What to Eat in Kyoto

Kaiseki Ryori　懐石料理

Kaiseki Ryori

Kaiseki is the type of cuisine that is served with tea ceremonies in Japan, and it is a small, meticulously prepared meal that is usually meant to complement the tea being served. The traditional arrangement of the cuisine includes one soup and three side dishes, and it is designed to be pleasing to the eye as well as the palate. Many kaiseki restaurants can be found in Gion, the classical entertainment district of Kyoto.

Nikenchaya Nakamuraro

Nikenchaya Nakamuraro 二軒茶屋中村楼 is an upscale restaurant that sits within the grounds of Yasaka Shrine. The kaiseki served here is top quality, and it has a price tag to match, though kaiseki is generally a more expensive experience. The chic interior has modern touches in a classic style, adding to the restaurant’s popularity. Reservations are recommended.

Giro Giro Hitoshina

Giro Giro Hitoshina 枝魯枝魯ひとしな is an interesting restaurant that serves a fusion of “Kaiseki ryori”, Japanese course dinner, and French modern cuisine. The chef calls this style “punk kaiseki”, and we can see why – it’s an interesting mix between new and old, with a few edgy details thrown into the mix. The restaurant itself is located in a cozy Japanese wooden house with windows facing the Takesagawa Canal.
If you’re lucky you might be able to walk in and get a table, but we highly recommend booking in advance – especially if you want one of the desirable counter seats where you can have a chat with the chefs. Giro Giro (sometimes transliterated “Guilo Guilo”) also has branches in Paris, Hawaii and in the Kagurazaka neighborhood in Tokyo.

Nikenchaya Nakamura-rou

28 Reviews

Address: Kyoto prefecture Kyoto shi Higashiyama ku Gion Yasaka Shrine Torii inside

Phone: 0755610016

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.nakamurarou.com/

枝魯枝魯ひとしな

Address: 京都府京都市下京区西木屋町通松原下る難波町420-7

Phone: 075-343-7070

Sushi

Gion Mametora

Gion Mametora 祇をん豆寅 is a classy establishment where compact is the keyword. They offer small plates, or mamezara, that will dazzle you with their bright arrangements of kaiseki dishes. But the sushi is the rare sight, indeed. Designed with geisha and maiko in mind, the nigiri sushi is pressed into adorable spheres that are easy to pop into your mouth. It does get busy, though, so be sure to make a reservation.

Awomb Nishi-Kiyamachi

Awomb Nishi-Kiyamachi 西木屋町 offers the gorgeous teori style of sushi, which is a variety of colorful ingredients and spices artfully presented. You actually hand roll the sushi yourself into a temaki, but pictures will obviously need to be taken before you indulge in the decadence of flavor.

Gion Mametora

14 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Gionmachiminamigawa 570-235

Phone: 0755323955

Remarks: 【URL】https://kiwa-group.co.jp/mametora_gion/

Awomb, Nishikiya-machi

7 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Shimogyou-ku Nambachou 405

Phone: 0752035277

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.awomb.com/

Oyako-don 親子丼

Hisago

When you inevitably end up around Kiyomizu-dera and Kodai-ji, try stopping in Hisago ひさご for a piping hot bowl of oyako-don, a filling dish of chicken, onion, and runny egg all cooked together and served over rice. Hisago is very well known in the area for its rendition of oyako-don, but they also have noodle dishes that hit the spot should you be craving something different, like green tea soba. The restaurant itself is a laid-back atmosphere with soft lighting that offers you a chance to relax over a meal before heading back out into the city—stomach full, ready to explore.

