After recently embarking on a voyage across Japan, I have thoroughly expanded my pallet. I visited the cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. While Osaka is known as the food capital of Japan, I must say that the food was equally as good amongst these cities.
Here, I will list my favorite restaraunts, street foods, and cafes that you must visit/try while in these areas of Kyoto.
- Wagyu Teppanyaki Steak House
This restaraunt is located at Nishiki Market in Kyoto. Found above a chocolate strawberry stand, this place offers tranquility and an escape from the noisy streets. Hidden, humble, and authentic are the best words to describe this place. Seating only 14 people and featuring a limited menu of beef and sides, the experience was amazing. Wagyu beef is celebrated for its unrivaled tenderness, rich flavor, and exquisite marbling. The name “Wagyu” translates to “Japanese cow”—with “wa” meaning Japanese and “gyu” meaning cow—and it refers to a specific breed of cattle raised with meticulous care. Among the different varieties of Wagyu, Kobe beef is the most famous and the most exclusive. Originating from the Hyogo Prefecture in Japan, Kobe beef comes from the Tajima breed of cattle that are raised under strict regulations.
I ordered the “” which features one traditional Japanese appetizer, one sea urchin, grilled fish, the main dish, grilled vegetables, steamed rice, and miso soup. This 5 course meal satisfied all of my taste buds and allowed me to explore new foods.
I ordered the wagyu original beef. My dad ordered the Kobe beef and enjoyed it, however I noticed a difference in textures between the two. Overall, I give this restaurant an 8/10. As someone who rarely voluntarily eats beef, this was something rare and unique. The flavor was beyond my expectations and something I would enjoy again. I don’t enjoy seafood, which is why the appetizers were not my favorite, however, that opinion is biased.
2. Ranzan Cafe
After venturing to the area of Arishiyama to visit the bamboo forest, monkey park, and other attractions, starved is the best work to describe my state. Finding somewhere within this distant area was more difficult than anticipated. Arishiyama is very quant, and far from the busy city lifestyle. However, after walking around town, we stumbled upon a cafe. The menu was full of just what we needed to fill our stomachs and offered both a breakfast and lunch menu.
This cafe was founded in 1967, and they have lived up to their authentic serving style. While only accepting cash, it was an amazing experience to immerse ourselves in a restaurant with such cultural differences. They offer a variety of smoothies, classic breakfast plates and sides, salads, and more, the menu was perfect. I ordered a pancake, toast, and a smoothie.
I must say, I extremely underestimated the taste of the toast. In Japan, toast is a beloved breakfast staple, but it’s quite different from what you might find in other countries, both in terms of texture and preparation. The Japanese take their toast to the next level with a focus on thicker slices and generous buttering, creating a unique, indulgent experience that’s perfect for a satisfying start to the day. This toast was delicious, and I could have eaten another serving.
3. Nishiki Market
Nishiki Market is a vibrant, historical food market located in the heart of Kyoto, Japan. Often referred to as “Kyoto’s Kitchen,” it has been serving locals and visitors alike for over 400 years. This bustling market is not only a great place to sample a wide array of traditional Japanese ingredients but also a fantastic destination for experiencing Kyoto’s unique culinary culture.
I started by trying chocolate covered strawberries. I then enjoyed freshly cooked potatoe chips. We were able to watch them cook and prepare them on the side of the stand. They were delicious, warm, and extremely flavorful. Some of them even had a little bit of sugar too them. I also tried a traditional Japanese sweet treat of Ichigo Daifuku (Mochi with bean paste). At this market you will find a variety of seafoods as well, and cool pop up shops too.
4. Ca’ del Viale
As we pondered what we wanted for dinner, we were recommended an Italian restaurant by a hotel employee. I know it sounds crazy. Who goes to Japan to eat Italian food? However, we couldn’t help but feel warmed by the comfort food that was awaiting us at this restaraunt. It offered a warm ambiance that made us feel welcomed and even more hungry. The service was excellent, and the chef even made us feel very personable.
We started with potato fritters as an appetizer and they were phenomenal. I followed that with the Gnocchi Phantom Castellano Cheese. It was incredible. As someone who typically ordered spaghetti with red sauce, I was beyond satisfied with ranging out of my comfort zone. For dessert, I ordered a nutella gelato with a crisp cake slice to go alongside. My dad ordered a toffee gelato, which according to him, he could “eat twenty more bowls”.
