Teuchi-udon Kendonya — Restaurant in Kyoto

Note: they have an English menu and it is pretty fulsome with their descriptions so you know what you are ordering. Please read their placard explaining their restaurant philosophy.

This was thee place to be for a meal after walking through the infinite amount of Torii gates at the Fushimi-inari shrine during the morning.

Although the line-up was long, the restaurant has a good size seating room and people don’t seem to linger too long at their tables once their meal is done.

The service and attentive care by the staff more than make up for it. They bring you menus while you are in line so you can take a long look at their menu and order before you get seated. That way when you sit down, the food magically appears in a few minutes. I think it is such a smart and efficient way of running a restaurant and keeping customers happy.

They are a family-run place that makes their udon and soba in-house along with all their soups. These types of places are my absolute favourite. At Kendonya, you can feel the love and passion they have for their little place that makes tummies happy.

I think the whole menu at Kendonya has great value for money but they do have a “Value Set” menu section if you are counting your yen during your travels. I wasn’t counting my yen but I just really wanted an egg donburi and some udon too. That screams great value-for-money to me.

As promised, i only took maybe 5-7 minutes (enough time to enjoy our hot tea) before the food arrived steaming hot in front of our faces. I couldn’t help and smile as my tummy was audibly rumbling.

The udon noodles were in a very simply shoyu miso broth and the hand-made noodles had a great chewiness. It felt satisfying to slurp up the noodles too which is perfectly okay with udon!

The egg donburi bowl had the rich, creamy runny egg combo was thoroughly incorporated through the rice and topped with some nor seaweed. It had a very soul-warming feeling as you get through each bite.

It was great great Japanese comfort food for a crisp autumn day and I could’ve gone for...

Our visit to the shop around 2:30 pm turned out to be a delightful surprise. Opting for the Karrage Set Meal, the experience unfolded as a culinary delight that exceeded expectations.

The set meal comprised a bowl of Udon immersed in a rich, flavorful soup, accompanied by a bowl of plain rice. The star of the show was a plate boasting five generously sized fried chicken cutlets, perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. A side of dipping mayonnaise sauce and a small plate of pickles added nuanced flavors to the ensemble. Remarkably, the entire meal came at the affordable cost of 1030 yen, ensuring both satisfaction and a contently full stomach.

Considering the winter chill, the thoughtful touch of serving hot water further enhanced our dining experience. The staff's friendliness, especially towards foreigners, created a welcoming atmosphere that added a personal touch to the visit.

For anyone venturing to Fushimi Inari Taisha, I wholeheartedly recommend this hidden gem. The combination of delectable meals, reasonable pricing, and warm hospitality makes this restaurant a must-visit, leaving a lasting impression on those exploring the vibrant surroundings of Fushimi...

One of the absolute best meals I had in Kyoto! The udon noodles were hand-cut, thick, and perfectly bouncy – you could really taste the craftsmanship in every bite. I ordered the pork katsu cutlet with sauce, which came with a side of rice and a hot broth noodle bowl. Everything was incredibly flavorful and satisfying.

The broth was rich and comforting, the katsu was crispy on the outside and juicy inside, and the overall balance of the meal was spot on. On top of that, the service was warm, attentive, and made the whole experience even better.

Highly recommend this spot if you're in Kyoto – it's an unforgettable...