A Creative Udon Experience at Oudon Hajime

Oudon Hajime is the Kyoto branch of chef Tatsuya Aoki, whose udon restaurant in Tokyo has gained quite a following. The Kyoto location opened in June 2025 and sits inside a beautifully restored kyo-machiya, just a short walk from Gojo Station.

The space blends modern dining with traditional Kyoto charm. Warm wooden accents and the preserved machiya structure give the restaurant the quiet, nostalgic feel of old Kyoto. There’s an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work, with mostly counter seating and a few small tables.

Ordering is done by scanning a QR code, which makes browsing the menu simple. The menu itself features several creative udon combinations that go beyond the usual classics.

I ordered the crab leg tempura udon along with the parmesan cheese and bacon tempura udon, served kamatama-style. The crab leg tempura was perfectly fried with a crisp, delicate coating, though it left a slight oily aftertaste.

The udon noodles themselves were soft, chewy, and satisfying, with every strand coated in the rich sauce. The dish tasted surprisingly similar to a carbonara — creamy, rich, and incredibly comforting. The bacon tempura added a savory crunch that paired well with the creamy udon.

Overall, it was a unique and memorable take on udon. I would definitely recommend Oudon Hajime to anyone looking for a delicious and slightly different udon experience while visiting Kyoto.

Oudon Hajime

Japan, 〒600-8188 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Izumicho, 523-1

Hidden Behind a Parking Lot: A Coffee Gem at Weekenders

Weekenders Coffee is a specialty coffee shop tucked quietly behind a parking lot — the kind of place you’d easily miss if you weren’t looking for it. Once you step through, though, it feels like discovering a hidden gem. The space is small but beautifully aesthetic, set inside a traditional machiya with a charming Japanese front garden decorating the entrance. The greenery and wooden façade create a calm, understated atmosphere that feels very Kyoto.

They also operate a separate roastery and roast their own beans, which are available for sale at the coffee stand.

Seating is limited, with mostly standing room, so it’s more of a quick coffee stop rather than a place to linger for hours. Perfect for a morning caffeine boost or a takeaway cup before exploring the neighborhood. One thing to note: there are no non-dairy milk alternatives available.

I ordered a cappuccino. The foam was thick and smooth, holding its structure beautifully as I drank. The coffee itself had balanced flavors — rich but not overpowering, with a clean finish.

WEEKENDERS COFFEE TOMINOKOJI

Japan, 〒604-8064 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Honeyanocho, 560 離れ

Shunsai Imari

Shunsai Imari is a restaurant serving Kyoto-style Obanzai, which is a traditional style of Japanese cuisine native to Kyoto. It’s also an excellent place to try Japanese-style breakfast.

Our waiter had good English and was attentive. The menu offers an array of dishes that highlight Kyoto’s vibrant palette of colors and flavors.

We decided to go with the 5 assorted Obanzai along with a grilled trout and black wagyu.

The dishes were not only delicious but also gave us that cozy, home-cooked feeling.

Marinated Enoki mushroom with grated radish, celery and lotus root in sweet sesame sauce, tofu and green pea cooked with egg , simmered eggplant in dashi soup, and Okara (soy pulp with chicken and vegetables).

Grilled trout marinated in citrus soy sauce

Black Wagyu top round

Shunsai Imari

Website: https://www.kyoto-imari.com/

Telephone: +81752311354

Opening hours: 7:30 – 9:30 a.m., 17:30 – 22:30 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays

Address: 108 Nishirokkakucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8217, Japan

Culinary experience at MOKSA

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Nestled at the base of Mount Hiei, Moksa is enveloped by the tranquility of nature, with verdant greenery and crisp, fresh air enveloping the surroundings. Our stay in the Garden suite provided us with a quaint balcony offering picturesque views of the moss garden and the majestic Mount Hiei. The Japanese-style rooms boasted ample space in the living area and the expansive bathroom, allowing us to unwind and immerse ourselves in the serene ambiance.

With only one restaurant on-site, MALA, guests can savor wood-fired grill cuisine while enjoying breathtaking vistas through wall-to-ceiling windows overlooking the lush garden and the mountainous landscape.

Our dinner consisted of a 7-course menu.

Soft-shelled turtle, green olive, Shiitake mushroom

The steamed egg custard was silky and delicate. The bread had a thin crust, fragrant with a subtle hint of nuttiness, offering a soft and chewy texture.

Local vegetable, Dried mullet roe

The salad was a delightful surprise, offering a captivating mix of flavors. Its vibrant colors made it incredibly enticing, while the addition of roe provided a rich umami flavor and added depth to the dish.

