Today’s pictures come from Omen; not a scary movie but a small chain of old-style noodle restaraunts here in Kyoto. I ordered the standard (and popular) Omen noodles, which come with a dashi based soup and a variety of organic vegetables (spinach, ginger, daikon, gobou, chopped scallions, sesame seeds etc.) and they were pretty good. There are also other dishes on offer such as tempura or lightly fried tofu. Here are some pictures, you can click through to flickr for a closer look.
Omen has three branches in Kyoto and one in New York. I went to the branch just north of Shijo on the east side of Gokoumachi, but they also have one on north Shijo just west of the Kamo river, and another again up near Ginkakuji. The restaurant on Gokoumachi is quiet and pleasant and would be a good place to bring any visitors who are looking for authentic Japanese food. The standard Omen noodles will set you back ￥1,050. There are maps to all branches here: LINK. Thanks to Kathy Bradshaw for recommending this one.
Omen on the east side of Gokoumachi is open from 11:30 – 22:00 every day but Wedneday.
Tel: 075-255-2125
Omen by Ginkakuji is open from 11:00 – 22:00 every day but Wednesday.
Tel: 075-771-8994
Omen on Shijo is open from 11:30 – 22:00 every day but Wedneday.
Tel: 075-253-0377
My favourite Omen branch is, by far, the Ginkakuji Honten. You’ll have to get there before 11:45am, or risk braving a long queue. A great place to take tourists and enjoy “vegetarian” cuisine (as long as they ignore that the broth contains fish. 🙂