I visited this restaurant after a long time, maybe half a year ago... or was it a year ago? Anyway, it's a shop that's hard to visit because the opening day is uncertain, and even when it's open, there's always a line. But today, around 10 p.m., there was no line. "This is the perfect timing!" I rushed into the shop! The rich chicken and pork bone soup with medium thick noodles is always delicious no matter how many times I eat it. Even after trying various rich ramen, I still want to come back to this taste. The extra serving of noodles is thin and piping hot. It doesn't have the same punch as the first bowl, but the flavor makes you want to finish the second bowl without getting tired. Well, considering it's only 680 yen per bowl and it's so delicious, it's understandable why it gets crowded. But the atmosphere isn't that great because it feels like you're being rushed to finish and leave! (There are signs about chatting and cell phones posted inside the shop). I understand, but being rushed like that isn't pleasant. Until a little while ago, when people talked about rich ramen in Kyoto, it was always Tenichi or Akihide, but you can't compare them to this ramen. However, it was really delicious today. Thank you for the meal. (2023.9.20) When I looked at my previous review, it said 2014, so this visit was about 10 years later. Memories have faded over time, but I remembered that the ramen was delicious, the rice portion was huge, and the uncertain opening days made it hard to visit. The reason I visited this time was because I passed by the shop during the day and it was open with no line. I think it was only open at night... And it used to be quite a popular spot, so I was hesitant to come back... I never thought it would be this easy to get in. And it's lunchtime. It's my first time having lunch here, and my memories have been reset. It feels like my first visit. There's only one type of ramen available in large, medium, and small sizes. I chose the regular ramen (180g) for 850 yen. The female staff explained that with 180g, you get one and a half servings of noodles, and with 240g... She was so kind. By the way, you can choose from thick, half, and mild soup, and I chose thick. I felt like I needed rice with the thick soup! Based on my old memories, I was sure that the "small" 50 yen rice was the right choice. There's no way it would be a small amount. I was wrong... Even the small portion was like a large one. The staff kindly offered to reduce the amount of rice. Appreciated! But looking at the heaping rice, my appetite was stimulated, so I decided to stick with the small portion. (Other customers ordered "small small," which wasn't listed on the menu). In the end, I thought small small would have been better. The small portion had quite a lot of rice... And now, the important part, the ramen. It was as thick as the doro-doro ramen in Ichijoji, with a good umami flavor without being too salty. The noodles paired well with it! The block chashu and thinly sliced chashu were an excellent combination. I added garlic and spicy miso halfway through to enjoy the second half. I had forgotten, but this ramen was so delicious and complex! I was truly impressed once again. It's no exaggeration to call this a legendary shop. It had been a while since I last visited, but the staff were friendly and the atmosphere of the shop was not bad. Overall, I had a better impression than before. I would like to go again if it's open. Thank you for the meal!

Today, I visited a ramen shop called "Ramenya Akihide" in Ichijoji, which you can only confirm their business hours on Twitter. It took me a few tries to finally succeed in visiting, and surprisingly, there was no wait even during peak hours. They offer only one type of ramen with options to choose the richness of the soup: "thick, smooth, half & half." The soup is a rich blend of chicken and pork broth, and despite being half & half, it feels rich and flavorful. The addition of fish-based broth gives a subtle hint of umami without any fishy or heavy taste, making it easy to drink. They provide garlic and chili miso on the table, which adds a punch to the soup. The noodles are medium-thick straight noodles with a chewy texture that pairs well with the soup. The generous portion of noodles can be easily finished due to how well it complements the soup. The ramen comes with two types of chashu: simmered chashu and grilled chashu, both incredibly delicious and flavorful. The simmered chashu is tender and falls apart easily, while the grilled chashu is rich in flavor and adds to the overall experience. I also tried the "small rice" for 50 yen, which when combined with the remaining soup and chashu creates a sinful delight. They also offer "extra small rice" for 30 yen. The ramen has a nostalgic, rich flavor that even someone who prefers clear broths like me enjoyed. The spicy menma and crunchy kujo negi added great flavors. The restaurant, run by a couple, has a warm and inviting atmosphere. Make sure to check their Twitter before visiting.

