Kyoto Support » Forum: Food and Drink

Kyoto Support » Forum: Food and Drink - Recent Topics http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/forum/food-drink Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Sat, 11 Feb 2012 11:42:05 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php drdave on "Buying vinegar starter (mother of vinegar) in Japan..." http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/buying-vinegar-starter-mother-of-vinegar-in-japan#post-279 Mon, 31 Oct 2011 07:01:38 +0000 drdave 279@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ A tough one... I have decided to try my hand at homemade wine vinegar making and was hoping to get some of the precious bacteria commonly known as "mother of vinegar" (Mycoderma aceti). My research so far indicate that the common Japanese name might be 酢酸菌, but none of the variations on any of these names (katakana/no-katakana etc) comes up with anything on Rakuten (my usual last-ditch destination for hard-to-find items). From my understanding, I would do fine with *any* vinegar that has not been pasteurised (and therefore still contains some of the bacteria), but I doubt that applies to any of the ones I can find in a supermarket. Any suggestions? peko on "Ramen: Great Ramen Shops in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ramen-great-ramen-shops-in-kyoto#post-5 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:50:50 +0000 peko 5@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Places to 'Ramen' in Central Kyoto Ippudo Nishiki-koji Store (一風堂錦小路店) -- excellent, excellent ramen -- Ippudo came to Kyoto about five years ago from Hakata, Kyoto and has been a big hit. Ippudo is located on the north side of Daimaru Department Store near the Shijo-Karasuma intersection in central Kyoto. It is one block south of Nishiki Market (shopping arcade). <a href="http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html</a> Gogyo, Kyoto (五行京都) -- great Kyushu ramen in historic Kyoto machiya house -- New and elegant ramen restaurant in Kyoto. Gogyo offers other 'ippin' dishes lots of drinks. <a href="http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html</a> [Now Closed, Nov. 2011] Takaraya Ponto-cho Store (宝屋先斗町店) -- original, elegant 'Kyoto' ramen-- Takaraya is located near Sanjo Bridge in Ponto-cho neighborhood. No ramen lover would want to miss Takaraya's 'Sumashi Ramen' while they are in town. If you can handle underdone eggs, do try their 'Demachi-no-Tamago-kake Gohan'. KyotoFoodie review: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/</a> Ponto-cho Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html</a> JR Kyoto Station Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html</a> (＊this location does NOT offer Sumashi Ramen) Kyoto Ramen Koji (Little Ramen Street) - Kyoto Station -- seven of the best regional ramen flavors in Kyoto -- Located on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station Building, this is a great place to take your pick from 7 of Japan's regional tastes of ramen. Japanese language site only: <a href="http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html</a> (photos and graphics give you the idea) Silke on "Ramen-ya (Ramen Shops in Kyoto/Arashiyama)" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ramenyas#post-274 Mon, 03 Oct 2011 22:58:34 +0000 Silke 274@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi Michael (and everybody else) - what are your favorite Ramenyas in Kyoto? And bonus question: Any Ramenyas in Arashiyama as that's where we'll be staying? Thanks! JessTwiga on "Kyoto Yatsuhashi: delicious bridge cookies" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/delicious-bridge-cookies#post-161 Fri, 29 May 2009 11:44:20 +0000 JessTwiga 161@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for the name of an amazing cooking I have in the neighborhood of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. I think it is baked mochi. They are about an inch long and half an inch tall and they look like little brown bridges or half a hollow log. They are crispy, slightly sweet, with a faint spice that I can't quite place. If you know what I'm talking about and could tell me the name that would be amazing!! They are truly one of my favorite cookies!! Thank you! berroci on "Abura soba in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/abura-soba-in-kyoto#post-267 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 08:25:18 +0000 berroci 267@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Does anyone happen to know of any good places to find abura soba in Kyoto? I've tried searching online, but my Japanese is nonexistent, so I haven't had much success (the best I found was a seasonal offering from a ramen place, circa two years ago). Thanks for any ideas you might have. blkprnc on "Donabe