Menya Shinano

In Matsugasaki, a residential area rarely visited by tourists, there’s a popular ramen shop called Menya Shinano. Apparently, this place has a somewhat unusual history—it originally opened as a specialty yakisoba (fried noodle) restaurant. Aside from that unique background, there are other aspects that defy the typical image of a ramen shop, making it a rather interesting place in the best possible way. I’ll be introducing what kind of place it is, so please keep reading the article…

With the atmosphere of a café housed in a renovated house… Menya Shinano is a ramen shop like this…

Menya Shinano is located about a five-minute walk north on Matsugasaki-dori from Kitaoji-dori. From the outside, it looks like an ordinary two-story house, and if it weren’t for the red banner reading “Ramen,” you might walk right past it without realizing it’s a ramen shop. I visited just after 1:00 PM on a weekday, and luckily, there was no line that day, so I was able to walk right in without waiting. However, lines are almost inevitable even on weekdays, and during peak hours, a wait of about 30 minutes is common, so depending on the time of day, you’ll need to be prepared for a wait.

The dining area has been renovated to feature an open-concept layout extending up to the second floor. While the space itself is compact, the high ceilings give it an airy, open feel. It has more of a casual café vibe than a typical ramen shop. Because of this, it’s a place that’s likely to be a big hit with female customers. I think it’s perfectly fine for a woman to dine here alone.

I’m guessing it’s not just the chicken… What was it actually like to try Menya Shinano’s most popular dish, the Special Foamy White Broth Ramen?

So, let me introduce the Special Foamy White Broth Ramen (1,300 yen including tax), the most popular item on the menu, which I ordered at Menya Shinano that day. About five minutes after ordering, the Special Foamy White Broth Ramen was brought to my table, and this is what it looked like…

Since they had just blended the soup in a mixer, it was nicely frothy, just as the name “Foamy White Whote Broth Soup” suggests. Plus, rare chashu slices are arranged in a petal-like pattern all around the bowl, and there’s more rare chashu in the center, so just looking at it gives you a real sense of value.

So, let’s start with the soup… It looks like a classic chicken white broth, but when I tasted it, the flavor was surprisingly light. It might actually be even lighter than the chicken white soup at Ichijoji’s famous shop, Tentenyu. The menu description says it’s “slow-simmered with chicken bones and whole chickens,” but my untrained palate could detect a faint hint of seafood flavor as well. In that sense, it reminded me of the special seafood chicken white soup I once had at Fukakusa Seimen Shokudo (now known as Menya Homare)…

As for the noodles, they were straight, medium-thin noodles with a smooth surface. They were cooked al dente with a firm bite, sliding smoothly down my throat and into my stomach. As I ate, I was a bit surprised by the generous portion of noodles. The menu listed “150g of noodles,” but it felt like there was actually a bit more than that.

As for the main topping—the rare chashu pork—there were a total of nine slices, including those arranged around the bowl and those inside the ramen. It’s on the leaner side with a light flavor; it’s certainly good on its own, but I highly recommend dipping it into the broth to fully absorb the umami before taking a bite. The other main topping, the seasoned egg, was also flawless—the yolk was perfectly soft-boiled, and the flavor of the broth had soaked in deeply. You really couldn’t fault it. You can even stir the soft-boiled yolk into the soup to change up the flavor, and as I ate, I found myself thinking, “I’m so glad they included the seasoned egg…”

So, that’s how I finished Menya Shinano’s most popular dish, the Special Foamy White Broth Ramen, in about five minutes and left the shop. It was surprisingly filling, and the toppings were generous, leaving both my stomach and my heart thoroughly satisfied. At 1,300 yen including tax for this meal, the value for money is absolutely unbeatable. While it’s the most expensive item on the menu, I can totally see why it’s the most popular choice.

Other Menu Items at Menya Shinano (Prices include tax)

• Special Chashu Chicken White Broth Ramen: 1,280 yen
• Special Chashu Seafood Soy Sauce Ramen: 1,250 yen
• Rich Tsukemen with Marinated Egg (Niboshi or Spicy) 1,080 yen
• Marinated Egg Foamy White Broth Ramen: 1,000 yen
• Chicken White Broth Ramen: 880 yen
• Seafood Soy Sauce Ramen: 850 yen

On a nice day, enjoy ramen on the terrace… Menya Shinano is a 10-minute walk from Matsugasaki Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, the nearest station.

Menya Shinano features terrace seating, which is rare for a ramen shop. There are tables and chairs set up outdoors for two groups, allowing you to enjoy ramen in an atmosphere that feels just like relaxing at a café. I bet ramen eaten on the terrace on a nice day tastes different from ramen eaten inside the shop… If you ever have the chance to visit Menya Shinano, be sure to try for a seat on the terrace.

Now, here are the shop details…

P.S. If you’re looking for delicious ramen in Kyoto, be sure to check out this article as well…