Sou — Restaurant in Kyoto

An Unforgettable Culinary Journey at Sou, Kyoto

9.1 out of 10 stars 🌟

I had the privilege of dining at “SOU”, a high-end Japanese dinner restaurant in the heart of Kyoto, and it was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment I stepped through the door, I was enveloped in a world of elegance and refinement.

The ambiance was serene and intimate, with subtle lighting and exquisite decor that perfectly captured the essence of traditional Japanese design. The service was impeccable, with attentive and kind staff that did their best to guide me through the menu in English.

But the true pièce de résistance was the food – a masterful blend of traditional techniques and innovative flair. Each dish was a work of art, with precise attention to detail and a focus on showcasing the freshest, highest-quality ingredients. Standouts included a (3) piece appetizer consisting of a miso egg white soup, grilled eel sushi and some fish row cake with ginger gelatin on top (my least favorite of them all). The fresh and flavorful sashimi platter of delicate sliced fish and the sublimely creamy eel egg omelette. I added a plate of tender sliced duck that had a side of ground mustard for dipping.

What truly sets Sou apart, however, is its commitment to using only the finest local and seasonal ingredients, expertly prepared to showcase the unique flavors and textures of each component. This is not just a meal – it's a journey through the senses, with each bite a testament to the chef's skill and dedication.

In short, Sou is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly exceptional dining experience in Kyoto. Be sure to make a reservation (if possible for the best seating), as this hidden gem is sure to be discovered by discerning foodies and travelers alike.

Price Range for a (2) person dinner course meal w/appetizers was ¥7,900 or $55.

Recommended For: Special occasions, culinary enthusiasts and those seeking a unique and unforgettable dining experience.

Will I Return?: Absolutely, and with...

I had a very bad experience at this restaurant, despite having a reservation. We were seated at a tiny, claustrophobic, and dirty table that felt more like an afterthought than a planned booking. The staff made no effort to communicate with us or tried to help us understand what was happening, even though there were several delays and confusion before we were seated.

We opted for the nine course tasting menu while booking, but were handed a tablet with no explanation, apparently to order additional food (at extra cost). There was zero guidance, and the service throughout was shockingly poor, no water, no napkins, and barely any attention from the waitstaff.

The food was underwhelming overall, with a few courses that were outright bad. When I expressed my dissatisfaction, there was no apology, no offer of a replacement, nothing. It felt like they didn’t care at all about the customer experience.

This was one of the worst dining experiences I’ve ever had. Definitely would...

We booked a dinner at this popular Izakaya across the street from our hotel 2 days earlier, when we passed and asked the staff. They're quite friendly and English menu is available, if you asked. We ordered mix sashimi, kani-cream korokke, wasabi tako, two rice pots (with scallop and sea bream fish). There's also appetizer provided as otoshi (¥ 600 each person). Total costs for the dinner were about ¥ 8,230, not cheap but reasonable.

Quality of food are OK, but nothing special though quite unique. The ones we like are the sashimi while the rice pots might be acquired taste since they're quite bland.

The place has reasonable ambience, but not really big space so better book early if you want to have dinner here. You can pay with V/MC credit cards, so no need to worry about high amount...