Kyoto Support » Forum: Food and Drink

Kyoto Support » Forum: Food and Drink - Recent Topics http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/forum/food-drink Sad to say, but this lovely old town requires some support. en-US Sun, 14 Mar 2010 13:28:40 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/search.php archer_root on "Fresh Young Coconut, Durian, and other fruits from just south of Japan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/fresh-young-coconut-durian-and-other-fruits-from-just-south-of-japan#post-238 Sun, 07 Mar 2010 19:44:06 +0000 archer_root 238@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Has anyone found any fresh young coconuts from Thailand in any of the markets of the Kansai region? How about fresh, unfrozen durian? Or what about figs? Seen any fresh figs anywhere? I love Obanzai (おばんざい). I really love obanzai. But I need a fresh young coconut, mang. bern on "Gluten Free in Japan - Printer Friendly Celiac Disease English-Japanese Card PDF" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/gluten-free#post-185 Sun, 26 Jul 2009 11:24:09 +0000 bern 185@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ My wife's diet is gluten free. What should we say to ask if a dish uses gluten in its ingredients? Maybe I should print out something in Japanese to take with us? Is there much awareness of this diet in Japan? peko on "Sake Bars in Kyoto: Nihonshu Bar Asakura, Jizake Bar Zen, Sake Bar Yoramu" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sake-bars-in-kyoto#post-194 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 02:41:17 +0000 peko 194@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I know of three (premium) sake bars in Kyoto. Last night I went out with Miwa and some new friends from London with the intent of drinking some good sake. We went to a sake bar, Yoramu, that I had heard good things about but had not visited yet. It was so disappointing that we left before ordering and went to Asakura. Asakura 日本酒BARあさくら (full name: Nihonshu Bar Asakura) ENGLISH SPOKEN! FRIENDLY OWNER! EXCELLENT SAKE SELECTION! The owner speaks English very well and lavishes attention on foreign customer to assure that they have a wonderful sake experience in Kyoto. Asakura has a broad and varied collection of premium sake, including very rare aged sake. (We had 21 and 23 year old aged sake -- sake is usually drunk fresh, within 6 months to a year.) location: Asakura is just south of the Kiyamachi Street and Oike Street intersection in the Kiyamachi neighborhood near the Kamo River. Walking south from the intersection, take the first street left. Up the little lane you will notice a large red wooden sculpture of a sake carafe (tokkuri) -- this landmark is NOT Asakura. Walk just past the red tokkuri and on the right will be the steps of nondescript building. Take this flight of stairs to the second floor. Asakura is on the right, immediately at the top of the stairs. hours: 7:00 pm - 2:00 am (Closed Tuesday and 'sometimes' on Sunday and Monday. Call first to be sure.) Asakura only seats 11 people, so you might want to call about seating too. website: <a href="http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://ameblo.jp/sakebar/</a> (no English) tel: 075-212-4417 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kiyamachi Oike-sagaru, Hitosujime Higashi-iru, Daikyu Building 2F (京都市中京区木屋町御池下がる一筋目東入る大久ビル2F) Jizake Bar Zen 地酒BAR 膳 Jizake (Local Sake) Bar Zen Excellent jizake (local sake) selection. Jizake literally means local sake or regional sake, but you can think of it as artisan or craft sake too. Jizake Bar Zen is located in exclusive Gion nightlife district and is run by an interesting character nick-named Punch. Previously Punch was a truck driver and has a 'punch perm' like yakuza often sport in Japan. location: Turn left at north of Gion Kaikan on Higashioji street, go straight from there. The Grand Building is on the right hand side, next to (west side of) Kanki Shrine. hours: (approx) 6 pm - 12 mid-night, or later. Closed 'sometimes'. website: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/</a> (no English) map: <a href="http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html" rel="nofollow">http://www9.plala.or.jp/zizakebar/sub-1.html</a> (no English) Punch's Punch Perm (blog article) <a href="http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html" rel="nofollow">http://zizake-wataribune-50-1950.blog.eonet.jp/default/2009/07/post-4d28.html</a> tel: 075-531-2507 (no English) address: Kyoto-shi, Higashiyama-ku, Gion-cho, Kitagawa 347-55, Gion Grand Building 1F (京都市東山区祇園町北側347-55 ぎおんグランドビル 1F) Sake Bar Yoramu 酒バーよらむ The owner is an Israeli