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KYOTO CUISINE
YACHIYO
This famous old ryokan, offers yudofu and kyoto-style lunch (11:00-15:00; from 2,700 yen) and dinner (17:00-22:00; res required; from 8,000 yen) ; Tel : 771-4148.
KINMATA
On the west side of Gokomachi, north of Shijo; Tel: 221-1039; Fax: 231-7632; convenient location in the central city; Kaiseki lunch: Japanese tatami room: from 8,000 yen; table seat: from 5,000 yen; Kaiseki dinner: Japanese tatami room: from 16,000 yen; table seat: from 12,000 yen; Japanese cypress bath; curfew: 23:00; classic Japanese style accommodation: from 40,000 yen (dinner, breakfast, service included).
TOKANSO
614 Maruyama-cho, east of Yasaka Torii gate, Higashiyama; Tel : 561-0581; Fax: 525-2021; Open 11:00-14:00, 17:00-23:00; Closed irregularly once a month; Lunch Courses (change seasonally): Yudofu Kaiseki (3,150 yen), Tenshin (simple Kaiseki course, 3,675 yen), or Mini Kaiseki course (5,250-6,300 yen); Dinner Courses (changes daily) : Kaiseki (8,400 yen) ; This 140-year-old restaurant is located in the heart of the culturally rich Higashiyama area, on the eastern slopes of Maruyama Park; Reservations necessary; no credit cards accepted.
GION HEIHACHI SHINSEN-EN
On Oshikoji, South of Nijo Castle and west of Horikawa; Tel:841-0811; Open daily from 11:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00) ; Shinsen-en is the legendary garden founded in 794; Excellent opportunity to experience Japanese traditional cuisine with full view of this exquisite Japanese garden; Lunch is served between 11:00-16:00, including Udon Chiri (served with appetizer, rice, and fruit) 3,600 yen, and the Heihachi Gozen and Tempura Set (served with salad, rice, pickles and fruits) 3,600 yen; There are also highly popular nabe meals such as Shabu-shabu, 6,600 yen, and Sukiyaki, 4,800 yen. Ukishima-Gozen Set (4,800 yen) includes a variety of traditional Japanese dishes; English menu available; AMEX, VISA, DC, DINERS, MASTER.
TAGOTO HONTEN
On the north side of Shijo, west of Kawaramachi; Tel: 221-1811; Open: 11:00-15:00, 16:30-21:00 (L.O. 20:30); closed Jan. 1; enjoy our traditional Kyoto cuisine using tasteful, colorful seasonal ingredients, Kyoto food specialties (yuba (soy milk skin), and Kyoto vegetables, etc.; conveniently located downtown; take-out menu available; lunch bento box: 1,890 yen (11:00-15:00), Koetsu Mizusashi bento: 3,700 yen, yuba cuisine: 3,900 yen, mini kaiseki course: 3,700 yen (11:00-15:00), kaiseki courses: from 6,300 yen; major credit cards accepted.
SEIKE
Located on the south side of Oike, west of Horikawa; Tel : 813-1517; Open 12:00-14:30; 17:00-19:30; Closed on Mondays; Enjoy Seike's exquisite fresh yuba (dried tofu cream) cuisine made with pure sweet Miyama water; Cosy, elegant setting (counter seating) ; Healthy yuba course (including yuba steak, yuba shabu and Tofu) ; lunch courses 3,990 yen, 4,730 yen, 5,780 yen; dinner courses 4,180 yen, 4,730 yen, 5,780 yen; Reservation required for dinner; Take-home yuba products from their yuba factory and restaurant complex in Miyama-cho (1.5 hours north of Kyoto; Tel : 0771-75-1698) also sold; Credit cards not accepted.
