Gion Duck Noodles
Gion Duck Noodles
Overview
“Gion Duck Noodles,” a specialty duck ramen shop, is located in a back alley near Yasaka Shrine, about a 10-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Gion-Shijo Station. This popular establishment, which also operates an Arashiyama branch, is the first Gion store of a duck ramen brand produced by “Menroku,” a popular shop in Hirakata City. The storefront is playfully designed with only duck and ramen emojis as its sign, resembling a hidden gem nestled in a gap between multi-tenant buildings. The signature Duck Ramen (1,485 JPY) features a broth made by slowly simmering free-range duck from Kishu (Yuasa, Wakayama Prefecture) over low heat. You can choose between two types: “Assari,” a light clear soup (chintan), and “Noukou,” a rich, creamy duck white soup (paitan). The “Assari” type offers a clear, exquisite duck umami, with a broth reminiscent of Western cuisine and an elegant flavor. The “Noukou” type is a rich and robust preparation where the duck umami directly envelops your palate. The noodles are homemade medium-thin straight noodles blended with German rye flour, creating a unique chewiness and wheat aroma that merges Japanese and Western culinary worlds. For duck chashu (roast duck), you can choose between juicy, tender thigh meat or firm-textured loin, with an option to add 5 extra slices. Grape sansho (Japanese pepper) powder is sprinkled on the rim of the bowl, allowing for multi-layered flavor changes as you mix it with the noodles or dissolve it into the soup. Toppings include a flavored egg (ajitama), wood ear mushrooms, daikon sprouts (kaiware), Benina cress, and autumn leaf-shaped fu (wheat gluten), arranged in a vibrant presentation. Edible flowers and delicate colors create a first-class visual experience. The side dish, Duck Rice (660 JPY), is a two-stage offering: rice cooked with duck broth, topped with an egg yolk, and finally, duck broth is poured over it, allowing you to enjoy it ochazuke-style (a dish where hot tea or broth is poured over rice). The establishment also offers craft beers, providing an adult space where you can relax and savor your meal as if enjoying wine. With many international visitors and polite English-speaking service, it’s an appealing spot to easily drop by during your sightseeing.
How to Order
(Check the official account below in advance for irregular closures and updates)
Official SNS：https://www.instagram.com/gion_duck_noodles/
1Before entering
A specialty duck ramen shop located in a back alley near Yasaka Shrine, about a 10-minute walk from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line. The sign only features ramen and duck emojis, making it a hidden gem that's easy to miss if you don't confirm the address or entrance. It's nestled in a gap between multi-tenant buildings, with an exterior that looks more like a bar than a ramen shop. Operating almost continuously throughout the day, there are 5-6 people lining up at 11 AM on weekdays, about a 40-minute wait at 1 PM on weekdays, and times in the late afternoon around 4 PM or early evening when you can enter without a wait. On holiday lunch peaks, waits can sometimes extend to 2 hours, with lines predominantly consisting of international tourists.
2Ordering
There is no ticket vending machine, and meal tickets are not used. While waiting in line, staff bring a handwritten emoji menu and verbally explain the contents, taking orders this way. The menu consists only of icons like a ramen mark, duck mark, cherry mark, and orange mark. Staff explain the signature duck ramen, tsukemen (choose between cherry sauce or orange sauce), duck rice S with an egg yolk topping, duck chashu (choose between loin or thigh), ajitama (seasoned egg), and "tokusei" (special combination), from which you make your selection. For the soup, you can choose between light (clear broth) and rich (duck paitan).
3Seating and receiving
The interior is cozy, with a few counter seats, and indirect lighting giving it a bar-like atmosphere. Even though turnover is modest, cooking begins while customers are waiting, so food is served within 5-10 minutes after seating. When serving, staff explain each dish one by one, and English communication is handled carefully.
4Other notes
The signature duck ramen (1485 yen) features clear broth or a rich duck paitan soup, made by simmering free-range duck from Kishu (Yuasa, Wakayama Prefecture) over low heat, combined with homemade medium-thin straight noodles made with German rye flour. The rim of the bowl is generously sprinkled with sansho (Japanese pepper) powder, and diners can enjoy a change in flavor by mixing it with the noodles or dissolving it into the soup. Duck chashu can be chosen from juicy thigh or firm-textured loin. Toppings include duck chashu, ajitama (seasoned egg), wood ear mushrooms, kaiware (daikon radish sprouts), benina (red mizuna), and momiji fu (maple leaf-shaped wheat gluten). Duck rice (660 yen) is a dish of rice cooked in duck broth topped with an egg yolk, which can be enjoyed in a two-step process by pouring duck broth over it at the end, like ochazuke. A selection of craft beers that pair well with duck soup is also available, often priced over 2000 yen per glass, reflecting tourist area pricing.
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Seating
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Voices
Gion Duck Noodles@京都
— ラオたん (@raotan11) July 11, 2025
祇園の細い路地に佇むお店。
おしゃれなバーのよう。
旨みの詰まったスープと、蕎麦にも似た感覚の麺。
うまい😋 pic.twitter.com/DOOOvRDj4c
🦆🍜
— タニシ (@t2cz) June 13, 2024
Gion Duck Noodles(ギオン ダック ヌードル)
鴨つけ麺 みかんソース＋味玉
メニューの説明から食べ方までとにかく丁寧で親切な接客だった
これなら多少値段が高くなっても納得出来る
こういう接客でお店側と客との金額の感覚のズレを埋めてくれるのは有難いよね
美味しいつけ麺をご馳走様でした pic.twitter.com/Uq88149Tzn
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Business Hours
Crowd Calendar
| Lunch | Afternoon | Dinner | Late night | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weekday | 15-30 minRef. | No waitRef. | - | - |
| Weekend | - | - | - | - |
* Dashed cells = reference data from past visit examples (replaced once enough reviews arrive)
Dietary Notes
No dietary data yet
This information is based on user reports and is not official information from the shop. Cross-contamination in the cooking environment cannot be guaranteed. If you have severe allergies, please confirm directly with the shop.
Animal-free menu available
Reports received (1)
No MSG
Reports received (1)
Gluten-free menu available
Reports received (1)
Halal options available
Reports received (1)
Dietary information is verified through blind consensus. Reports become public when 3 or more independent users agree.
Ingredients & Allergens
Allergen info coming soon
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