resident of Kyoto who loves sake. In 2000 he has made his 'ideal' bar, where you can try several good quality sake by small portions with just right kind and amount of food. Eight people can sit at the counter and there is a small table for 2 or 3 people. Yoramu only serves 'junmai' sake, or pure rice sake without added brewers alcohol. (This is the only kind of sake that should be made in my opinion.) This same space is a soba noodle restaurant during the daytime, run by a different person. location: "Sake Bar YORAMU is on Nijo-dori, south of the Imperial Palace Park (Gosho). The cross street is Higashinotoin-dori, which is two streets east of Karasuma. The closest subway stop is KARASUMA-OIKE (#1 exit). Turn left upon emerging from the subway exit, and keep going past the first cross street (Oshikoji). Turn right at the next street, which is Nijo-dori. Go past the first cross street, and Sake Bar YORAMU will be the third building on your right. Slightly further but also less than a ten-minute walk away is the subway's MARUTAMACHI station." (source: Yoramu website) hours: 6 pm - 12 mid-night. Closed on Sunday, Monday and Tuesdays. website: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/index_eng.html</a> map: <a href="http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.sakebar-yoramu.com/access_eng.html</a> tel: 075-213-1512 address: Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Nijo-dori, Higashinotoin-sagaru, Minamigawa (京都市中京区二条通東洞院東入る南側) Our experience at Yoramu: Yoramu is quite small and only seats 8 or 9 people at the counter which was full when we arrived. We were offered a little table and told the clear the magazines, a fan and so on off ourselves. We had to hunt around for some little stools -- all self-service. Then, Yoramu told us that he was busy and that we should wait a bit before ordering. THEN, he noticed that the door hadn't closed after we came in and asked us to go and close it! DUDE! No way! Yoramu only serves premium sake so it is not going to be cheap. That kind of service is unacceptable -- anywhere, least of all Kyoto, Japan. I would love to recommend and support a fellow foreigner running a business in Kyoto, but with this kind of service, I would have to say to give Yoramu a miss. Too bad. bjje on "snack attack" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/snack-attack#post-231 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:50:45 +0000 bjje 231@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While walking up to Ginkaku-ji, I had grilled Mochi on a stick that was four square pieces, each about 3cm, rough like tree bark, coated with spice. There were different flavors. Does anyone know what the proper name is for this? (link to recipe?) The next one is a mame type cracker with a peanut inside that was pink, shaped and flavored like an Ume. I had it in Kiso Valley. Proper name? supplier? Many thankyoos. peko on "Favorite Stores, Tastes and Products in Nishiki Market" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/favorite-stores-tastes-and-products-in-nishiki-market#post-230 Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:36:56 +0000 peko 230@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I am starting a list of my favorite shops and foods in Nishiki Market. more to come... Mora on "Soy Salt - Available in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/soy-salt-available-in-kyoto#post-227 Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:41:17 +0000 Mora 227@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello everyone. I recently read about Soy Salt at the New York Mutual Trading Inc. website. It's made by Kamebishi, a traditional artisan shoyu company that has been producing shoyu for more than 250 years. I'd love to be able to bring some bags of Soy Salt home as gifts to my foodie friends. Does anyone know where it can be purchased in Kyoto? Kamebishi Company is located in the rural town of Hiketa, Kagawa Prefecture. Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. carol on "Jack O' Lanterns" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/jack-o-lanterns#post-215 Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:59:33 +0000 carol 215@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where around Kyoto to find orange pumpkins for carving Jack O' Lanterns? We are willing to go out of town on train or bus. For a little Halloween tea party Saturday afternoon. carol on "Oatmeal Weather: And Where to Buy Western-style Breakfast Food in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/oatmeal-weather#post-212 Sat, 24 Oct 2009 04:54:57 +0000 carol 212@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I