Top 5 Chicken Ramen Shops in Kyoto – From Delicate to Ridiculously Rich
- Frank Striegl
- May 26
- 3 min read
Updated: May 27
Kyoto Chicken Ramen! Across much of Japan, ramen starts with pork, from creamy tonkotsu from Kyushu or light pork-based broths in Tokyo. But Kyoto marches to the beat of its own drum. Here, it’s chicken that takes center stage.
From clear, elegant soups to broths so thick they look like wet cement, chicken ramen in Kyoto is diverse. Here are 5 standout shops. Some are rich, some are light. All showcase what makes Kyoto chicken ramen special.
1. Toritani (麺処 鶏谷) – Rich, Smooth, and So Kyoto
Located in western Kyoto near Saiin, Toritani offers both shio (salt-seasoned) and shoyu (soy sauce-seasoned) ramen. Each are available in either a rich (paitan) or light (chintan) style.
While all of them are solid, the shio paitan is the one that really sings. It's rich and velvety without being too heavy, delivering layer after layer of delicate chicken flavor.
If you're unsure which one to choose, the chef himself often recommends the shio paitan for first-timers. And with its spacious seating, Toritani is a comfortable, welcoming stop even at peak hours.
2. Touhichi (らぁ麺 とうひち) – Pure Chicken Perfection in Kyoto’s North
Situated in the northern part of Kyoto, Touhichi is all about purity. Their signature ramen is built from just free-range chickens and water, creating a clean yet syrupy, nuanced broth.
Then comes their custom soy sauce blend—seven types combined for a deep and elegant flavor.
This is minimalist ramen at its finest. If you're a fan of clean chintan broths with no unnecessary frills, Touhichi delivers big on finesse.
3. Menya Gokkei (麺屋 極鶏) – This Bowl Might Hold Up a Spoon
Also up in the Ichijoji ramen district in northern Kyoto, Gokkei is legendary. Their chicken paitan is so thick it looks like it could hold up a spoon. It's closer to cement than soup in consistency.
But it’s not just about theatrics. This bowl is umami-packed, comforting, and completely over-the-top (in the best way).
Expect a line. Expect a heavy stomach. And expect to leave with a new understanding of what chicken ramen can be.
4. Tokoton Tori Kotokoto (とことんとりコトコト) – Gokkei’s Cousin in the South
If Gokkei lives in the north, Tokoton lives in the south, near Toji Station. Their ramen mirrors the ultra-rich style of Gokkei but with a gentler touch—a mellow, silky paitan that still feels indulgent but won’t knock you out.
The menu offers a range of options too: spicy versions, seafood-enhanced bowls, and other creative seasonal twists (just like at Gokkei).
Add in the warm customer service, and Tokoton becomes a worthy southern counterpart to Gokkei.
5. Mendokoro Janomeya (麺処 蛇の目屋) – Central, and Michelin-Recognized
Smack in the center of Kyoto, near Kawaramachi Station, Janomeya offers a more refined take on chicken ramen. Their light shoyu and shio chintan bowls highlight the subtle sweetness of chicken with precise seasoning.
The shop has earned a Michelin Bib Gourmand for good reason.
But don’t be fooled into thinking they only do delicate bowls. They also serve a thick paitan and a dipping ramen (tsukemen) with a stronger fish influence. We're highlighting their light shoyu chicken ramen here, but there's something for everyone on their broad menu.
Chicken Ramen in Kyoto - Final Thoughts
Kyoto’s chicken ramen scene offers way more than just light and delicate broths. It has range, depth, and character. Whether you’re after a bowl that’s featherlight or one that’s heavier than concrete, these five ramen shops are a great place to start exploring just how far chicken ramen can go.
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