While travelling between temples in Kyoto, we needed to transfer to the main street, so we decided to grab lunch. I had a shortlist of places I wanted to visit in Kyoto, and this restaurant was one of them, as it was featured in the Michelin Guide. It wasn’t the easiest place to find—the Google Maps photo showed the ground floor, but the restaurant is actually on the first floor of a small alley. Fortunately, the line of people waiting outside made it easier to spot.

Once inside, the restaurant felt different from others I’d visited—it was more spacious, with tables set farther apart. When waiting outside, we had to order our food, and when some seats were available, we were seated inside. We were lucky to get seats overlooking the kitchen, which made for a fascinating dining experience. I ordered the Chicken Bone Broth Ramen and some fried chicken. The menu described the ramen as A rich chicken broth ramen made by simmering free-range and domestic chicken for a long time. This dish is packed with the umami and aroma of chicken and has a rich, mellow taste.

When my ramen arrived, I was struck by the creamy appearance of the broth, especially compared to the soy-based ramen my friend had ordered. My bowl contained two types of pork char siu, a slice of chicken, bamboo shoots, spring onions, an egg (added as an extra), and, of course, noodles.

I started with a sip of the broth, and it completely blew me away. Despite being lighter than the pork-based broths I was used to, it was incredibly flavorful. It wasn’t as dense or rich as tonkotsu but had a wonderfully smooth and satisfying taste. The chicken-based oil added a unique depth, unlike the usual pork oils. The noodles were perfectly cooked, and I thoroughly enjoyed the variety of char siu and the slice of chicken, which was a different addition. The egg was the absolute highlight—creamy, rich, and easily the best I’ve had in Japan. It complemented the noodles and soup perfectly.

I also ordered karaage (fried chicken) but could only manage one piece after the hearty ramen. The chicken was well-seasoned, with a more noticeable spice profile in the batter than others. It was moist and flavorful, and dipping it into the side of salt provided made it even better.

Overall, I loved the atmosphere of this restaurant. It felt less crowded and noisy, with a more relaxed and youthful vibe. The food lived up to its Michelin Guide recommendation, and the service was excellent, as is typical in Japan. If you have the chance to visit, it’s worth checking out!

Instagram: Mendokoro Janomeya

Address: Japan, 〒604-8042 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nakanocho, 565-23 の日 花遊小路 2階E号室 ＨＡＲＥ