祇園下河原ひさご

Address: 京都府京都市東山区下河原通八坂鳥居前下ル下河原町484

Phone: 075-561-2109

Remarks: 【URL】https://kyotohisago.gorp.jp/

Ramen

No Name Ramen (Namae No Nai Ramenya)

Sometimes you need a good bowl of ramen. Don’t worry. Kyoto has you covered.
No Name Ramen (Namae No Nai Ramenya 名前のないラーメン屋) takes their name, or lack thereof, very seriously; they don’t even have a sign in front of the shop. Once you find this underground eatery, then you’ll be delighted by their fresh ingredients and selection of spices. Forget about the name; the ramen speaks for itself.

Muraji

Muraji むらじ is located on the second floor of an unassuming wooden house next to Shirakawa-dori in northern Gion. Their signature dish is noodles topped with plenty of sliced lemon. According to the menu, this was invented by the owner, as a healthy alternative to the more traditional kinds of Ramen. The stock is chicken-based and not at all as greasy as pork-based ramen. Apart from the enjoyment brought by enjoying a bowl of Ramen without having to worry too much about it expanding your waist, it also tastes really good.

Ippudo

Ippudo 一風堂 is the old standby for ramen lovers, and there’s a reason they have shops all across the country. Kyoto has its own location around Kyoto Station, and the taste is exactly what you’re looking for, regardless of which style of broth you choose.

Tenkaippin

Tenkaippin 天下一品 has gone on to open shops across Japan, but the first branch opened right here in Kyoto, complete with menu items you won’t find anywhere else. Their thick broth leaves a surprisingly fresh aftertaste, meaning the bowl will be gone before you know it.

Namaenonai Ramen Ya

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Nakagyou-ku Ebisuchou 534 - 31 CEO Kiya-machi Building B1F

Phone

祇園麺処むらじ

Address: 京都府京都市東山区清本町373-3

Phone: 075-744-1144

Remarks: 【URL】http://ramen-muraji.jp/en//a>

IPPUDO Kyoto Porta

Address: Kyoto Kyoto Shimogyo Higashi Shiokojicho

Phone: 0757085300

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.multilingual.ippudo.com/

Tenka Ippin Main Shop

85 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Sakyou-ku Ichijoujitsukudachou Maison Shirakawa 1F

Phone: 0757220955

Remarks: 【URL】http://tenkaippin.co.jp/responsive/en/

Obanzai　おばんざい

Obanzai

Kyoto’s home cooking is called obanzai, and it’s a collection of simply prepared dishes using seasonal ingredients that usually come from within Kyoto. Expect lots of vegetables and seafood on the menu, many of which aren’t normally used in dishes. But that’s what makes obanzai unique among Japanese cuisine.

Izama

Izama 居様 offers a contemporary interpretation of classic Japanese design, and the dishes themselves also follow the same stylings, with the tableware and cuisine making for elegant, and delectable, displays. Stop by for their lunch special, the 9 Kinds of Obanzai Platter, which gives you a range of tastes that do Kyoto justice. This is the place for obanzai done right.

居様/IZAMA

Address: 京都府京都市中京区新町通六角下ル六角町361

Phone: 050-3184-3722

Remarks: 【URL】http://kyoto-izama-web.com/

Udon

Niomon Uneno

Niomon Uneno 仁王門うね乃 is getting a lot of attention for its udon, and the main attraction is the Shippoku Udon. Uneno specializes in making the savory dashi broth, and the Shippoku Udon is full of veggies and has tofu skin, or yuba, floating along the top of the bowl for a tasty little something extra. The Negi Udon, another Kyoto specialty, is also on the menu at Uneno, so you can try both if you bring a friend.

Fumiya

Fumiya 冨美家 is famous for their Fumiya Nabe, which is a variation of nabe-yaki udon, or udon cooked in a clay pot. Fumiya Nabe has shrimp tempura, egg, and negi onion in their namesake dish, for a soothing combination of flavors and textures to fill you up right.

