KOKE — Restaurant in Kyoto

Dinner at Koke has been a highlight of our experiences in Japan thus far. We ordered the full tasting menu with wine, and we enjoyed an abundance of courses and wine pairings throughout the evening. The service was excellent, the experience was intimate, and we enjoyed every member of the staff we interacted with… which turned out to be everyone! Contrary to a prior review, every staff member we met was able to detail anything needed in English as well. Though, I don’t see why this should be a requirement for a fine dining experience in Japan. We were quickly able to experience precisely why this restaurant was awarded a Star. The Duck was outstanding. And if was up to me, I’d give them a second Star too!

Beyond the food, I want to highlight a particular stressful scenario that Koke was able to assist with. We had a non refundable, pre paid reservation via Omakase. We were riding the Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Kyoto, and we made it as far as Shin-Ōsaka before all East bound train service was delayed and ultimately cancelled due to typhoon 10. It became clear we’d be unable to make our reservation, and we tried reaching out to Omakase for assistance, but we knew their only option for same day cancellation was to charge us 100% of our booking. When we did not hear back, we took a chance by emailing Koke directly explaining our predicament and asking if they’d be willing to seat us on a subsequent evening. They responded quickly with “It’s ok!” and booked us a table the following evening. We are SO appreciative of this gesture, and we became even more so when we arrived and saw there were only 14 total seats! All we can say is,...

We’ve been to Koke twice now and loved both our experiences. Once in the fall and once in the spring, and it was nice to see the changes in ingredients with the seasons. I’ve included a selection of photos from both menus but most are from the more recent visit.

Koke is definitely one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Kyoto. The way the menu is laid out is reminiscent of Atelier Crenn in SF, the journey is a poem. Everything is beautiful and artfully decorated from the restaurant itself to the minimalist and classy plating. The wood lined surfaces and tiny details of the water features and little animal figurines dotting the place are so delightful.

The food itself is wonderful. A journey with local ingredients starting from a soup made with the ground water from right there, to prosciutto from the saitama region, and Kyoto duck. The wood fired duck might be one of our favorite renditions of duck ever and seems to be a mainstay of the menu as it featured prominently both times we visited. Personally, my favorite from this season was the wasabi leaf and watercress dish with cucumber jelly and cashew cream. It was refreshing and savory and the entire dish was just so perfectly complementary. I’d never had something quite like it, and it was a very welcome surprise.

Thank you for another beautiful meal, and I look forward to...

One of the most unforgettable dining experiences I’ve had in Kyoto—something that will stay with me for a long time.

From the moment you step inside, the space feels like something special. Thoughtfully designed, with lighting that sets the perfect mood and tableware that elevates every detail of the experience. Every element, no matter how subtle, carries a sense of quiet precision.

And then, the food. Just close your eyes and trust the chef and his incredible team. Drawing from his Okinawan roots and experience at the highest level of Michelin-starred Spanish cuisine, he masterfully brings together these influences, creating a journey that is both deeply personal and full of unexpected moments. It’s the kind of experience you never want to end.

I chose the tasting menu paired with the non-alcoholic drinks, and it was one of the best decisions I’ve made! The way the flavors complemented each other, the depth and subtlety of each pairing—completely unlike anything I’ve had before. A truly standout experience.

Huge thanks to the...