gather that Maki Shoten may be the best place to try to find oatmeal here in Kyoto. Up Higashioji, I'll check it out. So yummy, cooked very creamy or apples-n-oats, raw rolled oats mixed with grated apple and with milk, muesli really, add nuts. There's also not much better for cleansing face, just do it over the kitchen sink! (Put some raw rolled oats in a sock, tie it and drop in the hot bath.) It makes good milk, too, like almond or hemp milk, if you have a blendor. drdave on "Finding Cornmeal in Kyoto..." http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/finding-cornmeal-in-kyoto#post-209 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:53:53 +0000 drdave 209@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Subject should say it all :-) I am craving homemade muffins... and can't seem to find cornmeal at any of the local supermarkets (including fancier ones that usually carry a decent selection of import foods and exotic spices). Friends in Tokyo get it at Kaldi Coffee Farm, which doesn't have a branch in the city. I haven't tried Meidi-ya yet (it's a bit on the opposite side from where I leave), but thought I'd ask here if anybody could recommend stores that are guaranteed to sell cornmeal? Cheers! incognito on "(Casual) Breakfast in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/casual-breakfast-in-kyoto#post-203 Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:17:11 +0000 incognito 203@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I will be in Kyoto for a week in November, staying at Hotel Monterey then a ryokan (with breakfast). We will be taking advantage of a few lunch Kaisei deals and won't go for the hotel breakfast. I know there are probably some decent snack food/bread available from convenient stores that we can have as quick and casual breakfast. I am just wondering what other options might be? Cafes, wagashi stores, Mr Donuts? Thanks a lot! foomarks on "Seasonal things to eat in Kyoto?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/seasonal-things-to-eat-in-kyoto#post-202 Mon, 05 Oct 2009 04:33:33 +0000 foomarks 202@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi there, I'm going to be in Kyoto 10/24 to 10/30. Can you recommend must see seasonal things to eat, and at which places? Thank you! (If you can recommend seasonal things to do and see, that would be great too!) Rina on "Lunch near Houkyouji and Nishijin-ori Kaikan" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/lunch-near-houkyouji-and-nishijin-ori-kaikan#post-83 Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:10:53 +0000 Rina 83@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for an affordable place for lunch near 宝鏡寺 and 西陣織会館. I'll have exactly two hours between going to these two places, so I suppose somewhere relatively simple on Horikawa-doori. Any suggestions would be appreciated, thank you in advance. peko on "Kaiseki-ryori in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kaiseki-ryori-in-kyoto#post-2 Tue, 14 Oct 2008 12:06:12 +0000 peko 2@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Where to go for Kyoto Kaiseki-ryori? One of the most common questions that we get on KyotoFoodie is what are our recommendations for good kaiseki in Kyoto? Of course, there are many. Here are some of our recommendations. 1. Kichisen (吉泉) also known as Kissen -- very traditional Kyoto kaiseki -- The owner and chef of Kichisen is Yoshimi Tanigawa. He is one of the few chefs on Earth to have defeated an Iron Chef! (Iron Chef is the popular Japanese television program) Mr Tanigawa also runs a dojo (道場) for apprentice chefs. Mr Tanigawa is well known for his strictness and severity with his students, only about 1 in 10 finish the 7 year course. His kaiseki is very classical, very 'Kyoto' and very, very delicious and beautiful. Kichisen is open for both lunch and dinner and is located near the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shimogamo Shrine. Kichisen website: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com</a> Kichisen Reservations: <a href="http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php" rel="nofollow">http://www.kichisen-kyoto.com/en/reservation.php</a> NEW INFO: We did a 7 part series with Kichisen on the theme of Kyoto Kaiseki, Japanese New Year's Kaiseki and Osechi Cuisine: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/series/o-shogatsu-ryori/" title="Kichisen New Year's Kaiseki">Kichisen's New Year's Kaiseki Series</a> 2. Kikunoi (菊乃井) -- newish, popular and owner recently published kaiseki book -- Kikunoi has two locations in Kyoto; Kiyamachi or Honten. Though not authentic Kyoto-style kaiseki cuisine (why come all the way to Kyoto