Ootaya Ebisugawa — Restaurant in Kyoto

4.6 / 5

Just around the corner off a main street, came here at night around 6~7pm for dinner after a nice first day in Kyoto as it was near our hotel. Reviews seemed good, so figured we'd drop in and check it out. All diners appeared to be locals coming in at the time we went.

Once you're past the front sliding doors there's a large display of sample foods before entering the reception area. If there's a dish to your liking by the visual, I highly suggest to take a photo with the dish + name card, as they provide a separate English menu which may have reduced choices than the native one.

We were seated at the Tatami mat section, where you take off your shoes before stepping into the room. You don't have to worry about having to sit cross-legged or knees fully flexed, as underneath the table there's inset for your legs, where you just sit as usual upon the mats.

The English menu themselves had us confused for a moment, but after clarifying with the waiter, you are still able to order any of the LUNCH menu items, even tho it was dinner hours!

Orders: カキフライと 海老フライ定食 (Fried Oysters and Fried Prawns Set Meal) JP¥2300 This was not on the English Menu, so I had to take a photo of the sample food display. Fried prawns are a must try: it's long, light, not oily, and very umami with each bite! Fried oysters were also fresh and delicious The small clump of spaghetti has a nice tangy Bolognese sauce with it Soup seems to be some sort of beef broth(?) / red miso. Was good either way.

Aランチ (A Lunch - Fried prawns and beef stew with rice) JP¥2200 Beef stew was deep in flavour but not at all bitter, wonderful when served with their rice Prawns as above, delicious 😋

松華堂弁当 (Lunch Box#2: Syoukadou Bentou - Tempura, dashimaki, kanikama, salad, rice, others, with miso soup) JP¥1400 kanikama is the crabsticks. Although obviously not real crab meat, it's texture is much more soft and chewy than what you might get back home in the grocery store which tends to be stuff and doughy. What I assume is the tamago-yaki was soft, not dry, and a delicate egg flavour.

Stamp of approval, I think this place deserves a try for those looking for something more local (in the eyes of a tourist 😌). Prices were acceptable for us, although this will depend on the exchange rates at the time of you reading this review. We went during November, so you might not feel the need to take off your jacket when dining.

Hope you'll enjoy your...

Absolutely recommend for a traditional 1980's-esque) Japanese dining experience!

Set menu with wax food models in the menu, very reasonably priced!

Ask to sit at the traditional tables, seated tables with cushions and take your shoes off before sitting. You'll be given a warm hand towel to clean your hands.

And a small beer for just 500¥. Deal.

Very sweet staff, speak a bit of English and have English menus. Very cute old dudes cooking with hats 💕

Clean modern toilets, even though one of the signs says it's a squat toilet, it's been replaced...

Pretty nice restaurant close to several touristic spots in Kyoto. The restaurant has a lot of tables and it's definitely a place where japanese workers go to get lunch. There is a cute little garden, very typical of Japanese houses, which host several bamboo trees and other elements of a traditional Zen garden. The menu is made out of traditional Japanese dishes and the good is very good. Highly...