After work, I visited with several staff members. We arrived after 8:00 PM, but luckily we were able to get in❗ I ordered the ramen with extra meat and a small rice. This was my second time here, and maybe because of the extra meat, the dish was even more powerful❗ The small rice portion was overflowing! At first glance, I was knocked out by the presentation.

I ordered the Pure Rich Ramen (Doro) and without saying, this place has a unique presence even in the fiercely competitive ramen battleground. With the next day off, I boldly tried the Pure Rich Ramen known as "Doro." Its richness is on par with other shops, but surprisingly, it doesn't leave a heavy aftertaste unlike its appearance. Today was another day of blissful delight for my taste buds. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I checked Twitter and went around 12:30 on a weekday, but there were already some people lined up, so I waited outside for about 30 minutes. There are 7 seats with partitions, and I felt like there were fewer seats than stated. I visited once 10 years ago and have been wanting to come back ever since. The menu mentioned that the ramen has changed a bit, but it was delicious even though it was different. They offer two types of chashu: one is thinly sliced with about 5-6 pieces, and the other is thick and tender, both were delicious. I ordered the thick soup version, and it was thick and clung to the noodles, making it easy to drink up all the soup. As for the rice, the menu lists sizes as large, medium, and small, but even the small portion was quite generous, so I asked if they could reduce it, and they made it extra small for only 30 yen, which was very cheap. I was surprised by the amount of chashu even without extra meat, and the regular bowl costs 850 yen, so I wonder if the restaurant is doing okay with such affordable toppings.

The reason it's called the phantom ramen that's rich yet not heavy is because you never know when they're open. My son had the opening hours info and said they're open until 13:30 today, so I used that as an excuse to go. They have one type of soup, but it can be thick and smooth depending on how it's strained. I chose the smooth one this time. The first impression after a sip was intense! Even richer than Tenkaippin's kotteri ramen! But it's not salty at all. You can feel the fat around your mouth, yet it's not heavy at all. There are two types of chashu piled on top, but they're also not too fatty and quite tender. The noodles are smooth, chewy, and you can taste the wheat well. I didn't get thirsty after eating, and there was no oily residue around my mouth. I could go home feeling refreshed. Now I understand why it's so popular. I've decided to come back again.

By chance, I stumbled upon this place and wondered why I hadn't noticed it before on Tabelog... I ordered the large ramen and small rice, and my stomach was completely full. The ramen had a thick, flavorful soup. The chashu was especially delicious. I will definitely go back again.

Traveling in Kansai Part 6: Enjoying Pure Rich Ramen at a Ramen Specialty Shop Shop Name: Ramenya Agi Ei Located a 4-minute walk from Ichijoji Station, this popular shop in the fiercely competitive ramen area of Ichijoji in Kyoto offers a menu featuring three sizes of Pure Rich Ramen: Small, Regular, and Large. The options are quite simple, with only rice and extra meat topping available. This time, I tried the Small Ramen with extra meat topping! As the name suggests, the thick and creamy soup pairs perfectly with the chewy noodles. While the original amount of char siu seems to be generous, opting for extra meat topping allows you to enjoy two types of thinly sliced and braised pork in such abundance that the noodles are almost hidden! It's quite a hearty portion, so choosing the Small Ramen was definitely the right decision (lol). I found out later that the shop doesn't operate every day; they announce their business days on Twitter, so I recommend checking in advance! #RamenyaAgiEi #KyotoTravel #KyotoSightseeing #KyotoRamen #KyotoRamen #IchijojiRamen #KyotoGourmet #IchijojiGourmet #KyotoLunch #IchijojiLunch #RamenBattleZone #PureRichRamen #ExtraMeatTopping #CharSiu #ramen #kyoto #kyotogourmet #ToshikkiGourmet

I visited Ramenya Akihide for the first time. The restaurant's business information is posted on Twitter. I ordered the regular ramen. The soup is rich but surprisingly light. The noodles are thin and straight, with a good texture. The chashu is soft and delicious. Thank you for the meal.

