Kyoto Food Tours
Looking for a food tour in Kyoto? This article will provide informations on What and where to eat when traveling to Kyoto. Kyoto has historically been the imperial dining room of the imperial court, but unlike what we know about Japanese cuisine, Kyoto's local cuisine has its own characteristics. As an inland city, Kyoto is not popular for seafood but is famous for Matcha, Kaiseki, Kawadoko ryori, and their tofu dish. Compared to ramen, Kyoto locals prefer to eat udon, soba, and kanabe noodles. Kyoto's Zen culture gave birth to Kaiseki, which is now synonymous with upscale Japanese cuisine. The Uji tea village makes Kyoto's table not lack a touch of fresh green, all kinds of matcha flavored dessert is a favorite. In addition, you can eat carp-based freshwater sashimi in Kyoto, which is unique to those that live in Kyoto. Kyoto is also considered to be the hometown of wagashi, and the various old shops and wagashi shops are dazzling. Kyoto has the name of the most cafe city in Japan. Visiting famous wagashi shops on the streets and drinking a cup of coffee is the most popular lifestyle of Kyoto people.
1) Kyoto Kaiseki
Kaiseki was a meal that the host offered guests to taste during a Japanese tea ceremony. Nowadays, it is not limited to a tea ceremony, and it has become a common high-end dish in Japan. Every dish is placed on extremely delicate utensils. Usually, each dish is also decorated with natural materials such as leaves and flowers. Kaiseki originated as vegetarian food, but today, modern Kaiseki may also add meat and seafood.
Kikunoi Honten: The Michelin three-starred Orthodox Kaiseki, ranked 42nd in the "50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2016".
Address: Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Shimokawaracho, 459
Hyotei: A 100-year old store mainly based on kaiseki, with a history of more than 400 years. It is said that the hard-boiled poached eggs are the famous items here.
Address: 35 Nanzenji Kusakawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
2) Kyoto Noodles
Kyoto is famous for its udon and soba. The light golden delicious soup used in udon has a slight soy sauce flavor. Nishin soba, which originated in Kyoto, is accompanied by boiled nishin in the soup, and its sweet taste is popular in Japan. Be sure to take some time to try and enjoy the delicious Kyoto noodles.
Honke Owariya: It is a century-old soba noodle shop used by the royal family, known to have the best soba in Kyoto.
Kyoto Ramen Koji: Located at the Isetan Department Store on the 10th-floor, it is a corridor that brings together famous ramen shops with different tastes from the 7 regions of Japan.
Address: Kyoto Station Building (West Zone), 10th Floor, at the south side of the departure store and Daikaidan
3) Tofu Dish
Kyoto specializes in tofu made with traditional methods and turns it into a tofu dish. Yudofu is one of them, which originated near the Nanzen-ji Temple in the late Edo period. It was originally a Shojin Cuisine practical for monks in the temple, but it later evolved into a classic food that people must eat when visiting Kyoto.
Tousuiro Gion: Kyoto's most famous tofu restaurant where you can experience a variety of tofu methods, such as grilled and boiled at once.
Address: 38-1, Bisyamonten-Cho, 4 Matubara-Agaru, Higashioji, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
Okutan Kiyomizu: Kyoto locals think that they can eat the most traditional yudofu at this shop. The dining environment is very elegant. You can also enjoy the red leaves while eating during the autumn season.
Address: 3 Chome-340 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
4) Nihon Kawadoko Ryori
Kawabi means the river bed, and some shops in Kyoto, in the late summer they set up tables on the river bed to allow guests to enjoy a cool meal on the river bed, called Nihon Kawadoko Ryori. For Nihon Kawadoko Ryori, eating is the second most important thing as the process is to experience Kyoto's summer beauty.
Kifune Ugenta: The dishes of Kifune Ugenta are mainly the Kaiseki course, ranging from about 8,000 yen to 18,000 yen per capita, and you can also eat Kawadoko Ryori's famous salt-and-simmered catfish.
Address: 76 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Hirobun: Hirobun provides kawadoko ryori and kanabe noodles to the public from July to mid-September each year. You can look at the waterfall while eating delicious food creating a rare travel experience.
Address: Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Kuramakibunecho, 87
5) Kyoto Wagashi
Wagashi refers to the traditional Japanese dim sum. It was created to complement the Japanese tea ceremony, it is made from beans, matcha green tea, and various seasonal fruits. Because the taste is to neutralize the bitterness of the Japanese tea, the taste of the wagashi is usually sweeter. It is recommended to taste it with sugar-free tea.
Kagizen Yoshifusa Honten: Knowing that you haven't been to Kagizen Yoshifusa, it is probably your first time visiting Kyoto. Kagizen Yoshifusa has a wide variety of wagashi, with exquisite shapes and has the most traditional Kyoto flavor.
Address: 264 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Kanshundo Main Store: The famous wagashi store in Kyoto. In addition to their beautifully packaged and cute wagashi, they also offer wagashi courses to teach you how to make it. If you have extra time to spare, you may want to experience and try it out.
