WHAT WE ATE
- Miyako Ramen – 75/100, Kyoto
- Miso Ramen – 80/100, Kyoto
Gion Ramen Miyako is a notable ramen spot in Kyoto, particularly well-known for its rich chicken-based broth. The menu includes a variety of options such as their signature Miyako ramen, chicken salt ramen, and spicy miso ramen, all of which highlight their homemade noodles and carefully prepared broths.
The main store is located near the famous Yasaka Shrine, but due to Kyoto’s insane over-tourism situation, we could only try it at one of its outlet at the ramen street on 10th floor of Kyoto Station. I’m sure the main store would have scored better but its just too crazy to queue for anything in Kyoto.
Miyako Ramen – 75/100
Noodle: 30/35
The noodles are medium thin and straight. They offer a firm bite but could be even better if it’s snappier. However, a point to note is that the noodles don’t maintain their texture for prolong time in the soup so slurp fast! The noodles were showing small signs of bloating during our 30-minute meal.
Soup: 30/35
The soup is made using quality chicken, resulting in a thick, rich broth with a deep meaty flavor reminiscent of Tonkotsu. It starts with a strong sweetness followed by savory flavors. Combined with the pork back fat, it makes for a really hearty meal.
Meat: 10/20
The meat consists of thin slices of chashu. Unfortunately, the texture is tough and a bit dry. The marination is thin and doesn’t sufficiently mask the porky odor. It feels underwhelming against the strong-tasting soup.
Topping: 5/10
The toppings are basic. The bamboo shoots are tender but very pungent, which might not appeal to everyone. Other than that, there’s just some Negi. Overall, not much to complement the meal.
Overall, Miyako Ramen features a hearty, rich chicken-based soup that delivers deep, satisfying flavors. However, the tough chashu, and minimal, pungent toppings didn’t quite make the meal a more memorable one.
Miso Ramen – 80/100
Noodle: 30/35
Same noodles are used here. The noodles are medium thin and straight, offering a firm bite that could be improved with a snappier texture. However, they don’t maintain their texture for a prolonged time in the soup, showing small signs of bloating during our 30-minute meal. Slurp fast to enjoy them at their best!
Soup: 30/35
The soup is made of rich miso, resulting in a milky and creamy broth. It has a prominent deep sweet profile with layered earthy and nutty undertones, creating a rich and satisfying flavor.
Meat: 10/20
Same problematic chashu here as well. The meat consists of thin slices of chashu. Unfortunately, the texture is tough and a bit dry, and the marination is thin, failing to sufficiently mask the porky odor. It feels underwhelming against the strong-tasting soup.
Topping: 10/10
The toppings include slices of sweet onion and lemon zest, which elevate the taste as you slurp the noodles. The burst of citrus rejuvenates your palate, adding a refreshing contrast to the rich soup.
Overall, the Miso Ramen delivers a rich and creamy miso broth with well-balanced flavors. However, similar issues about the noodles’ texture over time, tough chashu, and minimal but refreshing toppings slightly detract from the overall experience.
DISCLAIMER
One man’s meat is another man’s poison.
Find out more about our palettes and how we evaluate our ramen here. 😉