Visiting "Ramenya Akihide" in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City. Located about 350m north from Eizan Electric Railway Ichijoji Station, with a coin parking nearby for 200 yen per 40 minutes. As the restaurant has irregular closing days, I checked their Twitter account (approval required) for updates on their operating hours before visiting. Arrived close to closing time on a Saturday at 1:10 PM, there were 6 people waiting outside. The shop seemed considerate not to disturb neighboring stores, with the 7th person in line having to queue across the adjacent shop. Entered the cozy shop with a small L-shaped counter after about 25 minutes. Tissues, toothpicks, and condiments were neatly arranged on the table, showing meticulous attention to detail. The menu offers only "Pure Rich Ramen," and I ordered the "Regular Ramen" for 850 yen. The soup, boiled thoroughly with chicken and pork, had a rich density with fine bubbles that wouldn't burst easily. It had a robust chicken sweetness and a velvety texture that almost felt like an upgraded version of Ten-Ichi with a handmade warmth. The abundant fresh scent of Kujo green onions and the spicy bamboo shoots that didn't overpower the taste were captivating for those who love rich flavors. The noodles were slightly firm, boiled with low water content, and were medium-thick straight noodles. With each slurp, the soup intertwined well, and the spoon was used sparingly. The chashu consisted of a bold block of charcoal-grilled meat and thinly sliced meat. The thinly sliced meat, which seemed like shoulder cut, was generously served, almost making me mistake it for a chashu ramen itself. The block meat with a crispy grill had a slightly strong saltiness and a firm, fibrous texture, slightly deviating from my preference. The grated raw garlic and spicy miso on the table paired excellently with the soup. It made me desire to scoop rice into the soup as a side dish. It was a delightful meal experience!

Invited by the staff, I finished work early and visited the restaurant. I parked my car at a nearby coin parking lot and ordered the "Izayoi Ramen" with extra meat. The first bite was the soup... rich but not overpowering! The second bite was the ramen... it complemented the soup well! The meat was delicious too, and of course, I finished it all! I will definitely visit again.

This is what it means when the cook's personality shines through the food - sincere. It's a restaurant and ramen shop filled with the charm of the two owners. It gave me a feeling of returning home. Located in Ichijoji, Kyoto, this ramen shop has been around for a long time. Over the past 15-20 years, many delicious ramen shops have opened, but Akihide-san's shop remains true to itself. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

[Ramenya Akihide / Ichijoji] Tabelog 3.66 (April 16, 2023) According to Tabelog, "Closed on regular days. Information is posted on Twitter about 30 minutes before opening on days when they are open." When I asked the elusive female owner, "Do you know any good places to eat?" she mentioned this restaurant. Checking Twitter, I found out they close at 13:30, so I hurried to visit. I waited alone and entered almost immediately. The menu only differs in noodle portion size. I had the regular size (180g) for 850 yen with a side of rice (small) for 50 yen. The ramen, labeled as "Purely Rich," lives up to its name with a rich chicken and pork flavor that is not overpowering. The soy sauce base is smooth. The noodles are chewy medium-thick noodles with a strong kansui (alkaline mineral water) scent that lingers in your mouth and nose. Not my favorite. The generous portion of chashu for 850 yen made me wonder if it was too much, but the hanging roasted pork with its sweet, tender fat was delicious. The pork shoulder chashu also had a good flavor. The seasoned bamboo shoots and stir-fried chili peppers complement the soup well. After finishing the noodles, I added chili miso and rice to the soup. So tasty! I was lucky to visit this elusive restaurant and it was a delicious experience. Thank you for the meal!

This place is considered a legendary ramen shop even among ramen enthusiasts. I always check on Twitter, but it's hard to catch the right timing. Fortunately, today was my first visit. The rich yet not overly heavy creamy chicken and pork bone broth, medium-thick noodles, generous chicken chashu, and the spicy menma are the highlights. Delicious.

A hidden gem of a restaurant with irregular opening hours! At Akihide in Ichijoji, Kyoto, I had the large ramen (2 servings) with extra meat x2. The restaurant announces its opening hours on a private Twitter account, and after multiple follow requests and DMs, I finally got approved. There have been times when I went there and the landlady came out saying, "We're closed." I also ordered a side of rice and added some self-service condiments like chili miso and a rich soup made from chicken bones, pork bones, and seafood (not your typical flavor). They open early at 10:55 AM, and I was one of the first customers with about 5 more people following behind me.

