Restaurants

Consisting of multiple exquisitely plated, small dishes served sequentially, kaiseki cooking is deeply seasonal, highly artistic, and rarefied. This traditional style of Japanese haute cuisine actually inspired French nouvelle cuisine and modern degustation menus worldwide.

Every culture has its own beloved version of the dumpling, but in Japan, this culinary staple is the legendary gyoza. While gyoza originally evolved from the Chinese “jiaozi,” it has been completely transformed into a uniquely Japanese comfort food that is wildly popular and ubiquitous across the country.

Food is often the biggest hurdle for families traveling to Japan. While Japanese cuisine is incredibly safe, hygienic, and delicious, parents of picky eaters know that navigating a traditional menu can be a challenge. After all, it is rare to find a toddler begging for fermented soybeans, raw sea urchin, or sea cucumber!

While Tokyo is justifiably famous worldwide for its high-end sushi scene, you can also get phenomenal sushi in Kyoto. If you are looking for the best affordable sushi in Kyoto, this guide highlights approachable, budget-friendly, and mid-range restaurants perfect for foreign travelers.

If you have ever eaten sushi, you have likely encountered the word “unagi” on the menu. Unagi is the Japanese term for freshwater eel, and it is considered a highly prized culinary delicacy.

Tonkatsu is a beloved Japanese comfort food featuring breaded, deep-fried pork cutlets. If you are craving the ultimate crispy, juicy pork cutlet in Japan’s ancient capital, this guide covers the best tonkatsu restaurants in Kyoto.

While tempura is considered a quintessential Japanese dish, it actually arrived in Japan via Portuguese traders in the 16th century! Today, tempura remains one of the most beloved staples of the national cuisine, and Kyoto boasts an exceptional selection of world-class tempura spots.

If you love premium beef, there are few better places on the planet to dine than Japan. While the term “Wagyu” is often used interchangeably with “Kobe beef” outside the country, the reality of Japanese beef is much more diverse and fascinating