KYOGAKI
On Yasaka St., west of Higashi-oji St; Tel : 531-6600; Open: 11:30-15:00 & 17:30-23:00 (L.O: 22:00) ; Kyogaki is ideally located in the beautiful, green Yasaka Shrine, Kodai-ji Temple and Yasaka Pagoda area; They serve beautiful decorative seasonal Kyoto cuisine in a luxurious traditional-style Japanese house; 6 private tatami rooms; Lunch sets (tempura, sushi, soba and etc.): from 2,800 yen; Dinner: Rokuhara: 7,000 yen; special Kaiseki course (reservations necessary): 12,600 yen and Higashiyama: 12,000 yen; Hamo (a pike conger eel) kaiseki: 15,000 yen; Suppon (soft-shell turtle cuisine) course: 15,750 yen; major credit cards OK.
Gion OISHINBO
Two blocks south of Shijo, east of Hanamikoji ; Tel: 541-6100; 11:30-16:00; 17:00-24:00; this reasonable, classic Japanese restaurant is in the heart of old Gion; 1,580 yen and 2,630 yen lunch course (and some a la carte dishes); and four dinner courses from 3,680 yen and a la carte dishes, many of which feature mushrooms, from 420 yen; dinner reservations at least 2 days in advance; hotpot nabe courses in winter only; AMEX, VISA, DINERS, MASTER, JCB, DC, MC, UC.
SETSUGEKKA
On the east side of Kiyamachi, south of Bukkoji; Tel : 342-1777; Open: 11:30-15:00 (L.O. 14:00), 17:30-23:00 (L.O. 22:00), closed irregularly; Setsugekka specializes in kaiseki cuisine and nouveaux Japanese creations, served on fine local ceramics, using fresh original Kyoto vegetables, seasonal seafood, meat, etc; menu changed seasonally; lunch box (2,200 yen-) and kaiseki dinner (from 6,000+cover charge 500yen/person) are recommended; outdoor yuka (open-air dining platforms along the Kamogawa River) available May-Sept.
Gion NISHISAKA
Located on the west side of Hanamikoji, 80m south of Shijo; Tel: 533-2433; Open daily: 11:30-22:00; Nishisaka is located in the middle of Gion, the traditional world of geiko and maiko still alive; you can enjoy real taste of Kyoto cuisine at very reasonable prices; Lunch: Tempura set: 2,100 yen, Steak set: 3,000 yen, Yu-tofu set: 2,800 yen; Dinner: Beef shabu shabu: from 4,000 yen, Beef steak set: from 3,980 yen, Kaiseki courses: from 6,300 yen.
HYOUTAN
HYOUTAN, a sister restaurant of Gion Nishisaka; on the east side of Hanamikoji, 100m north of Shijo; Tel: 525-1139; Open every day: 18:00-4:00 (until 1:00 on Sun. & holidays); open late, Hyoutan is a great place to enjoy a good meal or a drink during or after a night of exploring the Gion district; traditional Japanese cuisine and other original dishes: special sushi: 3,900 yen, sushi: 2,900 yen; assorted tempura: 3,000 yen; vegetable tempura: 2,000 yen; beef steak: 3,800 yen; plus an excellent selection of wines.
TEMPURA
TEMPURA YOSHIKAWA INN
On Tominokoji, south of Oike; a few min. southeast of Oike subway Stn.; Tel: 221-5544; Fax: 221-6805; A traditional sukiya style ryokan inn with superb classical garden views; excellent value, counter seating for tempura is open from Mon. to Sat. (lunch: 11:00-14:00 (L.O.) from 3,150 yen, dinner: 17:00-20:30 (L.O.); from 7,245 yen); or dine in traditional Japanese style rooms (reservations required); Lunch (11:00-13:30; L.O.): tempura kaiseki from 9,660 yen; Dinner: tempura kaiseki from 14,490 yen; Kyoto kaiseki from 24,150 yen, shabu shabu, etc.; Accommodation: from 36,225 yen/person (including service charge and Tax) with full dinner and Japanese or Western breakfast.