I visited "Ramenya Akihide" located a few minutes' walk from Ichijoji Station in Kyoto. It's a place that I always remember as being closed. Is it closed today too? Oh!!! It's open!!! I wonder if they have been operating normally recently? An elderly man who arrived later ordered a small ramen without even looking at the menu, quite the expert, haha. Customers kept coming in one after another. It's nice to be able to get in without waiting in line right after opening. I ordered the basics. ● Regular Ramen (180g) ¥850, by the way, large is 240g and small is 120g. The menu lists from regular to large, and then small, so the small size is easy to overlook. While waiting, I checked out various things. I sat on the left side of the entrance, but I couldn't see the kitchen. Too bad. On the table, there were ramen sauce, garlic, chili miso, shichimi (Japanese seven spice), and black pepper. There were two staff members, including the owner in the kitchen, providing brisk and pleasant service. And here it is!!! The first thing that catches your eye is the menma (bamboo shoots) coated with coarse chili powder. And the amount of chashu (roast pork) is quite generous even in the normal serving. Some people ordered extra meat, but the normal amount is sufficient. Let's start with the soup. It's thick and rich, with a good depth of flavor! Then there's the unique soy sauce base. It has some sweetness but also a good amount of saltiness, and the first bite was like "Wow, delicious!" haha. Nowadays, there are shops nearby that serve extremely rich broth like tori paitan, but this one here is within the normal range of richness, with a slightly higher concentration. Despite the richness, the distinctive outline of the soy sauce base is clearly felt, which is interesting. The noodles are slightly thin, more towards the medium thickness. They are moist and blend well with the soup. I might want to try them firmer next time. But the default moistness is also good. The bowl is small-sized but the 180g of noodles is a bit too much. Maybe the small size would be enough. The chashu has a nice firm texture. But that's good. The unevenly cut chashu piled on top feels nice. The menma is spicy, I want to drink it all up with it. Before I knew it, the soup was gone. Overall, this place is really good. It's a rich and flavorful ramen. ★3.8 When a customer ordered firm noodles, a female staff member shouted towards the kitchen, "Noodles, extra firm!!!" Just like at Daiichi Asahi near Kyoto Station. I will definitely visit again. 2023.02

Ramen restaurant Akihide-san, I've been looking forward to this first visit. The name of the restaurant is the names of the husband (Hide-san) and wife (Aki-san)! So wonderful♪ After waiting outside for about 10 minutes, we were kindly guided inside by Aki-san saying, "I'm terribly sorry for keeping you waiting." The menu offers only one choice of rich and creamy ramen, which is great♪ The regular ramen costs ¥850 and you can add extra meat (limited quantity) for ¥300. The slightly sweet and rich soup is so delicious♪ It's not heavy, but light and it perfectly coats the noodles. The spicy bamboo shoots are a good accent♪ And the chashu is incredibly tasty! Being able to add extra meat was great - I silently cheered inside. A bowl filled with the rich and creamy love of the couple, I left feeling full and satisfied. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

I think it's been about 3 years since I last visited, and I almost forgot how it tasted, but it was so delicious!! If I were to compare it, it's like if the already delicious ramen from Tenka got even more exquisite. The chashu pork slices were plentiful, unlike the block-style chashu they used to have, now it's moist and thinly sliced with a rich flavor. The soup has also changed from being thick and heavy to a lighter style over the past few years, and the current flavor is full of umami and absolutely delicious! It might be easier on the stomach now. The regular size comes with a generous 180g of noodles, so getting the smaller size ramen and rice might be a good idea, especially with the table-side chili miso paste (gochujang?) which pairs well. And the fact that they can serve this for only 850 yen these days is so cheap! The owner and his wife are both very friendly! I'll definitely come back. They have irregular business hours, and they announce their opening days on Twitter, but it's not public so you have to follow them and get permission to confirm, which is quite challenging. So, going there with the mindset of "if it's crowded, I'll try Gokkei instead!" might be a good approach.