Menya Takakura Nijo is a ramen restaurant off the beaten path in Kyoto. It is less than a 10-minute walk from the Karasuma Oike subway station. It is a cozy little eatery with 9 counter seats. Orders and payments are made through a ticket machine only available in Japanese. The staff are friendly; they will help translate. The inside is warm and clean, with atmospheric jazz lounge music playing in the background. A very common music genre played in many of the restaurants in Kyoto.
I ordered the ramen with egg for ¥ 800. Before preparing the noodles, you are given a choice of either regular or whole wheat noodles. Both pork pieces and leek were grilled over a small charcoal grill. The pork was flavorful with a distinctive smokey flavor. The soup was a combination of tonkatsu and fish broth. It was thin and intense with a tinge of sourness.
The ramen was good, but it may not be everyone’s cup of tea because of its unique flavor. My brother, who was with me, absolutely loved the ramen! He said it was one of his best meals in Kyoto.
If you are looking for a less touristy and more local place, this would be a good place.
Menya Takakura Nijo
Website: http://www.takakura-nijo.jp/
Opening hours: Weekdays 11:00AM – 10:00 PM, Weekends 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Telephone: +81 75-255-9575
Address: 64-1 Kannoncho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan
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