6) Kyoto's Food Street
Nishiki Market is a century-old market in Kyoto and a must-visit place for tourist shopping. It is known as Kyoto's Kitchen as there are more than 140 shops selling fresh food, various vegetables, dry goods, pickles, and seasonings with Kyoto characteristics. Tourists who like to eat can spend at least two hours to experience it all.
Address: 609 Nishidaimonjicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
Pontocho Alley is one of Kyoto's busiest streets, running parallel to the Kamogawa River and stretching from Kawaramachi to Sanjo. There are large and small izakayas, bars, and restaurants, maintaining the classical architectural style, and is one of Kyoto's most elegant old streets. There are many restaurants on the east side facing the water. Visiting during the summer and eating while watching the scenery is a unique experience that is not to be missed.
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Umenokicho (Pontochodori)
Looking for a food tour in Kyoto? This article will provide informations on What and where to eat when traveling to Kyoto. Kyoto has historically been the imperial dining room of the imperial court, but unlike what we know about Japanese cuisine, Kyoto's local cuisine has its own characteristics. As an inland city, Kyoto is not popular for seafood but is famous for Matcha, Kaiseki, Kawadoko ryori, and their tofu dish. Compared to ramen, Kyoto locals prefer to eat udon, soba, and kanabe noodles. Kyoto's Zen culture gave birth to Kaiseki, which is now synonymous with upscale Japanese cuisine. The Uji tea village makes Kyoto's table not lack a touch of fresh green, all kinds of matcha flavored dessert is a favorite. In addition, you can eat carp-based freshwater sashimi in Kyoto, which is unique to those that live in Kyoto. Kyoto is also considered to be the hometown of wagashi, and the various old shops and wagashi shops are dazzling. Kyoto has the name of the most cafe city in Japan. Visiting famous wagashi shops on the streets and drinking a cup of coffee is the most popular lifestyle of Kyoto people.
1) Kyoto Kaiseki
Kaiseki was a meal that the host offered guests to taste during a Japanese tea ceremony. Nowadays, it is not limited to a tea ceremony, and it has become a common high-end dish in Japan. Every dish is placed on extremely delicate utensils. Usually, each dish is also decorated with natural materials such as leaves and flowers. Kaiseki originated as vegetarian food, but today, modern Kaiseki may also add meat and seafood.
Kikunoi Honten: The Michelin three-starred Orthodox Kaiseki, ranked 42nd in the "50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2016".
Address: Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Shimokawaracho, 459
Hyotei: A 100-year old store mainly based on kaiseki, with a history of more than 400 years. It is said that the hard-boiled poached eggs are the famous items here.
Address: 35 Nanzenji Kusakawacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
2) Kyoto Noodles
Kyoto is famous for its udon and soba. The light golden delicious soup used in udon has a slight soy sauce flavor. Nishin soba, which originated in Kyoto, is accompanied by boiled nishin in the soup, and its sweet taste is popular in Japan. Be sure to take some time to try and enjoy the delicious Kyoto noodles.
Honke Owariya: It is a century-old soba noodle shop used by the royal family, known to have the best soba in Kyoto.
Kyoto Ramen Koji: Located at the Isetan Department Store on the 10th-floor, it is a corridor that brings together famous ramen shops with different tastes from the 7 regions of Japan.
Address: Kyoto Station Building (West Zone), 10th Floor, at the south side of the departure store and Daikaidan
3) Tofu Dish
Kyoto specializes in tofu made with traditional methods and turns it into a tofu dish. Yudofu is one of them, which originated near the Nanzen-ji Temple in the late Edo period. It was originally a Shojin Cuisine practical for monks in the temple, but it later evolved into a classic food that people must eat when visiting Kyoto.
Tousuiro Gion: Kyoto's most famous tofu restaurant where you can experience a variety of tofu methods, such as grilled and boiled at once.
Address: 38-1, Bisyamonten-Cho, 4 Matubara-Agaru, Higashioji, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto
Okutan Kiyomizu: Kyoto locals think that they can eat the most traditional yudofu at this shop. The dining environment is very elegant. You can also enjoy the red leaves while eating during the autumn season.
Address: 3 Chome-340 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
4) Nihon Kawadoko Ryori
Kawabi means the river bed, and some shops in Kyoto, in the late summer they set up tables on the river bed to allow guests to enjoy a cool meal on the river bed, called Nihon Kawadoko Ryori. For Nihon Kawadoko Ryori, eating is the second most important thing as the process is to experience Kyoto's summer beauty.
Kifune Ugenta: The dishes of Kifune Ugenta are mainly the Kaiseki course, ranging from about 8,000 yen to 18,000 yen per capita, and you can also eat Kawadoko Ryori's famous salt-and-simmered catfish.
Address: 76 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto
Hirobun: Hirobun provides kawadoko ryori and kanabe noodles to the public from July to mid-September each year. You can look at the waterfall while eating delicious food creating a rare travel experience.