TEMPURA ENDO YASAKA
Located on the north side of Yasaka, 200m west of Higashioji; Tel: 551-1488; Open daily: 11:30-14:00, 16:00-22:00; located in a quiet and traditional area, close to Kennin-ji Temple; enjoy fine tempura cuisine in an old building (interior maintained) that was originally a teahouse where geiko and maiko lived; freshest ingredients of the day; lunch: tendon (1,500 yen; a big bowl of rice topped with a selection of tempura), tempura course (3,500 yen), tempura kaiseki (6,000 yen); dinner course and kaiseki (from 8,000 yen); single tempura items (seafood,Kyoto vegetables, etc.) are also available; reservation required; AMEX, VISA, DINERS, MC, JCB.
TEMPURA OZAWA
On the south side of Shirakawa, east of Nawate; Tel: 561-2052; Open: for lunch advance reservations required; 17:00-22:00 (L.O. 21:00); closed Thurs.; set in the historical Gion district, Ozawa, in a machiya townhouse; specializes in tempura; seasonal Kyoto vegetables and fresh seafood cooked at the counter in front of you; flavour with Ozawa's original blended salt; 1F counter seats and fine tatami mat room; 2F spacious tatami room equipped with a special tempura cooking area; Tempura Course: 3,990 yen (12 tempura items, rice dish with tempura, etc.) & 5,250 yen (reservation required).
SUSHI
SUSHI RESTAURANT YANAGIYA HONTEN
On Sanjo, east of Tominokoji; Tel: 221-1327; Open 11:30-13:30; 16:30-22:00 (L.O 21:30); Closed Wed.; One of Kyoto's finest sushi and seafood restaurants; Lunch: Sushi Zen Set (1,050 yen): various kinds of sushi with miso or clear soup; Tsukuri (raw fish) Teishoku Set: raw fish, side dish, rice, pickles, soup; Tekka Rice Bowl (1,000 yen) : fatty tuna on rice, with pickles, soup. Nigiri (hand-shaped) Sushi: 8-10 pieces, with soup (2,990 yen); Sea Bream Set: appetizer, raw fish, fried sea bream, sea bream sushi, soup (2,990 yen); Sushi by the piece too; Owner speaks some English; English menu available; AMEX, VISA, DC, MC, DINERS, MASTER ;yanagiya@gojoryoin.gr.jp
HISAGO ZUSHI
On the west side of Kawaramachi, a 2-min. walk north of Shijo; Tel : 221-5409; Open 9:30-21:00 (L.O. 20:30); Conveniently located downtown, between OPA and Gap, Hisago Zushi is probably Kyoto's most famous sushi restaurant, wellknown for its relaxing traditional atmosphere; Their expertly prepared and beautifully presented sushi will amaze you; The quality is excellent & the prices are reasonable; Lunch from 2,520 yen; dinner from 2,783 yen; Sennari Combination Set, 2,730 yen; Chef's Selection Set, 2,468 yen; English menu and English spoken by some staff members; AMEX, VISA, DINERS, MASTER, JCB, DC, UC.
Sukiyaki, Shabu-Shabu & Steak
GYUZEN GION
4F Gion Kaikan Bldg. north of Shijo Higashiyama; Tel: 533-3344; Open daily 17:00-23:00; modern Japanese interior with 7-m high ceilings!; lively atmosphere or choose from 9 private rooms; sunken-floor seating too; All-you-can-eat shabu shabu (from 1,980 yen ; 2 hrs) & All-you-can-eat sukiyaki (from 1,980 yen ; 2 hrs) feature meat, vegetables and udon noodles; or choose from 30 seasonal a la carte dishes; be sure to try the super popular Japanese beef sushi !; English menu; VISA, JCB, AMEX, Master; 5% OFF if you show a copy of KVG.
