway, the atmosphere became quite tense after that The incident, was quite an interesting experience. I am not knowledgeable enough to know how much of this reflects the Japanese restaurant culture. I am sure this has never happened to us back in Australia, the way the toddler was treated.

If I visit Kyoto next time and happen to come here, I would definitely not...