Kameya Gonpachi Nijo Honten — Restaurant in Kyoto

A Glowing Review of Kameya Gonpachi Nijo Honten (亀屋権八 二条本店)

Nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Kameya Gonpachi Nijo Honten (亀屋権八 二条本店) is a hidden gem that embodies the warmth, tradition, and depth of Japanese comfort food. This establishment effortlessly balances affordability with exceptional quality, making it a must-visit for anyone seeking a truly authentic dining experience.

A Symphony of Flavors: The Oden Experience

The standout dish of the evening was their oden, a beloved Japanese winter delicacy that is simple in concept yet deeply complex in flavor. Each component had been simmering for hours in a subtly seasoned dashi broth, absorbing all its umami richness. The first bite into the daikon radish, topped with a delicate bundle of kombu, was pure bliss—it was impossibly tender, soaking up the essence of the broth while still maintaining its structure.

The chikuwa (tube-shaped fish cake) had a beautifully chewy texture, with toasty brown spots adding an extra layer of smokiness. The atsuage (fried tofu) was another highlight—golden and crisp on the outside while silky and sponge-like within, soaking up the broth like a sponge, bursting with every bite.

Their soft-boiled egg, a staple of any great oden, was perfectly marinated with a slightly jammy yolk, melting into the broth with each spoonful. The konnyaku (konjac jelly) provided a pleasantly bouncy texture, contrasting beautifully with the heartier elements of the dish. Freshly sliced scallions added a crisp freshness, and a dab of karashi mustard on the side brought a spicy zing that elevated every bite.

A surprising addition was the beef tendon or fish paste ball, which had a deep, meaty richness, adding an extra dimension to an already stellar bowl of oden.

Beyond the Bowl: A Cozy, Welcoming Atmosphere

Beyond the exceptional food, Kameya Gonpachi Nijo Honten exudes an old-world charm that transports you back to a Kyoto of generations past. The wooden interiors, warm lighting, and kind-hearted staff make the experience even more...

We chanced on going here without a reservation, and were lucky to get a table as they were quite busy, and so I'd recommend making a reservation just in case.

The service was very friendly and helpful with a smile, and they spoke English well.

There was also a separate English menu that was mostly complete, just condensed.

The atmosphere was great, and the place was charming and felt authentic.

But the highlight was the food. The chicken wings were absolutely amazing, as was the shrimp tempura. I rarely order tofu in London because it is usually chewy. Here it was fresh, soft and fluffy in the Japanese style salad.

My son, apart from eating half a dozen wings also finished a large portion of sashimi on his own, and even I who don't usually like fish tried a piece and was surprised. We also tried the yakisoba, which was also great.

The chicken wings were the clear winner, though. We had the red and the black and both were amazing - I think the black had a slight edge.

We spent a bit over 4000 yen per person, and it was...

What a pleasant experience. No English menu. But Google Translate using camera does most of the job, plus my rusty elementary Japanese. We ordered most food we wanted. Staff were all very friendly and helpful even though they did not speak lots of English. 5-kind Sashimi combo was the star of the night. Fresh and delicious. Generous portion at a great price. We really liked it and placed another order for salmon sashimi. The yakitori and karaoke dishes are also very good. So was the fried rice. Good taste at a much lower price than most restaurants we had been to in Kyoto area. It's a hidden gem near Nijo station and I highly recommend...