Kyoto, Kyoto City, Sakyo-ku, known as a fierce ramen battleground, is the area of Ichijo-tera, where the ramen shop "Juukou Gundan" opened in January 2007. Originally named "Ramen Gundan," it changed to the current "Juukou Gundan" in April 2016 during a store renewal. The owner was the administrator of a ramen site called "Ganso Kyoto Ramen Gundan," which disseminated information about ramen in Kyoto. This shop specializes in tsukemen and maze-soba, with the Twitter account mentioning that the tsukemen and maze-soba in Ichijo-ji started from this shop. Located a 6-minute walk from "Ichijo-ji" station, there is a coin parking lot across the street from the shop. Visited on a Monday evening, the shop was full, with a waiting time of about 10 minutes. Orders were made through a ticket vending machine. The menu includes Juukou tsukemen, J-mazesoba (garlic), and J-mazesoba (seafood), with seasonal limited editions for regular customers and spontaneous limited editions announced on Twitter. The shop serves a generous amount of noodles, with 270g for tsukemen and 250g for maze-soba, making it unsuitable for those with small appetites. I ordered the "J-mazesoba (seafood)" while my companion ordered the "Juukou tsukemen" for first-timers. The J-mazesoba (seafood) priced at 800 yen (tax included) came with toppings such as boiled vegetables like cabbage and bean sprouts, chunky chashu, and nori. The thick, curly noodles had a unique texture, firm with a good bite, which I personally enjoy. The rich seafood-flavored sauce paired perfectly with the noodles, creating an addictive and delicious combination. The chashu was tender and easily fell apart, surprising me as it looked slightly dry. I was highly satisfied with the flavor and could probably finish a larger portion. I also tried a bit of my companion's tsukemen, which had a thick, viscous soup with a heavy impression from the name "Juukou tsukemen." However, it turned out to be surprisingly mellow and easy to eat despite its richness. The noodles were thick and chewy, different from the maze-soba, but equally delicious. I particularly enjoyed the maze-soba and would like to revisit to try the garlic J-mazesoba next time. Thank you for the meal!

I had the mixed noodles with garlic. The noodles were thick and had a satisfying chewiness, and they paired well with the garlicky sauce. The cabbage and bean sprouts were cooked just right, adding a crunchy texture that made me keep eating before feeling full. The meat was tender and my favorite part.

It's the season for J-salt! So, I got some takeout and also had the opportunity to try the mixed seafood ramen (with less noodles, 180g) after a long time. I'm not a big fan of mixed ramen, but Heavy-san's version is completely different from others. The most notable feature is the thick, chewy noodles that you can eat as much as you want. The toppings like fatty pork, bean sprouts, and cabbage are also excellent, making it delicious overall! I really wanted to add rice at the end, but I resisted the temptation because I planned to have J-salt at night. It was delicious! Thank you for the meal.

It's been a year since I last visited "Juukou Gundan" in Ichijoji. I saw a post about their seasonal menu being available due to the start of the rainy season, so I decided to go. Arrived at 12:23 on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Purchased a meal ticket, waited in line, and was seated at 12:29. The tsukemen arrived at 12:42 and I left at 12:57. I had the J-Shio Tsukemen (regular size with 270g of noodles) for 950 yen. The thick, chewy noodles were full of wheat flavor and had a satisfying texture. The rich tonkotsu salt dipping sauce was addictive with a strong and delicious taste. I decided to go with the regular size this time to avoid overeating, but it was still very filling, and I had to skip the rice. Looking forward to trying their maze-soba next time. Thank you for the meal. #JuukouGundan #Ichijoji

