01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
At Ramen Manpuku in Shimotoba, Fushimi Ward, bowls arrive blanketed in fresh green onions over a clear pork-based soy sauce broth that whets the appetite from the very first sip. Rather than relying on back fat for richness, the broth draws out the clean, deep savor of pork bones alongside the fragrant edge of soy sauce tare, pairing effortlessly with smooth, thin straight noodles and crisp bean sprouts. Even a standard bowl of soy sauce ramen comes generously laden with finely chopped and thinly sliced chashu, and with tabletop condiments like ground pepper, garlic, and red chili pepper, diners can tailor the flavors right through to the final bite.
Thin Slices or Thick-Cut Melt-in-the-Mouth Pork: Choosing Your Chashu
A distinct pleasure here is tailoring the pork to your appetite and mood. Ordering the chashu soy sauce ramen yields a bowl carpeted in thin slices of chashu, tender enough to wrap around the noodles for rich, meaty bites. Meanwhile, the special soy sauce and special miso ramen switch to thick-cut, tender pork belly accompanied by bamboo shoots, offering a juicy, satisfying chew with every mouthful. Alongside the classic soy sauce base, the shop offers a mild miso broth, both readily customized with add-ons such as spicy sauce, seasoned boiled eggs, or an extra mound of green onions.
Fragrant Fried Rice and Sizzling Sobameshi
For a side that complements the ramen, the kitchen turns out yakimeshi (fried rice) in sizes ranging from mini to large. Fried with a light touch so it never feels greasy, its rustic, savory profile makes an ideal companion to alternate with sips of hot ramen broth. In summer, the menu often features sobameshi—a hot dish of noodles and rice tossed together with assorted ingredients and a savory sauce—beloved as a steaming, hearty plate. Dumplings, tonchan-yaki (stir-fried pork offal), and bottled beer are also on offer, suiting everything from a hearty midday meal to an evening drink.
The dining room offers spacious table seating, and the kitchen keeps service brisk and efficient. Free parking is available directly in front of the shop, though spaces tend to fill quickly during peak hours, making mindful parking within the lines essential. Because the shop operates on a cash-only basis and does not take advance reservations, it is best to arrive with coins or thousand-yen notes in hand, ready to dig straight into a piping-hot bowl.
