Bon Appetit! Dig Into Japanese Cuisine in Kyoto
When someone mentions Kyoto, what comes to mind are cherry blossoms, ancient temples, serene gardens and sipping Japanese green tea. But don't sleep on one underrated thing that tourists love about Kyoto - it's delicious Japanese food! We're talking centuries-old recipes meeting the freshest seasonal ingredients in restaurants in Kyoto.
Just to name a few Kyoto specialties - Shojin Ryori offers healthy vegetarian feasts, Obanzai serves up cosy home-style comfort in a traditional Japanese house and the city's signature Matcha dessert delivers a taste Matcha more that you can dream of.
So, grab your chopsticks and let's dive into Pelago by Singapore Airlines' Kyoto food guide to dig into eleven of the best local dishes in Kyoto city, including traditional Japanese sweets, Kyoto-style Kaiseki meals, fresh fish, Kyoto-style sushi, Japanese sake, Kyoto ramen and more!
What is Kyo Ryori?
When it comes to visiting Kyoto and exploring Kyoto’s delicacies, your taste buds will have a field day! Kyo Ryori, or Kyoto Cuisine, is a culinary journey through Japan’s history, with environmental factors and the city’s ancient status as imperial Japan's capital having a big impact.
Think of Kyoto as a playground for food where natural flavors are king—imagine dishes made with fresh local vegetables, lovingly called Kyoto vegetables, or fresh seafood that capture the seasons. From the refined shojin ryori, a vegetarian Buddhist cuisine, to the delicate kaiseki meals, Kyoto’s food is all about respecting nature. So when you eat in Kyoto, be sure to eat at authentic restaurants in Kyoto and taste the local food culture that makes it home to some of the healthiest Japanese cuisines!
Traditional Kyoto Dishes
Kaiseki Ryori: A Multi-Course Kyoto Meal
Imagine a small bowl of soup, the broth as clear as bottled sunshine. Then a delicate slice of sashimi, so fresh it melts in your mouth. Just when you think it can’t get any better, a perfectly grilled fish is brought before you. Crispy on the outside, flaky tender flesh on the inside.
That’s Kaiseki Ryori for you - a series of small dishes served in restaurants in Kyoto, each one more beautiful than the last. Originally served to prepare you for a Japanese tea ceremony, a Kaiseki meal is one of Kyoto’s biggest draws these days. Kaiseki Ryori is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal you can eat in Kyoto that emphasises seasonal ingredients and traditional techniques. Here, you’ll find kaiseki masters who have been perfecting their craft for generations, turning these ingredients into culinary delights. This is why Kyoto is the best city to enjoy a sublime kaiseki cuisine and admire the techniques of top Japanese chefs.
Indulge in a night time Kaiseki food tour in Kyoto now.
Obanzai: Home-Style Kyoto Cooking
Don’t judge a book by its cover, or in this case, a meal by its simplicity. Enter a local home on your trip and experience Obanzai – the heart of Kyoto cuisine. Obanzai is Kyoto-style home-cooking that follows the traditional Japanese meal layout of rice, dashi broth, and three side dishes.
Think of it as a warm embrace, with a bowl of fluffy rice, a miso soup full of umami and three side dishes that shout out the Kyoto region! We’re talking pickled vegetables, deep-fried tofu cooked with love and mackerel prepared with care. It’s like your grandma’s cooking in a bowl!
Obanzai highlights the best regional specialties and is a great way to experience everyday Japanese cuisine - experience Obanzai cooking with a Kyoto local in her home now!
Shojin Ryori: Vegetarian Buddhist Cuisine
Kyoto, with its deep Buddhist roots, is a sanctuary for vegetarians, especially tourists who are looking for suitable food options in Japan. Many Buddhist temples in the city serve Shojin Ryori, a popular Japanese Buddhist cuisine in Kyoto that celebrates plant-based ingredients. Made without meat or animal products, it is crafted with vegetables and grains.
