Yonakiya

Yonakiya is a long-established Chinese soba specialty shop that has been operating for over 30 years on the first floor of an apartment building in a residential area of Otsuka, Yamashina Ward, Kyoto City. It was once run by a taciturn predecessor, but is now managed by the second generation, with female staff efficiently running the shop. The menu is refreshingly simple, offering only "Chuka Soba" (Chinese noodles) and "Rice," and has long been loved by local regulars. The signature Chuka Soba features a slightly cloudy, orange-colored soy sauce tonkotsu (pork bone) soup. A layer of oil on the surface prevents heat from escaping, allowing you to enjoy the ramen piping hot until the very end. The sharp saltiness of the soy sauce and the unique flavor of the tonkotsu combine, and you can adjust the richness by adding soy sauce from the table to your liking. The noodles are thin and straight, absorbing the soup well, and come with about two large slices of chashu (braised pork). The boiled pork chashu made from thigh meat pairs excellently with the soup. Another specialty is the large pickled daikon radish (takuan) placed on the counter. It's "Kinokawa-zuke," pickled Kishu daikon radish, a specialty of Wakayama, and its freely available sweet taste attracts fans. If in stock, you might also get a large piece of soy-pickled garlic. The shop is also known for its speedy service, with ramen often served within minutes of entering.