Seasoning" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/donabe-seasoning#post-268 Fri, 08 Jul 2011 20:20:31 +0000 blkprnc 268@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ My donabe has developed a black crust inside. Should I keep that or clean it out? slobin on "Food tours in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/food-tours-in-kyoto#post-265 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 00:21:30 +0000 slobin 265@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ In preparation for an upcoming week in Kyoto, I've been spending a lot of time on this site... and loving it! However, its occurred to me (several times) that my wife and I are likely going to have a hard time finding some of these dishes / items - we don't speak any Japanese. Are you aware of anyone that does individualized "food walking tours" in Kyoto - e.g. bringing us to some of their favorite hole-in-the-wall places? We've been to Kyoto before... this time, we want to discover some more places off the tourist map. Thanks in advance for any suggestions! J peko on "Handmade Ice Cream in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/homemade-ice-cream-in-kyoto#post-114 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:10:43 +0000 peko 114@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While Häagen-Dazs is ubiquitous in Japan, in convenience stores and supermarkets and Häagen-Dazs ice cream parlors, there aren't many independent handmade ice shops here. That is too bad, and odd, because Japanese love ice cream and eat plenty of it. This is the country that gave the world ice cream tempura! Chibeta (ちべた) Chibeta is located in Nishijin, the old weaving district of Kyoto. Chibeta offers high quality ice cream for eat in, take out and they even sell online. Chibeta offers novel riffs on traditional Japanese flavors, ingredients and sweets. As always in Kyoto culinary culture, the seasons are important and Chibeta offers numerous seasonal fruit flavors. Recent KyotoFoodie Articles: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/sakura-mochi-ice-cream/">Chibeta Sakura Mochi Ice Cream</a> <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/soba-boro-cookie-ice-cream/">Chibeta Soba Boro Cookie Ice Cream</a> location: Chibeta is located on in the Nishijin district of Kyoto on Senbon-dori, just south of Imadegawa-dori. From the intersection of Senbon and Imadegawa Streets, you just go three (short) blocks to the south and Chibeta is located on the east corner of Senbon and Sasayacho Streets intersection. business hours: open 11am to 7pm (Closed Mon and Mon and Tues once a month. If Mon is a national holiday, closed Tue.) website (no English): <a href="http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html</a> tel: 075-414-8688 京都市上京区千本通笹屋町東北角 Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.02903,135.742843&spn=0.002109,0.002575&z=18&source=embed">Chibeta - KyotoFoodie Map</a> incognito on "(Casual) Breakfast in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/casual-breakfast-in-kyoto#post-203 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:17:11 +0000 incognito 203@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I will be in Kyoto for a week in November, staying at Hotel Monterey then a ryokan (with breakfast). We will be taking advantage of a few lunch Kaisei deals and won't go for the hotel breakfast. I know there are probably some decent snack food/bread available from convenient stores that we can have as quick and casual breakfast. I am just wondering what other options might be? Cafes, wagashi stores, Mr Donuts? Thanks a lot! umeboshisan on "eating in large groups!" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/eating-in-large-groups#post-259 Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:49:52 +0000 umeboshisan 259@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone ANY places where we can fit 16 people in to eat that relatively cheap? peko on "Sake Bars in Kyoto: Nihonshu Bar Asakura, Jizake Bar Zen, Sake Bar Yoramu" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sake-bars-in-kyoto#post-194 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:41:17 +0000 peko 194@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I know of three (premium) sake bars in Kyoto: Nihonshu Bar Asakura, Jizake Bar Zen, Sake Bar Yoramu. How about you? I highly recommend Nihonshu Bar Asakura and Jizake Bar Zen, and highly don't recommend Sake Bar Yoramu. Asakura 日本酒BARあさくら (full name: Nihonshu Bar Asakura) ENGLISH SPOKEN! FRIENDLY OWNER! EXCELLENT SAKE SELECTION! The owner speaks English very well and lavishes attention on foreign customer to assure that they have a wonderful sake experience in Kyoto. Asakura has a broad and varied collection of premium sake, including very rare aged sake. (We had 21 and 23 year old aged sake -- sake is usually drunk fresh, within 6 months