GYUZEN SHIJO KARASUMA
#5 Hase Bldg. B1F; southeast corner of Shijo Ayanokoji; next to Shijo subway Stn.; Tel: 354-9399; Open daily: 17:00-23:00 (until 24:00 on Fri., Sat., night before holiday); several kinds of seating: table, private room, zashiki tatami room, etc.; all-you-can-eat shabu shabu, all-you-can-eat sukiyaki & shabu shabu from 1,980 yen (120 min.; with meat, udon noodle, vegetable, rice cake); wide range of a la carte menu (special beef, dessert, etc.); 60 kinds of shochu (distilled sake) and sake; some staffs speak a little Eng.; major credit cards accepted; Eng. Menu; 5% OFF if you show a copy of KVG.
STEAK HOUSE OOMI
Located in the Ebisugawa-tei villa in the Hotel Fujita Kyoto complex; on the north side of Nijo, east of Kawaramachi (on the west side of the Nijo Bridge); Tel: 222-1511; open: 11:30-14:30 (Sat., Sun., holiday only); 17:00-21:00; Ebisugawa-tei is a gorgeous 100-year-old traditional Japanese villa, built with the finest cypress wood; it used to be the luxurious residence of a baron; you can enjoy top quality Japanese beef and other fine Japanese cuisine; watch your chef prepare your meal from our comfortable sunken-floor counter seats; lunch from 5,000 yen, dinner from 9,000 yen; major credit cards accepted.
CHIFAJA
Really hungry and love meat?
Go to Chifaja!!
Kyoto's very popular yaki-niku; Japanese barbeque course: all-you-can-eat course (2,310 yen (about 40 items); 2,730 yen (about 80 items); 3,360 yen (about 100 items); 90 min.): fine quality beef, chicken, pork, seafood, salads, soups, desserts and more!; Kawaramachi main shop: on the 8F of the Unity Kawaramachi Bldg., on the west side of Kawaramachi, north of Sanjo; open: 17:00-1:00 (L.O. 24:30); Tel: 255-7777; Shijo Kiyamachi shop: one street north of Shijo, west of Kiyamachi; open: 17:00-5:00 (L.O. 4:00); Tel: 252-4129; Shijo Kawaramachi shop: on the west side of Kawaramachi, south of Rokkaku; open: 11:00-1:00 (L.O. 24:30); Tel: 256-1129; Eng. menu.
NOODLE DISHES
MISOKA-AN KAWAMICHI-YA
On west side of Fuyacho, north of Sanjo; Tel: 221-2525; Open 11:00-20:00, closed Thursdays; A soba and udon restaurant established in 1710; Set in the quiet atmosphere of a Kyoto merchant home; The shop's specialty, "Hokoro", a noodle hot-pot, serves two (8,000 yen); Other dishes from 650 yen to 1,580 yen; English menu available; AMEX, VISA, DINERS, MASTER.
HONKE TAGOTO
On north side of Sanjo shopping arcade, west of Kawaramachi; Tel: 221-3030; Open daily: 11:00-21:00; Honke Tagoto, founded in 1868, specializes in soba that is made only from pure Japanese buckwheat; Zaru-soba ( cold soba served on a bamboo rack) 840 yen, and Soba-kaiseki (a Japanese lunch set served with soba) 3,150 yen are popular.
Kyoto Style Ramen, ISHIHARA
About 50m (about 165 feet) east of the Higashiyama-Yasui intersection, on the north side of the street, a 3-min. walk from the south gate of Yasaka Shrine; Tel: 551-2091; open: 11:30-21:00, closed Tue.; enjoy our Kyoto style ramen (wheat noodles) in a special rich broth (bonito flakes, kelp, scallops, mushrooms); seasonal Kyoto ingredients for toppings: bamboo shoots, yuba, Kujo shallots, etc.; perfect for lunch option!; Higashiyama Ramen: 900 yen; Nishin (cooked herring) Ramen: 980 yen; Kyoto Vegetable Curry Ramen: 980 yen.
2009 July
Published on the 1st
of every month.
The 233th issue, since 1987.