During our final night in Kyoto, Erica and I experienced what might be the best ramen and drinks in the city!

Neither was planned ahead of time, but after some research we found what the internet called the best ramen in Kyoto. Afterward we stumbled upon an eccentric bar with amazing drinks. If you’re planning a trip to Kyoto or Japan, I would definitely recommend putting both of these spots on your list!

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After a long day full of sightseeing, visiting the incredible, gold-leafed Kinkakuji Temple and strolling through the magical bamboo forest of Arashiyama, we were both starving. Considering it was our last night before moving on to Tokyo, we wanted to make the most of it. So we scoured the internet, scrolling the pages of Google and TripAdvisor before coming across something worthy of our “last supper”. And so Erica and I set out to try what TripAdvisor claimed was the BEST ramen in Kyoto!

The Best Ramen in Kyoto: Ippudo Nishikikouji

TripAdvisor: Ippudo Nishikikoji
Address: 653-1 Bantoya-cho, Higashinotoin, Nishikikoji higashi iru, Nakagyo-ku
Price: About 800 – 1,100 yen for a bowl of ramen

According to TripAdvisor, Ippudo Nishikikouji was the number one rated ramen place in Kyoto. So there we went, a decently long line of patrons waiting outside the restaurant when we got there. Which was to be expected of one of the top ramen shops in the city.

Note: I have been told since creating this video that it really isn’t the best ramen in Kyoto, and I could believe that. Who am I to say? And I later learned that it is a chain and there is just something about chain restaurants that take away from the charm of the food. Not that I actually know what I’m talking about. But Inside Kyoto calls it their “favorite ramen joint in all of Kyoto”. So who knows! I’d say just to go there and try it and decide for yourself.

Erica and I met up with her friend from Korea, Nicole, who also happened to be in town. We waited maybe a half hour before receiving a menu to peruse and were welcomed into the building to sit. Like many of the restaurants in Japan we had visited, it was long and narrow inside with a few tables and bar seating.

Our ramen came quickly as we had ordered while waiting in line outside. Japanese efficiency at its best. The ramen was delicious. I had ordered the spicy option from the specials and the broth was flavorful and spicy as promised. There were plenty of toppings and the pork was tender and oh so tasty. I’m not a ramen expert by any means, but I really enjoyed it! Did it change my life? No. It wasn’t as incredible as the udon I had in Tokyo (blog post coming soon) which was my favorite meal from my trip to Japan. But it was seriously delicious and I can see why it gets the rave reviews.

The Best Drinks in Kyoto: Lemon Sours

Where we went: SOUR (website)
TripAdvisor: SOUR
Address: 607-19 Uraderachodori Shijo Agaru Uraderacho, Nakagyo-ku
Price: 400 yen for a Lemon Sour

With bellies full of ramen, we explored the side streets of Kyoto in search of a drink. It seemed that fate was smiling down on us when we stumbled across the bar SOUR not too far away.

Subjectively, lemon sours are in fact the best drinks in Kyoto and all of Japan. A bold statement, I know. But lemon sours are absolutely delicious and refreshing and I dearly wish they were here in the U.S. We have since attempted to replicate the drinks ourselves but have never managed to get it just right. But this is just my opinion. Maybe you’re more of a High Ball kind of person. Either way, you should definitely give them a try during your visit to Japan. I fell in love with them and they truly became the drink of choice for the entirety of my trip to Japan.

What is a Lemon Sour?

For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, a Sour or “Chuhai” is a standard Japanese cocktail served in bars and restaurants. It’s made from Shochu (a liquor made by fermenting grain or sweet potato, basically a Japanese Vodka) mixed with soda water and a flavor such as lemon juice – thus, a Lemon Sour. Just talking about it is making my mouth water.

Now, I’m not sure if the bar we went to, SOUR, has the best lemon sours in Kyoto. But they were damn good. And it is a bar dedicated solely to making Sours, so they must know what they’re doing, right? The hip, chic environment of the small bar didn’t hurt either. The entire experience from the fresh, handmade drinks to the dim red lighting and hipster decor and even more-so hip patrons was one to be remembered.

Besides Lemon Sour, they offered a variety of Chuhai flavors such as grapefruit, apple, banana, and more. Upon ordering, the bartender took a piece of fruit from a fresh stock behind the counter and hand-juiced it right in front of us! Talk about fresh.

Then we sipped on our delicious drinks, caught up on life and laughed until the bar closed around 2am. I can’t wait to return to Kyoto someday and revisit SOUR and try more of the flavors – although I find it hard to imagine anything would beat out the classic Lemon Sour.

What do you think, what are the best ramen and drinks in Kyoto? Will you try these ones?

Whether you’re planning your first trip to Japan or are visiting Kyoto once again, you should consider trying Ippudo Nishikikouji and deciding for yourself if it is the best ramen in Kyoto or not. And while you’re at it, drink a few Lemon Sours for me. Mmmm. Lemon Sours. Share this post with your travel buddy using the social icons below! Thanks for stopping by my blog.

What do you think – who has the best ramen in Kyoto? What is your favorite drink from Japan? Tell me in the comments below!

Other things to do in Kyoto:
First Night in Kyoto: Eating ALL the Desserts (and Gyoza)
Visiting Fushimi Inari-taisha: The Most Magical Place in Kyoto
Trying CoCo Curry in Kyoto + a hidden hipster cafe
Visiting Kinkakuji Temple (The Golden Pavilion) in Kyoto, Japan
Exploring Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Kyoto, Japan

More awesome things to do in Japan:
10 Things To Do in Japan | One Week in Kyoto & Tokyo