Kyoto is home to some of the best ramen spots in Japan, each with its own unique flavors, atmosphere, and loyal following. But with so many options, how do we determine which shop truly stands out? Instead of relying on gut feeling or random reviews, we took a data-driven approach to rank the 10 most popular ramen shops on Tabelog, Japan’s Yelp, fairly.
While you’re touring Kyoto’s best ramen shops, make sure you check out our photography sessions and Kyoto tours for more of the best Kyoto has to offer!
Now, let’s dive into the results and the methodology behind this ranking! 🔍
🏆 The Top 10 Ramen Shops in Kyoto (Ranked)
Note: Reviewers in Japan tend to be much more critical than in countries such as America. Finding a 4-star+ restaurant in Japan (that’s been reviewed by natives, not foreigners), can be difficult. A 3.5-star restaurant is considered a very good score in Japan.
To ensure fairness, we normalized all review counts to 2,500 reviews and calculated weighted average ratings for each shop. Here’s the final ranking:
| Rank | Ramen Shop | Adjusted Rating | Address | Payment Types |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥇 1 | Yamazaki Menjiro | 3.65 | 1-8 Nishinokyō Kitaenmachi, Nakagyo-ku | Cash only |
| 🥈 2 | Mr. Gyoza | 3.63 | 42 Karahashi Takadacho, Minami-ku | Cash only |
| 🥉 3 | Menya Sanda | 3.62 | 7-4 Saiinoiwakecho, Ukyo-ku | Cash only |
| 4 | Tenkaippin Main Store | 3.59 | Maison Shirakawa 1F, 94 Tsukidacho, Ichijoji, Sakyo-ku | Cash, E-Money, QR Payments |
| 5 | Aitsu no Ramen Kataguruma Main Store | 3.59 | 77 Nishishichijo Nishihattandacho, Shimogyo-ku | Cash, Card, E-Money, QR Payments |
| 6 | Menya Gokukei Ichijoji Main Branch | 3.58 | 29-7 Nishiheikawaharacho, Ichijoji, Sakyo-ku | Cash |
| 7 | Honke Daiichi Asahi Main Store | 3.55 | 845 Higashishiokoji Mukaihatacho, Shimogyo-ku | Cash, Card, E-Money, QR Payments |
| 8 | Seabura no Kami Mibu Main Shop | 3.54 | 25-4 Mibuaiaicho, Nakagyo-ku | Cash only |
| 9* | Kobushi Ramen | 3.53 | 1-16 Sujakushōkaicho, Shimogyo-ku | Cash only |
| 10* | Ginjo Ramen Kubota | 3.53 | 563-2 Nishimatsuyacho, Shimogyo-ku | Cash only |
*9th and 10th place tied at 3.53-stars.
📊 How We Ranked These Shops
Rather than just looking at the overall score, we considered:
✔️ Total review distribution (how many people gave 5 stars vs. 3 stars, etc.)
✔️ Review count normalization (some shops had 800 reviews, while others had 2,500+)
✔️ Weighted averages (to fairly assess customer satisfaction levels)
Step 1: Collecting Rating Data
We extracted the number of reviews in each rating category (5 stars, 4.5-4.9 stars, etc.) from each shop’s page.
Step 2: Normalizing Review Counts
Since some shops had thousands of reviews while others had only a few hundred, we adjusted all shops to 2,500 reviews using proportional scaling. This prevents shops with fewer reviews from being unfairly ranked higher or lower due to smaller sample sizes.
Step 3: Calculating Weighted Averages
Rather than a simple average, we applied this formula:
This ensures that the actual number of ratings per star level matters rather than just the overall score.
🍜 What This Means for You
If you’re looking for the absolute best ramen experience in Kyoto, our ranking suggests starting with Yamazaki Menjiro, Mr. Gyoza, or Menya Sanda. These spots received the highest adjusted customer ratings after normalizing for review count and distribution.
However, all 10 of these ramen shops are highly rated and worth trying! Whether you love thick, rich broths or lighter, soy-based bowls, Kyoto has something for everyone.
🔥 Final Thoughts
This ranking isn’t just about numbers—it’s about giving every ramen shop a fair shot at being evaluated on an equal playing field. By normalizing review counts and using weighted averages, we’ve provided a data-backed list of Kyoto’s must-visit ramen spots.
Now, the only thing left to do is grab your chopsticks and start slurping! 🍜😋
What’s your favorite ramen shop in Kyoto? Drop a comment below and let us know! 🏮✨
And don’t forget to check out the PiQtour YouTube page for more videos on the best Kyoto has to offer!
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