Yudofu Kisaki — Restaurant in Kyoto

Location 9/10 Ambience 8/10 Options 9/10 - Veg Only Options available Food 10/10 - Drinks NA Service 10/10

(Don’t miss the upstairs area, from where you get a nice panoramic view of Kyoto!)

I stumbled upon this gem of place after my meditative walk through the Hoenin temple, which is another jewel (check out my review). Just as you descend from the temple, it’s right at the corner of the first intersection. The little steps and front porch with crimson maple leaves across the stones was very inviting. I knew I was going to get warm and cozy inside. I was ushered in by the old lady that runs? the place. She was very kind and spoke very good English. It is a traditional Japanese diner so I had to remove my shoes and took a seat at a table on the floor. Each table has a stove to prepare the tofu right in front of you. The two waiter boys, who also spoke good English, explained the ritual very well. The food and the experience over...

Nice tofu restaurant away from the big tourist area and therefore not really busy and only being visited by locals and people who really come here for the menu, like me. I read good things about Kyoto tofu, so I had to try. I took the Yu-Tofu set number 2 with the awafu dengaku sticks. First you get the small gas heater with the pot of Yu-Tofu on the table and the cold appetizers, then the rice and tempura. The pictures are not that good, but the overall menu size is good for a decent lunch. When I got the menu served out, the friendly lady explained to me in English the different types of dishes, very welcoming! The brownish tofu made from sesame is absolutely the best. Really creamy! It's nice to try a different dish other than meat, fish and noodles. I enjoyed the food and the setting, with...

We sort of stumbled upon Kisaki as we were wandering the philosophers path. My parents both lived in Japan for over five years, but that was almost thirty years ago now. Kisaki was the authentic, traditional restaurant we had been looking for.

We were warmly welcomed, and ended up being the only guests that night. The two waitresses/hostesses fomented on my sloth themed Christmas sweater and walked us through the proper way to eat the meal. This is a shoes off, sit on a tatami restaurant, so bring your nice socks.

The food was excellent, and not too expensive. Between 2100 and 2800 yen a head.

If you are in the neighborhood, I can not recommend the...