Kichi Kichi Omurice — Restaurant in Kyoto

Kichi Kichi Omurice is an absolute gem nestled in the heart of Kyoto, Japan, that every food lover should experience at least once. It’s much more than just a meal; it's a culinary performance and an unforgettable encounter with Japanese cuisine. Specializing in omurice (a Japanese-style omelet served over rice), Kichi Kichi has garnered a well-deserved reputation for delivering not only delicious food but also a truly engaging dining experience.

From the moment you step inside, you’re welcomed by a cozy, intimate ambiance that transports you to a world where tradition meets creativity. The chef, Yukimura Motokichi, is not only a master in the kitchen but also a master entertainer. Watching him cook is like witnessing a live cooking show with flair, personality, and an undeniable passion for his craft. He prepares each plate with remarkable precision, making it an exciting spectacle as he flips, cuts, and serves the omelet with a signature flourish.

The omurice itself is divine. The rice is rich, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned, with each grain separated just right. The omelet is fluffy, smooth, and has an almost custard-like consistency that melts in your mouth. When Chef Yukimura slices it open, it cascades over the rice in a velvety, golden wave that’s both visually mesmerizing and incredibly satisfying to taste. It’s also served with a luscious demi-glace sauce that complements the dish beautifully, adding depth and a slightly tangy balance that enhances every bite.

Beyond the food, what sets Kichi Kichi Omurice apart is the sense of connection you feel with the chef and the establishment. Chef Yukimura’s warmth and charisma make you feel right at home, even if you’re a visitor from halfway across the globe. He’s known for his cheerful demeanor, often chatting with guests, answering questions, and even posing for photos, which adds a personal touch that makes the experience feel intimate and memorable.

Though it’s a small, cozy space with limited seating, this only adds to the charm and exclusivity of the experience. It's best to make a reservation well in advance to secure a spot. While Kichi Kichi Omurice may come at a slightly higher price point compared to other local eateries, the quality, presentation, and unforgettable experience make it worth every yen.

In summary, Kichi Kichi Omurice is a must-visit for anyone visiting Kyoto who wants to experience a unique fusion of Japanese hospitality, artistry, and...

It’s an experience that you should try once when you’re in Kyoto. It’s expensive but for the show and experience as well as the quality of the food, it is worth the experience.

Please do note that as of 7 January 2024, they have changed the reservation system. Only reservations on the day you want to visit the restaurant are allowed and it requires you to visit the restaurant before your intended meal time & you cannot make reservations 4 weeks in advance (old system). It now works as follows:

(1) The restaurant releases a password everyday at 8am outside their shop. This password is different EVERY DAY.

You MUST have this password in order to make a reservation which means you must visit the restaurant before lunch (this applies even if you want to have dinner. This is explained below).

(2) After you take down the password make sure you scan the QR Code for the reservation website link AND keep/save this link.

(3) Reservation slots for each meal service are released on the website as follows: (a) 9am for lunch and (b) 1pm for dinner.

What this means is that if you want to dine at the restaurant for lunch, you need to be on the website (referred to in step 2 above) at 9AM on the same day to key in the password and book the time slot you want for your meal.

If you want to dine for dinner, then you need to be on the website at 1PM on the same day to key in the password and book the time slot you want for your dinner meal.

(4) Please note that the reservation website may not be open immediately at 9AM/1PM. In my experience, for the dinner I had on 20 Jan 2024, I tried logging in to the website at 1PM but the dinner reservation wasn’t opened. I kept refreshing the page and it eventually opened at around 1:10PM.

Slots are limited - 8 bar (where the cooking is mainly is at) and 4 table (you will still get a show from the fun chef).

(5) Please make sure you are at the restaurant 20 mins before the stated reservation time. This is highlighted in the confirmation email. If you are not there at that time, the restaurant will give away your slot to people who are there early trying to walk in.

As at 20 Jan 2024, prices are ¥2,700 for the standard size omurice and ¥1,450 for the small omurice. Just get the standard size if you’re at the restaurant it’s worth it.

Non-beef and vegetarian options are...

Loved it! Great experience and they definitely know what they are doing here.

Booking process: same day reservations, it is quite clear how it works on the door and on their website. I liked the process of booking, no waiting in line just book at the time presented. It was hard to book cause page was overloaded but we managed to do it in 5 minutes.

Coming to the reserved time slot: fairly good you come here at least 20 minutes ahead, one of the nice girls that works came and welcomed us, checked our booking, answered our questions and we made our choices from the menu before entering. Quite easy going and quick.

Inside the restaurant: just great feeling. Chef is already famous from social media and the feeling you get when you are inside is the same as when you watch the videos. Very friendly and helpful staff. It felt like they already thought of all the details ahead so you never had to ask for anything. Taking pictures and videos are encouraged so you feel quite comfortable. And he definitely puts on a great show and teaches the way of making that perfect egg with a lot of energy and humor. I really loved the whole experience!

Food: not much to say, it was really good I recommend taking trying one of the stews together with the regular egg and rice. It was really good. The egg was creamy and nice, I don't know, but it tasted like I was expecting it to taste in a good way. I had the ox tongue stew and a regular.

Pricing was good in regards of the fame the place has gotten lately. So definitely worth the price. I highly recommend it if you can get a reservation.

Once again, thanks to the chef and his friendly and helpful staff for a nice experience to remember. Some of my friends was a bit jealous when they saw that I managed to eat and get some pictures together...