I was in the Kansai region last year. Some of my fave places to eat in Kyoto - all these places are within the city centre and very easily accessible.
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Traditional kaiseki at Kinmata:
[Kyoto, Japan] Kaiseki dinner at Kinmata (近又) -
French-Japanese fusion at Okumura:
[Kyoto, Japan] French-Japanese fusion kaiseki at Gion Okumura -
Kyoto homecooking flavours at Oku
[Kyoto, Japan] Kyoto-style home-cooking at OKU -
Trad-Kyoto amidst geishas at Hanasaki
[Kyoto, Japan] Kyoto-style cuisine at Hanasaki -
Do NOT miss the egg sandwiches from Inoda Coffee, I kid you not. I had it on one day, and returned the next two days for the same. I love this place to bits.
[Kyoto, Japan] Inoda Coffee at Kiyomizu -
Amazing tonkatsu at Katsukura
[Kyoto, Japan] Tonkatsu at Katsukura Shijo Higashino toin (かつくら四条東洞院店) -
Soba at the 600-year-old Owariya
[Kyoto, Japan] Lunch at Honke Owariya (尾張屋) -
Lunch at Kyo-Suiran. I stumbled upon this elegant dining spot - with amazing service and meticulous cooking - after the original intended lunch spot: the no reservations 1-Michelin-star Hirokawa was closed suddenly for 3 days for some emergency situation (Yes, that Hirokawa where long queues form one hour before its opening time).
[Kyoto, Japan] Lunch at Kyo-Suiran, Arashiyama -
Unajyu (grilled eel on rice) at Nakagawa
[Kyoto, Japan] Unagi lunch at Nakagawa (なか川), Arashiyama -
The Singaporean-Malaysian DNA in me started screaming for a spice fix 10 days into my Kansai region holiday. Believe me - I searched practically everywhere in Kyoto for curries, and this was the only one I managed to find. I am packing jars of sambal the next time I come back to this city.
[Kyoto, Japan] Spicy Masara (スパイシーマサラ ) at Kyoto Station
I missed this much talked-about ramen spot and would go back to Kyoto to try it - Inoichi at 528 Ebisu Terrace (Ebisunocho), Shimogyo-ku. It opens 11.30am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-10.30pm, Tue-Sun (Closed on Monday). It serves Shina-soba topped with grilled Kyoto pork chop, and has a perpetual queue upfront - so try and go early.
