Ganko Men

In Kyoto’s Fushimi Ward, which has already become a hotbed for ramen restaurants, there is a place called Ganko Men that has gained popularity among those who love rich, thick ramen, particularly the so-called “Nokomin” who prefer thick, creamy broths. The store name is eye-catching, and since Ryukoku University is nearby, it’s definitely the kind of place that would attract students who love hearty meals. But this place isn’t just about making a statement. Founded in September 2013, it immediately won the “Kyoto Best Ramen 2014” award on Tabelog. With such an impressive reputation, you’d definitely want to try their ramen at least once, right? So, on a certain weekday lunchtime, after finishing some errands in Fushimi, I headed to the shop…

Won the Kansai Ramen Derby with a collaboration menu with another restaurant… This is what Ganko Men is like…

I arrived at Ganko Men at around 11:30, 30 minutes after opening time, but it seemed to be before the line had really started to form, and there was only one person waiting in front of the store. I purchased a ticket from the ticket machine in front of the store and waited. On this day, I was able to enter the store after waiting for about 5 minutes. However, by the time I finished my meal and left the store, there was already a line forming… It’s probably best to expect some waiting time during lunchtime.

The interior was dimly lit, creating a cozy, intimate space. Roughly counting with my eyes, there were 6 counter seats and 2 tables for 4 people, totaling 14 seats. Under the dim lighting, a light bulb was suspended directly above the counter seats, creating a setting that made the ramen bowls stand out, giving the impression that it was designed with blog and social media posts in mind. Looking up from there, there was a commemorative plaque for the Kansai Ramen Derby victory from the collaboration menu with Ramen Hi wa Mata Noboru… Doesn’t this make you super excited for the ramen that’s about to be served? 

A thick soup packed with animal-based umami… How was the signature dish at Ganko Men, Toritonkotsu?

Now, let me introduce the signature dish I ordered at Ganko Men that day, Toritonkotsu (price: 1,000 yen including tax). After waiting about five minutes after placing my order, the ramen was brought to my table…

It came out like this, with a huge rare chashu covering the bowl like a lid. The brown soup visible through the gaps looks thick and viscous. Additionally, there is a black liquid on the right side of the bowl, but what exactly is it? 

Setting aside the black liquid for now, let’s take a sip of the soup first… As expected, it’s a thick, rich soup with concentrated animal-based umami, yet any unpleasant odor has been thoroughly removed. In my personal opinion, the richness of the umami flavor rivals that of the famous chain store Tenka Ippin‘s rich ramen. However, this soup is quite salty. Personally, it was a bit too strong for me. Additionally, the black liquid, which I initially didn’t recognize, was sesame oil, but even with such a large amount, the soup was too strong for the flavor to make much of a difference.

On the other hand, the noodles are low-water-content straight medium-thin noodles made by Menya Teigaku, a long-established noodle manufacturer in Kyoto. At first glance, they seemed to lack presence compared to the rich soup, but when I put them in my mouth, they had a strong wheat flavor and a firm chewiness, holding their own against the soup. This is where Menya Teigaku really shines.

And then there’s the thinly sliced rare chashu. It has some marbling, but there’s more lean meat, so it’s meaty yet light and easy to eat. This rare chashu comes with two slices as standard… which is great. As it gets hotter over time, I recommend eating the first slice as soon as it arrives and saving the second for later, so you can enjoy it at your preferred temperature.

There are four types of table condiments for changing the flavor: pepper, grated garlic, homemade spicy sauce, and chili vinegar. Personally, I think the chili vinegar goes best with this soup. Adding a suitable amount gives it a slightly refreshing feel, but I still couldn’t overcome the excessive saltiness and didn’t finish the soup this time. However, this ramen will probably appeal to those who prefer rich flavors and young people seeking a strong impact. If you like Tenka Ippin’s rich ramen or Menya Gokkei’s thick ramen, you’ll probably like this flavor too.

Other menu items at Ganko Men (prices include tax)

• Boiled dried sardine and pork bone soup 1,000 yen
• Rich soy sauce pork bone soup 1,000 yen
• Chicken Chinese noodles 950 yen
• Back fat soy sauce MAZESOBA 1,030 yen
• Toro meat rice set 400 yen
• Spicy chili oil rice set 350 yen
• Ganko rice bowl set 400 yen

They also offer limited-time menus from time to time… Ganko Men is located a 7-minute walk from Fujimori Station on the Keihan Electric Railway.

In addition to their regular menu, Ganko Men also offers limited-time menus from time to time. The limited menu item on the day I visited the restaurant was T・K・M Tsukemen (price: 1,300 yen including tax). With only 15 servings available per day, it seems to be quite competitive. Limited menu items are introduced on the restaurant’s Instagram, so be sure to check it out before visiting.

Here are the details of the restaurant…

P.S. If you are looking for delicious ramens in Kyoto, please stop by this article below…