Kyoto Eats: hidden spots & viral trends

Kyoto is rich in a diverse selection of culinary highlights ranging from street food to traditional cuisines. In the following article, I am highlighting my top- favorite dishes & food spots, out of which some belog to social media viral trends, whereas others are hidden jewels waiting to be discovered!

Let's start eating!

Nishiki Market: Kyoto's Kitchen
Matcha Brulee Pancakes @ Panel Cafe
Yamamoto Mambo: birthplace of heaven-sent Manboyaki
Food Park, Uji: Wagyu Burgers, Wagyudon and Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl
Fushimi Sake Village: sake tasting vom A - Z
Teuchi Udon Noodle Kendon-ya: handmade Udon and crispy-fried seafood tempura
Kaidashimen Kitada: Clam soup noodles
Mister Donut: go catch 'em all!
Ohanabatake: premium sandwiches at its best!

Nishiki Market: Kyoto's Kitchen

Independent on your length of stay, this charming market street should definitely be integral part of your itirenary! Stretching almost half a kilometer long, Kyoto's famous food market covers over 100 shops and stalls, tightly lined next to one another. Often referred to as Kyoto's Kitchen, Nishiki Market offers a great variety of both freshly prepared and preserved foods, ceramic goods, souvenirs, cookware, paper goods and condiments. You can pick-and-choose individual food items, such as deep-fried battered sushimi rolls, pieces of sushi, oysters, takoyaki, likewise noodle dishes and hearty meats, including juicily tender Wagyu skewers. A unique speciality here are the so called Tsukemono (pickled vegetables), which are famous for Kyoto. Another unique highlight is Yuba (tofu skin), either fresh or deep-fried. Of course, those with a sweet tooth will also get their money's worth! Matcha-infused sweet treats, fruits, smoothies and ice cream variations can be purchased as well.

Walking through Nishiki Market, you will notice individual shops and stalls, oftentimes run by generation-overarching family businesses, also more spacious food halls, in which several BBQ places line up next to one another offering different goods, including seafood & meat delicacies from different vendors. In these areas, you will most likely also have the chance to round-off your meal with one or the other shot of sake for a small purchasing fee. The halls, decorated with colourful lights, resounding with laughter and surrounded by a wonderful fragrance of different hearty dishes, create a relaxed and magical atmosphere one would like to linger in for a bit, especially during evening hours.

As I am a big seafood lover, my personal food highlights were the umami skewer, grilled squid and baby octopus, as well as the deep-fried juicy surimi rolls (take the fried, not the grilles ones- trust me!). Give it a try and let me know what you think in the comments!

Practical Information

Address: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan

How to get here: Take the Karasuma Line to Shijo Station and enter from the west side (Takakura Street). Just around the corner you will bump into Teramachi Street, a popular shopping arcade for burning off your calories if you fancy

Opening Hours: usually 10am - 6pm, however, several stalls remain open after 6pm

Admission: for free

Matcha Brulee Pancakes @ Panel Cafe

This place might be known to one or the other person as a viral food spot promoted by several influencers on Instagram. Panel Cafe is a popular food spot, mainly famous for one thing: their fluffy, light and jiggly Japanese pancakes! The most popular pancake variation is probably the matcha-brulee one, which is also recommended by the staff. This heavenly dish comes with three steaming hot stapled pancakes covered in a creamy matcha-thick sauce with a sugary-melted crispy topping, a side of soft serve vanilla ice cream and cookie crumbles for some extra crunch. Combining all of these ingredients onto your fork will certainly please your taste buds with an explosive sensation.

In case you are not a matcha fan, other pancake variations, including strawberry cheesecake, banana-caramel, plain or bonsai-hojicha are available. Depending on the season, the choice of pancakes may vary. Apart from Japanese pancakes, several pancake souffles and croffles (a croissant-like dough which is baked like a waffle) can be purchased as well. Hearty meals, including burgers (which apparently are also said to be very good), are also on the menu.

If you plan to come here, make sure to reserve a seat, as otherwise long waiting queues will be awaiting you! Panel Cafe is always booked out, so it can be quite challenging stopping by on a spontaneous side note.

My tip: try to come on the weekends, as the cafe does not take any reservations on saturdays and/or sundays. Arrive early in the morning, at least 30 - 60min. prior to opening and you will ensure having a comfortable table of your choice, either on the lovely garden terrace or the beautifully cozy interior with large chandeliers!

