I had never heard of soy milk ramen before, so I decided to visit and try it. I ordered the Soy Milk Ramen Musashi, size L with thin noodles and rich flavor. The soup had just the right amount of Sansho pepper, giving it a nice kick, and was delicious and satisfying.

☆ Kyoto Subway Karasuma Line Matsugasaki Station In mid-May on a rainy day, I came to my beloved Kyoto alone~♪ I wandered off the tourist areas to a quieter area for lunch at a ramen shop I've been curious about for a while! About a 15-minute walk from Matsugasaki Station, the ramen lanterns hang in a residential area. The entrance is narrow with plants on both sides, making it even narrower due to the rain. I head towards the entrance like a ghost with an umbrella. Inside, you take off your shoes at the entrance and go up to the tatami seating area with two tables and a counter with about four seats. Due to the pandemic, they are using the seats with space in between. I ordered: - Miso Ramen Musashi 1200 yen - Pressed Sushi with Eggplant 600 yen You can choose the amount of Sansho pepper, the amount of noodles (S, M, L), the type of noodles (thin or Chlorella), and the flavor of the soup (normal, rich, Chlorella, or charcoal). I chose normal Sansho, S size, thin noodles, and rich flavor. The creamy soy milk soup with a hint of bean sweetness, tangled with thin noodles, and a perfect amount of Sansho pepper was delicious! On top of the noodles were yuba, finely chopped seaweed, mushrooms, and watercress beautifully arranged. And I also tried the pressed sushi with eggplant, which was similar to eel pressed sushi. It had Sansho pepper on top, and the sweet and tender eggplant on seasoned rice was very delicious. It's a small shop, so the comfort level may depend on the other customers present, but since I was the first one there, I was able to relax. The owner may look intimidating at first, but his voice and demeanor during payment were gentle. As I left, two female customers came in, so it seems to get busy during lunchtime. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal!

I visited the restaurant at the opening time of 11:30. The entrance led to an old traditional Kyoto-style house, converted into a cozy dining space. After taking off my shoes at the entrance, I chose a table seat. I asked if I could take photos, and was allowed to capture the menu and dishes, but not the kitchen. I ordered the Musashi soy milk ramen with Sichuan pepper (1,200 yen). The ramen came in a black bowl with white soup, topped with mushrooms, mizuna, chopped nori, fresh yuba, yuzu zest, and pickled plum. The vegan soy milk soup was creamy and flavorful, complemented by the Sichuan pepper. The noodles were smooth and chewy, enhancing the overall taste. The ingredients like enoki mushrooms, shiitake, and shimeji were fresh and delicious. Contrary to my initial expectation, the soy milk flavor was subtle and pleasant. It was a healthy and guilt-free vegan ramen experience.

Located in Shimogamo, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, there is a specialty shop for soy milk ramen called "Towzen". The name of the shop was written as "TOWZEN" at the entrance, so I assume it is pronounced as "towzen". According to their Twitter and Facebook profiles, they are known as the pioneers of the world's first Vegan ramen, established on July 26, 2004, in Shimogamo, Kyoto. They cater to a minority group of Vegans known as Oriental Vegans (Vegan without the five pungent vegetables: leeks, garlic, chives, shallots, and scallions). With various ramen shops in Kyoto, I was intrigued by the unique impression of soy milk ramen being the signature dish at this particular shop, so I decided to give it a try. I visited the shop on a Saturday around noon, and there were two groups of customers already present in the empty shop. The menu allows you to choose the type of ramen, noodles, portion size, and preferred flavor, which can be a bit overwhelming for first-time visitors. It might be helpful to check the menu on their website beforehand. On this visit, I ordered the "Musashi with normal Sichuan pepper, small portion (120g), thin noodles, and rich flavor" for 1200 yen (tax included)! The soup had a creamy and mellow texture typical of soy milk-based broth. It was light on salt but had a strong aroma of Sichuan pepper that left a tingling sensation in the aftertaste. The thin noodles were made with egg-free noodles from Nishiyama Seimen in Sapporo, offering a soft and smooth texture that complemented the soup well. The toppings included chopped seaweed, yuba, yuzu?, plum meat?, mushrooms, and watercress, making it a healthy and flavorful dish. I apologize for not taking detailed notes, so the breakdown may be vague. I also tried a bit of the "Tantan-style soy meat" that my companion ordered, which was slightly spicy but equally gentle in flavor. I initially thought of this place as a healthy option, but it exceeded my expectations in terms of being a truly body-friendly ramen. Thank you for the meal!

