In the quiet streets of Shijōnawate, Ikemen Tomikura offers more than just udon—it offers a heartfelt experience. The moment you step inside, you're greeted with the comforting aroma of freshly prepared dishes and the warm smiles of the staff. Their signature "Ikemen" udon is a testament to craftsmanship: thin, glossy noodles with a perfect balance of chewiness and smoothness. Each bowl is a harmonious blend of tradition and innovation. The seasonal tempura, light and crispy, complements the noodles beautifully, showcasing the freshness of local ingredients. Beyond the noodles, the obanzai (Kyoto-style side dishes) and daily specials reflect the chef's dedication to seasonal flavors and culinary creativity. Whether it's a bowl of creamy croquette udon or a refreshing cold udon with citrus-infused broth, each dish tells a story. Dining at Ikemen Tomikura feels like being welcomed into a friend's home—comforting, genuine, and memorable. It's a place where food warms the soul and moments linger long after the meal ends.

Visited because it was nearby and I was curious. The udon was solidly delicious, and you could tell it was carefully made. However, personally I prefer noodles with a bit more chew (koshi), so my impression as a rating is "delicious, but 80 points". It felt a bit regrettable that it didn't quite reach my personal preference. The menu contents were a bit hard to understand, and first-time visitors might hesitate when ordering. On the other hand, when I asked questions before visiting, they responded promptly and provided very kind service. The staff didn't have an airs-and-graces vibe, but had the warmth typical of a local shop, making it feel comfortable. Though there was no standout emotional impact, it's a spot where I'd think "I might go again" if I came nearby. For that very reason, I felt that if the chewiness and clarity of the menu were improved just a little bit, satisfaction would be even higher.

Visited after hearing that the tempura and udon are delicious. Just as tasty as the rumor. Especially the dashi broth had a heartwarming deliciousness. The complimentary udon karinto was also given while waiting for the meal, and it was so good that I felt I had to be careful not to eat too much. Since it's inside a shopping street with narrow roads, I recommend parking at a parking lot a little short of the shop and walking instead of forcing yourself to park near the shop.

【April 19, 2026】 A 16-year-old creative udon restaurant located about a 3-minute walk from JR Shijonawate Station. Dropped by on a Sunday evening with my wife after making a same-day reservation. We visited by car, and there is a coin parking lot behind the police box about 50m past the one-way street in front of the shop. I ordered the Mentaiko Kama Butter with Egg for 1560 yen, my wife ordered the Natto Kamatama for 990 yen, and we also ordered the assorted chicken and vegetable tempura for 680 yen. There is a decent number of menu items, but many similar menu names made it a bit hard to order. Looking at the menu composition and store atmosphere, it felt like an "udon izakaya". Since it takes about 10 minutes for the udon to be served, the complimentary udon karinto and kelp tsukudani arrived first. Then after a while, the udon and tempura arrived. The udon noodles were slightly soft, thin noodles that were easy to eat and quite good. The Mentaiko Kama Butter with Egg was served carbonara-style. Also, the assorted tempura had a lot of items for 680 yen, and it was freshly fried and delicious. I made a reservation drawn by the signboard for "creative udon", but when looking at reviews after making the reservation, there were quite a few harsh comments (especially regarding customer service). Having visited, I think the customer service was totally fine and very ordinary. The owner is also friendly.

+3

An udon restaurant where you can drink, facing the Shijonawate Shrine approach. After getting starving from visiting Shijonawate Shrine and climbing Mt. Iimori, and since it was during the first three days of the New Year and no other shops were open, I visited and found it to be a good shop that strikes a chord with drinkers. Udon restaurants where you can drink are rare to begin with, and even soba restaurants where you can drink often have standardized side dishes for 'sobamae' that lack interest, but this shop changes things up and offers dishes you rarely find at other places. It doesn't feel like you can fully enjoy it in just one visit, and in that sense, it's a shame it's in a region I rarely visit, but it was a gem of a restaurant where I felt I'd like to visit again given the opportunity. There seemed to be quite a few regulars, but they didn't neglect first-time customers like me either, and their polite customer service left a good impression. Of course, the udon is also exceptionally delicious, so it's recommended even for those who don't drink alcohol.

+3