Wajoryomen Sugari

Known for its hidden-gem atmosphere, housed in a renovated traditional Kyoto townhouse (Kyomachiya) in a narrow alley in Kyoto's Shijo Karasuma area, this is a renowned restaurant specializing in creative Japanese noodle dishes, focusing on motsu (offal) cuisine. As the name "Wajo Ryomen" (roughly, "harmoniously brewed good noodles") suggests, it offers its own unique "Japanese noodle dish" that is neither ramen, tsukemen (dipping noodles), nor soba. Its sister restaurants include "Namae no Nai Ramen-ya" and "Takakura Nijo." The entrance, through a low, small door reminiscent of a tea room's nijiriguchi (crawl-through entrance), and ordering via a tablet at the end of a dimly lit corridor, creates an adventurous experience like entering a secret base, stimulating the curiosity of first-time visitors. The signature dish is "Motsu Tsukemen" for 1,100 yen. Served in an iron pot, the rich dipping soup is a concentrated blend of seafood and chicken umami, generously containing 4-5 plump, fragrantly seared beef motsu pieces. The offal is meticulously prepared, completely free of any gamey smell, with a burst of sweet fat and umami spreading with every bite. For the noodles, there's a choice between thick whole-wheat noodles (with a soba-like flavor) or refreshing "Yuzu Men" (citrus noodles), both homemade and chewy. Served alongside the noodles are classic motsu accompaniments: cabbage and fragrant browned garlic sprouts. Besides the signature motsu dishes, they also offer Wagyu Tsukemen, Wagyu Ramen, Chuka Soba (Chinese-style ramen), and seasonal limited-time menus. To finish, it's customary to thin the remaining soup with suupu-wari (soup broth) and savor the rich umami of the motsu-infused broth. In a fully renovated traditional house, enjoy a modern Japanese ambiance where even the waiting time, spent admiring the garden view, becomes part of the experience. This is a truly unique establishment where you can enjoy an unexpected combination of Kyoto's food culture and "motsu."