and not have the real thing?), Kikunoi is an excellent place to get acquainted with kaiseki. Kikunoi Kiyamachi is located just south of the busy Shijo-Kiyamachi intersection. The restaurant is beautiful and a world apart from the bustle of the neighborhood. The Kiyamachi location offers a reasonably priced and excellent lunch. If you are on a budget but still want to try kaiseki, consider Kikunoi's lunch. The Honten is villa-like and in central Kyoto's most picturesque and exclusive neighborhood, Higashiyama, where you can go for a stroll before or after dinner. Honten 075-561-0015 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/honten.htm</a> Kiyamachi 075-361-5580 <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/kiyamachi.htm</a> They have a really horrible English website (circa 1996). <a href="http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/" rel="nofollow">http://www.kikunoi.jp/english/</a> The Japanese pages (with photos) give a much better idea of what the restaurant is like. When you make a reservation, be sure to try book an individual room. Book by owner Yoshihiro Murata: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kaiseki-Exquisite-Cuisine-Kikunoi-Restaurant/dp/4770030223" title="The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant ">Kaiseki: The Exquisite Cuisine of Kyoto's Kikunoi Restaurant </a> peko on "Ramen: Great Ramen Shops in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ramen-great-ramen-shops-in-kyoto#post-5 Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:50:50 +0000 peko 5@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Places to 'Ramen' in Central Kyoto Ippudo Nishiki-koji Store (一風堂錦小路店) -- excellent, excellent ramen -- Ippudo came to Kyoto about five years ago from Hakata, Kyoto and has been a big hit. Ippudo is located on the north side of Daimaru Department Store near the Shijo-Karasuma intersection in central Kyoto. It is one block south of Nishiki Market (shopping arcade). <a href="http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.ippudo.com/shop/26kyoto.html</a> Gogyo, Kyoto (五行京都) -- great Kyushu ramen in historic Kyoto machiya house -- New and elegant ramen restaurant in Kyoto. Gogyo offers other 'ippin' dishes lots of drinks. <a href="http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://ramendining-gogyo.com/shop_kyoto/index.html</a> Takaraya Ponto-cho Store (宝屋先斗町店) -- original, elegant 'Kyoto' ramen-- Takaraya is located near Sanjo Bridge in Ponto-cho neighborhood. No ramen lover would want to miss Takaraya's 'Sumashi Ramen' while they are in town. If you can handle underdone eggs, do try their 'Demachi-no-Tamago-kake Gohan'. KyotoFoodie review: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/" rel="nofollow">http://kyotofoodie.com/takaraya-ramen/</a> Ponto-cho Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/pontocho.html</a> JR Kyoto Station Store: <a href="http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.takaraya.info/shops/kyotosb.html</a> (＊this location does NOT offer Sumashi Ramen) Kyoto Ramen Koji (Little Ramen Street) - Kyoto Station -- seven of the best regional ramen flavors in Kyoto -- Located on the 10th floor of the Kyoto Station Building, this is a great place to take your pick from 7 of Japan's regional tastes of ramen. Japanese language site only: <a href="http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-ramen-koji.com/towa.html</a> (photos and graphics give you the idea) peko on "Economy Class: Best Budget Restaurants in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/economy-class-best-budget-restaurants-in-kyoto#post-188 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:40:52 +0000 peko 188@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ This is a list of my favorite restaurants in Kyoto for travelers on a tight budget. Where do/did you go? Marugame Seimen Kawaramachi Sanjo Store (丸亀製麺河原町三条店) This is a Sanuki (Shikoku) style udon restaurant chain. This location is still new and shiny. The udon is made fresh on site handmade-style. (It is machine-made but the taste and texture is like handmade.) Don't overlook the tempura and onigiri rice balls. The staff is friendly. An English language menu (with correct English) available. Probably the cheapest decent restaurant in all of Kyoto. A hungry traveler can really fill up for just 500 yen. Kyoto-shi, Nakagyo-ku, Kawaramachi-dori, Sanjo-sagaru, Daikoku-cho 54-1 (京都市中京区河原町通三条下る大黒町54-1) tel 075-231-0700 Open everyday from 11 am to 10 pm (last order is 9:30 pm) Website (Japanese language): <a href="http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/" rel="nofollow">http://www.toridoll.com/shop/marugame/</a> OpenKyoto 