Tousuiro Kiyamachi Main Shop — Restaurant in Kyoto

This was, to me, the best tofu restaurant ever when I first had a meal at the branch in 2006. Back then, I was an avowed carnivore and would turn my nose up at any kind of cow fodder in any shape or form.

But when I had the tofu, I swear I couldn't believe that every single tofu creation actually tasted different. And so, for more than 10 years, I had been fantasizing about going back to the shop that made me realise that vegetables, even the humble tofu could taste so heavenly.

This time, I chose to dine at the main (Kiyamachi) branch. Understand that this is a very respectable and reputable establishment and if you would rather be fed shovel fulls of meat or food with the delicacy of pig swill, this is NOT the place for you or a bunch of screaming kids or teens with hands glued to their mobile phones.

You will need to make reservations and like all reputable establishments, they expect you to be punctual because your meal will be prepared just for you. If you are going to be late, be sure to call and inform them.

Lunch is more affordable than dinner and you would do well to choose your course (meal) from their website and place your order when making your reservations. Another advantage of having lunch is that you will also be able to appreciate the decor, ambience and the little garden.

Was the food still as good? To me, yes. The flavours were still beautifully delicate and refined. This is kaiseki so do not expect crude shows of extravagance. The skill of the chefs and the superlative freshness of the ingredients can be seen and tasted in the food. Every dish served was introduced and explained by a staff member.

For those who don't know, Tousuiro make their own tofu from a well in their kitchen and they are very proud of their water source, without which they believe they can't produce such fine tofu.

The dedication and almost incredible amount of effort put in by the chefs could have easily escaped the casual diner but during the entire duration of my one and a half hour lunch, the master chef at the Kiyamachi store was chopping, chopping, chopping non stop, and the second in command was stirring something in a pot almost non stop too. I almost felt guilty for being able to so easily enjoy the fruit of their hard labour.

Dining at Tousuiro is like a minor zen experience. I have seen the bad reviews and it is obvious they were written by people who would probably enjoy themselves more in MacDonald's or some place ordinary.

Here, tofu is not just a fine art, it's a refined art. Flavours are delicate, precise and beautifully balanced. You will not be stuffed to your gills like a hog readied for slaughter. There isn't an abundance or cornucopia of food. You get just enough to tantalise and titillate your taste buds and imagination, and leave you wondering what would happen if you had been given just a little more of this or that. The beauty of it all is that you would most likely realise at the end of the meal that every dish in the whole course had its place, and everything was carefully balanced to complement each other so the food never becomes obscene or crass. This is true Japanese artistry and ideals given shape and form using the humble tofu.

If you are looking to experience culture and artistry in a meal instead of just a full belly, you might enjoy having a quiet and thoughtful meal here. Do yourself a favour and don't set yourself up to be disappointed because the truth is, most of us don't really don't know or understand the true essence of Japanese cuisine. Just keep an open mind and quiet spirit and...

I recently had the pleasure of having a kaiseki dinner at ‚Tousuiro Kiyamachi’ and it was nothing short of amazing. From start to finish, each dish is a true work of culinary art. Each course is beautifully presented and expertly prepared, showcasing a variety of flavors and textures. The restaurant's commitment to using fresh, high-quality ingredients is evident in every bite. The vegetarian sashimi was on point. Great tempura as well, with a perfectly light and crunchy batter. The miso soup was well balanced. The prepared dishes are equally impressive, with a delicate balance of flavors and expertly cooked rice. The service is also top notch. The staff was knowledgeable and attentive, providing detailed explanations of each dish. The restaurant's atmosphere is also perfect for the occasion, with its traditional Japanese decor and laid-back vibe. I have to mention I took the vegetarian option and it was amazing. There were different types of vegetables and tofu, all well prepared and it was a great surprise. Overall, this kaiseki dinner was a truly memorable experience. The restaurant's attention to detail, quality ingredients, and expertly prepared dishes, along with impeccable service and a great atmosphere, make for a truly authentic dining experience. I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for an authentic, upscale dining...

This experience was very contrived and the worst dining experience I have ever witnessed in my many months in Japan. The service was also an issue as none of the servers could explain what we were eating, whether it was spoken in English or Japanese. So at no point during the serving process did any of the dishes match what the menu stated, nor could we corroborate with the staff as to what we were eating. The food did not match what we ordered, to which their explanation was that they made a mistake and gave us the menu for tomorrow's dishes. So we never received the food we ordered and were not given a chance to reorder something else. The boiled tofu came out in a make shift jacuzzi which was plugged into an extension cord in between our legs. The rice dish came out with a bowl of white rice with ONLY six boiled peas on top, and that was the entire dish. All the dishes were bland and most were unpalatable with the exception of the local sake which came pre-bottled. I cannot believe I am saying this, but for the first time in this country I felt as if this was a tourist trap to take advantage of unknowing travelers. Luckily this was not a reservation booked by myself, rather a friend who used the concierge at...