Stopping by "Ramen Kairikiya" on a Scenic Highway Drive!
"Ramen Kairikiya" is a popular ramen chain well known for its Kyoto-style seabura (pork back fat) soy sauce broth. Many of their locations are spacious roadside shops with ample parking, making them exceptionally convenient to drop by during a drive.
This time, while taking my beloved Alfa Romeo 156 GTA out for a quick spin, I pulled into one of their locations along the main highway. My goal was their limited-edition menu item: the "Rich Toripaitan (Chicken Paitan) Ramen." To be completely honest, I had my doubts at first—"Toripaitan at Kairikiya? That doesn't really sound like traditional Kyoto ramen." Still, intrigued to see how a brand renowned for its soy sauce base would tackle a rich chicken broth, I stepped right through the noren curtains.
Tasting the Limited-Edition "Rich Toripaitan Ramen": Deep Creamy Broth and Flavorful Garnishes
After settling into my seat, I placed my order directly from the tabletop menu: the "Rich Toripaitan Ramen" (Regular size, ¥1,078 tax included).
When the bowl arrived, its light, golden-yellow soup immediately caught my eye. The center was garnished with vibrant green Kujo scallions, finely grated yuzu peel, and chili pepper flakes. Arranged around the sides were fried onions, red onions, bamboo shoots (menma), a seasoned soft-boiled egg (ajitama), and slices of chashu pork.
First, I took a spoonful of the broth using the renge spoon. True to its name, it had a distinctly thick, silky mouthfeel, yet it wasn't overly greasy or heavy at all. The texture was smooth and mellow, letting the savory chicken umami spread cleanly across the palate—a flavor profile I genuinely enjoyed.
Slurping the noodles, the rich broth clung to every strand effortlessly. As I continued eating, the crisp bite of the fresh Kujo scallions, the fragrant crunch of the fried onions, and subtle hints of refreshing yuzu harmonized seamlessly without overpowering the dish, offering delightful shifts in flavor with every bite. Topped with tender chashu and a halved seasoned egg, the variety of ingredients made it a truly satisfying bowl.
[Summary] A High-Satisfaction Bowl Easily Enjoyed on the Road
While this was a complete departure from their signature Kyoto seabura soy sauce style, the balance between rich depth and easy drinkability was remarkably well executed. With spacious parking available at most branch locations, it makes for a fantastic pit stop while out on the road.
One tip when visiting Kairikiya: definitely check out their official mobile app beforehand. By applying a ¥100-off digital coupon alongside a 3% membership rank discount, I was able to enjoy this bowl for under ¥1,000. Even at standard price, the generous toppings offer great value, but using the app makes the experience even better. If this bowl caught your interest, be sure to drop by while it's still on the seasonal menu!