Omuraya is a cheerful izakaya style restaurant in an old wooden machiya house just off Hyakumanben. I love it! Cooks and waiting staff bustle about behind counters piled with colorful seasonal vegetables to the background sound of the Blues. The food is simple, healthy and rustic. I recommend the nama fu dengaku: moist, lightly fried strips of gluten in a smoky miso sauce. I … [Read more...] about Omuraya
Restaurants
Zac Baran
I first met Yoshida Koichi in the music bar Hawkwind. A shakuhachi player, he told me he plays in many styles, not just traditional, but jazz, folk, avant garde, new age, pretty much anything. In Hawkwind we were listening to some hip-hop. "How about this then?" I challenged him with a grin. And do you know, he stood up immediately, he played, and it was wonderful. I was very … [Read more...] about Zac Baran
Hale ~晴~
Hidden away in the heart of the bustling market on Nishiki Dori is a tiny little alleyway that leads to Hale (晴). This is a fully organic and vegan restaurant, specializing in seasonal dishes, yuba tofu and Kyoto's famously distinctive vegetables. For lunch you can have a set meal or the "Special Lunch" which costs a bit more. I settled for the standard set lunch which you can … [Read more...] about Hale ~晴~
Hiraganakan
This place is great. Hiraganakan (ひらがな館) is just across the road from Kyoto University on Mikage Dori, so I guess the fact it caters for a lot of penniless students may explain the great value. For a very reasonable price you get a main course AND rice AND miso soup AND salad. In other words: “Lots of STUFF!”. And it all tastes wonderful too. One drawback: it’s mostly meat so … [Read more...] about Hiraganakan
Chikyuya
Chikyuya serves cheap and cheerful izakaya style booze and nosh a short walk to the south of the Kawaramachi/Shijo intersection. The atmosphere is super casual here; everyone crowds in together and the evidence of many a good night is left pinned to the walls in the form of photos, business cards and obscure notes. Chikyuya has always been popular with students in … [Read more...] about Chikyuya