'Kyoto Best Cheap Eats' article: <a href="http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html" rel="nofollow">http://openkyoto.com/dining/kyoto-cheap-eats-marugame-udon.html</a> k8isgrape on "Mochi Cream Store in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/mochi-cream#post-178 Wed, 01 Jul 2009 14:10:47 +0000 k8isgrape 178@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm heading to Kyoto for the weekend later this month and it happens to be conveniently timed before a friend's birthday. Does anyone know if there's a Mochi Cream shop in Kyoto? She's addicted to them and I'd love to pick her up some if I can. (I mean the full-on, official Mochi Cream brand.) I could always hop on the Hankyu line for Osaka and go to the one in Umeda, but that seems a bit excessive. :) Mora on "Kyoto Nama Chocolat Organic Tea House" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/kyoto-nama-chocolat-organic-tea-house#post-48 Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:35:54 +0000 Mora 48@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I came across an article on Kyoto Nama Chocolat in a back issue of Cocoaroma magazine published out of San Francisco. During our late November '08 trip to Kyoto, paying a visit to Kyoto Chocolat was on the must-see-taste list. It's located very close to the Heian Shrine. Visit their website [Japanese and English] at <a href="http://www.kyoto-namachocolat.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyoto-namachocolat.com</a> for the complete story and background. We purchased a box of their mixed chocolates...more like lovely handmade truffles...and a chocolate cake that we took to friends for dessert. For most Americans, the cake will be too dry and not sweet enough, but for my partner and me it was perfect. The chocolates must be kept frozen; you remove them about 1 minute prior to serving. They were incredible. I highly recommend a visit for tea and chocolates. If you are a dog and cat lover you will feel right at home. The owner and his wife have a beautiful Irish setter who greets you at the genkan, and then an orange striped cat sleeps lazily on the floor cushions inside. An amazing experience. Kyoto Nama Chocolat Organic Tea House Phone / Fax 075-751-2678 Tenno-cho 76-15, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto 606-8335 (3 min. walk from Okazaki-michi Bus Stop) jazzguy550 on "Senbei recipe" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/senbei-recipe#post-163 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 06:14:32 +0000 jazzguy550 163@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hi everyone, I'm wondering if there are books or webpages that contain recipes for making senbei? Living in North America, the selection is quite limited compared to what you can find in Japan / Kyoto... thanks... JessTwiga on "Kyoto Yatsuhashi: delicious bridge cookies" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/delicious-bridge-cookies#post-161 Fri, 29 May 2009 11:44:20 +0000 JessTwiga 161@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm looking for the name of an amazing cooking I have in the neighborhood of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. I think it is baked mochi. They are about an inch long and half an inch tall and they look like little brown bridges or half a hollow log. They are crispy, slightly sweet, with a faint spice that I can't quite place. If you know what I'm talking about and could tell me the name that would be amazing!! They are truly one of my favorite cookies!! Thank you! Anissa on "Ebisume" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/ebisume#post-149 Thu, 14 May 2009 11:10:47 +0000 Anissa 149@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ What is it? I love to try new things and was recommended this to buy. Anissa on "1 Day visit to Kyoto-food /shopping/sightseeing recommedations needed" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/1-day-visit-to-kyoto-food-shoppingsightseeing-recommedations-needed#post-143 Mon, 11 May 2009 13:52:32 +0000 Anissa 143@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I'm visiting Kyoto for the first time for 1 day and need a couple of restaurant recommendations for lunch and dinner that aren't too pricey but will be typical Kyoto. We love to try new things, except perhaps blowfish. We're taking the train in from Osaka and so far have planned on visiting Gion and the Imperial Palace so places to eat around these places would be great. Where else would you suggest we sightsee? If anyone can suggest places to eat around these sights, that would be good. Shopping-wise, we don't really like the big department stores...we're interested in good quality souveniers. Thanks. odonata on "A source for Furosen Muroka Nama Genshu?