The Best Local Restaurants in Kyoto

Ramen Toritani is a hidden gem known for its authentic, locally-loved ramen. With a cozy setting of just 12 seats, the restaurant offers a unique dining experience, free from the typical ramen-ordering-vending machines. The generous portions, milky chicken broth, perfectly cooked chicken and char siu, and the tangy spiciness of julienne spring onion and daikon cress all contribute to a ramen experience that is hard to match.

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Jaclyn Kong

Chef – Antwerp, Belgium

A hidden diamond in Kyoto. Japan is ramen heaven! My short 3 weeks trip is definitely not enough for me to taste all I want but this 麺処 鶏谷 (Ramen Toritani) definitely made me cry a bit from its taste. This place was the most-mentioned by all local Japanese ramen critics, thus, I decided to take the trip. The location is a bit far off the city, which I’m happy as it’s normally a common indication that it’s authentic and less touristy. I was lucky that I did not have to wait for too long, about 45 mins. (p.s: in Asia, queueing for food is insane! I queued for 3 hours for my okonomiyaki) and I was apparently the only foreigner there. This little 12 seaters ramen restaurant does not use a ramen-ordering-vending machine (those commonly seen in most ramen places in the cities). They only have a Japanese menu and I picked the one with a star logo (which I assumed it’s the chef’s recommendation/popular choice) and added all extras I saw (extra char siu and free-range chicken)(about 1300¥, +/- 13€) The portions were really generous and the milky chicken broth was heaven. The chicken was perfectly cooked and the char siu was also different from the usual ones we've commonly seen/tasted in other places. The julienne spring onion (white part only) and daikon cress give crisps of tangy spiciness to the ramen. I tried other tori paitan base ramen in other cities and none could beat/even come close to the flavours I had at Tori Tani!

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This restaurant is known for its handmade soba noodles, which are finely crafted yet firm and aromatic. It's a place that comes highly recommended, even by chefs, and is worth the wait in line. Besides the soba, there's also a selection of Japanese dishes and beer to enjoy, making it a great spot for both lunch and dinner.

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Tristin Farmer

Chef – Singapore , SG

Handmade soba noodles at Soba Minagawa in Kyoto. Soba Minagawa serves some incredible handmade soba noodles and beer. I was recommended this place by a chef friend and it’s definitely worth a visit and worth queuing for!

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Nestled in a backstreet near the Kamo river, Shokudo Ogawa is a small counter restaurant that offers an a la carte menu, with Chef's omakase being a popular choice. The food is simple yet highlights high-quality local ingredients, with a harmony not reliant on heavy seasoning or fats. With a fun atmosphere to watch Chef Ogawa prepare dishes to order, the quality and value offered by this restaurant is unparalleled.

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Charles Chen

F&B Producer – Oakland, United States

One of Kyoto’s finest Perhaps one of Kyoto’s best cost performance restaurants is also one of Kyoto’s hardest to book. Nestled in a backstreet near the Kamo river, Shokudou Ogawa is a fine example of pure flavors with confident execution. This small counter restaurant offers an a la carte menu but Chef’s omakase is the common call here. Filled with regulars, the counter is a fun place to watch Chef Ogawa prepare dishes to order or to make friends with neighbors. His food is simple yet highlights the high-quality local ingredients of Kyoto with a harmony not reliant on heavy seasoning or fats. If you are lucky enough to get a seat at the counter, the value and quality is unparalleled.

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Known for its remarkable Kaiseki, Maeda offers a unique dining experience that focuses on ingredients, complexity, and umami flavors. As per recommendations, it's crucial to book your spot well in advance due to high demand. Please note, taking pictures is not permitted within the premises.

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Tristin Farmer

Chef – Singapore , SG

3 star Kaiseki Mind blowing Kaiseki from Maeda San, ingredient focused, complex and crazy umami. Need to book very far in advance, no pictures allowed

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At Tsuroku, the focus is on local Kansai seasonal produce, prepared with skill by a talented chef. The omakase menu is highly recommended, where you can enjoy a variety of dishes chosen by the chef. For a unique experience, consider buying the chef a drink, a tradition that adds to the friendly and engaging atmosphere.

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Dylan Jones

Dad, Cook … Crusader – Bangkok, Thailand

Local Kansai seasonal produce cooked deftly by a very talented cook! Omakase and buy the chef a drink!

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With a relaxed and casual atmosphere, Ashioto offers dishes primarily featuring locally sourced vegetables. The menu is a modern take on izakaya cuisine, focusing on lighter, fresher fare. Despite the lack of an English menu, the staff is full of energy and eager to ensure a great dining experience.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

At Ashioto, you'll find beautiful dishes primarily featuring locally sourced Kyoto vegetables, all within a very relaxed and casual setting. The menu offers a modern izakaya selection with a focus on lighter, fresher fare. While there's no English menu, the staff exude great energy and are eager to ensure you have the best experience possible.

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Overlooking a scenic river, Tempura Matsu offers a unique dining experience with its mind-blowing tasting menu. The family-run establishment surprises guests with its creative dishes, such as cold noodles in an ice cube and wagyu with truffle shavings. Despite its humble exterior, the restaurant is known for its imaginative food, beautiful dishware, and casual atmosphere.

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Tara Montegriffo

Foodie – Gibraltar, Gibraltar

Mindblowing tasting menu overlooking the river Tempura matsu is a family run restaurant on the outskirts of Kyoto. A humble & modest exterior, its menu is everything but. Dish after dish, our jaws dropped at creativity of the chef - cold noodles in an ice cube & wagyu with truffle shavings and and gold. Uni nigiris - a omakase you will remember for a lifetime

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Situated along the historic Philosopher's Path, Juugo offers a simple but impressive menu consisting of soba and sobagaki (buckwheat dumpling). The restaurant is the brainchild of Ishibashi-san, a former fashion executive turned farmer, who grows his own buckwheat on a farm an hour away. The soba is kneaded and cut to order, providing a unique, farm-to-table experience that's truly one of a kind.

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Charles Chen

F&B Producer – Oakland, United States

Located along the historic Philospher’s Path in Kyoto is one of the best soba restaurants in Japan. Ishibashi-san, a former fashion executive turned farmer, only serves two things: soba and sobagaki (buckwheat dumpling). His country-style soba is kneaded and cut to order with buckwheat that he grows on his farm located an hour north of Kyoto. The restaurant and farm is completely a 1-man operation which makes the whole experience even more impressive. An absolute must when visiting Kyoto.

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With a renowned reputation for its steak sandwiches, Yutaka Steakhouse is a place where legendary steak spot Kawamura once worked. The restaurant is also known for its delicious hambaagu, which comes highly recommended. In addition to their great value lunches, they offer online and phone reservations for added convenience.

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Roni Xu

Potato – Tokyo, Japan

Steak sandwich Steak spot the legendary Kawamura used to work at. Favourite hambaagu ever! Highly recommended. Great value lunches too.

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This restaurant, Gyoza Taizou, offers a simple yet satisfying menu, specializing in freshly made gyoza. The gyoza, thin and crispy on the outside with juicy fillings, come in several varieties including coriander and shiso. It has a no-frills ambiance and is often referred to as a hidden gem for affordable dining.

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Oliver Jansson

Food Enthusiast – Stockholm, Sweden

This no-frills, hole-in-the-wall spot serves up some serious gyoza. Crispy on the outside, packed with juicy fillings on the inside. They offer a few options such as coriander gyoza and shiso gyoza, plus some side dishes. All gyozas are freshly made to order, thin as a whisper, and absolutely delicious. A hidden gem for some cheap eats!

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