Tabelog ratingHonke Daiichi Asahi Honten (本家 第一旭 本店) is a legendary ramen shop just a short walk from Kyoto Station, cherished for its classic Kyoto-style ramen. The signature is a pork and shoyu (soy sauce) broth that appears clear but delivers a deep, satisfying umami flavor. This is served with thin, straight noodles that maintain a pleasant firmness, and topped with an unusually generous amount of thinly sliced, tender chashu pork.
Diners consistently praise the soup's rich, nostalgic taste and the sheer quantity of meat, even in the 'mini' portion. The shop's long hours, from early morning to late at night, make it a convenient stop for breakfast or a final meal after an evening out. The queueing system, where you purchase a ticket from a machine before being seated, is noted for its efficiency in managing the constant lines.
The main drawback is the wait itself, which can frequently last from 30 to over 90 minutes during peak times. Some guests find the broth becomes too salty by the end of the bowl, and the gyoza are often described as merely average. The interior is small and can feel cramped. While very rare, a few isolated reviews have mentioned brusque service.
Despite the potential wait, most agree it offers excellent value. Reviewers recently paid ¥980 for regular ramen and ¥830 for the 'mini' size. The Chashu-men (with extra pork) was around ¥1,180, while gyoza cost about ¥350. For the quality and especially the portion size, it's considered a great deal.
- Getting There: Located about a 5-minute walk from JR Kyoto Station.
- Booking: Walk-in only; reservations are not accepted. Expect to queue, often for a significant amount of time.
- Ordering: You will be asked by staff to purchase a meal ticket from a kiosk, after which you will rejoin the line to be seated.
- Payment: Credit cards, electronic money, and QR code payments are accepted.
- Seating: There are 31 seats, including a small counter and tables. You may be seated with other parties when the restaurant is busy.
- Children: Children are welcome.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: Two free parking spots are available. Paid parking is also available nearby.