The restaurant, formerly known as "Ramen Gundan," specializes in tsukemen and maze-soba. Since March 2016, it has been renamed to "Juukou Gundan." The owner, who exudes a strong and intimidating aura, is also the administrator of the ramen website "Ganso Kyoto Ramen Gundan." As of February 2023, the restaurant has a rating of 3.67 stars. [Date & Time] Day: Tuesday (Weekday) Time: 13:00 Queue: None Waiting time: None Previous customers: None [Flow until entry] 1. Enter the restaurant 2. Purchase food tickets 3. Seat yourself freely - Water: Self-service in the center of the restaurant - Paper napkins: At the counter - Trash bin: None - Restroom: In the center of the restaurant - Flavoring tools: Curry powder, chili pepper - Spoon: Next to the water dispenser [Ambiance & Staff] - The owner, wearing red glasses, has a strong presence and gives off an intense gaze. - The owner's expression remains unchanged and the customer service is somewhat bland. - The owner tends to use short words like "How much noodles?" - The restaurant is clean and well-maintained, with no decorations or posters, giving it a rugged and masculine vibe. - The only background music is from the radio. - Despite the intimidating demeanor, the owner hands over chopsticks and spoons with a somewhat gruff yet courteous manner. [Lunch Service] - Free rice (self-service) - Slightly larger portion of Juukou tsukemen (360g) for free - Slightly larger portion of J-maze-soba (total weight 1kg) for free [Today's Menu] - J-maze-soba (garlic) for 850 yen - Rice for free [J-maze-soba (garlic)/Rice] - The sauce is a dark brown, rich soy sauce flavor with a strong umami taste and a generous amount of oil. The garlic flavor is prominent, and the depth of the pork bone broth is also noticeable. However, the soy sauce flavor overshadows the other elements, making the saltiness and spiciness stand out. The broth is rich and flavorful, with a mild undertone from the pork bone and oil, making it easy to drink. - The noodles are thick, curly noodles coated in the soy sauce-based sauce. They are firm and chewy, with a strong wheat flavor. The noodles are oily and difficult to pick up due to their extreme curliness. Despite the challenging eating experience, the combination of noodles, sauce, and rice creates a delicious and indulgent meal. - The toppings include chashu, cabbage, bean sprouts, and scallions. The chashu is tender and flavorful, with a slightly salty seasoning that complements the noodles well. The cabbage and bean sprouts add a crunchy texture to the dish, preventing it from becoming too monotonous. [Summary] - Good Points: - Indulgent soy sauce sauce - Firm and chewy noodles - Tender chashu - Disappointing Points: None Overall, the restaurant in Ichijoji, a renowned ramen spot in Kyoto, offers a satisfying and flavorful dining experience. The clean and masculine ambiance, along with the sinfully delicious flavors, make it a recommended spot for ramen enthusiasts looking to push their taste buds to the limit. It was a delightful meal.

[Date] January 2, 2023 (Monday) 7:51 PM [Foodlog Rating] 3.66 [Waiting Time] Full house, 1 person waiting (20 minutes) [Service] Excellent [Would Visit Again] Yes [Payment Method] Cash [Turnover] High [J-Mixed Ramen (Garlic)] [Noodles] Thick curly noodles (250g) [Toppings] Cha-shu (1 piece), cabbage, bean sprouts, chopped green onions [Sauce] Soy sauce [Service Time] 12 minutes The smell of garlic being cooked with oil was irresistible! The taste did not disappoint, with a powerful garlic flavor and satisfying texture. It was not as sweet as seafood, but still delicious. The meat was surprisingly tender, and the garlic was perfectly chewy. Delicious! Rating: ★★★☆ [J-Mixed Ramen (Seafood)] [Noodles] Thick curly noodles (250g) [Toppings] Cha-shu (1 piece), cabbage, bean sprouts, chopped green onions, seaweed (1 sheet) [Sauce] Sweet soy sauce seafood [Service Time] 12 minutes The first seafood mixed ramen in Kansai. The gentle seafood flavor was complemented by the sweet soy sauce. The amount of vegetables was just right, providing a satisfying meal. Highly recommended! Price: J-Mixed Ramen (Garlic) 850 yen J-Mixed Ramen (Seafood) 850 yen

The "Jyuko Gun-dan (formerly Ramen Gun-dan)" - When I pressed the ticket machine for the "Jyuko Tsukemen (small portion 180g)," the owner asked if a small portion was okay. Well, a small portion is more than enough for me. The name of the restaurant had changed, but the owner and the restaurant itself remained the same. It had been over 10 years since I last visited, but each bite vividly brought back memories. The dipping sauce was incredibly to my liking! Pork bone tsukemen is not very common, but this one stands out! It's not just rich, but also heavy. Truly heavy. And the unique chashu and egg. Nothing had changed. It was comforting. However, I feel like the noodles were slightly different, but I can't be certain. In other words, it was delicious and I still loved it. The owner, who didn't train anywhere, creates an explosive bowl. I love it.

