MENYA INOICHI #3

Menya Inoichi, which has consistently earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand in Kyoto, opened its third location on December 20, 2024, in Uji City, south of Kyoto. It was a bit surprising that they chose to open in Uji rather than within Kyoto City itself, but since Uji also attracts many tourists, it makes sense if they’re targeting that demographic.

Well, I figured a little trip to Uji every now and then might be nice… so I headed over to MENYA INOICHI #3 on a weekday at lunchtime to see what kind of place it was. When I actually got there, I found that the rules before entering were different from those at the main branch in Kyoto City or at Menya Inoichi Hanare…

Its overwhelming popularity was still going strong even in Uji… On a certain weekday at lunchtime, I wondered what the crowd and wait time would be like at MENYA INOICHI #3…

MENYA INOICHI #3 is located in a corner of the shopping district leading from JR Uji Station toward Byodo-in’s Phoenix Hall. As I walked from JR Uji Station toward the restaurant, I worried, “What if they’re using a numbered ticket system like the main store and everything’s already sold out…?”—fearing that my trip all the way here might have been for nothing. But I was relieved to see no such notice posted at the entrance. In fact, there wasn’t even a line forming outside, and for a moment, my heart leapt with joy: “I’m glad I came to Uji after all!”

However, that elation lasted only a split second. When I entered the spacious interior—a two-story traditional Japanese house that had been completely opened up to create a single large room—there were easily over 20 people already seated on benches lined along the walls. While I greatly appreciated the shop’s consideration in letting customers wait inside, having come without knowing this, I felt as if I’d been thrust from heaven straight into hell the moment I stepped inside. It took about 30 minutes from the time I was directed to the very last chair until I was finally seated. During that time, the benches inside couldn’t hold everyone, and at one point, a line of about 10 people had formed outside. It really struck me that even though I was away from Kyoto City, the crowds were just as bad as ever… Well, looking back, I guess I was lucky it hadn’t reached the point where they’d already sold out and were operating on a numbered ticket system.

It offers a new kind of enjoyment you won’t find in hot dashi soba… MENYA INOICHI #3’s store-exclusive menu item—Grilled Chashu Chilled Dashi Soba (White Soy Sauce)—so how did it actually taste when I tried it?

So, let me introduce one of the store-exclusive menu items I ordered that day at MENYA INOICHI #3: the Grilled Chashu Chilled Dashi Soba (price: 1,600 yen, tax included). This chilled dashi soba is also available in white soy sauce and dark soy sauce versions, but this time I chose the white soy sauce to fully enjoy the dashi flavor…

About 10 minutes after I sat down, the chilled dashi soba was brought to my table—here’s what it looked like. The soup seemed a bit on the light side, but seeing the generous toppings of summer vegetables and bonito flakes piled high on top of the noodles, I couldn’t help but think, “This is definitely Menya Inoichi…”

Let’s start with the soup… It has the same overwhelming dashi flavor as the hot dashi soba, though the sweetness feels slightly stronger—perhaps because it’s a chilled ramen. Just as it looks, the broth is crystal clear. While the dashi flavor comes through strongly, the aftertaste of the soup fades away smoothly as it passes down my throat. Yet, the aroma of high-quality bonito flakes lingers in the back of my nose, making me want to take another sip right away. I can’t help but say, “That’s Menya Inoichi for you.” If I had one wish, it would be for them to serve a bit more of this soup…

As for the noodles, in stark contrast to the warm dashi soba, they were thin—almost like somen noodles. But these thin noodles have an incredibly firm bite. The texture rivals that of “barikata” or “kona-otoshi” in Hakata tonkotsu ramen. Yet, they don’t feel undercooked at all. Plus, the noodles are thoroughly chilled all the way to the center… Even though they’re thin, they’re not at all slippery, and these noodles seem like the perfect choice for the sweltering summer heat.

And then there’s the luxurious array of toppings. There were two thin slices of seared chashu. Unlike rare chashu, I enjoyed its firm texture and toasty aroma. But what was even better were the summer vegetables. Eggplant, green beans, menma, chopped green onions, and myoga… They were all crisp and fresh, and the green onions and myoga in particular gave off a wonderful aroma… I’ve rarely had ramen where the vegetables tasted this good.

On the table were Menya Inoichi’s signature oboro kombu and three types of Japanese seasonings. But what came as part of the set with this chilled dashi soba…

This wasabi was simply the best. The refreshing sensation when you stir it in is indescribable… To enjoy that sensation to the fullest, I personally recommend adding the wasabi toward the end of the meal without using any of the other flavor-enhancing items.

So, after savoring MENYA INOICHI #3’s store-exclusive menu item—the Grilled Chashu Chilled Dashi Soba (White Soy Sauce)—for about 10 minutes, I left the shop. It felt like a warm dashi soba, yet offered a completely different kind of enjoyment; it was a bowl that absolutely lived up to my expectations. It’s no wonder it’s become so incredibly popular in Uji… I can totally see why. But once winter rolls around, this chilled dashi soba will probably disappear from the menu. Half of me wants them to keep it on the menu through winter, and half of me is looking forward to the ramen exclusive to other locations—hmm, it’s a bit of a mixed feeling……

Other Menu Examples from MENYA INOICHI #3 (As of June 12, 2026, Prices include tax)

• [In-Store Exclusive] A4 or Higher Japanese Black Wagyu Beef, Kyoto Umami Tofu, and Seared Wagyu Cold Bukkake Soba: 2,300 yen
• [Limited Quantity] Seared Wagyu Soba: 2,200 yen
• Seared Char Siu and Dashi Soba: 1,900 yen
• Dashi Soba: 1,400 yen
• [In-Store Exclusive] Seared Char Siu and Umami Tofu (Topped with Egg Yolk) 800 yen
• Kyoto Umami Tofu 650 yen
• Kyoto Mochi Pork Homemade Shumai 600 yen

Now selling original ramen bowls created in collaboration with DONOMA-yaki… MENYA INOICHI #3 is a 5-minute walk from Uji Station on the JR Nara Line, the nearest station.

At MENYA INOICHI #3, they are selling original ramen bowls created in collaboration with DONOMA-yaki, an up-and-coming pottery brand from Kyoto…

These ramen bowls are actually used to serve the restaurant’s ramen, and you can really feel the difference in texture compared to mass-produced, off-the-shelf items. Don’t just think of them as bowls for ramen—try to enjoy the sensation of holding them in your hands and bringing them to your lips as well. And if you like that feel, why not buy one at the register when you pay? Well, they do come with a pretty hefty price tag, though…

Now, here are the details about the restaurant…

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