Tofu cuisine reigns supreme in this form of cooking - think silken tofu bathed in rich dashi, crispy aged tofu sprinkled with sea salt and a dash of green onion or grilled tofu dipped in soy sauce. Don't be fooled by its simplicity; these dishes burst with nutritional flavour.
Yet another selling point of Shojin Ryori is that it is one of the best options for halal food in Kyoto. So, if you are looking for halal food in the region or a healthy, vegetarian meal, sample Shojin Ryori cuisine in Kyoto today!
Yuba: Tofu Skin Delicacy
Yuba, the skin that forms when you heat soy milk, is one of Kyoto’s culinary treasures. Its versatility knows no bounds - picture it in a clear soup, floating like a cloud, or wrapped around a sushi roll, adding creaminess.
A nutritious delicacy made from soy beans, yuba is as light as a feather yet full of protein. Its subtle sweetness and texture add flavour to any dish from Kaiseki to Shojin Ryori, making it a popular ingredient in Kyoto’s cuisine. Who knew a soy bean product could be so fancy? Kyoto, that’s who!
Saba Sushi: Mackerel Sushi Paradise
Sushi lovers, listen up because Kyoto has got the sushi game on lock! Forget tuna and salmon, mackerel is the king that sits atop the vinegar rice here. Made with pickled mackerel, saba sushi is a traditional type of Kyoto sushi and a favourite for locals when they eat sushi. The fish is cured to perfection, with a balance of richness and texture to complement the sushi rice. Bite into vinegar seasoned rice topped with a mackerel slice and a drizzle of sweet and savoury sauce - it's a mackerel sushi flavour bomb that will be your new sushi obsession.
Craving more sushi? For all the sushi fans out there, don't forget to try Temari sushi in Kyoto - tiny, vibrantly coloured Sushi balls lovingly packed in a box for your consumption.
Tsukemono: A Pickle Perfect Match
Kyoto’s Japanese pickles aren’t your average dill. Tsukemono is a type of pickled vegetable that is popular in Kyoto magine crunchy cucumbers, plump radishes, and briny eggplant - all pickled to perfection.
Thanks to Kyoto’s great weather, the city has gone pickle mad preserving all sorts of vegetables. From purple wonders called Shibazuke to pickled turnips like Senmaizuke and Sugukizuke, Kyoto has a pickle for your tastes!
Hamo: Conger Eel
Hamo, or conger eel, is a type of seal eel that is a local speciality and summer delight in Kyoto. Typically, the eel, parboiled or skewered to perfection, is served cold with a tangy umeboshi sauce and is a popular ingredient in Kyoto’s cuisine. Hamo is full of Vitamin A and good fats, so it’s akin to a superfood. Additionally, the contrast of textures and flavours is amazing, perfect for hot summer days and giving you an extra energy boost.
Sweet Treats in Kyoto
Matcha Desserts
Kyoto is synonymous with matcha, where the city's pastry chefs have taken this green tea to new heights with a variety of confections such as matcha shaved ice with brown sugar syrup poured over it. Indulge in matcha ice cream, its rich flavour, a perfect balance of sweet and bitter. Or perhaps you prefer a matcha tiramisu, a delightful twist on a classic dessert. Better yet, would you like to dip fresh fruit into a velvety green matcha fondue? Simply a matcha made in heaven! Savour pure bliss with the high-quality Uji matcha used in all these matcha-lous desserts.
Yatsuhashi: A Kyoto Sweet Treat
A Kyoto icon, Yatsuhashi is a traditional Japanese dessert where a triangular crepe-like pastry is filled to the brim with glorious sweet red bean paste. When you bite in, the crispy exterior gives way to a soft, sweet center.
There are many variations, from the classic Yatsuhashi made with rice flour, cinnamon, and sugar, to the unbaked Nama Yatsuhashi to the anko-filled Yatsuhashi. The eats are a popular snack souvenir to carry home from Kyoto, or a delightful treat to enjoy on the spot during a tea ceremony at a traditional tea house overlooking a Japanese garden.