Sea bream, spring cabbage, Hassaku orange

The cabbage cooked over the grill intensified its natural sweetness, adding vibrancy and soulfulness to its taste. It’s truly the sweetest cabbage I’ve ever tasted. The sea bream was cooked to perfection, offering a fresh and delicate taste. Dressed in a light Mousseline Sauce with Hassaku oranges, it allowed the fish’s natural flavors to shine through.

Chicken, Sweet potato, Balsamic vinegar

The chicken was cooked perfectly, resulting in tender and juicy meat with a lovely, savory skin. A sweet potato with a smokey skin accompanied it, adding depth to its flavor profile. Drizzled with a balsamic dressing, each bite offered a harmonious blend of savory and sweet notes.

Smoked brown rice, Canola flower, Buckwheat seeds

This dish was the pièce de résistance. The smoked brown rice was exceptional. It was rich yet not unctuous, almost like a lighter risotto. The dish, in its entirety, was seasoned beautifully with an excellent depth of flavor, with the parmesan cheese adding the perfect finishing touch.

Strawberry, petit four

At the end of our meal, a thoughtful gesture awaited us: each of us received a box of Inari sushi to enjoy later as a snack in our room.

Moksa

Website: https://moksa.jp/

Telephone: 075-744-1001

Address: 601-1255 , Kyoto Prefecture, Kyoto City, Sakyo Ward, Kami-Takano Higashiyama 65

One Michelin with a View

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Hiramatsu Kodaiji, a one-Michelin-star Japanese-French restaurant, sits atop a hill in the historic district of Higashimaya in a tranquil surrounding, away from the busy Nineizaka shopping street below.

When we arrived at the entrance, we were warmly greeted by staff and escorted inside. There, we were greeted by a hostess in the lobby and escorted to the 4th floor, where the restaurant is located.

I reserved a terrace seat in advance. If the weather is good, I highly recommend it. It offers a view of the Yasaka Pagoda and the beautiful Kyoto scenery.

The waiters were cordial and attentive and provided impeccable service, but they had limited English proficiency. They tried their best to communicate, using a translating app at times. I appreciate the effort.

The restaurant offers a Prix Fixe menu for lunch and dinner at three price ranges: 5,000 to 12,000 yen for lunch and 15,000 to 25,000 yen for dinner.

I opted for the 7,500. (A 10% tax and 10% service charge are not included in the price.)

The food was delicious, and I enjoyed the dining experience. Continue reading “One Michelin with a View” →

Get an early start to your day at Kissa Kishin

Choshoku Kishin, a popular Japanese breakfast restaurant in Gion, opened a cafe at Maana Kiyomizu, a boutique hotel. The cafe is conveniently located near numerous ancient heritage sites, such as the Chishaku-in and Rengeō-in temples.

Kissa Kishin serves breakfast and brunch dishes incorporating Japanese ingredients. It is one of the few cafes in Kyoto that opens early, at 7:30 a.m.

The staff were friendly, and they have English menus. The menu comprises 5 plates (Kissa Kishin Kyoto “Signature Breakfast,” Weekly special Sandwiches & Soup, Homemade Granola, Kishin’s Koji Bread with homemade jam, and Grilled Omusubi with Japanese-style soup. There are also additional dishes ( seasonal fruits, fried potato ..etc.), a variety of drinks, and cakes. Gluten-free and Vegan options are available.

I got Kissa Kishin’s signature breakfast, which consists of green pea soup, koji bread, and an omelet with pickled onions and plum sauce served with roasted seasonal vegetables and a salad with crispy shirasu (baby sardines). The Omelet was soft and fluffy. The plum sauce added a bit of acidity and sweetness, while the bonito flakes added a smoky umami note. The koji bread was my favorite, fluffy yet chewy with subtle nutty undertones. Everything was delicious.

Kissa Kishin is a great place to start off the morning.

Kissa Kishin

Website: https://www.kishin.world/kissa , https://www.instagram.com/kishin.kissa/?hl=en

Telephone: +819099580615

Opening hours: 7:30 a.m. – 16:00 p.m., Closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Address: Japan, 〒605-0932 Kyoto, Higashiyama Ward, Myohoin Maekawacho, 427-18 MAANA KIYOMIZU

IOLITE COFFEE ROASTERS

Iolite Coffee Roasters is a sweet little cafe located in Ikesucho 池須町. The cafe’s interior design is clean and contemporary, with high ceilings wooden beams, and lots of natural light. Their specialty coffee beans are available for purchase, and samples are available at the entrance for taste.

The staff was welcoming, attentive, and spoke English. An English menu with descriptions and taste profiles of their specialty coffee is available.

We ordered the hand-drip house blend, flat white, butter toast, and a hot dog. The coffee and food were delicious.

