Ramen at Kyoto Station — Classic Shops and the Station Ramen Floor

A short walk from the station

The area around Kyoto Station fills up with travelers grabbing a bowl of ramen before or after a trip. Two long-running shops sit side by side on Shiokoji, and the 10th floor of the station building brings together famous shops from across Japan. Here are three places to eat ramen right next to Kyoto Station.

Classic Kyoto ramen — Honke Daiichi-Asahi

A short walk east from the station's Shiokoji exit, by the railway overpass, stands Honke Daiichi-Asahi. Its light soy-sauce broth on a pork-bone base, topped with Kujo green onion, bean sprouts and chashu (braised pork), is classic Kyoto ramen. A postwar favorite, it is open from early morning until late and often draws lines.

A dark-broth Chinese noodle soup — Shinpuku Saikan

Right next door is Shinpuku Saikan, a shop said to have started from a food stall in 1938. Its signature is a dark soy-sauce Chinese noodle soup, often described as milder than its color suggests. The fried rice is a popular menu item as well.

A tasting floor in the station — Kyoto Ramen Koji

On a rainy day, or when you are short on time, head to Kyoto Ramen Koji on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station Building, where famous shops from around Japan line up. Half-size bowls let you try two. The lineup changes, so check the official site for the current shops.

Before you go

The two Shiokoji shops usually have lines, and their closed days differ. Hours, closed days and payment methods can change, so check each shop's official channels before heading out.