I visited this place in Kyoto with an old friend from my time in America who is vegan. I was really curious because they said they serve ramen here. Usually, when you make non-vegans eat vegan food, it tends to taste bad or not satisfying. However, this place had really good reviews and caught my attention. When I visit Kyoto, I usually wander around the area between Shijo and Nanajo, including Arashiyama. But this place is located near Shimogamo Shrine, beyond that zone. It's in a quiet residential area, so let's keep it peaceful. As you approach the entrance, it feels like entering a traditional Japanese restaurant with a small path leading the way. Once inside, it's just so cute. It's like a dining room in a traditional Japanese house, with added counter seats. I ordered the "Soy Meat Tan Tan Men." The soy meat was like minced meat, giving a texture that feels like eating real meat! The soy milk soup was smooth and had a deep flavor. It was a Tan Tan Men, so it had a chili powder-like topping, but it was not very spicy. It was almost zero spiciness, haha. But the taste was absolutely delicious! I even got a refill of noodles. And since it's vegan, I didn't feel heavy after eating! And the satisfaction level was max! It was an amazing dish. I want to bring my parents and brother here next time to surprise them. I highly recommend this place! Definitely worth checking out!

Soy meat tantan-style with soy milk noodles for 1200 yen. It was my first time trying soy milk noodles, but they were surprisingly delicious! I might get hooked on gourmet dishes with soy milk.

Eggplant sushi is like kabayaki, with a milder taste that feels richer and I like it, but it's not quite like ramen.

I ordered a dish called Musashi. The soy milk was thick and creamy. Towards the end, it felt filling in the stomach, and the mushrooms that came with it served as a nice accent. Adding sansho pepper made it slightly spicy. Overall, it was creamy and delicious.

Black sesame soy milk ramen. It had a rich soy milk flavor. The texture was thick and creamy.

It was located in an incredibly hard-to-find place. Quite a unique ramen shop! They use healthy meat in their ramen. It was innovative!

On this day, I went on a trip to Kyoto for the Ninja Musical. I took a bus from Kyoto TERRSA Hall to the Matsugasaki area. I had been curious about this restaurant for a while. I love yuba, so I was excited to try this ramen shop that seemed like a collection of unique personalities. The exterior looked like a cafe run by mysterious residents from a Studio Ghibli film. Inside, there were foreign families and a boyish foreign-looking waiter with a mysterious vibe. The counter was adorned with several mysterious decorations, and photography was prohibited... It made me a bit nervous. The menu not only included the black sesame and yuba ramen I ordered, but also other unique dishes. The noodle portion was significantly smaller than usual, starting from 60g per order. Because of this, I couldn't make it to the glittering sunset at Ichijoji Temple as I had planned. The food took a while to be served, either because it was meticulously prepared or due to poor service. In the meantime, my phone battery was running low, so I enjoyed the mysterious atmosphere of the restaurant. And then, the ramen arrived. Wow! The presentation was also very mysterious! The soup was mainly black sesame, creating a healthy taste that combined elements of dessert and vegetarian cuisine. It was undeniably delicious but had a very unusual taste that I had never experienced before. The noodles were dark in color, perhaps due to charcoal being kneaded into them. They also had a mysterious flavor. It was a mystical taste that seemed otherworldly. I feel like I have always been seeking encounters like this. The restaurant was so uniquely eccentric that it almost feels like it may not actually exist... Maybe that day's ramen was just a strange dream, or perhaps I accidentally stumbled into someone's creation... Even if I visit Kyoto again and try to revisit, I fear I may never find this restaurant and only end up lost in a forest. I find myself thinking about such things. Thank you for showing me a mysterious dream. Someday, I will return.

I went for lunch on a regular day. The place is one block south of Kitaoji. The sign is hard to see, so you have to take off your shoes before entering the shop at the back of the alley. There are counter seats and table seats. This time I chose the counter seat. Looking at the menu, there are various options. First, choose between the base ramen or tantan-style, then choose the amount of noodles, thickness of noodles, spiciness, etc. This time, I chose tantan-style ramen with thin noodles and extra noodles. The taste of the rice and ramen is gentle. Do you understand? It's gentle. Even though I added spiciness to the tantan-style, it's gentle. Truly a soy milk ramen. If you're looking for spiciness, this might not be it. The noodles are stick noodles, perfectly cooked. I drank the soup until the end because it's gentle. The cost performance is not that great.