Practical Information

Address: 165 Tokiwacho, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto 605-0079, Kyoto Prefecture

How to get here: if you are in Gion quarter, Panel Cafe is just around the corner! Either take a 3min. walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station or a 5min. walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station to reach the cafe

Opening Hours: open daily from 10am - 4pm

Price: 1000 - 2000JPY

Yamamoto Mambo: birthplace of heaven-sent Manboyaki

Coming to Japan, most of us are probably aware of Japanese Okonomiyaki- a savory Japanese pancake, usually made with flour, eggs, shredded cabbage and further ingredients of choice, traditionally cooked on a hot iron plate. But have you heard of so called Manboyaki? No? Well, from a wording point of view, it sounds very alike to Okonomyaki, right? So the question is: what exactly is the difference between these two?

Compared to a traditional Okonomiyaki, Manboyaki are layered Japanese pancakes that are cooked with steaming hot noodles as base, such as udon, soba or Chinese noodles, addint an extra component of richness and delightness to your meal. Yamamoto Mambo, a rather inconspicuous, dark colored restaurant off the beaten tourist track, has made it its mission to provide exactly these kinds of delicacies to its customers at the best-possible quality in a cozy, relaxed environment with an undistorted view on the chefs cooking your meals on a huge hot iron plate prior to being served. They claim to be the birthplace of Manboyaki since 1948 and surely do not disappoint in taste, presentation, quality and/or friendly staff.

Yamamoto Mango

Their famous Manboyaiki comes in two versions: with Chinese fried- or Japanese noodles. Added ingredients as base are fried hormone, egg, green onions, beef & squid hormone. You can subtract or add ingredients of preference, e.g. pickled reddish.

Once making up your mind about your noodle base and ingredients, you can pick your sauce, featuring sweet, sweet and spicy or very spicy sauces. Last but not least, the consistency of your egg (raw, medium, well done) needs to be decided (if you have not yet tried to top off a Japanese meal with a raw egg, I highly recommend doing so!). And now, sit back, relax the show and order a cool beer or Japanese whisky as a delightful combo for a hearty, savoury, yet tenderly melting dish.

Practical Information

Address: 56 Shimonocho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8206 Präfektur Kyōto

How to get here: a solid 10min. walk from Kyoto station

Opening Hours: 10am - 9:30pm, closed on Wednesdays

Price: 1000 - 2000JPY

Food Park, Uji: Wagyu Burgers, Wagyudon and Wagyu Beef Rice Bowl

Some people might be wondering why I highlight a meat-focused eatery location in the heart of Uji, probably knowing that Uji is mostly famous for its renowned matcha products throughout the area. However, when traveling with my friend, whom I was lucky enough to get to know in my hostel, we bumped into this place by incidence during the first few minutes after our arrival in Uji. Just by looking at the mouth-watering signposts outside its doors, it was clear to me that this was the place we were going to have lunch at! And if you do love meat, this location certainly is a definite must-try recommendation from the heart.

Hidden in a narrow side street in Uji is a small but beautiful gem of a very special kind: Food Park. A notable eatery specialising in Kagoshima Kurogyu beef dishes, including wagyudon (special wagyu beef rice bowls) and beef burger variations. All meats are carefully selected by the restaurant's owner, a certified meat sommelier, and convince in taste, quality and presentation. The interior is bright and colourful, providing only a limited amount of seats. Outside the door, you will find a guest list to sign up for, so that the staff can call you in by order whilst waiting. My recommendation is to be quick and come here anytime close to noon, as the restaurant closes until sold out (announced on their Instagram page). By the time we got there (between 1:30/2pm), the wagyudon bowl was already off the menu, whilst the queue outside the door continued to grow in length and density of people. We still got to enjoy alternative and very alike meat dishes, paired with some excellent parmesan truffle fries on the side. Located in the heart of tourism, it is also a very convenient lunch spot to consider.

Practical Information

Address: Japan, 41 Myoraku, Uji, Kyoto 611-0021

How to get here: a solid 5min. walk, either from JR Uji-, or Keihan Uji Station

Opening Hours: open daily from 11am - 5pm

Price: between 1000 - 2000JPY

Fushimi Sake Village: sake tasting vom A - Z

Fushimi Sake Village is, contrary to the assumption, not directly located to Fushimi Inari Taisha but a bit further out, located along a beautiful river. The village is also known as Fushima Sakagura Kouji, famous for its sake brewing heritage.

This complex brings together a total of 18 different sake breweries compiled under one roof. Snacks and meals, just like tasting sessions are available in a rather darkish and old-fashioned interior. Due to the extensive selectio of sake, over 100 different varieties can be sampled. It's a fun and relaxing experience to integrate that I truly enjoyed. My conclusion was that I'd rather stick to the dry versions but you can try and test to find your favourite taste yourself!

The easiest and most convenient way is to order a sake sample tasting box, consisting of 18 different samples, ranging from sweet to dry versions. My Australian friend and me shared one box but don't be fooled, as a lot of locals are able to drink one box by themselves. Would you be able to manage? Dare to challenge and ensure to have a proper meal up front to not fall out the doors!.