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/a-source-for-furosen-muroka-nama-genshu#post-140 Sat, 09 May 2009 00:48:51 +0000 odonata 140@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello, Your post on Furosen Muroka Nama Genshu really caught my interest, since, I've been looking for an online source that will ship to the U.S. I've found a couple of places that carry it: Here: <a href="http://www.oumi-jizake.com/furo/akinosake.htm" rel="nofollow">http://www.oumi-jizake.com/furo/akinosake.htm</a> and Here: <a href="http://www.uzj.jp/SHOP/SF0067.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.uzj.jp/SHOP/SF0067.html</a> But the first seems to be out of stock and the second appears not to ship here. Do you know of any place I could order a bottle that would ship it overseas? Any help would be appreciated. Your blog is great, one of my favorites. Thanks, Nate pivote on "Sukiyaki and Yuba Reccommendations" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/sukiyaki-and-yuba-reccommendations#post-116 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 03:31:56 +0000 pivote 116@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Hello - First I want to thank everyone for the information I've found on this blog/forum. I've been able to plan a fine culinary itinerary based on the shared knowledge here. I will be in Kyoto for 3 days this May and have already booked a lunch at Kikunoi Roan and a dinner at Spoon, but want to dedicate the rest of my available meals to more casual fare. In general, I am willing to pay for a world-class dining experience, but in general I'd like to keep meals around the 5K-7K range. I was hoping to sample the following: Great Steak/Beef, either in the form of Sukiyaki or Teppanyaki (whichever provides the most bang for the buck): - Mishima-tei seems a bit pricey to me, but the only other notable potion I could find mentioned online is Kanoko... - In terms of Teppanyaki, the option I came across on bento.com is Misono. I also see Grill Miyata come up on alot of travel sites. Yuba: Seems like the establishment that keeps coming up is Komameya, which i'm happy to go to if its a definitive Yuba experience... Unagi: Please let me know if there is a standout Unagi experience in the Kyoto area. So far, I have come across Aoba and GION UMENOI. Thanks in advance for your help! Zenstone on "Seasonal Menus" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/seasonal-menus#post-113 Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:49:51 +0000 Zenstone 113@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I am interested as to what foods are available in the different seasons (or also not available). Specifically I am interested in Autumn and what food I will find... I've picked up small pieces here and there but it isn't comprehensive so I thought as the seasons are so important in Japanese Cuisine it might be good to start a thread of this peko on "Bakeries in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/bakeries-in-kyoto#post-115 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:27:51 +0000 peko 115@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Japanese bread is horrible. There are several bakeries in Kyoto that offer real, tasty bread. Le Petit Mec Le Petit Mec in Nishijin is the only bakery in Kyoto that I know of that has really great bread. They also have excellent sandwiches, sweets and tarts and very good cafe au lait. Le Petit Mec is somewhat strange and erratic, now it is only open 3 days a week. (It used to be open 365 days a year.) Le Petit Mec Storefront <img title="Le Petit Mec" src="http://kyotofoodie.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/kyoto-bakery-le-petit-mec-storefront.jpg" alt="Le Petit Mec" /> Recent KyotoFoodie Article <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/yuzu-kokuto-marmalade/">Yuzu Kokuto Marmalade</a> (include photos of bread and shop) location: Le Petit Mec is located in Nishijin on Imadegawa Street just west of the Imadegawa-Omiya Street intersection. business hours: open 8am to 8pm. Closed Mon-Thurs, only open Fri, Sat and Sun! website (no English): <a href="http://www.le-petitmec.co.jp" rel="nofollow">http://www.le-petitmec.co.jp</a> tel: 075-432-1444 京都市上京区今出川通大宮西入ル元北小路町159 Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.036884,135.751061&spn=0.016866,0.020599&z=15&source=embed">Le Petit Mec - KyotoFoodie Map</a> peko on "Handmade Ice Cream in Kyoto" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/homemade-ice-cream-in-kyoto#post-114 Wed, 15 Apr 2009 13:10:43 +0000 peko 