Eat your way around Kyoto! Time-efficiency delicacies that you can only try here

Shinpuku Saikan: A long-established restaurant representing Kyoto serving pitch black ramen

When you think of Kyoto, you probably don't think of ramen! However, Kyoto is actually a hotbed of ramen restaurants, with many of them lined up, from long-established establishments with long histories to the latest establishments.

Located about a 7-8 minute walk from Kyoto Station, Shinpuku Saikan is a long-established ramen restaurant that represents Kyoto and has remained popular since it was founded in 1938. It is open all day, so it is great for tourists as well as those looking for a slightly late lunch.

A side dish you'll want to try before eating ramen is the "Tsukidashi Niku" (700 yen). Thickly cut pork slices are piled on top of plenty of bean sprouts and spring onions. The meat is soft and juicy with plenty of fat, and is topped with a rich sauce, making it the perfect accompaniment to alcohol!

The "Chuka Soba (regular) (850 yen)" has a pitch black soup that makes a big impact. The toppings are simple, with roast pork and spring onions. The hidden popular menu item "Fried rice (600 yen)" is also a must-try.

When you think of Shinpuku Saikan, you think of this pitch black soup! This rich color is achieved by blending chicken and pork bone-based broth with a secret soy sauce sauce. When you take a sip, it's fragrant and slightly sweet, but with a light aftertaste. However, it's an addictive flavor.

The medium-thick straight noodles have a strong springiness and are easy to bite into, while the tender pork slices have a sweet fat that gets more and more delicious the more you chew them.

The fried rice is also made with soy sauce from the Chinese noodles, giving it a distinctive black color. The delicious aroma of soy sauce will whet your appetite! The rice, which comes with thinly sliced pork slices, is infused with the delicious flavor of the meat, giving it a deep flavor.

Try this pitch black ramen once and you'll be hooked. Experience the taste of this long-established restaurant, beloved by locals in Kyoto.

Shinpukusaikan Main Store

"Gion Kyo Kurara" - Colorful Kyoto Namafu Skewers that Allow You to Easily Enjoy Traditional Tastes

One of Kyoto's traditional foods is Kyo Namafu. It is said that it was used as an ingredient in shojin ryori (vegetarian cuisine) at the end of the Kamakura period, and was a valuable source of protein for Zen monks, who were forbidden to eat meat.

Gion Kyo Kurara is a specialty store that makes Kyoto Namafu using traditional handmade methods in a pot that has been handed down for generations. Located in front of Yasaka Shrine, a popular tourist spot and symbol of Gion, you can eat casual Kyoto Namafu on a skewer.

There are more than 12 kinds of colorful Kyoto Namafu skewers lined up in the glass case at the storefront, making it hard to decide which one to choose...! They have everything from the classics with red bean paste and dengaku miso to savory dishes like cheese cutlets and bacon-wrapped ones, as well as seasonal sweets like baked sweet potatoes and Amaou strawberries.

We ordered these four types this time. In the front are the popular standard "Dengaku Miso White Miso (350 yen)" and "Age Bubu Arare (350 yen)", and in the back are the autumn and winter popular "Yakiimo An (350 yen)" and "Amaou Strawberry (350 yen)". The Kyoto Namafu, which is particular about appearance as well as taste, is a hot topic on social media for its vibrant colors.

The "Age Bubu Arare" is covered with five-colored rice crackers, and the contrast between the crispy texture of the rice crackers and the chewy texture of the wheat gluten is enjoyable. It is not sweet but slightly salty, so it is refreshing to eat.

"Dengaku Miso White Miso" is a classic dish that combines additive-free mugwort gluten with white miso produced in Kyoto. Another great thing about this dish is that you can easily enjoy the classic Kyoto cuisine of raw gluten dengaku.

The "yakiimo an" is beautifully topped with a soft, smooth, mousse-like bean paste. The gentle sweetness of the yakiimo an and the fragrant flavor of sesame are delicious.

"Amaou Strawberry" is topped with cute pink Amaou strawberry bean paste and has a slightly sweet and sour taste, with a sticky, rich sweetness.

Enjoying Kyoto Namafu with "Kyoto Beer (600 yen)" is also a special experience! The fine foam and pleasant flavor enhance the deliciousness of the namafu.

Kyo Namafu is particular about its appearance, with even the colors of the ingredients that are paired with it being carefully studied. If you stroll through Gion while eating namafu skewers, you'll definitely get a taste of Kyoto even more!

Gion Kyo Kurara