Kyoto
きょうと
A FOOD GUIDE
Our food highlights from our most recent trip to Kyoto, from traditional kaiseki to comforting tonkatsu.
1. Shoraian (Arashiyama)
Our lunch at Shoraian definitely exceeded our expectations. Tucked away in a tranquil corner of Arashiyama Park, Shoraian specializes in tofu kaiseki, complemented by fresh seafood seafood and seasonal produce. We learned that the tradition of kaiseki originated from serving a meticulously crafted multi-course meal before a tea ceremony, since it’s not desirable to enjoy matcha on an empty stomach. We reserved two days in advance by phone, which we read was a must for this tofu-kaiseki restaurant, and booked the 7-course set meal (Shouyo) for 11am on a weeekday. Arriving 15 mins in advance of our reservation time (at opening time- 11am) allowed us to luck out a private room with a window overlooking lush greenery. The highlights were the agedashi tofu and hassun mori (assorted plate), featuring steamed egg custard, koya tofu, and grilled fish.
Address: 〒616-8386 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagakamenoocho, 官有地内
2. Katsukura (In Kyoto Station- Porta)
Certainly the best tonkatsu we’ve had so far – it’s juicy, perfectly balanced with just the right amount of fat, and delightfully fluffy, light and crispy on the outside. The addition of freshly roasted sesame seeds to the tonkatsu sauce is a small detail that really made this dish even more flavourful. We could choose from three grades of pork, and several serving sizes. The cabbage, rice and miso soup come unlimited. They also have other types of katsu (shrimp, fish, chicken) and croquettes, but tonkatsu (pork) is what they do best. Katsukura is conveniently located in Kyoto Station Porta, on the 11th floor.
Address: 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Higashishiokojicho, 901 京都ポルタ 11F
3. % Arabica (Higashiyama, Kyoto Fuji Daimaru and Arashiyama)
Our favorite drink is their Kyoto latte, known for its remarkably smooth and silky texture. It is on the sweeter side, as they used a little bit of condensed milk, but the sweetness level is customizable to your taste. With three locations in Kyoto, our favorite turned out to be Arashiyama, where we enjoyed a stunning view of the Katsura River. Little tip: to skip the line to order, order directly trough their app (you can usually find a QR code near the entrance of the cafe).
Addresses:
87-5 Hoshinocho, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0853
605 Teianmaenocho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8031
3-47 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385
4. Hyoue (Kibune)
We stumbled upon Hyoue, a cozy spot tucked away from the crowds, offering kawadoko seating. To our joy, there was no wait, and we were able to secure front-row seats with a view of the Kawadoko river. We ordered a matcha latte, a monaka wafer with kiwi, and coffee warabi mochi. We lounged above the river for a little more than 2 hours- it felt like our own private retreat.
Address: 101 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112
5. Kiyomizu Tateba
Nestled in the heart of Kiyomizu, this restaurant felt like a welcoming Japanese home as soon as we stepped inside. From its cozy tatami setting to the genuine welcome from the owner, every detail radiated the warmth of a Japanese household. We indulged in the obanzai set lunch featuring mackerel, miso soup, and seasonal vegetables, alongside a hearty serving of beef curry.
Address: 〒605-0862 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Kiyomizu, 4 Chome−170-6 1F
