Ever wondered what to eat in Kyoto? Well, we’d suggest preparing your tastebuds for a Japanese food experience like no other!
Landlocked and away from the sea, Kyoto has a culinary scene unlike any other we’ve experienced in Japan. We already know Kyoto is the spiritual heart of Japan. But for foodies, we think that eating might be one of the biggest surprises on a trip to the former imperial capital!
People throughout Japan and the world come to Kyoto to enjoy its haute Japanese cuisine. The city offers refined and unique takes on traditional and non-traditional Japanese fare. In Kyoto, we’ve tasted culinary delights that span everything between fine-dining restaurants and nondescript street corners.
Although most known for its exquisite tofu dishes, Kyoto has a diverse range of tasty food options. We’ve been able to enjoy mouth-watering vegetarian meals, sweets, and multi-course haute cuisine (kaiseki). Along with its local flavours, Kyoto also puts its own stamp on Japanese classics like sushi, soba, and ramen.
Hungry for the tastiest food in Kyoto? Start planning your ultimate culinary adventure to Japan’s former imperial capital with our complete Kyoto food guide!
Tofu
Tofu is almost synonymous with Kyoto cuisine. And as we wandered the streets, we could see that pretty much every restaurant and kitchen serves up this protein alternative.
In North America, tofu isn’t the most popular ingredient (outside of vegan circles, at least), but it’s been a staple of Asian cuisine for over 2,000 years. It’s made from coagulated soy milk pressed into white blocks.
If our experience in the city’s restaurants and markets is any indication, the residents of Kyoto seem obsessed with tofu. As we perused menus, we spotted in a wide variety of local dishes.
Sometimes it’s soft; sometimes it’s firm. Some dishes may need deep-fried tofu, steamed tofu, or cold tofu. Overall, it seems to us that it’s one of the most versatile ingredients in Kyoto’s cuisine.
For the best-tasting tofu, we’d recommend always choosing a location that serves it fresh. We spotted an artisanal shop called Kamo Tofu Kinki Nishi-Kiyamachi (map) that even lets you watch the tofu-making process!
Kaiseki
As you search for what to eat in Kyoto, we’d recommend planning for at least one kaiseki meal. From what we were told by locals, a traditional multi-course kaiseki meal is the epitome of fine dining in Japan.
Kaiseki cuisine was originally only an option for the aristocrats of Kyoto—and it’s still considered a high-class meal. Kaiseki features multiple courses with prices ranging between ¥10,000 and ¥30,000.
Chefs prepare a variety of dishes using local seasonal ingredients. What we love most about a kaiseki meal is that you never know what to expect until you arrive!
To enjoy traditional kaiseki in Kyoto, we’d suggest visiting Hyotei (35 Nanzenji Kusakawacho). The outside of the Michelin three-star restaurant is unassuming. (To be honest, it’ll probably make you second-guess your decision!)
The interior should change your tune with its elegant furnishings and décor. We think it’s the perfect setting for a refined meal in Kyoto.
Shojin
While kaiseki was a meal for the upper crust of Kyoto, Buddhist monks developed shojin cuisine. The monks couldn’t kill living creatures. So, instead, they prepared vegetarian dishes. Delicious ones.
Instead of ¥10,000 or more for a meal, we’ve paid as little as ¥1,500 for shojin. In our experience, the meals typically include tofu and a selection of veggies simmered in a hot broth.
The dishes are often simple with limited seasonings and ingredients. Of course, chefs in Kyoto tend to get creative with shojin. It helps to bring out the natural flavours of the various plant-based ingredients.
We’ve found that several Buddhist temples in Kyoto serve up shojin, including Tenryu-Ji Temple. The temple also specializes in a selection of other Buddhist dishes.
Obanzai
Obanzai rounds out the three main styles of cuisine in Kyoto. As with kaiseki, obanzai features multiple small dishes with locally sourced foods. Instead of making a spectacle of the presentation, we’ve noticed that obanzai meals are often simple.
We might describe banzai as the Japanese version of home-style cooking, often served at family restaurants. It spans a variety of ingredients, but, in our experience trying it, it often includes plenty of vegetables and fish.
For it to be true obanzai, at least half of the ingredients need to come from Kyoto.
In homes throughout the city, residents often prepare obanzai dishes using leftover ingredients. It ensures that they waste no food. Restaurants tend to use seasonal items and freshly caught seafood.
Wagashi
If you’ve got a sweet tooth while checking out the best foods in Kyoto, we’d recommend trying wagashi.
Looking at wagashi for the first time, we thought we were about to eat a typical sugary snack. But, boy, were we wrong! These traditional Japanese treats include plant-based ingredients, and are typically served with tea.
We saw wagashi throughout Kyoto in a variety of sizes and shapes, often with intricate designs. They seemed to be the perfect reflection of the culinary sophistication of the Kyoto region!
In our experience, bean paste is the main ingredient in most wagashi. Chefs boil the beans and mash them to create a smooth paste. It may also include rice flour, rice cakes, chestnuts, and sesame. We also spotted wagashi made with cubes of fruit.
Dozens of types of wagashi exist from small, solid sweet cakes to rice balls wrapped with bean paste. We’d recommend trying a few different ones as you explore Kyoto’s attractions to see what pops out as a favorite!
Matcha
We have to admit: we were already big matcha fans before we visited Japan. Afterwards? Well, even more so!
Matcha is the preferred choice for a traditional Kyoto tea ceremony. Instead of steeping the powder, you whisk it into hot water, creating a frothy green drink.
We learned that matcha originated in China before the practice of steeping tea. The Chinese mostly abandoned the whisking process but it gained popularity in Japan.
Matcha has about the same amount of caffeine as found in basic green tea or black tea, but less caffeine compared to brewed coffee. It should help wake you up a bit while also aiding in digestion so you can try even more Kyoto dishes!
Besides preparing matcha for tea, we noticed that some restaurants use it as an ingredient. We’ve spotted matcha ice cream, cakes, and various baked goods around the city. (And we loved all of them!)
Kyoto-style Sushi
Sushi isn’t native to Kyoto, but the locals here have their own methods for preparing the rolls of rice and raw fish.
Kyoto is further from the sea, so fresh fish wasn’t always an option. We learned that locals lightly season the fish and add a little vinegar. It helps preserve the food while also giving it a slightly different flavour.
Traditional sushi includes rice and raw fish wrapped in a type of seaweed called nori. Instead of nori, Kyoto-style sushi comes wrapped in a type of kelp called kombu.
For authentic Kyoto sushi, we’d suggest taking a trip to Izuju (292-1 Gionmachi Kitagawa). The restaurant first opened in 1912 and serves a wide assortment of sushi toppings.
The oddest thing we saw on the menu? Sushi wrapped in tofu skins!
Taiyaki
You can find many of the meals we’ve already talked about at fancy restaurants throughout the city. But what about Kyoto street food? Start with taiyaki. This sweet doughy Japanese treat is made to resemble a fish and comes stuffed with a filling.
Traditional taiyaki has a red bean paste filling. We’ve also seen it stuffed with a variety of other tasty fillings. Look out for versions filled with whipped cream, chocolate, and sweet potatoes.
You’ll find taiyaki throughout Kyoto, both served fresh and sold in packages.
While we saw this sweet food in cities across Japan, Kyoto has its own preparation method. Bakers blend high-quality wheat, and allow the dough to set overnight, resulting in a light and fluffy pastry.
