Menya Gokkei
Corporate brand
UnclaimedKyoto-based ramen brand known for its ultra-rich 'Tori Daku' chicken paitan ramen.
Last updated September 28, 2026
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Overview
Menya Gokkei (麺屋極鶏) is a Japanese ramen brand operated by Gokkei Japan Co., Ltd., headquartered in Kyoto. Founded in May 2011 by Koichi Imae, a former hairdresser who trained at the long-established ramen shop Tanpopo in Kyoto's Kita Ward, the brand has become known for its signature 'Tori Daku' (鶏だく) ramen, featuring an ultra-thick, meaty chicken paitan soup trademarked as '超濃厚肉濁鶏白湯' (super-rich meaty cloudy chicken paitan). The main shop is located in Ichijoji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, with another location in Enmachi. The brand has expanded beyond its physical restaurants through collaborations with major convenience stores and food manufacturers, including Lawson, FamilyMart, and Toyo Suisan, and has sold frozen ramen via vending machines at locations such as JR Nijo Station, Ekimaruche Osaka, and Kyoto Yodobashi. It also operates an online shop selling frozen take-home products like 'Buta Mabushi Meshi Dorobo' and toppings. The brand has received numerous awards, including the 'Kansai Walker' new store grand prize in 2011, the 'Ramen Walker Grand Prix' Kyoto overall first place in 2013 and 2018, and induction into the Ramen Walker Grand Prix Hall of Fame from 2020. It has been featured on various television programs. The company registered trademarks for '麺屋極鶏', 'GoKKEI', and '鶏だく' in 2014.
History
Menya Gokkei was founded on May 4, 2011, by Koichi Imae, who previously worked as a hairdresser. Aspiring to succeed in the ramen business, he trained at the long-established ramen shop Tanpopo in Kyoto's Kita Ward. After 12 years of training, he opened the first Menya Gokkei shop in Ichijoji, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto. In December 2011, the shop won the grand prize in the chicken paitan category of Kansai Walker's '2011 New Store Gourmet Best' ranking. In 2013, the brand collaborated with Lawson to release a supervised 'Tori Daku Cold Tsukemen' for the 'National Famous Ramen Taste Tour (Summer)' campaign. It also received second place in the Kyoto new store category of Ramen Walker Grand Prix 2012 and won the grand prize in the chicken paitan category of the 1st Ultimate Ramen Award 2012 Kansai. In March 2014, the trademarks for 'Menya Gokkei', 'GoKKEI', and 'Tori Daku' were registered. In October 2014, the brand ranked first in the Kyoto overall category of the Ramen Walker Grand Prix 2013. In January 2016, it was ranked first in Kyoto Prefecture in the Tabelog Japan Ramen Award 2016. In May 2016, Toyo Suisan released a cup instant noodle 'Maruchan Vertical Big Menya Gokkei Tori Daku'. In October 2016, the brand participated as 'Gokuryuken' (a collaboration of Menya Gokkei, Ryukishin, and Ken Ramen) in the Kansai Ramen Derby 2016 and won. In June 2017, it was selected for the Tabelog Ramen WEST Top 100 Restaurants 2017. In October 2018, Toyo Suisan released 'Maruchan Menya Gokkei Aka Daku'. In October 2019, it ranked first in the Kyoto overall category of the Ramen Walker Grand Prix 2018. From 2020, it was inducted into the Ramen Walker Grand Prix Hall of Fame after consistently ranking high from 2016 to 2019. In July 2021, a supervised 'Tori Daku Cold Tsukemen' was released at Lawson stores in the Kinki region. In August 2021, Toyo Suisan released 'Menya Gokkei Aka Daku' exclusively at FamilyMart. In December 2021, a frozen ramen vending machine was installed at JR Nijo Station. In February 2022, another vending machine was installed at Ekimaruche Osaka, and two collaboration products, 'Tori Daku Ramen' and 'Chashu Onigiri', were released at Lawson in the Kinki region. In March 2022, vending machines were installed near the coin lockers at Kyoto Station Hachijo West and at Kyoto Yodobashi. The brand has also been featured on numerous television programs, including 'Shabekuri 7', 'SmaSTATION!!', 'Himitsu no Kenmin SHOW', and 'Banana Man's Sekkaku Gourmet'.
- 2022
Vending machine installed at Ekimaruche Osaka; two collaboration products released at Lawson.
- 2022
Vending machines installed at Kyoto Station Hachijo West and Kyoto Yodobashi.
- 2021
Lawson released supervised 'Tori Daku Cold Tsukemen' in Kinki region.
- 2021
Toyo Suisan released 'Menya Gokkei Aka Daku' exclusively at FamilyMart.
- 2021
Frozen ramen vending machine installed at JR Nijo Station.
- 2020
Inducted into Ramen Walker Grand Prix Hall of Fame.
- 2019
Ranked 1st in Kyoto overall category of Ramen Walker Grand Prix 2018.
- 2018
Toyo Suisan released 'Maruchan Menya Gokkei Aka Daku'.
- 2017
Selected for Tabelog Ramen WEST Top 100 Restaurants 2017.
- 2016
Ranked 1st in Kyoto Prefecture in Tabelog Japan Ramen Award 2016.
Products and positioning
Ultra-rich, unique chicken paitan ramen; a Kyoto ramen brand with a strong local and national following.
Tori Daku Ramen
Signature ramen with ultra-rich chicken paitan soup.
Tori Daku Cold Tsukemen
Cold dipping noodles supervised for Lawson.
Aka Daku
Spicy version of Tori Daku ramen.
Buta Mabushi Meshi Dorobo
Frozen pork topping for rice, sold online.
Chashu topping
Homemade chashu topping for takeout.
Menma topping
Homemade menma topping for takeout.
Sources4 sources
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