On a regular day after 11:30, with no limited menu announcement today, there was only one customer before noon and only four customers in the restaurant. I ordered the tsukemen with extra noodles for ¥900 (360g). The dipping sauce had a miso-like color and I poured 40cc of it, along with 250cc of thick soup. The flavor was rich and fish powder-like, with a subtle saltiness and a strong umami taste from the soup. The chashu slices at the bottom were cut into short strips, resembling bacon, which was not to my liking. Towards the end, there was very little soup left, so I wished there was a bit more. The noodles were thick and straight, likely made with low hydration. They were smooth with a slightly rough texture when chewed. They had a simple yet deep flavor, enjoyable even without seasoning. The shorter length of the noodles allowed for a steady pace of eating. I had expected the noodles to be aggressive, but they were actually easy to eat due to the low hydration. While I managed to finish the 360g portion easily, it started to feel heavy as time passed. Overall, the noodles lacked addictive or aggressive elements, but showcased the skill in noodle-making.

I visited Juuko Gundan. The broth is rich and has a unique flavor. It has a delicious pork umami taste with a good seafood flavor. It is thick, flavorful, and tasty. The noodles are thick and straight homemade noodles, smooth and chewy, with a good bounce. The chashu is tender and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Arrived around 11:50 and there were 3 seats available in the restaurant. Food was served around 12:00. The soup had a strong color but the soy sauce flavor was not prominent, instead, the umami and bitterness of the seafood were well balanced. I believe it was made with bonito flakes, which gave a nice aroma. Personally, I think bonito flavor goes really well with cold noodles. The broth had a good thickness from the oil, so it wasn't too light. The noodles were not overly firm, but I think it was just right. The meat topping, like sliced pork, was sweet and well seasoned, delicious on its own or mixed with the noodles. The grilled pork shoulder had a nice sweetness from the fat. The two types of green onions had distinct flavors, adding a unique touch. Overall, it was a simple ramen but with unique twists that make me want to come back again.

Tsukemen → Salt tsukemen → First time trying maze-soba, ordered a regular portion. The meat was a big chunk and the vegetables were plentiful. I slightly regret not getting extra meat. As it is maze-soba, I mixed everything together thoroughly. The noodles were thick and wavy, with a crunchy texture. They were quite different from regular tsukemen or salt tsukemen noodles. I found the soup base a bit spicy, but once mixed with the vegetables, it was just right. The meat was tender and not too fatty, really delicious. Although it doesn't surpass the excellent J salt tsukemen I had before, it was still tasty. However, I think I still prefer regular tsukemen! Thank you for the meal.

After finishing work in Kyoto in the morning, I decided to stop by this place for the first time in about two years. The seasonal limited J-Salt Tsukemen had ended, and it was the period before the release of the next seasonal limited J-Cold Ramen, so I decided to go with the Heavy Tsukemen. I ordered the 180g noodle size as the 270g noodle size seemed like it might be too much. If I still felt hungry, I could always add the free self-service rice later. The sight of the self-service water station with ladles and chopsticks, while waiting for my order, felt like a unique scene that only the Heavy Ramen Corps could provide. In front of me were steam rising from the feather pot and a noodle boiling machine. The chashu seemed to be sliced fresh for each order. When my Heavy Tsukemen Skuname arrived, the reflection of the noodles on the side of the bowl made it look even more appetizing. The chief of the corps had mentioned that the hydration rate was 27% three years ago. It's a very low hydration rate that is difficult to achieve when making noodles from scratch. After tasting the noodles this time, I wondered if they had lowered the hydration rate even further. Despite the thick noodles, they had a light texture, which paired well with the dipping sauce. The sauce container may have looked plain, but it contained meat and simmered eggs. The focus was on the temperature when eating rather than the appearance. After feeling a bit more hungry, I decided to take advantage of the free lunch service with self-service rice. The quality of the rice and the rice cooker were both top-notch, reflecting the commitment of the Ramen Corps to providing delicious rice consistently. Mixing the rice with the dipping sauce and using curry powder and chili powder provided on the table, I created a pork bone curry rice-like dish. This left me feeling satisfied.

