Hakata Nagahama Ramen Miyoshi

Hakata Nagahama Ramen Miyoshi, an established Hakata Nagahama ramen shop, is located a 5-minute walk from Hankyu Kyoto Line Kawaramachi Station, along the river on Kiyamachi Street in Kyoto's bustling downtown. Loved by celebrities, including GACKT who famously calls it "the ramen he eats only once a year," this shop supports Kyoto's vibrant night culture, serving as a popular late-night "shime ramen" (post-drinking ramen) spot for both locals and tourists. The signature Nagahama Ramen (900 yen) features a fundamental combination of mellow, slightly sweet tonkotsu (pork bone) soup and extra-thin straight noodles. For those who imagine Hakata ramen as rich and heavy, this bowl offers a refreshingly light and gentle finish. The soup, which subtly suppresses the animalistic notes of pork bone while highlighting its richness and sweetness, gently settles into a tired body after a night out. Its strong chemical seasoning (MSG) provides an an addictive quality that makes you crave it again. The noodles are authentic extra-thin straight, and ordering them "barikata" (very firm) brings out their best al dente texture. The chashu (braised pork slices) are lean and light, offering a balanced taste that doesn't overpower the soup's flavor. Beyond the signature dish, the Suji Ramen (950 yen), loaded with beef tendon, is a popular choice for its generous volume. Wakame Ramen (seaweed ramen) and Takana Ramen (pickled mustard greens ramen) are also supported as unique variations. Chashumen (extra pork slices ramen) for 1100 yen and the combination of beef tendon (à la carte) with rice are also classics. The tables are equipped with unlimited red pickled ginger (beni shoga) and tenkasu (tempura scraps), along with sesame seeds, curry powder, shichimi (seven-spice blend), coarse chili powder, yannī jan (spicy chili paste), doubanjiang (chili bean paste), and spicy miso. Customizing your ramen to your liking is a delightful aspect of the Nagahama style. Locals sometimes have their own unique ways of enjoying it, such as "adding a full portion's worth of beni shoga without ordering a noodle refill (kae-dama)" or "scooping tenkasu early with a spoon to preserve its texture," making this a truly distinctive establishment. In addition to counter seats reminiscent of a street stall, there are also table seats, accommodating various late-night dining scenarios.