/s/ kawahigashi — Restaurant in Kyoto

After watching the OKURIBI from a nearby bridge, we walked into this restaurant. The entrance is very small, but inside it is cozy and authentic. We sat close to the chef and the kitchen, where we could see what he was doing and talk to him throughout our meal, though we kept our voices low because the atmosphere was very tranquil and quiet. We were the last guests of the evening, and we were served with great care.

The food was excellent and unique. The dish we all loved the most was the simple rice ball, steamed with just a touch of salt. The simplicity of the cooking reflected a deep understanding of rice culture, from the careful selection of the rice to the traditional methods of preparation. The chef explained that the first rice ball is served hot with a perfect aroma, while the second, slightly cooler, has an even richer flavor.

To our surprise, my boys, aged 4 and 8, loved the rice so much that they asked for a second rice ball! Normally, they don’t enjoy rice at all.

The other dishes were also excellent. I particularly enjoyed the tofu, which was so smooth it melted in my mouth. The eggplant soup was also quite unique.

The most impressive part of the evening was the people. The chef tried to speak English with us and was exceptionally polite and kind to our children. His charismatic smile was contagious, making the entire dinner a truly delightful experience. After we finished our meal and said our goodbyes, he watched us leave before returning inside. The gesture was both classic...

I had an amazing experience at そ /s/ KAWAHIGASHI. It was my first time in Kyoto and the hotel reception recommended me to try this newly opened restaurant. It's a cozy restaurant with 9 seats around a U shaped bar. I went by myself at the time but I'm sure it would be a great place to bring your friends along for a meal.

Location of the restaurant was easy to find as well. I just used Google Maps to locate it.

Food was absolutely exceptional. Mr. Nakahigashi and his staff explained to me the details of each dish and how the ingredients were sourced locally from different parts of Japan. It's important to take the time to savor the flavors of each dish in your palate. They also offer a variety of Japanese alcohol or tea to pair with your meal.

Thanks for such a memorable dinner. I will definitely revisit そ /s/ KAWAHIGASHI the next time I...

We walked by this place earlier on our way to our hotel and decided to try it for dinner. Great idea. We were the only ones there (Thursday) and it was cosy and atmospheric. The one chef did everything, and it was authentic and delicious. Standouts were the daily sashimi, pulled pork appetizer and prawn croquette. Good saki to wash it down and a delicious homemade ginger ale using fresh minced ginger. And very reasonably priced. This was our last night in Kyoto and made even more memorable by dropping into nearby Zac Baran underground jazz bar on...