Daiichi Asahi

When you go to Japan, you eat the ramen! I was starved this morning when I got to Kyoto Station so rather than get on a bus to go sight seeing, I headed down a few blocks where Unilocal lead me to this little gem. When I got there, 2 people just started a line but it went by really fast. Bless the Japanese for the fast eating lifestyle!
While in line, I was given a menu to peruse and it had English! It’s so odd since this restaurant is kind of a hidden gem but how foreigner friendly! I ordered while outside and when I was seated, my bowl of ramen came out within minutes!
It was a fair sized bowl with a bunch of char siu at a far price, which makes this ramen restaurant already better than all the ramen restaurants at the station which charge you a lot for very little. I have never seen so much char siu and green onions! Diving in, it was quite delicious and I found myself a little sad when I ran out of ramen noodles. I can’t say it’s the best ramen restaurant I’ve eaten at (maybe I’m ramened out after 3 weeks) but it’s pretty damn good. Plus the restaurant hours are convenient. When do they sleep?! Skip the touristy ramen streets and ranen stadiums and find a place the locals love like here!

We were looking for something to eat late at night and realized this was opened at 10pm. The line seems long but it moves quick. Noodles are soft and broth is good. It kind of reminds me of phở but pork flavored. Multiple pieces of pork to satisfy your stomach. Ho with the special. You won’t regret it.

A different kind of ramen (not the thin noodles and creamier soup base), but soooooo delicious, it hit the spot on a colder winter day! The line looks intimidating, but it moves quickly because they take your order while you’re in line, and the food is basically ready when you’re seated! The gyoza is so fresh, you can literally smell it while in line!

The ramen was very good here. Broth was very rich! The workers were very friendly and welcoming, all were smiling

Amazing place. We were living for authentic noodles near the hotel and were not disappointed. It’s a little bit of wait (place seats maybe 12 people?) But it’s worth every last drop. The traditional noodle is delicious, the broth is amazing and the pork is freshly sliced. Must try!

Unbeatable hours. Delicious food.

This place is located about 2 blocks from Kyoto Station. My friend advised me to try this place when I was in the area. I remember every time I passed by going to Kyoto station I would take a look to see and there was always a line out the door. You know when people are waiting for food, it must be a great place to eat at.
I really loved this place due to the fact that this place opens at 5 AM and closes at 2 AM. So it was a perfect time for me to show up at around 430 AM before catching the train to Fushimi. When I arrived there was already 4 people ahead of me waiting for this place to open… (Are you freakin serious!?). But no worries, I didn’t have to wait long due to about 5 open seats at the counter and about 8 tables.
The first time I was here I ordered a bowl of ramen with cha shu and a side of gyoza. I thought the portions were going to be small. But I was wrong, the bowl of noodles was way more than enough. I was so stuffed, I couldn’t finish the gyoza. But I had to because it was bad manners if you didn’t finish all of your food. Also, there are no take outs in Japan.
I would say this was one of the best bowl of ramen I had while I was in Japan. I’ve also learned that it’s not rude to slurp your ramen. So whenever you’re in Kyoto, I’d highly recommend stopping by this shop.

This place was recommended by the hostel I was staying at (K’s House).
Now I know why it’s rated one of the best.
There was a bit of a long line but it moved so quickly and efficiently. They take your order as you are in line so your order comes a couple minutes after you get seated.
I got the special bowl while my friends got the Menma bowls (bamboo shoot).
It was GIGANTIC!!! The broth was so oh so flavorful. I usually don’t drink/​eat all the broth but with the bowl I did because it tasted so good.
There was SO much noodle, the noodle was perfect texture and Along with the large meat cutlets was a perfect bowl of ramen for me.

I’m not an expert on ramen. It seems pretty good. People are saying there are usually line outside waiting for a bowl of ramen.

Great place for ramen. We came in here super early in the morning (6:30am) and they are ready to go. (No lines!) The staff were super friendly and polite. The soup were flavorful and and noodle was tender. One of our favorite place in Kyoto!

This was the best ramen we had during our trip through Japan. They are friendly to foreigners also and although there is a line out the door you need to eat here! My wife got the special and I got the pork ramen. Both were amazing.

Be prepared for a line. Lots of locals here, so we figured it was good. Menu items also written in English. Husband and I just pointed at what we wanted when we got in. I ordered the vegetarian ramen (noodle with no meat) and it was delicious. Portions are huge! A must try as it was voted best ramen in 2013.

Very good ramen!
After a few bad ramens in Tokyo (broth too creamy, too heavy), we quite enjoyed this place. Broth has the perfect balance, good amount of tasty meat and a bunch of noodle. You can tune it with a little bit spicy sauce and you get the perfect ramen!