551 Horai - Kyoto Porta — Local services in Kyoto

We wanted a little snack and these buns did the trick. There is always a line here (and at all other 551 horai locations) but it moves quickly. Japanese people really love these buns so we decided to give them a try.

These buns taste like Chinese inspired buns. The white outside bun is very similar to the Chinese ones and is super fluffy and moist. It is able to hold and soak up all the mouth watering juices from the meat inside. The meat filling itself is distinct from the typical Chinese buns. The meat filling in these buns is less heavy in a meat flavor and more vegetal. It also has an onion forward flavor that relays into a sweeter taste. The buns were very enjoyable and steaming hot. It also comes with some incredibly strong Japanese mustard that goes well with the bun if you...

Deeeeelicious! Located at Kyoto Station. You will need to be patient in this hustle and bustle terminal as the line up can be long, but the staff is efficient and quick. The steamed pork bun is soft with the right amount of flavour and when add a dab of hot mustard on it, that brings the taste to another level. The price for the dumplings are a deal! It’s soft on one side and crunchy on the bottom. In your first bite, the flavour of pork fills your mouth, followed by the sweetness of the cabbage crunch. Don’t forget to add the sauce!! It’s a great combination!! Would...

551 Horai is a popular Chinese fast-food chain originating from Osaka, well-known for its steamed pork buns (butaman) and other dim sum-style. The Kyoto Porta branch is a takeout-only location, making it a convenient stop for travelers looking for a quick bite. Butaman is the fluffy signature bun with with minced pork. There are shumai, gyoza and stick rice. I find the sticky rice nice and flavorful but the butaman is not to my liking as its too meaty. There is a long queue with most customers buying the...