仁王門うね乃

Address: 京都府京都市左京区新丸太町41

Phone: 075-751-1188

Remarks: 【URL】http://odashi.com/udon/

Fumiya

Address: Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture Chukyo-ku Sakai-machi communication Takoyakushi under Lumpur Kikuya cho 519

Phone: 0752220006

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.kyoto-fumiya.co.jp/

Wagyu Beef

Hafuu

Loosen up the belt and the pocketbook for this one.
Hafuu はふう is a stylish space that serves up wagyu almost any way you like it, and the food is prepared right in front of your seat at the counter. If you’re looking for the real deal, then order the Wagyu Steak, which comes in a few different cuts, depending on your preference. Or, if you’re in a hurry, then you can get a Fried Beef Cutlet Sandwich to take away. While the items are on the expensive side, the quality is never in question at Hafuu. You won’t be disappointed.

Address: 京都府京都市中京区麩屋町通夷川上ル笹屋町471-1

Phone: 0752571581

Remarks: 【URL】http://hafuu.com/

Buddhist Vegetarian Meal

Buddhist vegetarian meal in Shigetsu

Buddhist vegetarian meal, or shojin ryori 精進料理, is the type of food that is eaten by those who are undergoing Buddhist instruction, and, as such, it is completely vegetarian. The flavors are light, and soybeans and vegetables are the staples of the cuisine. It is also thought to be the origin of the macrobiotic diet. While the food is definitely healthy, it is also carefully prepared with a variety of cooking methods and colors, so you won’t get bored.

Buddhist vegetarian meal in Shigetsu

Shigetsu

Shigetsu 篩月 is the restaurant of Tenryu-ji 天龍寺, situated in the temple gardens. The shōjin-ryōri is more of an experience than a meal, as you get comfortable on mats laid on tatami floors and enjoy dining in harmony with the season. It’s open for lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and reservations are required.

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Tenryu-ji Shigetsu

149 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Ukyou-ku Sagatenryujisusukinobabachou 68

Phone: 0758829725

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.tenryuji.com/en/

Yudofu 湯豆腐

Yudofu

Okabeya

Just up the street from Kiyomizu-dera lies Okabeya おかべ家, a relaxed restaurant with a dining area that is open and airy; they also manufacture their own tofu. Yudofu is a simple food consisting of tofu blocks cooked in broth and then lightly braised in a mixture of soy sauce and spices. So when you combine the two, you get an especially tasty yudofu that will warm you right up. Take your time with the subtle flavor of the dish or pair it with some tempura for a crunchy complement to the soft tofu.

Kiyomizu Junsei Okabeya

70 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Kyoutoshi Higashiyama-ku Kiyomizu Temple Mae Shimizu 2

Phone: 0755417111

Remarks: 【URL】http://www.okabeya.com/lang/en.html

Cha Soba　茶そば

Cha Soba

Morishige

Chasoba, or green tea soba, is another delicacy of Kyoto, but if you go a little outside the city itself to the town of Miyama, then you’re in for a pleasant surprise at Morishige もりしげ , a restaurant housed in a thatched-roof building that’s over 140 years old. Sure, there are shops that sell green tea soba within Kyoto city, but the classic atmosphere of Miyama coupled with the dining at Morishige make for more lasting memories. If the weather is nice, then take a seat by the window and watch the breeze blow through the garden.

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Morishige

5 Reviews

Address: Kyoto Nantanshi Miyamachouchikubo Roh valley under mode 15

Phone: 0771751086

Craft Beer

Spring Valley Brewery

Okay, this isn’t technically cuisine, but it is worth mentioning due to the recent uprising of craft beer across Japan. Since this is Kyoto, then Spring Valley Brewery is the playful fusion of classic and modern that will give you both the vibe and the beer that you’re looking for. Spring Valley offers a clean, contemporary interior in a renovated wooden townhouse over 100 years old, and they have a full food menu and a solid list of Japanese craft beer to choose from. The suggested pairings and course menus are deep and easy to decipher, making it a great pick for both newcomers and experts alike.

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Spring Valley Brewery Kyoto

31 Reviews