Menya Yuukou

Located in the prime Goshominami area, just a 1-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway, this popular shop is directly managed by the "Yuukou Group". With its main branch, "Menya Hijiri", in Sakae, Nagoya, and branches also in Ginza, Nagoya, and Osaka, Kyoto serves as the base for this national brand. It boasts the reputation of being a famous light-style ramen shop, managed by a chef from "Jinrui Mina Menrui", and has been selected for the Tabelog Hyakumeiten (Top 100 Restaurants). The signature "Hachiku" (淡竹) is a clear soup ramen blending three types of shellfish broth (oyster, asari clam, shijimi clam) with multiple white soy sauces. The transparent amber soup is more profoundly flavorful than its appearance suggests, with a gentle saltiness and a gradually spreading umami from the shellfish, so perfectly balanced that you can drink every last drop. The noodles are medium-thin, straight, smooth, and chewy, made with whole wheat flour, their wheat aroma and pleasant texture integrating perfectly with the soup. Toppings include large slices of rare pork shoulder loin chashu (3-4 slices), waketake menma (bamboo shoots), and white negi (scallions), a classic combination where the thinly sliced rare chashu and the sweetness of the soup create a superb synergy. The menu also features a rich variety of sub-menu items, such as "Kurochiku" (黒竹) with a black soy sauce base, limited-edition salt ramen, and seasonal limited items like oyster ramen, Kishu duck salt soba, Kishu duck soy sauce soba, scallop ramen, New Year's Eve ramen, and waketake soba. Collaborations and special menus frequently appear, keeping regular customers coming back. Side dishes like seared rare chashu rice bowl, seared mayo braised pork rice bowl, and tamago kake gohan (egg over rice) are also highly refined, offering a satisfying experience that can be enjoyed until the very end, paired with ramen. The in-store BGM is Mr. Children (a common practice across the Yuukou Group), creating a comforting atmosphere where you can savor a bowl that combines Kyoto's delicate essence with deep satisfaction.