Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto: Noodles That Can Burn Your Brows Off

When visiting Kyoto, most of us would go for the ancient city’s specialities like such Yuba Kaiseki (Japanese haute cuisine), Shojin Ryori (Japanese Buddhist vegetarian cuisine), Kyo-wagashi (Kyoto sweets), Yudofu (tofu cooked in hot broth) etc. Not many people know that Kyoto does have a wild side to its culinary scene too. Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto can be said to be quite a deviant with their fiery signature dish – the Fire Ramen. Located just north of Nijo Castle in a quiet suburban area, you must experience this flaming bowl of noodles that can burn your brows off … if you do not follow instructions.

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto –  Popular & Social Media Savvy Restaurant

Given its popularity with both the locals and tourist crowds, the restaurant does not entertain reservations. You have to be prepared to wait for around 15 to 30 minutes.

While waiting in the line, you can use the designated selfie stand at its main entrance to capture a perfect ‘Been there, done that’ shot with the restaurant entrance as the backdrop.

We guess many must have complained about not being to take photos or videos during the process due to safety reasons because the restaurant has prepared the smartphone holders rights above their pots to help you capture the perfect footage when the flames come cascading down onto your piping hot ramen.

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto –  Ramen Options

Once you are seated, you will be asked where you are from so they can offer the menu in your preferred language and customize your safety explanation. The menu offers 4 different options as shown below.

These are the pin designs that go with the special set.

There is no sharing of ramen. Everyone must order their own bowl. They do not have other menu options for vegetarian, vegan, or Muslims. For the ramen, the chicken broth is mixed together with fish broth and both are inseparable. There is, however, a vegetable soup option. Too bad if you hate onions which is one of the key garnishing ingredients, you either take it or leave.

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto – So Deadly That Instructions Need To Be Strictly Adhere To! 

To sample the fire ramen, you have to be seated at the counter, put on your apron and follow their safety instructions strictly. Before they begin preparing your order, a friendly staff will  introduce himself and shows you a laminated sign with the instructions to be followed for fire ramen:

1. Your height must be at least 110cm (3’7″)

2. Your age must be at least an elementary school student.

3. Please do not take pictures when oil is being poured.

4. Please stay seated no matter what. Don’t cry and don’t run away

5. Please do not touch the bowl, it’s covered with oil and may stain your clothes.

6. Please keep apron on while you eat to avoid staining your clothes.

As the flames do reach great heights, it is important to observe these instructions for safety.

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto – Green Onion Ramen

According to the staff, Fire Ramen is basically green onion ramen. Pouring the flaming oil just before eating brings out the flavour and helps to release the full aroma of green onion. It is a simple ramen with soy sauce-based soup of chicken, pork, and fish.

Here’s a simple infographic on how it is prepared.

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto – Taste & Experience

You must visit this restaurant if you never experienced ramens that burst into towering flames right in your face. The ramen broth was thick and very flavourful The flaming oil brought out the additional ‘wok-hei’ taste. But of course, this is a place for the experience more than anything else.

A post shared by WhatWHSees (@whatwhsees) on Oct 18, 2017 at 4:40am PDT

Menbakaichidai Fire Ramen Kyoto 

If you are keen to experience it yourself, here are the full details:

Address: 757-2, Minamiiseyacho, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto-Shi, Kyoto, 602-8153, Japan ( By Bus: Take Kyoto city bus #9, #50, #101 and get off at “Horikawa Marutamachi” or By Train: Take the subway Karasuma line, transfer to Tozai line at Karasuma-Oike Station, get off at Nijojo-mae Station.) | Opening Hours: 11.30am-11.00pm Daily | Tel: +81-75-812-5818 | Facebook: fireramen | Twitter: menbakaichidai 

Feel free to drop us questions if any and do share with us your experience in the comments section below too!