Practical Information

Address: 82番2 Hiranocho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto, 612-8057, Japan

How to get here: Take the Keihan Main Line to Fushimi-Momoyama Station and walk 5min.

Alternatively, take the Kintetsu Kyoto Line to Momoyamagoryomae Station and walk 5min.

Opening Hours: open daily from 11am - 10pm, closed on Tuesdays

Admission: depending on single shots or tasting combos between 2000 - 4000JPY

Teuchi Udon Noodle Kendon-ya: handmade Udon and crispy-fried seafood tempura

Teuchi UdonNoodle Kendon-ya is a perfect combination when aiming to visit Fushimi Sake Village to prepare your stomach for some incoming turns of alcohol. Only a few minutes by foot, this restaurant has been serving handmade Udon noodles for over three generations. To the highlights of the menu belong Curry Udon and Kitsune Udon. I went with an Udon dish I have ot yet tried before, so-called Ankake Udon: a thick, almost jelly-like soup made from fish broth, combined with a splash of soy sauce. Quite basic but heart-warming and light in taste. Paired with the chewy, yet soft texture of the handmade Udon noodles, I have never tried anything comparable. The lunch-paired seafood- and vegetable mixed tempura were fried to perfection and a perfect round-off to our meals.

Once you are ready to order, press the button on the table and the staff will approach you. The same applies for ordering the bill.Quick, convenient, tasty and worth a try!

Practical Information

Address: Japan, 〒612-0012 Kyoto, Fushimi Ward, Fukakusa Ichinotsubocho, 41 パールハイツイナリ 1F

How to get here: A short walk from Keihan Fushimiinari Station or Inari Station.

Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm, closed on Wednesdays

Price: 500 - 1500JPY

Kaidashimen Kitada: Clam soup noodles

Kaidashimen Kitada is a ramen shop close to Kyoto station, which I happened to find on the internet when searching for a lighter ramen alternative than the typical rich pork bone broths options. The term "Kaidashemen" translates into "shellfish broth noodles" and underlines the restaurant speciality: a distinctive, light and flavourful clam-based broth, packed with umami.

The restaurat highlights focus upon Special Clam Ramen, called Shoyu, as well as Clam Broth Noodle Soup with Ajitama (seasoned egg). Whilst the first option features a delicate soup with domestic clams, the second menu highlight combines the umami of clams with subtle flavours from scallops. Both dishes convince in their refined, fresh taste and belong to one of my Japan eating highlights!

I personally went with the Hanaguri-option, featuring a light clam-based noodle soup with an extra topping of tenderly light pork meat. If you are extra hungry or would like to simply add some extra to your soup, my recommendation is to try their homemade won tons whilst pimping your noodle dish with some extra spring onions and a to-perfection boiled egg for an extra amount of protein, leaving you with a satisfied, not overly full feeling for several hours.

As the store proves to be quite popular amongst both locals and tourists, it is definitely worth coming here as early as possible to save a seat and not wait in long for too long.

Practical Information

Address: 570-3 Kitafudondo-cho, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto-shi

How to get here: an approx. 7min. walk from JR Kyoto Station

Opening Hours: 7am - 10pm

Price: 1000 - 2000JPY, closed on irregluar days

Mister Donut: go catch 'em all!

A bit nostalgic, not a restaurant place in particular, but also too cute not to mention are the perfectly designed Pokemon donut variations of Mister Donut; a donut chain which can be found all over Japan, e.g. inside of Kyoto Station on the 1st floor. The chain offers a great variety of donuts, coffees and other sweet delicacies to satisfy one's craving for sweetness. Next to their famous sugary coated mochi donuts, Pokemon-themed donuts with and without filling can be purchased for an extra amount of nostalgic childhood-memory joy. As the lineup of Pokemon-themed donuts is exclusively limited, you do have a great chance of caching them all during your visit!

Practical Information

Address: Japan, 〒600-8216 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, 京都府京都市下京烏丸通塩小路下る東塩小路町901

How to get here: entering Kyoto station, take the elevator to your right and go up to the first level

Opening Hours: open daily from 7:30am - 10pm

Price: 1 - 500JPY

Ohanabatake: premium sandwiches at its best!

Trust me when I say, I love Japanese food. But at some point during my travels, rice and/or noodles required for some sort of breakfast variety and I was craving some hearty, delicious bread! Around the corner, only a few side steps from my hostel, I found this cozy little shop whose menu was a direct positive step in the heart!

Ohanabatake used to be a street-selling vendor whose popularity finally led to opening up some actual stores, selling their deliciously hot egg- and tender beef sandwiches, freshly prepared with a great variety of signature sauces to choose from. You are spoiled for choice when reading through the rich menu. I went for the sour onion egg and salt lemon basil beef combo. Mouthwatering food explosion? You name it!