Shinjuku Menya Fuuka

A salt ramen specialty shop (shio ramen senmonten) that hangs its noren (traditional shop curtain) along the street west of Bukkoji Temple in Kyoto's Shijo Karasuma area. Selected for Tabelog Ramen Hyakumeiten WEST 2025, it is known as a pioneer of seafood-based salt ramen in the Kansai region. The signature "Natural Salt Ramen" (Tennen Shio Ramen) for 900 yen features a clear, golden broth made from a double soup (W-soup) of chicken bones (tor Gara) and seafood (bonito, kelp, flying fish, mackerel, dried shrimp, etc.) blended with natural salt. The salt profile is distinct yet mellow, with a gentle aftertaste that makes you want to drink every last drop. The noodles are homemade medium-thick curly noodles (chijire-men) with a smooth, chewy, and firm texture that perfectly embraces the broth, ensuring excellent adhesion. The toppings are a simple composition of tender, melt-in-your-mouth rolled pork chashu, spinach, menma (seasoned bamboo shoots), and white negi (green onions), enhancing the delicate flavor of the salt. In addition to the signature Natural Salt Ramen, the menu offers a rich variety, including the limited-to-10-servings Duck Salt Ramen, Salt Wonton Noodles, Clam Salt Butter Ramen, Seasonal Asparagus Butter Salt Ramen, Tororo (grated yam) Salt Ramen, and Charcoal-grilled Chicken Salt Ramen. Monthly limited-time specials are also offered. Popular side dishes include the Edomae Tekkadon Set (a bowl of marinated tuna (maguro zukedon) with wasabi and kombu) and the Mabushimeshi Set (a chazuke-style dish with shredded chashu over rice, topped with ramen broth). These sets, when paired with the salt ramen, create a highly satisfying meal. With a wide selection of alcoholic beverages, it's a renowned salt ramen shop often visited as a late-night meal (shime ramen) after drinking.