to a year.) location: Asakura is just south of the Kiyamachi Street and Oike Street intersection in the Kiyamachi neighborhood near the Kamo River. Walking south from the intersection, take the first street left. Up the little lane you will notice a large red wooden sculpture of a sake carafe (tokkuri) -- this landmark is NOT Asakura. Walk just past the red tokkuri and on the right will be the steps of nondescript building. Take this flight of stairs to the second floor. Asakura is on the right, immediately at the top of the stairs. hours: 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Closed Tuesday and 'sometimes' on Sunday and Monday. Call first to be sure.) Asakura only seats 11 people, so you might want to call about seating too. OpenKyoto article: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/dining/sake-bar-asakura.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/dining/sake-bar-asakura.html</a> website: <a href="http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/</a> (no English) tel: 075-212-4417 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kiyamachi Oike-sagaru, Hitosujime Higashi-iru, Daikyu Building 2F (京都市中京区木屋町御池下がる一筋目東入る大久ビル2F) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.011475,135.771092&spn=0.007179,0.007167&z=17&iwloc=00046c792533c44415caa">Nihonshu Bar Asakura@KyotoFoodie/OpenKyoto Map</a> Jizake Bar Zen 地酒BAR 膳 Jizake (Local Sake) Bar Zen Excellent jizake (local sake) selection. Jizake literally means local sake or regional sake, but you can think of it as artisan or craft sake too. Jizake Bar Zen is located in exclusive Gion nightlife district and is run by an interesting character nick-named Punch. Previously Punch was a truck driver and has a 'punch perm' like yakuza often sport in Japan. location: Near subway Oike Station. From the Sanjo-Karasuma intersection walk west on Sanjo Street to Muromachi Street, the first street on the left. Look for the ugly building on the south-west corner. Most of the buildings in the neighborhood are ugly, but they are short and ugly, not 5 stories tall. hours: (approx) 6 pm - 12 mid-night, or later. Closed 'sometimes'. website: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/</a> (no English) map: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html</a> (no English) Punch's Punch Perm (blog article) <a href="http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html" rel="nofollow">http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html</a> tel: 075- 241-4007 (no English) mobile: 090-3494-7214 (no English) address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Muromachi-dori Sanjo Nishi-iru, Koromonotana-cho 61-1 Mikasa Bldg 5F (京都市中京区室町通三条西入衣棚町61-1 三笠ビル5F) map: <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&lr=lang_en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.00836,135.758722&spn=0.003585,0.004855&z=18&iwloc=00049310ce57c90742147">Jizake Bar Zen@KyotoFoodie/OpenKyoto Map</a> Sake Bar Yoramu 酒バーよらむ The owner is an Israeli resident of Kyoto who loves sake. In 2000 he has made his 'ideal' bar, where you can try several good quality sake by small portions with just right kind and amount of food. Eight people can sit at the counter and there is a small table for 2 or 3 people. Yoramu only serves 'junmai' sake, or pure rice sake without added brewers alcohol. (This is the only kind of sake that should be made in my opinion.) This same space is a soba noodle restaurant during the daytime, run by a different person. location: "Sake Bar YORAMU is on Nijo-dori, south of the Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). The cross street is Higashinotoin-dori, which is two streets east of Karasuma. The closest subway stop is KARASUMA-OIKE (#1 exit). Turn left upon emerging from the subway exit, and keep going past the first cross street (Oshikoji). Turn right at the next street, which is Nijo-dori. Go past the first cross street, and Sake Bar YORAMU will be the third building on your right. Slightly further but also less than a ten-minute walk away is the subway's MARUTAMACHI station." (source: Yoramu website) hours: 6 pm - 12 mid-night. Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesdays. website: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html</a> map: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html</a> tel: 075-213-1512 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori, Higashinotoin-sagaru, Minamigawa (京都市中京区二条通東洞院東入る南側) Our experience at Yoramu: Yoramu is quite small and only seats 8 or 9 people at the counter which was full when we arrived. We were offered a little table and told the clear the magazines, a fan and so on off ourselves. We had to hunt around for some little stools -- all self-service. Then, Yoramu told us that he was busy and that we should wait a bit before ordering. THEN, he noticed that the door hadn't closed after we came in and asked us to go and close it! DUDE! No way! Yoramu only serves premium sake so it is not going to be cheap. That kind of service is unacceptable -- anywhere, least of all Kyoto, Japan. I would love to recommend and support a fellow foreigner running a business in Kyoto, but with this kind of service, I would have to say to give Yoramu a miss. Too bad. pivote on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-116 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:31:56 +0000 pivote 116@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello - First I want to thank everyone for the information I've found on this blog/forum. I've been able to plan a fine culinary itinerary based on the shared knowledge here. I will be in Kyoto for 3 days this May and have already booked a lunch at Kikunoi Roan and a dinner at Spoon, but want to dedicate the rest of my available meals to more casual fare. In general, I am willing to pay for a world-class dining experience, but in general I'd like to keep meals around the 5K-7K range. I was hoping to sample the following: Great Steak/Beef, either in the form of Sukiyaki or Teppanyaki (whichever provides the most bang for the buck): - Mishima-tei seems a bit pricey to me, but the only other notable potion I could find mentioned online is Kanoko... - In terms of Teppanyaki, the option I came across on bento.com is Misono. I also see Grill Miyata come up on alot of travel sites. Yuba: Seems like the establishment that keeps coming up is Komameya, which i'm happy to go to if its a definitive Yuba experience... Unagi: Please let me know if there is a standout Unagi experience in the Kyoto area. So far, I have come across Aoba and GION UMENOI. Thanks in advance for your help! kcox on "Boba Tea" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/boba-tea#post-256 Thu, 23 Sep 2010 11:58:43 +0000 kcox 256@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, are there any places in Kyoto to get a boba tea? Or the drinks with tapioca pearls in them? Thanks! jborsecnik on "restaurant supply stores" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/restaurant-supply-stores#post-254 Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:34:37 +0000 jborsecnik 254@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Are there any restaurant supply stores in Kyoto that are open to the public? I'd be looking both for bakeware/cookware/glassware and possibly bulk ingredients (e.g., vinegar). thanks, jb jborsecnik on "Where to buy flour?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/where-to-buy-flour#post-250 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 04:45:52 +0000 jborsecnik 250@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Can anyone tell me where to buy anything other than white wheat flour in Kyoto? I'd like whole wheat flour and maybe rye, and I'd prefer un-bleached while flour. I'd also be interested in where to buy baking supplies. (fyi: One can buy semolina at Vivre on Kitaoji.) thanks, jeff b jazz on "Kyoto Kaiseki Restaurant that Welcomes Kids" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-restaurant-that-welcomes-kids#post-244 Sun, 16 May 2010 02:32:59 +0000 jazz 244@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi, I have two young pre-schoolers. Can anyone please recommend a kaiseki restaurant that welcomes kids? If possible, please include directions. Thanks. nowpot on "Mochi Making Lessons in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/mochi-making-lessons#post-240 Sat, 08 May 2010 01:55:26 +0000 nowpot 240@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello! Is there a place where I can learn to make mochi? Maybe a school that specializes in making different kinds? I'm keen on making these at home :) And is there a place where I can buy sakura extract or flavoring? Thanks a lot! :) archer_root on "Fresh Young Coconut, Durian, and other fruits from just south of Japan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fresh-young-coconut-durian-and-other-fruits-from-just-south-of-japan#post-238 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:44:06 +0000 archer_root 238@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone found any fresh young coconuts from Thailand in any of the markets of the Kansai region? How about fresh, unfrozen durian? Or what about figs? Seen any fresh figs anywhere? I love Obanzai (おばんざい). I really love obanzai. But I need a fresh young coconut, mang. bern on "Gluten Free in Japan - Printer Friendly Celiac Disease English-Japanese Card PDF" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/gluten-free#post-185 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:24:09 +0000 bern 185@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ My wife's diet is gluten free. What should we say to ask if a dish uses gluten in its ingredients? Maybe