Address: Kyoto, Sakyo Ward, Kuramakibunecho, 87
5) Kyoto Wagashi
Wagashi refers to the traditional Japanese dim sum. It was created to complement the Japanese tea ceremony, it is made from beans, matcha green tea, and various seasonal fruits. Because the taste is to neutralize the bitterness of the Japanese tea, the taste of the wagashi is usually sweeter. It is recommended to taste it with sugar-free tea.
Kagizen Yoshifusa Honten: Knowing that you haven't been to Kagizen Yoshifusa, it is probably your first time visiting Kyoto. Kagizen Yoshifusa has a wide variety of wagashi, with exquisite shapes and has the most traditional Kyoto flavor.
Address: 264 Gionmachi Kitagawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Kanshundo Main Store: The famous wagashi store in Kyoto. In addition to their beautifully packaged and cute wagashi, they also offer wagashi courses to teach you how to make it. If you have extra time to spare, you may want to experience and try it out.
6) Kyoto's Food Street
Nishiki Market is a century-old market in Kyoto and a must-visit place for tourist shopping. It is known as Kyoto's Kitchen as there are more than 140 shops selling fresh food, various vegetables, dry goods, pickles, and seasonings with Kyoto characteristics. Tourists who like to eat can spend at least two hours to experience it all.
Address: 609 Nishidaimonjicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto
Pontocho Alley is one of Kyoto's busiest streets, running parallel to the Kamogawa River and stretching from Kawaramachi to Sanjo. There are large and small izakayas, bars, and restaurants, maintaining the classical architectural style, and is one of Kyoto's most elegant old streets. There are many restaurants on the east side facing the water. Visiting during the summer and eating while watching the scenery is a unique experience that is not to be missed.
Address: Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Umenokicho (Pontochodori)
Kyoto Food Tours
As a reliable Kyoto tour operator, we provide Kyoto food tours for travelers from overseas. Whether you are looking for a food street or a Keisaki Cuisine in Kyoto, you can easily find the most suitable one at an affordable price. Contact our representatives to book our Kyoto tours and Kyoto Private Chauffeurs.Related Articles You May Like
Most Frequently Asked Questions
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What special dishes are there in Kyoto?Kyoto's cuisine is very local and is not popular for seafood. It is famous for matcha, kaiseki, kawadoko ryori and tofu dishes. Compared to ramen, Kyoto locals prefer to eat udon, soba, and kanabe noodles. Kyoto is also regarded as the hometown of wagashi, and various old, dazzling wagashi shops.
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What Kaiseki shops are recommended in Kyoto?We recommend two famous Kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto. One is Kikunoi Honten, a Michelin three-starred Orthodox Kaiseki, ranked 42nd in the "50 Best Restaurants in Asia 2016". The other shop is Hyoutei, a century-old store mainly based on kaiseki, with a history of more than 400 years.
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Where can I eat local udon and soba in Kyoto?To eat soba, we recommend you try Honkeowariya, a 100-year old soba shop used by the royal family, and is known to have the best soba in Kyoto. In addition, Kyoto Ramen Koji is located at the Isetan Department Store on the 10th-floor. It is a corridor that brings together famous ramen shops with different tastes from the 7 regions of Japan.
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Kyoto's tofu dish is famous, where can I try it?Tousuiro Gion is Kyoto's most famous shop. Its address is 38-1, Bisyamonten-Cho, 4 Matsubara-Agaru, Higashioji, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto. Okutan Kiyomizu is the most traditional Yudofu shop in Kyoto that people can eat. Their address is at 3 Chome-340 Kiyomizu, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto.
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What are the mouse famous summer specialties in Kyoto?Nihon Kawadoko Ryori is the most famous dish in Kyoto during the summer. In the late summer, they set up tables on the river bed to allow guests to enjoy a cool meal on the river bed, called Nihon Kawadoko Ryori. For Nihon Kawadoko Ryori, eating is the second most important thing as the process is to experience Kyoto's summer beauty.
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Where can I eat authentic Nihon Kawadoko Ryori in Kyoto?Here we recommend two shops, one is Kifune Ugenta, the dishes are mainly Kaiseki course, and you can also eat kawadoko ryori's famous salt-grilled catfish. The other restaurant is Hirobun, which offers kawadoko ryori and kanabe noodles to the public from July to mid-September, where you can watch the waterfall while eating delicious food.
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Which wagashi shops in Kyoto are worth visiting?The Kagizen Yoshifusa Honten in Kyoto claims that if you haven't been to Kagizen Yoshifusa, it is your first time in Kyoto. Wagashi here is the most traditional Kyoto flavor. Kanshundo Main Store is also a famous wagashi store in Kyoto. In addition to delicious wagashi, you can also experience making wagashi.
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What are the lively food streets in Kyoto?Nishiki Market also called "Kyoto's Kitchen", is a century-old market located in Kyoto and a must-visit place for tourist shopping. Pontocho Alley has large and small izakayas, bars, and restaurants, maintaining the classical architectural style, and is one of Kyoto's most elegant old streets. It is a unique experience not to be missed when visiting during the summer, to eat while admiring the scenery.
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