Mensho Ichiryumanbai Kawaramachi

Mensho Ichiryūmanbai Kawaramachi-ten is a specialty shop for clear shoyu (soy sauce) ramen, located in the bustling area between Sanjo and Shijo, just a 5-minute walk from Keihan Main Line Sanjo Station. As a Kyoto branch of the "Ramen Hayashida" series, it operates for long hours until 2-3 AM, catering to the demand for shime ramen (ramen enjoyed after drinking). The signature Shoyu Ramen is a clear-style (tanrei) bowl featuring a double soup (W-soup) of chicken and duck, highlighted by the sharp, rich notes of soy sauce. It is meticulously crafted with layers of elegant, transparent dashi (broth) umami. The charm lies in its high perfection, offering a profound depth of umami that spreads with just one sip, yet maintaining a lightness that allows you to enjoy every last drop. The noodles are thin, whole wheat noodles, conveying the quality of the flour, with an elegant texture and pleasant bite. Toppings include two types of chashu (braised pork/chicken): rare chicken breast chashu and smoked pork chashu, alongside hosaki menma (bamboo shoots) and ajitama (seasoned soft-boiled egg). The meticulous preparation is evident, especially in the ajitama, whose perfect soft-boiled consistency and seasoning are highly praised by ramen fans. As a variation of the signature dish, the Shio Ramen (Salt Ramen) is a delicately prepared dish with an exquisite balance of salt. The Special Shoyu Ramen offers a luxurious combination of various toppings. The Tsukemen (dipping noodles) feature medium-thick flat noodles submerged in medium-viscosity kombu-sui (kombu water). You can savor the flavor of kombu dashi and the sweetness of the wheat from the noodles alone. The dipping broth (tsukejiru) is a seafood-flavored blend of chicken and pork, which is clear yet sharp, topped with crisp onions and green onions. To finish, you can ask the staff for soup-wari (soup dilution) and enjoy a mellow flavor combined with the umami of the kombu-sui, allowing you to drink the broth to the last drop. The Kawaramachi-ten exclusive Mazesoba (soupless ramen) (950 yen) is a playful dish with chewy thick noodles infused with dashi, offering delightful flavor changes with lemon, soy sauce-marinated egg yolk, pepper, hua jiao (Sichuan peppercorn), and vinegar. The side dish, Aburi Chashu Don (seared chashu rice bowl) (450 yen), is also highly rated. Overall, the clean and bright interior makes it an appealing place for people of all ages to enjoy.