Tsukemen Kirari

Tsukemen Kirari is a specialty restaurant for seafood-pork bone broth tsukemen (dipping noodles), located along a main street in Fushimi Ward, a 2-3 minute walk from Chushojima Station on the Keihan Main Line. It is a highly-regarded tsukemen establishment representing Kyoto, having been selected for Tabelog's Top 100 Ramen Shops for 5 consecutive years, attracting constant queues. The signature Seafood-Pork Bone Broth Tsukemen (regular 1050-1100 yen, large 1200 yen) is a captivating dish featuring the combination of homemade thick, chewy noodles and a rich seafood-pork bone broth dipping soup. The noodles have a smooth surface and a substantial presence, with the sweetness of wheat gently spreading as you chew. It's recommended to first try the noodles on their own to savor their deep flavor. The dipping soup has an exquisite balance of seafood and pork bone, possessing a thick and rich viscosity that isn't too heavy, and a hint of seafood aroma that creates a clean aftertaste. Standard toppings include one sheet of nori seaweed, thick bamboo shoots (menma), half a seasoned egg (ajitama), plus diced char siu and onions generously mixed into the dipping soup. The premium topping (350 yen) is tender, moist rare char siu, an addition that allows you to directly enjoy the rich umami of the meat, making it a popular choice to increase both volume and satisfaction. As variations of the signature dish, the Spicy Tsukemen is well-received for its balance of moderate sweetness, pleasant acidity, and medium spice; the Shrimp Tsukemen boasts an aromatic shrimp flavor in a rich yet sharp dipping soup; and the Salt Ton Ramen (1000 yen) is a delicate creation featuring a foamed soup where the umami of seafood and pork bone stands out. Table condiments include sudachi vinegar, chili vinegar, and garlic vinegar. Adding these towards the end of your meal will loosen the soup's viscosity, transforming it into a refreshing aftertaste. For the finish, a popular way to enjoy the meal is "soup wari" (adding broth) to transform the rich dipping soup into a milder flavor. The "Shime Kirari Meshi" (Kirari Finishing Rice) is a popular side dish, meant to be "dived" into the leftover dipping soup, and is also offered as a half-prize in the Fushimi Ramen Rally. The compact restaurant features only 11 L-shaped counter seats. The staff's polite service and the clean atmosphere make it a comfortable spot for even solo female diners.