The best tsukemen I've ever had! I recently started eating it, so it might not be very helpful, but it was incredibly delicious! I have my favorite spots in Tokyo and Kyoto, but this one really stood out. The J Salt Tsukemen in regular size is recommended for those who aren't big eaters. It costs 900 yen, but the regular size is plenty at 270g or a slightly larger 360g. If you go for lunch, rice is free, and even the regular size is quite filling. I've been here a few times, so I know the regular tsukemen is delicious, but this salt version was new to me, so I was excited as I waited. The appearance alone is impressive. The flat, chewy noodles have a unique texture. Eating them plain, you can really taste the wheat, but dipping them in the rich salt sauce was amazing! The vegetables that come with it, especially the cabbage, are so delicious with the salt sauce. The noodles were so good that it was a first-time experience for me to enjoy them this much. I finished every last drop. The person next to me ordered the same salt tsukemen, but it came in a huge bowl (like something a food fighter would eat). It was probably the large size, with a massive amount of noodles that looked like lasagna strips. I couldn't believe how much there was, but they finished it all. Be careful when ordering the large size! If you can handle a 1kg katsu bowl with ease, then I recommend it!

On Saturday, I visited Juko Gundan in Ichijoji. It was my first visit, and I went there to try their seasonal specialty during the rainy season. I arrived at 11:41 and the place was full, so I bought a meal ticket and waited as the second in line. I was seated at 12:06 and my J-Shio Tsukemen (slightly large serving 360g) arrived at 12:17. I had been wanting to try this noodle dish since last year, so I was excited to finally have it. The noodles were thick and chewy, with a good wheat flavor. The rich tonkotsu dipping sauce paired perfectly with the noodles, and it was delicious. The dish was quite filling with plenty of chashu and seasoned egg in the sauce. Many people end their meal by mixing rice into the remaining sauce, but I was too full to do so. Overall, it was a tasty experience. The mazesoba (mixed noodles) that the person next to me ordered also looked delicious and generous in portion. Thank you for the meal. #JukoGundan #Ichijoji

Friday around 11:40. I was prepared to wait in line, but there were about 3 empty seats. The place eventually became full, but there was no waiting line. I ordered the mixed noodles with garlic (slightly large portion) for ¥800. It took about 15 minutes for the food to be served. The noodles were the strongest and chewiest I've ever had, even more so than Jiro-style noodles. The texture was also the best I've ever experienced. Among the strong noodles, this might be my favorite. I would rate it 3.6. The toppings, such as bean sprouts and cabbage, didn't look appetizing in the photo, but they were cooked to my liking - soft and tender. The cabbage had a hint of sweetness, making it a perfect palate cleanser. The chashu pork was also incredibly tender, falling apart easily with chopsticks. However, it was a bit dry, leaving a slight dryness in the mouth. The flavor was soy sauce with a good amount of garlic aroma. I would rate it 3.0. The sauce was a bit heavy on the noodles, making it too salty towards the end. The reviewer mentioned that a customer, who was visiting for the third time, ordered the limited edition item, but seemed to have some trouble with the staff. In the end, they were served the dish, but it was a bit tense.

I couldn't forget the mixed seafood ramen I had last time, so I revisited. It was my second time, but it was even more delicious! The combination of noodles and ingredients is addictive. I had the regular size, and it was very satisfying. While I'm curious about other dishes, I will probably end up ordering the mixed seafood ramen again next time.

Arrived at the restaurant 1 minute before opening and there was already a line of nearly 10 people. Couldn't get in on the first round. Managed to sit down around 12 o'clock and received the curry ramen in about 15 minutes. The limited edition curry ramen for ¥900 had a soup that was white and oily, with miso, curry roux, and curry powder. The curry in the ramen was different from regular curry. Although it was my first time trying curry ramen, I couldn't compare it to others, but it seemed to have a unique richness and thickness that you can't find elsewhere. The soup, with a viscosity like sauce, clung to the noodles very well. The noodles were slightly thinner and chewier than when served with miso, which made them more enjoyable. The topping, which seemed to be beef tendon, was very tender but mostly fatty, so it felt quite heavy without cabbage or rice to balance it out. The onions were sweet and melt-in-your-mouth. The portion of noodles was 200g, less than Jiro-style ramen, but the soup was quite heavy. While I understand why it's the most popular limited item, I personally found it too heavy and probably won't be returning.

