Chicken Village — Restaurant in Kyoto

My wife and I (Americans) have a tradition of eating Mexican food every time we go abroad. It's an experience often laced with humor, especially in places like Germany or Scotland, which we hold dear but let's face it, they're not exactly renowned for their prowess in crafting authentic Mexican cuisine. There's an undeniable mystique to Latin gastronomy that remains elusive to many regions. Now, let me clarify, Chicken Village may not attain the level of perfection if you're looking for a recreation of Mexican food, but it certainly clasps the coveted "dang good" badge – a rare accolade for a Mexican restaurant beyond the Americas. They do throw in a few curveballs (cream cheese on a chicken tinga taco or a quesadilla with cream cheese and gorgonzola, anyone?), but where it truly matters, they triumph – the food tastes excellent. We started with chips and guacamole and both were wonderful. The chips were rather small, but I believe they were homemade and you can't fault the taste. The guacamole, a seemingly simple concoction, was delivered with precision, a feat that has eluded countless others in our travels. Next came the fried chicken, a wing for both me and my wife. The taste was a very familiar flavor, but neither of us could identify it. It doesn't matter. Just do yourself a favor and order it. Finally came the tacos, a platter of three: ahi tuna on a crispy hard shell, pulled pork and beef on soft shells. The tuna was a fusion of cultures having been marinated in soy sauce but served as a tostada. Both the pork and beef tacos were approximately what you could expect. Personally, I found myself favoring the pulled pork, but really, you can't go wrong with any of these gems. The ambiance at Chicken Village is an ode to coziness, a small nook with just a handful of barstools and a scattering of tables, yet it harmonizes beautifully with the culinary journey it offers. If you're abroad and craving Mexican food or if you're a poor Scottish traveler who has never had a real taco, give this place a shot. You...

My wife and I went in to eat and it was so good that I made her go back again the next day. The place is clean and the vibe is just right. There was 90s rap playing at the perfect volume and the playlist was great. My wife got the fried chicken and the chill cheese fries. The chicken was great but the fries were something else. We are from Cincinnati where skyline chili runs through our blood and the chili made us both wonder what skyline has been doing wrong all these years. Now to the king of all the dishes…. The buffalo wings. They were hands down one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Everything about them was 10/10. It’s been a few days and not a day has gone by that I haven’t thought about them. I miss them so much.

Oh, and you can’t forget to grab a few beers either to make the whole thing just a little bit better.

Long story short, GO!!!! You won’t be...

Ate here on a weeknight it wasn’t that busy. But the staff seemed kinda hesitant to talk with us. Came here for the tacos, but the chicken was more tasty. Being from the West Coast, where we have a lot of Mexicanos, I know what good tacos taste like. To be honest, I don’t know how anyone from back home who’d say their tacos pass for good or legit. I’m sure when this space gets busy and you’re enjoying drinks it could be more fun but from just eating and trying to have dinner and 1 drink, I was not that impressed. Sorry but I have to be completely honest on this one. I’ve had tacos in Japan before and they were way better so I know it’s possible to...