Flat white 580 yen

House blend 570 yen

Butter toast 330 yen

Hot dog with pickled carrots 800 yen

IOLITE COFFEE ROASTERS

Website: https://www.iolite-coffee.com/ , https://www.instagram.com/iolite.coffeeroasters/?hl=en

Telephone: +81752318989

Opening hours:

Weekdays (Monday, Thursday, Friday) 11:30a.m – 18:00p.m.

Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays 9:00a.m.- 18:00 a.m.

Address: 422 Ikesucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8216, Japan

Ramen Mugyu Vol. 2

Tucked away in a small alley is a simple, no-frills ramen restaurant. The automated kiosk has four language options – English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. The staff was friendly.

The restaurant uses chicken broth as its soup base. There are three soup choices: shoyu, plain chicken broth, and thick white broth. We ordered the thick white broth ramen, plain chicken soup ramen, and gyoza. Both noodles were delicious and packed with umami. The thinly sliced chashu (pork slices) were lean and flavorful, one of the best I’ve had. The gyozas had a crispy crust with a juicy meat filling.

A very satisfying meal. I highly recommend this restaurant.

Ramen Mugyu Vol. 2 Karasuma Takoyakushi

Website: https://www.instagram.com/ramenmugiyuvol.2/
http://ramen-mugyu.com/shop/vol2/

Telephone: 075-221-2588

Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 11:00 a.m. – 23:30 p.m., closed on Sundays

Address: 298-13 Ichirenshacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8146, Japan

Funatsuru, Kyoto style French restaurant

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Funatsuru is a Kyoto-style French restaurant set along the Kamo River with views of the Higashiyama mountains and nearly 150 years of history. The building itself was built almost 100 years ago. You can read about the history of this restaurant here.

I made a reservation for a window seat. When making the reservation, the staff could not guarantee a window seat for me but will try their best. We were fortunate on the day of our arrival that we were given a window seat. The view was beautiful – The river, mountain, and sky. The staff who greeted us was graceful and pleasant. She could speak decent English.

There are two different lunch courses. One is for ¥ 3,000, including an hors d’oeuvre, soup, main dish, dessert, bread, coffee, or black tea. The other is for ¥ 4,500, including an hors d’oeuvre, soup, a fish dish, a meat dish, dessert, bread, coffee, or black tea. We decided on the ¥ 4,500 lunch course.

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The course started with a turkey mushroom pâté followed by a soup. The soup was interesting. It tasted like a saltish and mild cafe latte with cocoa nibs. The waitress did describe that it was some kind of coffee soup.

Next, we had the flounder wrapped in pie pastry. I love this dish! The flavors in this dish were mind-blowing. The fish was cooked to perfection. The buttery, flaky crust accentuated the natural flavor of the fish. The tomato-based sauce further boosts the already delicious flavor of the pie. Even now, I can remember the flavor. A very memorable dish!

We had the duck with apple and root vegetable sauce next and a white chocolate cream cheesecake.

I really enjoyed the food. Each one was delectable and beautifully presented. I would recommend this restaurant for the food. However, it was noisy in the restaurant, probably the noisiest restaurant I have been to in Japan. Most of the customers were rich middle-aged women, and they were loud. I did not enjoy that. Lucky for us, we got there around 1 PM, and the noise began to subside half an hour later as some were finished with lunch and left. The last order for lunch at the restaurant is 2PM.

Funatsuru

Website: https://www.funatsuru.com/en/restaurant/

Opening hours: 12 PM to 22:00 PM (closed on Tuesdays)

Telephone: +81 75-351-8541

Address: 180 Minoyacho, Kiyamachidouri Matsubara-Agaru, Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto

Yasube, Okonomiyaki, Pontocho

Yasube is a family-run restaurant in Pontocho that serves Okonomiyaki. The menu offers many variations, and you can add different ingredients to your Okonomiyaki. The prices are very reasonable, and it is one of the cheaper places to eat in Pontocho. The son speaks good English, and there are English menus available.

We had the yaki-udon with pork and kimchi (¥ 950) and pork and seafood combo with egg okonomiyaki (¥ 950). It was served on the hot plate on the table. I liked that we could put the sauce and toppings on the okonomiyaki. I have had okonomiyaki, and sometimes the sauce was too much for me. This would be the best one of the okonomiyaki I have had both in Kyoto and Osaka. I think the minced pork made a big difference. I had added pork slices instead of minced pork in the previous okonomiyaki. The minced pork made the okonomiyaki less dry and gave it a savory sweetness.

Yasube

Opening hours: Monday to Wednesday, 12:00 PM to 19:30 PM; Thursday to Saturday, 16:30 PM to 23:30 PM, Sunday, 15:00 PM to 22:30 PM

Telephone number: +81 75-221-2613

Address: 142 Umenokichō (Pontochōdōri), Nakagyō-ku, Kyōto-shi, Kyōto-fu 604-8012, Japan