Kyoto · Japan

The Kyoto food cheat sheet

One page from Chef Amazing · November 2026

The dish to eat

Silky tofu warmed in kombu broth at the table, dipped in soy with scallion, ginger and yuzu.

Best at Okutan, Nanzenji. Get: The yudofu set with sesame tofu and vegetable tempura

Yamamoto Kissacafé · Shirakawa-dori, Higashiyama
Get: Soft omelette sandwich with coffee (about 780 yen)
Isakichi Hot Potsfamily-run · Gion
Get: Chicken and Kujo-scallion hot pot; Japanese omelette with pollack roe
Grill Hasegawainstitution · Kita ward
Get: Hamburger steak, with pork cutlet or giant shrimp on the side
Roan Kikunoifor kaiseki · Southern Higashiyama
Get: Kaiseki lunch course
Kaneifor soba · Nishijin
Get: House soba

Covered shopping market. Kyoto pickles, tofu, sweets

Get: Kyoto latte

Expect: 20 to 40 min. Beat it: Go at opening.

Ebi-imo and bo-dara · Kani (Matsuba crab from Tango) · Yudofu (simmered tofu)

Tip: Never tip; it can embarrass people. Some upscale places add a service charge.

Book: Book sushi counters and kaiseki weeks to months out (often through your hotel); ramen and izakaya are walk-in, so line up.

When locals eat: Lunch 11:30am-2pm is the deal; dinner 6-9pm, many kitchens close early.