Ramen Tampopo

In northwest Kyoto, near Bukkyo University, there’s a ramen shop called Ramen Tampopo. Established in 1947, right after the war, it’s a legend in Kyoto’s ramen scene with over 70 years of history. But what’s really interesting is that it’s also famous as the shop where the owner of a certain popular Kyoto ramen spot trained. Curious about what kind of ramen they serve, I visited during lunchtime one weekend. I went prepared for a decent line and wait time, but…

The training ground for the owner of Ichijoji’s popular shop, Menya Gokkei… Ramen Tampopo is a restaurant like this…

When I arrived at Ramen Tampopo just after 1 PM, I was lucky enough to find a few empty seats inside, allowing me to enter without any wait. Both the exterior and interior have the feel of a long-established neighborhood ramen shop. It’s incredibly relaxing to be there, not at all stressful. Playful little notes are posted here and there on the walls, which really capture the shop’s atmosphere. Seeing these, even first-time customers will surely feel at ease ordering their ramen.

Now, this shop, Ramen Tanpopo, is famous among Kyoto ramen fans as the place where the owner of Menya Gokkei—a popular shop in Kyoto’s most competitive ramen district, Ichijoji—trained. Apparently, he spent a full 12 years honing his craft here. It must be incredibly comfortable, and there must be something profoundly deep within the ramen itself. Thinking about that makes me even more excited for the ramen I’m about to eat…

This is the model for Menya Gokkei’s Akadaku… How was the actual experience trying Ramen Tampopo’s Chashu Men? 

Alright, let’s introduce the Chashu Men I ordered at Ramen Tampopo that day. Three levels of noodle quantity: Regular, Large, Special. This time I went with the Special (2 servings of noodles) and added free garlic. The price, tax included, was 1350 yen…

After about a 10-minute wait, the Chashu Men (Extra Large) arrived looking like this. The soup’s surface is bright red from chili peppers. Is the soup really spicy? Those who don’t handle spice well should be cautious when ordering…

But then, taking a sip of the soup, it wasn’t that spicy at all. Probably milder than medium-spicy curry, and I didn’t break a sweat even after finishing the whole bowl. The rich, creamy pork bone white soup, dotted with fine pork backfat, skillfully coats and neutralizes the chili’s heat. At the same time, the chili’s flavor-enhancing effect is fully utilized, creating a soup that stays refreshingly clean to the last drop. Excluding the garlic, the impression is close to the soup at Ramen Sugichiyo in Shijo Kawaramachi. That aspect also gives it that feel of a Kyoto ramen beloved for years.

The noodles, however, are straight, medium-thin, high-hydration noodles. They’re cooked fairly soft, offering a pleasantly chewy texture. By the way, I learned while eating that you can apparently customize the noodle firmness too. So if you prefer firmer noodles, be sure to specify your preferred firmness when ordering.

Now, the Chashu Ramen I splurged on this time came with six slices of chashu like this. This chashu is quite thick, but it’s simmered until meltingly tender, crumbling effortlessly in the mouth. Getting six slices of this chashu makes the 250 yen extra over the basic ramen totally worth it.

With that, I thoroughly enjoyed my Chashu Men at Ramen Tampopo and left the shop. Two servings of noodles and six thick slices of chashu left my stomach and spirit fully satisfied. This bowl is said to be the model for Menya Gokkei‘s Akadaku. Thinking about that gives me a deep sense of appreciation. A bowl from the shop that nurtured Kyoto’s popular ramen scene – it’s absolutely essential if you’re talking about Kyoto ramen.

Other Menu Items at Ramen Tampopo (Prices include tax)

• Rice (Medium) 250 yen
• Ramen (Regular) 950 yen
• Pork Shabu Ramen (Regular) 1200 yen
• Tsukemen (Regular) 1100 yen
• Extra Chashu 1000 yen

Students in high school and above can also use the student discount… To access Ramen Tampopo, take the Kyoto City Bus Route 46 bound for Nishikamo Shako-mae from JR San’in Main Line Nijo Station, get off at the Bukkyo Daigaku-mae bus stop, and walk 3 minutes.

At Ramen Tampopo, they also offer a student discount for high school students and above. Present your student ID for 50 yen off a single ramen order or 100 yen off a set menu. You can really feel the love for students at this ramen shop near the university. If a place like this had been near me during my student days, I would have definitely made it my regular spot. Students, be sure to bring your student ID when you visit and enjoy the taste of this long-established shop, open for over 70 years.

Now, here are the shop details…

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