Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch

Ramen Todai. When you hear “Todai,” you might think of the University of Tokyo, the pinnacle of academic achievement, but apparently, the “Todai” in this shop’s name was chosen to reflect its strong determination to “become the University of Tokyo of the ramen world.” Perhaps due to the strong impact of its name, this shop has played a key role in promoting Tokushima ramen nationwide, and I suspect many people think of this place when they hear “Tokushima ramen.” This popular Tokushima ramen shop has even opened a branch in Kyoto Ramen Alley…

The Largest Space in Kyoto Ramen Alley… Here’s What Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch Is Like…

Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch opened on November 1, 2014, within Kyoto Ramen Alley. It occupies the space between Men-sho Takamatsu and Menya Iroha, and I suspect this might be the largest storefront in the entire alley… In that sense, this location might be a real stroke of luck for the owners.

Making use of that spacious area, the restaurant has a total of 28 seats inside. I believe this is likely the highest number of seats among all the shops in Kyoto Ramen Alley. Yet, no matter when I pass by, there are always several customers waiting in line to get in. This just goes to show how popular Ramen Todai’s Tokushima-style ramen is in Kyoto, and I think even first-timers can feel at ease trying it here.

If you don’t know this, you might regret your order… I tried the Tokushima Ramen with a soft-boiled egg at Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch—so how was it?

This time, I ordered the Tokushima Ramen with a soft-boiled egg (980 yen, tax included) at Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch. After buying a meal ticket from the vending machine outside, I went inside. It had been a while since I’d been to Ramen Todai, so I’d forgotten about this restaurant’s amazing service—and ended up regretting it just a little bit. So, since you’ve taken the time to read this far, there’s one thing I really want to tell you. Otherwise, you might end up with the same minor regret I did…

So, what is Ramen Todai’s amazing service? As you can see in the image above, the raw eggs placed on the table are free. And it’s not just one—you can have as many as you want, free of charge. You can use them to top your ramen, or even order a side of rice and make tamago kake gohan (TKG) for free. When I saw that basket on the table, I thought, “I didn’t need the seasoned boiled egg…” Of course, there’s nothing wrong with the seasoned boiled egg, and if you want a properly cooked boiled egg, you should definitely order the one with the seasoned egg. If you ever get the chance to visit Ramen Todai, please do remember this “free raw egg” offer.

Anyway, about five minutes after handing my meal ticket to the staff, my Tokushima Ramen with a soft-boiled egg was brought to my table. You can tell just by looking at it that the broth is incredibly rich. Apparently, Tokushima Ramen is classified into three types—white, brown, and yellow—but Ramen Todai’s version is a prime example of the brown variety.

So, the soup is incredibly cloudy and completely opaque… and just as it looks, the pork bone flavor is indeed rich. However, on top of that, the soy sauce flavor is also quite strong. It’s a double dose of richness from the pork bone and soy sauce, but even though the soy sauce is strong, it’s not salty; instead, the soup is characterized by a matured sweetness. I’ve never experienced this flavor in ramen from other regions that I’ve eaten before. I don’t think the preparation method is particularly original, but this soup has a distinct character that makes you go “Whoa!” with just one sip—it possesses a magical allure that will hook you instantly.

On the other hand, the noodles that stand up to this devilishly rich soup are surprisingly thin compared to the soup’s intensity. However, they have a really satisfying bite… these noodles. Their slightly rough surface also helps them soak up the soup well. When biting, a firm chewiness is felt, and after spreading a rich umami flavor throughout the mouth, they slide smoothly down the throat… It feels like the kind of clean, unpretentious finish you get after a job well done—just getting the job done and leaving without any fuss.

And the main topping isn’t chashu, but sweet and savory braised pork belly. It’s simmered to a flavor even richer than the soup, and even though it’s pork, it has a texture reminiscent of sukiyaki beef. So all the more…

This raw egg really brings this ramen to life, doesn’t it? It also helps mellow out the rich flavor of the soup—I really think it’s been thought through very well…

And just like that, I finished the Tokushima Ramen with a seasoned egg at Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch in about five minutes and left the shop. I hadn’t been here in years, but after eating it again for the first time in a while, I thought, “This really is good…” and felt like I wanted to come back again. There are really few places in Kyoto where you can eat Tokushima ramen, so I really hope they keep going strong at Kyoto Ramen Alley. I don’t think there are many Tokushima ramen shops nationwide yet, so if you ever come to Kyoto, please be sure to stop by.

Other menu items at Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch (prices include tax)

• Todai Special: 1,380 yen
• Shiratuyu Ramen: 1,280 yen
• Tokushima Ramen: 880 yen

Of course, it’s compatible with the official Kyoto Ramen Alley app… Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch is just a 4-minute walk from the nearest station, JR Kyoto Station.

At Ramen Todai Kyoto Branch, the restaurant is, of course, compatible with the official Kyoto Ramen Alley app…

This app is supported not just by this restaurant, but by every ramen shop in Kyoto Ramen Alley—it’s practically a must-have for regulars. No matter which shop you eat at, once you reach a total of 8 bowls, you’ll get a 1,000-yen meal voucher—so it’s a great deal no matter how you look at it. Plus, you’ll receive app-exclusive information and coupons. Since it’s free to use, if there’s a chance you’ll revisit Kyoto Ramen Alley, you’ve got nothing to lose by downloading this app onto your smartphone.

Now, here are the shop details…

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