Nishiki Market : 10 of the Best Street Foods

Nishiki Market

Nishiki market is Kyoto’s largest food market. On this street, about five blocks long, more than 150 food vendors have gathered, selling everything from fresh fish and vegetables, to Japanese sweets and other snacks that you can eat right away.

Many of the stalls offer free samples, so even if you are not planning on having a proper meal, there is a good chance that you will be quite full once you reach the end of the market.

Nishiki Market

Some of the foods on sale here might seem a bit odd to western tourists.
How about a baby octopus with a quail egg inside its head, for example, or some of Japan’s infamous whale meat? Or perhaps a soy donut?

It can all be found on this vibrant market street, located just a block from Shijo-dori, one of the biggest and most upscale shopping streets in Kyoto.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki market manages to strike a good blend between being a famous tourist hotspot, yet still a place where the atmosphere of a local neighbourhood is still very present.

You are likely to bump into both local retired housewives and chefs from some of the nearby restaurants, as well as busloads of tourists, while browsing all the various culinary masterpieces on display here.

Nishiki Market

Several charming restaurants are located next door to this bustling market street too, so if you would rather sit down and have a proper teishoku (set meal) for lunch instead of having to stand while you eat, this can easily be arranged too.

A good idea is to have a look at all the intersecting streets and alleys, and you will surely be able to find something that suits your palate.

Nishiki Market

Tofu and Yuba are two local specialities, and of course, there are several stands specializing in this healthy soybean derivate at Nishiki market too.

As the Kyoto region is also famous for its high quality tea, there are several stands specializing in tea leaves and matcha powder, as well as many different kinds of tea-flavoured sweets.

The opening hours vary from shop to shop, but generally, most of them are open from 9am to 6pm.

Nishiki Market

Nishiki Market Map

The Nishiki Market is located in the Gion area in the middle of Kyoto.
The shopping area is on a straight street that stretches about 1,300 feet (400 meters) in length, so it's convenient to walk from one end to the other, then continue on to the nearest station to go wherever you need to go.

― Nishiki Tenmangu is the landmark at the eastern end, which is a four-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line. If you take the bus, it’s a three-minute walk from the Shijo Kawaramachi bus stop.

Nishiki Tenmangu

Entrance at East side

― The Daimaru Kyoto store is the landmark at the western end, which is a three-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Subway Karasuma Line or Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

If you take the bus, then a two-minute walk from the Shijo Takakura (Daimaru Department Store Mae) bus stop.

Entrance at West side

Kyoto Nishiki Market Shopping Street Promotion Association

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Tominokojidori 4-jo Agaru Nishi-daimonjicho 609

0752113882

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/

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Nishiki Market

The great thing about the Nishiki Market is that many foods are sold in small portions, so it gives you the chance to try many different things in one day.

In this article, we’ll introduce 10 of the best and most highly recommended gourmet street foods to try.

Tako Tamago

Tako Tamago

You can find some unique foods at the Nishiki Market, such as the popular Tako Tamago, which is a baby octopus with a boiled quail egg stuffed into its head. It might sound and look pretty odd, but it gives you the chance to try something new!

You can find Tako Tamago at Kai (櫂) and it’s 350 yen per piece (extra large size). This delicacy is great accompanied by liquor such as sake.

Opening hours: 10am-6pm
Closed: Irregular holidays

Kai

Kai KAI

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Kajiyachou 216

0752127829

【URL】http://www.nisiki-kai.com/html/page1.html

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Carpaccio of Toro-salmon

uni

Sengyo Kimura (鮮魚木村) is a fresh fish store that has been open since the Edo period. They supply high-end Michelin star restaurants and are renowned for their high-quality fresh seafood.

One of their most popular foods is a carpaccio of toro-salmon (fatty salmon), which is served on a stick with freshly squeezed lemon juice and costs 250 yen per piece. Another recommended choice is their uni (sea urchin), which costs 450 yen per piece and is served directly in the shop.

Opening hours: 8:30am-6pm
Closed: Sundays and Holidays

Sengyo Kimura

Kimura Fresh Fish

4.0

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Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Nishiki Shoji Tsutayuu Baba Nishiro Midomiya Town 486

0752211639

8:30-18:00

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/kimura/index.html

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Dashimaki

Dashimaki

Tanaka Keiran (田中鶏卵) specializes in egg dishes that are made with carefully selected dashi of kelp. Kyo Dashimaki (京だし巻き) is popular here, a rolled up omelet cooked in a specially prepared broth, then served on a skewer.

Kyo Dashimaki costs 120 yen per piece and is only sold from 10:30am to 4pm. There is no area to sit and eat but the foods they sell are easy to eat while walking around the market. They also sell baby omelettes and white miso quiche made with seasonal ingredients.

Opening hours: 9am-6pm
Closed: January 1-5

Tanaka Keiran

Tanaka Keiran

4.5

18 Reviews

Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto City Nakagyo-ku Nishiki Koji Tsutomu Tominoku Nishi Inner Tojido-cho 185

0752212094

[SaturdaySunday]9:00-18:00[W…

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/tanakakeiran/index.html

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Soy Milk Matcha Soft Ice cream

Konnamonja

Open since 1991, Konnamonja (こんなもんじゃ) is known for their soy milk sweet treats. One of the best things to get here is their soy milk matcha soft-serve ice cream, which quickly became their signature product when it was first introduced 20 years ago.

