Having just picked up several Japanese magazine dedicated to
travel and food in Kyoto, but list was long and expectations were high. Here’s
what the list boiled down to:
1. Food I wished I had but didn't: peach shaved ice
2. Food I had but wished I didn't: udon – not memorable, we were in a hurry
3. What should have been on the list: eel don – its famous in Kyoto
4. Biggest surprise: pate sandwich
5. Most delicious meal: Sukiyaki from Kimura
Kyoto classics
Sukiyaki from Kimura –
Sukiyaki was at the top of my list so I made sure to start searching for a
place the moment I arrived. Many were very expensive and were fully booked each
night, but I found this lovely family-run place called Kimura, recommended by
Popeye magazine. It was only about 3,000 per person, a very fair price, and it
was excellent. We really enjoyed our meal on the old red carpet with views
overlooking the covered shopping arcade.
Kyoto Parfait – there are so many places to get these famous
parfaits that I didn’t bother to stress about the exact shop. I stopped into a
few random places and was please with the outcome. The hallmark of a good
parfait is that it blends multiple wa-fu (Japanese) flavors, like matcha (gren
tea) with black jelly, mochi, anok (red bean), kinako (peanut), and goma (black
sesame).
Kyoto sweets – unlike the parfait, I knew exactly where I
wanted to go for some fine Kyoto mochi. Zen Café offered some premium Japanese
sweets for tasting.
Eel don – I didn’t realize Kyotos famous eel don with a
scrambled egg on top was such a hallmark dish, so I didn’t get around to visiting
this place until the very last hour I was in Kyoto. It was stressful because
the line was long and we had a train to catch, but I'm glad I got to see what
all the fuss was about.
Korean food
Korean BBQ – our group stumbled upon a cute little Korean BBQ restaurant where we all cooked over our own tiny grills.
Western food
I hadn’t intended on eating wester food in Kyoto (my
Japanese food list was long enough!) but a few times necessity outweighed
intent.
Mentaiko spaghetti
and spaghetti carbonara – this was one of those time we were too hungry and had to
eat the closest thing. But I love this chain and Japanese pastas so there was
nothing to regret.
Ham and cheese sandwich from Arabica – this sandwich was
recommended t me by a friend in Tokyo who said she has it every time she goes
to Kyoto. It is rely an excellent sandwich, with a crispy baguette, soft
prosciutto, and butter.
Curry plate lunch – this was from one of my favorite cafes, Independents.
We had their set lunch plate that say which was a Japanese take on Thai curry
with a salad and soup. Technically not a western dish, but very inspired by
western interpretations of taste.
Pate sandwich and Egg
sandwich
– both these sandwiches were from Gabor Café, and I am so, so, so glad we
decided to get them. The pate sandwich was the best I have had anywhere, and
the egg sandwich (on the cover of a magazine) was divine. This café also has an
excellent ambiance and drinks.