〜Revisited〜 It was my first visit since the change in business hours. The restaurant used to be open at night as well, but with the new hours, it was only open during weekdays in the daytime, making it hard for me to revisit. However, now they have resumed night hours and are open continuously except for holidays and year-end holidays, making it more convenient to visit. I ordered the Kinoko Sansho Do Nyu Ramen Set Regular 90g (1500 yen) this time. The set comes with Yuba Don. You can choose between ultra-thin noodles or regular noodles. The base is the same as the soy milk ramen I had before, with the addition of mushrooms cooked in Sansho pepper. The Sansho flavor is subtle and easy to eat. The Yuba Don is also delicious, comparable to famous tourist spots in Kyoto. This place offers unique dishes like soy milk ramen and Yuba Don, and it's a hidden gem with easy access. Additionally, they offer desserts and ramen toppings made with chlorella, which is known for its health benefits such as preventing metabolic syndrome, boosting immunity, fatigue recovery, anti-aging, etc. However, it is not recommended for those with high uric acid levels (or those at risk of gout), so consume it at your own risk. 〜First Visit〜 I heard that you can enjoy soy milk ramen at a hidden ramen shop called Mamezen on the outskirts of Ichijoji Ramen Street, so I came to try it out. ●Food (☆3.8) ◎Noodles (☆3.8) The noodles, specially imported from Kyushu for this ramen, are very thin and go perfectly with the light soy milk soup. ◎Soup (☆4.2) The owner's family runs a tofu shop, so they use high-quality and delicious soy milk. The soup is based on soy milk with dashi made from bonito and kelp. It has a very gentle flavor without any animal products (but not thin, with a well-balanced blend of soy milk, bonito, and kelp). ◎Ingredients (☆3.5) Yuba, seared plum, Kujyo green onions, etc. These are Kyoto-style ingredients with a Japanese twist, rather than the usual chashu, egg, or bamboo shoots found in regular ramen. ●Service (☆3.8) The service is polite and follows Japanese etiquette. The friendly owner shares interesting stories, making the experience enjoyable. ●Atmosphere (☆4.0) The atmosphere is like a traditional townhouse cafe. You can relax on tatami mats while enjoying your meal. ⚫️Value for Money (☆3.6) Soy Milk Ramen Regular (950 yen) may seem a bit pricey, but considering the attention to detail in the ingredients, soup, noodles, and atmosphere, it seems reasonable. ⚫️Overall I recommend this ramen even to those who are not fond of ramen. It's a unique dish that can't be found elsewhere, so I also recommend it to ramen enthusiasts. The gentle and non-aggressive flavor makes it good for the body, especially when feeling unwell.

Yes, so I came to Matsugasaki. I visited a recommended shop by an acquaintance. The entrance is lit up, and as you walk down a narrow path, you reach the entrance. It's a unique style where you take off your shoes before going up. Inside the shop, it has a stylishly decorated, traditional Japanese house interior. I chose the soy milk ramen, yuba, and yuba ankake donburi set. The ramen has thin noodles with a strong bonito-based soup. It may be surprisingly rich due to the smoothness of the soy milk. Delicious. The ankake donburi, with yuba and sauce on seasoned rice, has a light taste. Delicious. Thank you for the meal.

If you are expecting ramen with a strong saltiness, this may not be the best choice. The soup is based on soy milk and shiitake mushroom broth, making it perfect for vegetarians. However, there is also a bonito-based option available. You can choose between thin or thick noodles, with a smaller portion size. The soup has a mild flavor with less salt, but even men can feel quite satisfied after finishing it. The noodles are typically made of wheat flour, and there is an additional charge of 100 yen for every 30g increase in noodle quantity. If you opt for the set menu with yuba rice bowl, the price will be around 1400 yen. The restaurant is located in a renovated traditional house where guests are asked to remove their shoes, creating a very pleasant atmosphere. Many international visitors also frequent this place.

I arrived a bit late around 14:30. I had the option to choose the amount of noodles and their thickness, and I chose the regular amount with thin noodles, which I recommend. It seems to have bonito broth, but the taste of soy milk is strong, so it might be good for soy milk lovers. It would be nice if there were a bit more Kujo green onions for a crunchy texture. The flavor is very rich, but it is balanced out by the pickled plum and the thinness of the noodles. I had visited two other ramen shops before this one, so I would like to come back to this place as my first choice next time.

On July 12, 2013, I visited Mamezen, a healthy soy milk ramen specialty restaurant located about a 10-minute walk from Matsugasaki Station in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture. While they use bonito dashi, so it's not vegan, the creamy soy milk ramen was delicious, reminiscent of carbonara. The restaurant, renovated from a traditional Kyoto townhouse, has a serene atmosphere with counter and tatami seating. Overall, it's a lovely place that I recommend to those who are okay with a bit of bonito dashi.

As others have mentioned, the location is quite difficult to find. The sign is not very noticeable, so if you're not careful, you might just walk past it. The exterior doesn't look like a typical ramen shop, more like a regular house. Inside, there is a cozy atmosphere with tatami seating and a counter, making it a comfortable place to linger. I ordered the small size of the soy milk ramen with a side of anagi (eel) rice bowl. It seemed like it was being run by just one person, so I had to wait quite a while for my order to come out. Even though there were no other customers, I waited for over 15 minutes. Not recommended for those in a hurry. If you have a typical ramen shop in mind, you might be surprised in a good or bad way. The soy milk ramen had a nice fragrance and a gentle Japanese flavor. The anagi rice bowl with sauce had a delicious taste that I personally enjoyed. Even older people would find this set easy to eat. The friendly owner mentioned that this place is popular among foreigners as well. The set I ordered cost 1400 yen, which is a bit on the expensive side for ramen, so I might not visit often, but it would be perfect for visiting friends in Kyoto or going with older companions.