Part restaurant, part 380 year-old tofu manufacturer, this iconic, serene building is tucked away, just off a busy pedestrian shopping street. Try to go during lunch, when you can see the beautiful gardens through the windows, just fyi: it’s strictly tatami (floor) seating, and the tofu is the star. I met one of the shokunin … Continued
Filled with dozens of food vendors and produce hawkers, this lively, covered market in the the central part of Kyoto is tucked among countless shops and restaurants. I could walk these corridors all day long and never get tired of perusing manga comics, obscure toys and of course, street snacks. Nishiki Market +81 75-211-3882
If you’re headed to Kyoto, chances are you’re taking the bullet train from Tokyo Station, riding one of the impressive Shinkansen trains. I know this sounds crazy coming from an American, but be sure to buy something to eat from the train station before you depart. They do sell food on the trains, but the … Continued
There are several tea shops in Kyoto, and just as many offering traditional Japanese tea ceremonies. But none have been around as long as Fukujuen, which has been in the business since 1790. Their five level store offers both a cafe, a retail store and private tea ceremony room, and I’d recommend stopping in for … Continued
Even though you’ll find better okonomiyaki in Osaka, when in Kyoto, you would be hard-pressed to find a better source than Kora Tei. The Korean owners replicate this large, savory seafood pancake to perfection, topping it with either some Kewpie mayo or bonito flakes or both. Reminiscent of their own seafood pancakes from Korea, called … Continued
With the elderly Matsuno-San overseeing every detail of your meal, and his son, Toshio, supervising the kitchen crew, your meal at Tempura Matsu will be life-changing, revelatory. It’s not molecular, and it’s not avant-garde. It’s simply Japanese perfection, using only what they can purchase each day, then combining fish, rice and a myriad of sea … Continued