Visiting Popular Kyoto Chain "Kairikiya"! The Guilty-Pleasure Seasonal Ramen Is Back
"Kyoto Kitashirakawa Ramen Kairikiya" enjoys a dedicated following across Japan for its light yet deeply flavorful soy sauce broth enriched with pork back fat (seabura). With prominent red signs along major roads, spacious booth seating, and counter space, the restaurant offers an inviting atmosphere that makes it easy for anyone to stop by.
Having been thoroughly impressed by last year's seasonal offering, I arrived on a completely empty stomach as soon as I heard it had returned. Tapping into the touch-panel menu, my target was proudly displayed right on the top screen. Without hesitation, I selected "Extra Seabura" (extra pork back fat) and placed my order.
A Towering Visual! Tasting the "Garlic Seabura Shoyu Ramen" with Extra Back Fat
My order arrived: the limited-time "Garlic Seabura Shoyu Ramen" (¥1,078 tax included).
A towering heap of bean sprouts and cabbage rises from the center of the bowl, generously crowned with seasoned pork back fat. Minced garlic rests on the side, accompanied by a large slice of tender pork belly chashu. The rising steam, infused with the rich aroma of garlic and soy sauce, is simply irresistible.
I started by coating the mountain of crisp vegetables in the soup and savory back fat. The natural sweetness of the pork fat and the punch of fresh garlic immediately burst across the palate. Digging through the mound of greens revealed chewy, medium-thick noodles. With their firm bite, the noodles held onto the rich, savory broth exceptionally well.
The chashu pork was tender enough to fall apart with chopsticks, and its juicy fat paired seamlessly with the soup. While the dish presents an intimidatingly heavy look, Kairikiya’s signature soy sauce base provides a clean, crisp finish, keeping it enjoyable down to the very last bite without feeling greasy. By the time I polished off the generous toppings, I was left with a wonderful sense of satisfaction.
At checkout, I used the official app's "¥100 off coupon" alongside my "3% tier discount," keeping the bill under ¥1,000. It also happened to be a 3x point campaign day, earning me 30 points instead of the usual 10. Filling up on delicious food while earning rewards is always a welcome bonus.
[Summary] The Ultimate Bowl for Hearty Cravings
Kairikiya's "Garlic Seabura Shoyu Ramen" delivers a powerful punch and substantial volume, yet balances it out with a crisp, savory soy sauce broth that stays delicious all the way to the end.
It is the ideal choice when you want a stamina-packed meal loaded with vegetables or simply want to indulge in the ultimate garlic and pork fat combo. Since it is a limited-time offering, make sure to visit your nearest Kairikiya and try it while you can!