I should print out something in Japanese to take with us? Is there much awareness of this diet in Japan? bjje on "snack attack" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/snack-attack#post-231 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:50:45 +0000 bjje 231@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While walking up to Ginkaku-ji, I had grilled Mochi on a stick that was four square pieces, each about 3cm, rough like tree bark, coated with spice. There were different flavors. Does anyone know what the proper name is for this? (link to recipe?) The next one is a mame type cracker with a peanut inside that was pink, shaped and flavored like an Ume. I had it in Kiso Valley. Proper name? supplier? Many thankyoos. peko on "Favorite Stores, Tastes and Products in Nishiki Market" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/favorite-stores-tastes-and-products-in-nishiki-market#post-230 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:36:56 +0000 peko 230@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I am starting a list of my favorite shops and foods in Nishiki Market. more to come... Mora on "Soy Salt - Available in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/soy-salt-available-in-kyoto#post-227 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:41:17 +0000 Mora 227@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello everyone. I recently read about Soy Salt at the New York Mutual Trading Inc. website. It's made by Kamebishi, a traditional artisan shoyu company that has been producing shoyu for more than 250 years. I'd love to be able to bring some bags of Soy Salt home as gifts to my foodie friends. Does anyone know where it can be purchased in Kyoto? Kamebishi Company is located in the rural town of Hiketa, Kagawa Prefecture. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. carol on "Jack O' Lanterns" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/jack-o-lanterns#post-215 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:59:33 +0000 carol 215@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where around Kyoto to find orange pumpkins for carving Jack O' Lanterns? We are willing to go out of town on train or bus. For a little Halloween tea party Saturday afternoon. carol on "Oatmeal Weather: And Where to Buy Western-style Breakfast Food in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/oatmeal-weather#post-212 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:54:57 +0000 carol 212@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I gather that Maki Shoten may be the best place to try to find oatmeal here in Kyoto. Up Higashioji, I'll check it out. So yummy, cooked very creamy or apples-n-oats, raw rolled oats mixed with grated apple and with milk, muesli really, add nuts. There's also not much better for cleansing face, just do it over the kitchen sink! (Put some raw rolled oats in a sock, tie it and drop in the hot bath.) It makes good milk, too, like almond or hemp milk, if you have a blendor. drdave on "Finding Cornmeal in Kyoto..." http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/finding-cornmeal-in-kyoto#post-209 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:53:53 +0000 drdave 209@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Subject should say it all :-) I am craving homemade muffins... and can't seem to find cornmeal at any of the local supermarkets (including fancier ones that usually carry a decent selection of import foods and exotic spices). Friends in Tokyo get it at Kaldi Coffee Farm, which doesn't have a branch in the city. I haven't tried Meidi-ya yet (it's a bit on the opposite side from where I leave), but thought I'd ask here if anybody could recommend stores that are guaranteed to sell cornmeal? Cheers! foomarks on "Seasonal things to eat in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/seasonal-things-to-eat-in-kyoto#post-202 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:33:33 +0000 foomarks 202@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I'm going to be in Kyoto 10/24 to 10/30. Can you recommend must see seasonal things to eat, and at which places? Thank you! (If you can recommend seasonal things to do and see, that would be great too!) Rina on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-83 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:10:53 +0000 Rina 83@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for an affordable place for lunch near 宝鏡寺 and 西陣織会館. I'll have exactly two hours between going to these two places, so I suppose somewhere relatively simple on Horikawa-doori. