Mendokoro Toritani

Opened in 2017 in Saiin, Kyoto, a renowned tori paitan (chicken broth) ramen shop known as a regular on the Ramen WEST 100 Famous Shops list. It's a craftsman-like establishment where the owner, Mr. Mitani, committed to no chemical seasonings, domestic ingredients, and homemade noodles, creates profound bowls solely through "ingredient combinations" within the constraints of being additive-free. The menu's five main pillars are: "Torisoba" (chicken broth soy sauce base, 900 yen, assari (light) clear soup), "Torishio Soba" (chicken broth salt base), "Jukusei Shoyu Torisoba" (aged soy sauce chicken soba, 930 yen, kotteri (rich/thick)), "Jukusei Shio Torisoba" (aged salt chicken soba), and "Tori to Ran'o Shoyu Mazesoba" (chicken and egg yolk soy sauce mixed noodles). Especially the kotteri (rich/thick) "Jukusei Shoyu Torisoba" is a chemical-free masterpiece with a thick, viscous texture reminiscent of Tenkaippin, where the noodles are almost lifted by the soup's density. Noodles are homemade, using different types for each dish, such as medium-thick flat wavy noodles and medium-thin straight whole wheat noodles. Toppings include seared pork chashu and moist low-temperature cooked chicken breast chashu, menma (bamboo shoots), chopped green onions, and wontons (thick skin to withstand the rich soup). The "Chicken and Roast Pork Butter Rice" (350 yen) is a popular side dish among regulars, with the fragrant aroma of seared meat and rich butter enhancing the ramen's umami. Weekly limited ramens (curry ramen, various mazesoba, seasonal specials, etc.) announced on Instagram are always a hot topic, keeping repeat customers engaged.