Noodle and Soba Dishes
Kyoto Soba: Buckwheat Bliss
Kyoto soba hits different - think buckwheat noodles made with the best flour and a little green tea powder. The result is a light but tasty noodle that is the perfect base for varied toppings, offering endless soba noodles options such as cha soba, nishin soba and kano nanban soba. Cha soba, with its green colour from green tea, is one of the must-tries in Kyoto. Or maybe you prefer herring soba, or nishin soba with salty herring or kamo nanban soba with duck meat. Whether you like your dishes hot or cold, it’s a good meal.
Noodle Dishes
But Kyoto’s noodle scene goes beyond soba. The city has its own unique ramen flavours such as Tonkotsu, a rich pork broth ramen loved by locals and a filling meal that will warm you up on a cold day. With hundreds of ramen shops all over the city, you will find the perfect bowl for your cravings. And don’t forget to try udon at a ramen shop in Kyoto, the thick wheat flour noodles that goes with a smooth slurp.
Travelling solo or wish to enjoy your ramen in peace? Indulge in a private ramen lunch in Gion, Kyoto.
Beverages
Kyoto Sake
No trip to Kyoto is complete without sake. Kyoto’s water is famous for a reason and the pure Kyoto water is the perfect base for their high-quality sake. The city’s breweries produce some of Japan’s best sake to pair with its local delicacies. Imagine sipping sake with kaiseki or with seafood in Kyoto, Japan. It’s a sensory experience that is a great way to experience Japanese culture, so why not indulge in a luxury sake, whisky and cocktail tour in Kyoto?
Where to Enjoy Kyoto Food
Restaurants and Cafes
Kyoto is a foodie’s heaven with many restaurants to eat at. From high-end kaiseki restaurants to Buddhist temples serving Shojin Ryori to cosy cafes selling matcha confections, there’s something for every taste and budget. If you are a lover of wagyu beef, you simply must try a traditional Japanese Wagyu multi-course meal at Niku Kappo Futago restaurant. We promise you, finding the best food in Kyoto, Japan is like finding air – it’s everywhere!
Street Food and Markets
Any list of things to do in Japan and the best foods in Kyoto will definitely include a mention of the city's vibrant street food scene. Kyoto has several markets selling street foods, including Nishiki Market, famously known as Kyoto's kitchen, for its bustling atmosphere and countless food stalls.
From korokke (croquettes) to dango (sweet rice dumplings) to skewers, you can try an array of seasonal ingredients, local specialties and street foods during one of the many food festivals hosted by the city throughout the year.
Head out on a Nishiki Market Food Tour with a local guide and discover more Kyoto attractions now.
Nishiki Market Address: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055 (map)
Directions: Take a 7-minute walk from the nearest subway station at Shijō Station.
Go for A Culinary Exploration in Kyoto Now
As you finish your Kyoto food adventure, remember this: the best bites are just a hop, skip and a slurp away with its well connected transport hub at Kyoto station. Options are aplenty with the Kyoto Municipal Subway and the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line to find food gems from Kyoto station to Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station. Whether you’re slurping simmered foods at a hidden local spot or navigating the crowded aisles of a street market, Kyoto’s food wonders will make you shout “Umai!” Kyoto’s food scene is a delicious labyrinth, so follow your cravings and let your taste buds lead the way because the best food is often just around the corner. Ready to eat your heart out? With Pelago by Singapore Airlines' guide to the best food from Kyoto to try and the best things to do in Kyoto, your next adventure is just a stop away.
Commonly Asked Questions
What foods is Kyoto famous for?
Kyoto is renowned for Kaiseki, Obanzai, Shojin Ryori, Yuba, Saba Sushi, Tsukemono, Hamo, Matcha desserts, Yatsuhashi, and Kyoto Soba.
What is traditional Kyoto cuisine?
Authentic cuisine from Kyoto or Kyo Ryori, focuses on fresh, seasonal ingredients and balanced dishes in terms of its flavour profile.
Where to eat like a local in Kyoto?
For an authentic Kyoto food experience, visit their street food markets and small, family-run restaurants.
What are three popular foods in Japan?
Sushi, ramen, and tempura are three iconic Japanese dishes enjoyed nationwide.