114@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ While Häagen-Dazs is ubiquitous in Japan, in convenience stores and supermarkets and Häagen-Dazs ice cream parlors, there aren't many independent handmade ice shops here. That is too bad, and odd, because Japanese love ice cream and eat plenty of it. This is the country that gave the world ice cream tempura! Chibeta (ちべた) Chibeta is located in Nishijin, the old weaving district of Kyoto. Chibeta offers high quality ice cream for eat in, take out and they even sell online. Chibeta offers novel riffs on traditional Japanese flavors, ingredients and sweets. As always in Kyoto culinary culture, the seasons are important and Chibeta offers numerous seasonal fruit flavors. Recent KyotoFoodie Articles: <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/sakura-mochi-ice-cream/">Chibeta Sakura Mochi Ice Cream</a> <a href="http://kyotofoodie.com/soba-boro-cookie-ice-cream/">Chibeta Soba Boro Cookie Ice Cream</a> location: Chibeta is located on in the Nishijin district of Kyoto on Senbon-dori, just south of Imadegawa-dori. From the intersection of Senbon and Imadegawa Streets, you just go three (short) blocks to the south and Chibeta is located on the east corner of Senbon and Sasayacho Streets intersection. business hours: open 11am to 7pm (Closed Mon and Mon and Tues once a month. If Mon is a national holiday, closed Tue.) website (no English): <a href="http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.kyo-ice.com/welcome/head.html</a> tel: 075-414-8688 京都市上京区千本通笹屋町東北角 Map <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115039365892753127164.000445cff35fa2bfc5a51&ll=35.02903,135.742843&spn=0.002109,0.002575&z=18&source=embed">Chibeta - KyotoFoodie Map</a> adania on "Handmade anko for making your own sweets?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/handmade-anko-for-making-your-own-sweets#post-98 Mon, 09 Mar 2009 05:02:24 +0000 adania 98@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Tomorrow is my favorite Jewish Holiday, Purim! For this day, I have always made hamentaschen ( <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantash" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hamantash</a> ) usually with canned poppyseed filling, or with apricot preserves. This year I had a sudden brainflash, after I realized that I had waited too long to get someone to mail me a can of poppyseed filling. "This year I will make Anko Hamentaschen!" But to do it right, I thought I should get good handmade stuff (i'm not ready to try to make it from scratch with dried beans). I have been avidly reading Kyoto Foodie for a while, and it seemed like the best place to ask for advice on getting handmade anko for making my own sweets. If you like, I'll even bring you guys some of my finished ankohamentaschen to try after I bake them. I use a cream-cheese pastry dough to make these, so they'll end up like little triangular anko-pies. I thought koshi-an would probably work better than tsubu-an. Sorry to run on and on... but anyone have a suggestion for getting good beanpaste? Thanks! ~Queen Esther scottmullens on "Best Local/Affordable eats close to Kyoto Station?" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/best-localaffordable-eats-close-to-kyoto-station#post-63 Sat, 17 Jan 2009 04:19:22 +0000 scottmullens 63@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Any suggestions for great, affordable local food/cuisine within 10/20 minutes walking distance of Kyoto station? I'm travelling solo and don't want anything stuffy/fancy, just super tasty/local. Thanks! Scott Qphelia on "Vegetarian/Vegan and Visiting Japan at New Year's" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/vegetarian-vegan-and-visiting-japan-at-new-years#post-7 Sun, 09 Nov 2008 08:51:09 +0000 Qphelia 7@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ I was hoping to go to Kyoto for my honeymoon this winter (December 29th-January, 2nd) but my fiance is a vegetarian. He can't have any kind of meat (fish included), or any oils, extracts or dashi. Do you have any recommendations for vegetarian restaurants in Kyoto that would be open during this time? I'm also wondering if there are any interesting New Year's celebrations we might be able to take part in. Thanks! lotus on "Restaurant for special celebration" http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/topic/restaurant-for-special-celebration#post-102 Thu, 12 Mar 2009 01:34:00 +0000 lotus 102@http://openkyoto.com/kyoto-support/ Looking for a restaurant for a special celebration - dinner. (Not vegan) Could you offer a few suggestions ranging from $30-$50 USD per person? we're staying at the westin miyako....thanks!