We had a quick train station udon breakfast near platform 31 in Kyoto Station. It was one of those small train station udon noodle shops where everything moves quickly and efficiently. You can either eat standing at the counter or sit on a narrow stool if one is available. There is no time for pondering menus or making complicated choices—everything is decided by the vending machine at the entrance. You press a few buttons, collect the ticket, and collect the bowl from the counter soon after.
It is efficient, practical, and very Japanese.
The train station Udon shop itself was tiny, and there was nowhere to put our luggage, which made things slightly awkward. Still, hunger has a way of making one accept the situation. I ordered a bowl of udon topped with a tofu sheet, a raw egg, and tempura with a faintly sweet taste. It was simple, comforting, and exactly what I needed that morning.
I ended up sitting beside a girl who dressed effortlessly well and had a polished look that made me think she might be an influencer. She was travelling alone, with a sleek, stylish suitcase beside her. There was a quiet confidence about her, the kind that naturally fills a space without trying too hard. While eating, she watched a TV series on her phone, completely absorbed.
On my other side sat a Japanese man enjoying his ramen while reading manga on his phone, occasionally pausing to take another sip of broth. It felt like such a perfectly ordinary yet distinctly Japanese moment.
Meanwhile, Fafa stood at the counter eating his bowl while keeping an eye on our luggage. We were hungry, and this little stop at the train station udon shop wasn’t exactly ideal for breakfast, but it did the job. And sometimes, that is part of the charm of travelling—small, slightly chaotic moments that somehow still feel just right.
Tsukumo Udon Shiokoji Honten address: Kyoto Station (near platform 31) 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokojicho, 901, Japan.
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[…] convince my ultimate guinea pig, Fafa, that it’s worth trying). Lastly, I have been craving Udon for weeks now, and I am determined to find a good place near the office so I can duck out for a […]