Mugi no Yoake

Opened in 2022, this new star of the Kyoto ramen scene earned a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide Kyoto-Osaka in less than a year, the youngest ever to achieve this. Quietly nestled in a residential area in Nishishichijo Kakegoshi-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto City, a 16-18 minute walk from the nearest station, it features white walls, a purple noren curtain, and a modest sign next to it that reads 'Donated by Doshisha University Ramen Research Society 1st Class'. The interior exudes a serene kappo-style atmosphere, a small space with only 9 seats, harmonizing white wood counters and white walls. The two signature chuka-soba dishes are 'Scallop and Sansho Chuka Soba' and 'Beef Soy Sauce and Sansho Chuka Soba'. The 'Scallop and Sansho Chuka Soba' is a delicate bowl featuring a golden-hued white soy sauce-based soup blending Omijidori chicken and Amakusa Daioh chicken, with the concentrated umami of dried scallops and the refreshing aroma of Budo sansho pepper. The 'Beef Soy Sauce and Sansho Chuka Soba' offers a deep flavor woven with the richness of beef, the sweetness of soy sauce, and the stimulating kick of sansho pepper, even hinting at sukiyaki. The noodles are homemade, flat, medium-thin straight noodles made from 'Setokirara' wheat from Yamaguchi Prefecture. They have a smooth texture followed by a fragrant wheat aroma, pairing exceptionally well with the soup. Toppings are meticulously arranged, reminiscent of a kaiseki dish, including two types of chashu (pork shoulder loin and rare duck chashu), rich wantan dumplings, extra-thick menma, a sticky ajitama egg, and Kujo green onions. Seasonal limited-time specials, such as those appearing during Golden Week and New Year's (e.g., Kousaka Chicken Rich Tsukemen, Duck-filled Tsukemen, Kujo Green Onion Aimori Spicy Miso Mazesoba, limited specials with crab miso and Calpis butter), are also highly acclaimed. Monday-only specials like the Duck-filled Mazesoba are announced on Instagram. Side dishes like the scallop takikomi gohan (cooked rice) and charcoal-grilled meat donabe gohan (rice pot) are also of high quality, making it a renowned restaurant where you can enjoy the meal to the very end.