I don’t know about you but there is nothing better than a bowl of hearty ramen. A comforting warm bowl filled with delicious noodles, and a variety of flavours and topping. But, it can be tricky to know where to find vegan ramen in Kyoto, especially if you’re travelling with people who aren’t plant-based and still want to eat together.
Kyoto Engine Ramen in Shimogyo has gained popularity for its delicious ramen, which includes 2 vegan choices on the menu. Conveniently located just off the main shopping street, not only do they cater for plant-based diets, but also a great place to come for groups with varying diet preferences.
If you’re planning on visiting Kyoto soon and are looking for a great place to eat vegan ramen then you’ve come to the right place, let me tell you what you can expect!
At a glance
V/VO: Vegan options
How to order: A server will come and take your order at the table
Payment: Card and cash accepted- payment at the end
Reservation required?: No
The space

This modern restaurant located on the second floor of the building is very popular with travellers and Westerners. Inside the restaurant is small and intimate, similar to a traditional Izakaya, with a mixture of bar seating as well as 3 or 4 tables.

We tried to visit back in March, but we gave up after seeing the long queue coming out of the door and decided to go for trusty Coco Curry instead that night!
Knowing that it’s very popular, this time we decided to visit Kyoto Engine Ramen as close to opening as we could, and I’m so pleased we did. Although the restaurant hadn’t opened its doors yet, there was already a queue forming, but luckily we were in the first group of customers to be seated.
If you decide to visit, be prepared to wait a little. A lot of restaurants in the city seem to have a bit of a wait, like Gion Tanto an okonomiyaki restaurant in Kyoto – but all the food has so far been worth the wait!
The vegan menu at Kyoto Engine Ramen

At Kyoto Engine Ramen, they have a small menu with 5 options, 2 of which are vegan. For those who are gluten intolerant or those who just fancy different noodles, you can change to rice noodles for an additional ¥200. This alternative is not always available but I know T’s Tantan in Tokyo also offers gluten-free options as well!
On the table, help yourself to the iced jug of mugicha (barley tea) or order yourself a beer, sake, or non-alcoholic drinks such as coke or ginger ale.
KYOTO BEANing VEGAN RAMEN | ¥1,400 |
ZESTY RAMEN for VEGAN | ¥1,400 |
KYOTO BEANing VEGAN RAMEN

Oh my goodness, this was so good! Every time I have a bowl of ramen, I think it’s better than the previous one, but ultimately, I’m yet to have a bad ramen.
The broth is CREAMY! Made from edamame, rice, daikon radish and soy milk cream, it’s absolutely delicious! For those who don’t like edamame or daikon, don’t worry you can’t taste the vegetables, instead, you’ll be met with a flavourful broth!
The noodles have such a good texture to them too, they’re lovely and chewy, topped with buckwheat seeds, shiso leaves, fried carrot, corn, green onion and sesame seeds, it truly is very tasty!
I’m a creature of habit (which I need to improve on) so I ordered this BEANing ramen, the safer option in my mind. “Zesty” scared me off a little but reading the reviews online, both dishes seem to be a winner.
Price: ¥1,400 (£7.60/ $9.57)
If soy milk ramen is on your food bucket list this trip to Japan, but you’re only travelling to Tokyo, Ippudo has a great vegan option topped with mock Char Siu!
Things that are close to Kyoto Engine Ramen
- Explore Higashiyama | 24 min walk
- Shop in Naramonocho | 1 min walk
- Kiyomizudera | 25 min walk
- Kyoto Tower | 30 min walk
- Shosei-en Garden | 21 min walk
Vegan options close to Kyoto Engine Ramen
V = Vegan, VO = Vegan Option
- Ain Soph. Journey | V | 4 min walk
- Whitely Kyoto | V | 7 min walk
- Gion Tanto | VO | 13 min walk
- Omen Nippon | VO | 6 min walk
- OC Burrito | VO | 10 min walk
How to get to Kyoto Engine Ramen

Address
600-8039 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Daijucho, 400 2F
Nearest station
16 mins from Karasuma Oike Station
21 mins from Omiya Station
Open
Monday to Sunday 4:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Phone
+81-757465795
Kyoto Engine Ramen is definitely a winner for me!
Vegan options? Tick ✔️
Somewhere I can come with friends and family with mixed diets? Tick ✔️
Delicious? Heck yeah! ✔️
Next time I visit, I’ll definitely try the other vegan ramen.
Planning on exploring Arashiyama in Kyoto and after somewhere for a spot of tea and cake? Musubi Sweets offers a variety of vegan cakes and is a great place to have a break from your travels!