The frozen treat looks pretty with its green and white colors swirled around to form a distinctive silhouette. The ice cream is made from Fujino’s soy milk and costs 350 yen per cone.

Opening hours: 10am-6pm
Closed: Open everyday

Konnamonja

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38 Reviews

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Nishikikoujisakaimachi Turning corner Midomiya Town 494

0752553231

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【URL】https://www.kyotofu.co.jp/en/

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Komochi Kensaki Ika

Komochi Kensaki Ika

Hatanaka Shoten (畠中商店) is popular for its quick, cheap snacks, with everything pre-made and then reheated when you order.

Kensaki Ika is a swordtip squid with eggs and it only costs 100 yen per piece.
It’s served on a skewer so it is easy to grab and go.
Be sure to get here early since they only make a limited quantity and often sell out fast.

Opening hours: 9am-6pm
Closed: Wednesdays

Hatanaka Shoten

Hatanaka Store

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Nishikikoji-dori Sakaimachi Higashi Iru Nakauoyacho 489

0752210843

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/hatanaka/index.html

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Chocolate Croquette

Inoue Tsukudaniten

Despite being a tsukudani speciality shop, Inoue Tsukudaniten (井上佃煮店) sells a variety of traditional, home-style Kyoto dishes using seasonal ingredients.
However, their most famous item and one of the most popular things to buy at Nishiki Market is the Chocolate Croquette.

This delicious snack features melted chocolate covered in a crunchy coating. Well worth the payment of only 120 yen per piece. If you are a chocolate lover, don’t miss the chance to get this yummy treat.

Opening hours: 9am-6pm
Closed: Wednesdays, 1st and 3rd Sundays

Hedgehog Manju

Nishiki Inoue Tsukudani Shop

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Nishikikoji-dori Yanaginobanba Nishi Iru Nakauoyacho 485

0752214357

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/inoue/

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Fu Manju

Nishiki Kofukudo

Nishiki Kofukudo (錦 幸福堂) is known for their Japanese-style sweets such as manju, which is a steamed yeast bun with filling.

We recommend the Fu Manju (麩まんじゅう), which features anko (red bean paste) wrapped in namafu (wheat gluten). Their Fu Manju are soft in texture and come wrapped in a leaf. They only cost 173 yen per piece.

Kofukudo has many other sweets to try, with all of them made from carefully selected ingredients for the best tasting results.

Opening hours: 10am-7pm
Closed: Wednesdays

Kofuku Do Nishiki

Kyoto Kyoto-shi Nakagyo-ku Nishiki Dori Fuyacho Nishi Irikita Side

0752215960

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/kofukudo/index.html

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Hamo Kushi

Uoriki

Kyoto is one of the best places to get hamo (pike conger), so be sure to try some while in the area.

Uoriki (魚力) is a fish shop where you can try gourmet hamo at cheap prices.
Their Hamo Kushi (pike conger on a skewer) is great to grab on the go.
We recommend their Hamo Teriyaki, Hamo Tempura, and Hamo Katsu, which all cost 500 yen.

Opening hours: 10am-6:30pm
Closed: Wednesdays

Uoriki

Kyoto Nishiki Uoriki

Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Higashiuoyachou 176

0752214003

8:00-18:30

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/uoriki/index.html

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Menchi katsu

Meat Shop Hiro

Founded in 1976, the Meat Shop Hiro (京のお肉処 弘) specializes in the highest quality Japanese beef. It’s a classy butcher shop where you can buy raw meat but also ready-made items.

One of the best foods here is their Menchi katsu, which is a minced meat cutlet that’s been breaded and deep fried. Menchi katsu is tasty, filling, and cheap, costing just 160 yen per piece.

Opening hours: Weekdays 10am-7pm, Weekends and holidays 9am-7pm
Closed: Open everyday

京のお肉処弘 錦

京都府京都市中京区錦小路御幸町西入鍛冶屋217

0752221129

【URL】https://www.meatshop-hiro.com/shop/nishiki.php

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Karikari Hakase

Jumbo Takoyaki

Takoyaki is a ball-shaped Japanese snack made from a wheat flour-based batter and filled with a variety of different ingredients, such as octopus, green onion, pickled ginger, and pieces of tempura.

The only place to get takoyaki in the Nishiki Market is at Karikari Hakase (カリカリ博士), where they sell their Jumbo Takoyaki for a reasonable price. You can get a pack of six for just 200 yen.

Opening hours: Weekdays 11am-8pm, Weekends and holidays 10:30am-8pm
Closed: Irregular holidays

カリカリ博士 京都錦市場店

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43 Reviews

京都府京都市中京区東魚屋町185-6 錦市場商店街内

0752120481

【URL】http://www.kyoto-nishiki.or.jp/stores/karikarihakase/index.html

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