Odai Sushi — Restaurant in Kyoto

My husband and I found this place searching through Google maps. When we got off at the closest Randen station, we knew we were in an area that not a lot of tourists come through. The restaurant was on a side street off of a side street. When we walked in, it was just the owner and a lady who I assumed was one of his friends as she was casually eating and talking with him. There were two bar seats and two small tables with no more than six chairs. We knew pretty much no Japanese but he welcomed us warmly and brought out a piece of paper that had three sentences in it in English for him to explain the restaurant. We ordered the Chefs Recommendation and shortly after, a beautiful display of the freshest looking fish was brought to us. The cuts of fish were hearty and decadent and the rice had the perfect texture with just enough vinegar and wasabi to complement the flavor. I’m normally a fast eater and took my time enjoying each piece provided. Once we were done, we paid (cash only) and I googled a couple complementary words to say in Japanese which he appreciated. We bantered back in forth for a quick minute (not knowing what the other was saying) and then left feeling full and so fortunate to have stumbled upon this place. Next time I’m in Kyoto I will definitely be coming by, hopefully with more knowledge of the language too so I can talk to...

This hidden gem of a sushi restaurant is run by an amazing husband and wife team who pour their heart into every dish. The chef prepares the sushi fresh right in front of you if you sit at the counter, and watching his skill and dedication was a highlight of our meal. Every piece was crafted with care, and the flavors were absolutely divine.

What truly made this experience special was the kindness and generosity of the owners. Despite our limited Japanese and their limited English, we still shared warm, joyful conversations proof that good food and genuine hospitality transcend language barriers. The chef even took the time to teach us the proper way to eat each type of sushi, making the meal both delicious and educational.

This wasn’t just a dinner; it was a memory we’ll cherish forever. If you visit, be sure to come with respect and an open heart this lovely couple deserves nothing less. We highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic, heartfelt sushi experience. We can’t...

Great experience at this small family run restaurant. It is small, it seems part of the couples home where the kitchen is the main house kitchen and the there's space for two at the counters. Maybe more if the dining table is utilized, but when we're there the wife was watching TV at that table. We went on a weekday evening and there was no wait.

The owner was really kind and has been perfecting sushi for many decades. You will likely need Google translate, but the couple tries their best to understand with pointing as well and there is a limited English menu.

The sushi was superb, fresh, and overall some of the best I had in Japan. It was a really intimate experience to watch him prepare sushi, just me and my girlfriend, in their home.

The chef even walked us out and gave us instructions to the train station. I would highly recommend this place for small parties and will be back next time...