The boss seemed to have lost weight a bit? As always, he was efficient and had a smooth movement. Amazing! I got in on the first round, but it took a bit of time due to the boiling of the pot. While waiting, I watched them making the maze soba, spreading garlic and pouring hot oil on it, creating a wonderful aroma! It was so good that I almost wanted to change my order to maze soba next time. The noodles were thick, straight, curly noodles (served cold), and the soup was rich with chopped green onions, a flavored egg (1 piece), and chashu slices (3-4 pieces). The serving time was 13 minutes. The thin-sliced chashu seemed firm but was actually soft, and the dipping sauce was a rich, matteo-style broth, making the noodles delicious as always. The hearty dipping noodles (regular) cost 900 yen.

From a blog post: Today, I went to a popular ramen shop in Ichijoji, Kyoto, known for its rich and flavorful ramen dishes. - Men Shou: A shop specializing in rich "tsukemen" and "maze-soba" dishes, created by a ramen enthusiast owner. When I visited a few years ago, the shop was called "Ramen Gundan," but the name had changed since then. They now operate with a ticket vending machine system, with signs stating that the portions are large and meant to fill you up, not for photo purposes, and leaving food is not allowed. The shop seemed popular among students, with a lot of young people inside. I bought my ticket from the machine and lined up at the end of the queue. The owner was managing the shop alone and seemed busy, vigorously shaking a large strainer like a hammer. - Rich Tsukemen (Regular): The basic tsukemen recommended for first-timers. The soup was boiling hot and generously portioned even for a regular size. The noodles weighed 270g in a regular serving. The thick noodles had a nice chewy texture and a good wheat flavor. Dipping them into the thick soup and slurping them up was a delight. The rich tonkotsu and seafood broth had a tantalizing aroma of pork bone and was addictive. The soup contained seasoned egg, thick menma bamboo shoots, and chashu pork slices, which were plentiful and satisfying. Despite the large portion, the noodles remained warm until the end, allowing me to enjoy them fully. I finished the meal feeling satisfied even with a regular size. It's a great option for those looking for a hearty meal. It's no wonder it's popular among students.

The 70th bowl arrived at 18:02 on a regular day. Just as it arrived, more than 10 people came in, so it seems like a long wait for the next rotation, which is why I recommend going for the quick rotation. I ordered the seasonal limited miso ramen for ¥900. Surprisingly, it was served first around 18:15. The portion was larger than expected, perhaps even more than Jiro or Tamim. The ramen was piping hot, making it a bit challenging for those with sensitive tongues. The soup was thick and creamy, with a distinct miso spiciness and a hint of seafood flavor. The noodles were thick and chewy, similar to brain miso, and quite satisfying. It was less eccentric than I had anticipated from my research. The rich and hot soup filled the mouth with its intensity. The toppings included two slices of pork shoulder, two slices of chicken breast, and corn. The pork shoulder seemed like regular braised pork and was not particularly impressive. On the other hand, the chicken was thick and juicy, earning high praise. The corn was simple, slightly watery, but with a hint of sweetness. Overall, I think the regular menu items are better.

I went to a mixed soba restaurant that my companion loves after hiking on the Higashiyama Trail. There was a bit of a line outside! I thought it would be quick for ramen, but ended up waiting for about 30 minutes. The owner seemed a bit intimidating and the atmosphere was tense, making it hard to talk... I may not be a fan of that. But the taste was delicious! The portion was a bit small for this amount! The thick noodles had a chewy texture and the seasoned meat chunks were tasty. Most of all, the generous amount of garlic really hit the spot when hungry. It was a hearty meal! However, I eat slowly, so my companion ended up eating about half of it. It was so delicious that I would like to go back and enjoy it slowly next time.