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you in advance. peko on "Kaiseki-ryori in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-ryori-in-kyoto#post-2 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:06:12 +0000 peko 2@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where to go for Kyoto Kaiseki-ryori? One of the most common questions that we get on KyotoFoodie is what are our recommendations for good kaiseki in Kyoto? Of course, there are many. Here are some of our recommendations. 1. Kichisen (吉泉) also known as Kissen -- very traditional Kyoto kaiseki -- The owner and chef of Kichisen is Yoshimi Tanigawa. He is one of the few chefs on Earth to have defeated an Iron Chef! (Iron Chef is the popular Japanese television program) Mr Tanigawa also runs a dojo (道場) for apprentice chefs. Mr Tanigawa is well known for his strictness and severity with his students, only about 1 in 10 finish the 7 year course. His kaiseki is very classical, very 'Kyoto' and very, very delicious and beautiful. Kichisen is open for both lunch and dinner and is located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shimogamo Shrine. Kichisen website: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com</a> Kichisen Reservations: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php</a> NEW INFO: We did a 7 part series with Kichisen on the theme of Kyoto Kaiseki, Japanese New Year's Kaiseki and Osechi Cuisine: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/series/o-shogatsu-ryori/" title="Kichisen New Year's Kaiseki">Kichisen's New Year's Kaiseki Series</a> 2. Kikunoi (菊乃井) -- newish, popular and owner recently published kaiseki book -- Kikunoi has two locations in Kyoto; Kiyamachi or Honten. Though not authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (why come all the way to Kyoto and not have the real thing?), Kikunoi is an excellent place to get acquainted with kaiseki. Kikunoi Kiyamachi is located just south of the busy Shijo-Kiyamachi intersection. The restaurant is beautiful and a world apart from the bustle of the neighborhood. The Kiyamachi location offers a reasonably priced and excellent lunch. If you are on a budget but still want to try kaiseki, consider Kikunoi's lunch. The Honten is villa-like and in central Kyoto's most picturesque and exclusive neighborhood, Higashiyama, where you can go for a stroll before or after dinner. Honten 075-561-0015 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm</a> Kiyamachi 075-361-5580 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm</a> They have a really horrible English website (circa 1996). <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/</a> The Japanese pages (with photos) give a much better idea of what the restaurant is like. When you make a reservation, be sure to try book an individual room. Book by owner Yoshihiro Murata: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kaiseki-Exquisite-Cuisine-Kikunoi-Restaurant/dp/4770030223" title="The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant ">Kaiseki: The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant </a> peko on "Economy Class: Best Budget Restaurants in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/economy-class-best-budget-restaurants-in-kyoto#post-188 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:40:52 +0000 peko 188@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ This is a list of my favorite restaurants in Kyoto for travelers on a tight budget. Where do/did you go? Marugame Seimen Kawaramachi Sanjo Store (丸亀製麺河原町三条店) This is a Sanuki (Shikoku) style udon restaurant chain. This location is still new and shiny. The udon is made fresh on site handmade-style. (It is machine-made but the taste and texture is like handmade.) Don't overlook the tempura and onigiri rice balls. The staff is friendly. An English language menu (with correct English) available. Probably the cheapest decent restaurant in all of Kyoto. A hungry traveler can really fill up for just 500 yen. Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Daikoku-cho 54-1 (京都市中京区河原町通三条下る大黒町54-1) tel 075-231-0700 Open everyday from 11 am to 10 pm (last order is 9:30 pm) Website (Japanese language): <a href="http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/" rel="nofollow">http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/</a> OpenKyoto 'Kyoto Best Cheap Eats' article: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html</a> k8isgrape on "Mochi Cream Store in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/mochi-cream#post-178 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:10:47 +0000 k8isgrape 178@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm heading to Kyoto for the weekend later this month and it happens to be conveniently timed before a friend's birthday. Does anyone know if there's a Mochi Cream shop in Kyoto? She's addicted to them and I'd love to pick her up some if I can. (I mean the full-on, official Mochi Cream brand.) I could always hop on the Hankyu line for Osaka and go to the one in Umeda, but that seems a bit excessive. :)