Kyoto: The Food Tour
I’ve been to Kyoto several times over the years and even planned a trip that made food more of a priority than the destinations.
Many people - including myself - have gone to Kyoto and had Japanese food, but often miss actual Kyoto foods. Here are some places that I’ve been to and recommend, both authentic Kyoto food and just good food in the city.
Kappo Bar
Kappo is a style of high-end Japanese dining, and the appropriately named Kappo Bar specialized in this type of cuisine. In all honesty, this was one of my favorite meals I’ve had in Kyoto.
The restaurant is located down a small alley between the Gion and Ninnenzaka areas, and is in an old Japanese house.
The main seats are on a counter in front of the chef, so you can watch him prepare everything as well as interact with him. The quality of food here was amazing and I highly recommend it.
Nakamura Tokichi
When in Kyoto - and more specifically, when in Uji - you have to get matcha since it’s known for it. Nakamura Tokichi began here in 1854 and has had several generations of owners.
We made a reservation for their tea room, where we could sit on tatami mats, sip matcha and eat namacha, which is a dessert that comes in a bamboo cup. In it are sweets such as anko (red bean), matcha jelly, mochi and matcha ice cream.
There’s also a gift shop that has a range of matcha powder at different levels, matcha baked goods, hojicha (roasted green tea) and more. Definitely a stop to be made when in Uji.
Nikuya Kurokawa
Simple but so delicious. Also located in Uji is Nikuya Kurokawa, an extremely popular restaurant that specializes in wagyu beef donburi’s (over rice).
We got their regular wagyu beef donburi and one that was mixed together with takuan, which is a type of Japanese pickles. Both came with an egg yolk that you can put on top and a soup.
You need to go really early as there was already a line 30 minutes before opening, and be prepared with cash. It was worth it, though, this meal was very, very good.
Menami
Authentic Kyoto cooking. Obanzai is a Kyoto cooking style that resembles simple, traditional home cooking.
There are a handful of rules that need to be followed in order for it to be called “obanzai”. For example, obanzai cooking requires using ingredients that are in season, and at least half of them needs to be produced or processed in Kyoto.
Menami has table seats and a counter that is really cool as dishes are lined up on the counter and you can watch the chefs cook up the meals. The food was delicious and as expected with Kyoto cuisine, most dishes had a light, subtle taste.
Yachiyo
Located right near Nanzenji is Yachiyo, a ryokan hotel with a restaurant open to non-guests as well. They specialize in tofu, a dish that is amongst the foods Kyoto is known for most.
Their lunch course has an assortment of small dishes, many of which are different types of tofu, and it’s all centered around yudofu (tofu hot pot).
It's an excellent Japanese "washoku" meal experience, and a place that my family and I have gone to more than once.
Wajouryoumen Sugari
An extremely popular ramen shop in Kyoto, Wajouryoumen Sugari specializes in wagyu motsu ramen.
Their main location’s line was way too long when we went, so we went to their second, lesser-known and somewhat hidden in plain sight second location. It’s in a kurazukuri building, or old Japanese warehouse, and its interior was redesigned in a modern, minimalistic way. The design, utensils and condiments drawer, the peaceful music playing in the background… everything made for an elevated ramen experience.
It was delicious, not too heavy at all, yet tasty and well balanced.
Kouroan
Having a matcha experience in Kyoto is great since the city is known for it. Kouroan is a good place for matcha, and its name roughly translates to a small house where you can have tea.
There are several semi-private to private rooms in the house, both tatami-floored ones and a lounge-ike one with chairs. The tea house is located in a temple area with several temples located there, and is just really peaceful.
We ordered a set that included a few different Japanese sweets and a matcha cake. The best part was that it was basically all-you-can drink, so after the first round, we were able to make our own matcha. They also have a cute cat that roams the area.
Tofu Matsugae
Kyoto is famous for tofu, and conveniently located in Arashiyama is Tofu Matsugae.
Their in a secluded Japanese garden-like area alongside the Katsura River, and their lunch consists of several small dishes. A couple of my favorites were the yuba, or tofu skin, and tempura. Everything is centered around yudofu, or tofu hot pot, which is a Kyoto dish. The one here had regular tofu and a matcha one which was pretty interesting.
Have you been to any of these? If not, put them on your list for the next time you visit. Feel free to share this with someone as well.
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