On December 15, 2017, at 7 pm, I visited a place called "Obanzai." It's such an attractive word, isn't it? It could be great for a date or even a group outing. But I think reservations are a must. On the second day of a 2-night, 3-day trip to Kyoto, we visited places like the Abe Harumi Shrine, Kinkaku-ji, and Arashiyama from morning till night. We walked a lot, it was cold, but fun. And in the evening, we visited this restaurant. We made a reservation two weeks before, for 7:30 pm, but we arrived a bit early. There was a group of people in their 20s at the big table by the entrance, maybe having a year-end party. My husband and I were hoping for a counter seat, but we were seated at a table in the back that was hard to see from the counter. We started with beer to relax after a long day of walking, and ordered a set of obanzai dishes. Then we had a sashimi platter, potato salad, tempura, and oden, one after another. After the beer, we switched to white wine. Yes, the reason we chose this place was for the wine. There are many delicious restaurants in Kyoto, but most of them are known for their sake. I don't dislike sake, but I currently prefer white wine, and I was afraid I might drink too much if I found a delicious sake. So I looked for a place where I could enjoy Kyoto-style dishes with wine, and I found this place. Every dish was indeed delicious. Whenever I see potato salad on the menu, I always order it. Always. And I ordered it here too. It was carefully made and delicious. All the other dishes were also delicious, but what surprised me was the tai-meshi (sea bream rice) we ordered last. It was really delicious. The subtle saltiness, the flavor of the sea bream. It was lightly seasoned, but the taste lingered on the tongue, it was delicious. Even though I was a bit tipsy from the beer and wine, I could still taste the gentle flavors. I was a bit surprised to find out that they were using the same type of pot that we use at home. I smiled at the chef's wife. It made me happy. We don't have a rice cooker at home, we cook rice in a pot just like that. Everything was delicious, and I'm glad we made a reservation. There are so many restaurants in Kyoto, it's hard to choose. If you're looking for a place where you can enjoy obanzai dishes, not too crowded, not too noisy, and with wine available, I think this place is great. The tai-meshi was also excellent! It's perfect for a date, and I think a group of about 8 people could sit at the big table by the entrance. If you're seated at the counter, I'm sure that would be fun too. I heard that their breakfast is also delicious, so I hope I get a chance to go there. Thank you for the delicious meal. The end.

I visited after half a year and the restaurant was crowded as expected. Some walk-in customers without reservations were turned away. I started with a sashimi platter, and when I mentioned my shellfish allergy, they kindly replaced the squid with conger eel. The appetizer was octopus, so I politely declined and it seems they didn't charge me for it. The sashimi was still fresh as always, and the grilled young ayu was truly seasonal. The next day, I had breakfast there for only 1500 yen, and the portion was generous. It's no wonder this place is popular. Today, it seems they were fully booked again.

This special dining experience was a luxurious moment where I savored the pinnacle of Japanese cuisine. The first thing that caught my eye was the beauty of the "sanma" (Pacific saury). Its skin was crispy grilled, while the inside was steamed to perfection, tantalizing my taste buds even before taking a bite. As I savored a mouthful, the flavors of autumn spread, and the fatty flesh melted in my mouth. Truly a taste of autumn. Next, a traditional Japanese breakfast favorite, "dashimaki tamago" (rolled omelette), made its appearance. The egg was fluffy and creamy, with a gentle dashi aroma. With each bite, a mellow flavor filled my mouth, evoking the warmth of a Japanese home. Then, a surprising dish arrived - "tako no goma abura ae" (octopus with sesame oil dressing). Despite its simple appearance, the flavors of sesame oil and soy sauce perfectly coated the fresh octopus, creating a culinary adventure. Essential to this meal was the crystal-clear "sake" (Japanese rice wine). Its purity and delicacy enhanced the harmony with the dishes, making the dining experience even more enjoyable. The flavor of sake complemented the taste of the dishes, making each bite a moment of delight. This dining experience shone a light on Japan's traditions and sincere dedication to ingredients, creating a heartwarming symphony of fine dining. The combination of sanma, dashimaki tamago, tako no goma abura ae, and sake praised Japan's culinary culture, providing a memorable and soul-touching dining experience.

I made a reservation for breakfast and it was delicious. The freshly cooked rice was shiny and all the side dishes were tasty. The dashimaki tamago was especially good! I could see the chef skillfully preparing the food behind the counter, which was impressive. There was only one waitress, so it was a bit difficult to get through on the phone. Thank you for the wonderful meal! ♬

I was very late for my 5:30 reservation, arriving at 6:15. When I called to inform them of my arrival, they kindly and politely explained that it was a 2-hour limit and the departure time wouldn't change, so I apologized and hurried to arrive. When I arrived, I forgot to take photos of the exterior and the sign, and it was a bit chaotic. The young male staff member who greeted me at the glass door was a bit cold. I was seated at the counter on the bar side, where I had a good view of everything. I ordered some dishes and enjoyed the seasonal appetizers, potato salad, Kyoto duck, wagyu beef, octopus rice, red miso soup, and matcha dessert. The service was still developing, but the staff were all very friendly and welcoming. I look forward to visiting again in the future! Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Octopus ginger rice Imari @ Karasuma Oike 08/07/2023 (Mon) After finishing work in Kobe and Osaka, I moved to Kyoto I went to Shunsai Imari in Nishirokugocho, Kyoto First, a glass of draft beer Oh, so good The appetizer is cream cheese with dried young sardines Mmm, delicious Sashimi platter with 5 varieties Especially delicious octopus Conger eel tempura When it comes to Kyoto summer, it's conger eel Kamo eggplant two-color miso Kamo eggplant is so soft Kyoto Fushimi Aosora Junmai sake Cheers, easy to drink Bitter melon and tofu skin Highball Oh, so good Manganji chili pepper and dried baby sardines simmered dish Delicious Octopus ginger rice Served with homemade pickles and red clam miso soup with chopped vegetables The octopus ginger rice is delicious The crispy burnt parts are fragrant and go well with the octopus I am satisfied Everything is delicious, a place I want to visit again Thank you for the meal (^^)v

We made a reservation for two people at 9:00 am and visited the restaurant. Customers kept coming in according to their reservations. The rice was freshly cooked and the side dishes were delicious. Even though it was a hearty meal in the morning, it was so tasty that we could eat it all. The rolled omelette had a rich dashi flavor, and the miso soup was also delicious. It was a happy meal. I felt energized from the morning. Many people were drinking beer in the morning. Separate payments with PayPay are possible.

I was able to revisit after a long time. I made a reservation about 2 months ago. When planning a trip to Kyoto, it's best to make a reservation right away! The appetizer was ¥300, then we had some marinated fish roe (I'm sorry, I forgot the name), assorted sashimi for ¥980 per person, simmered dried baby sardines with Japanese pepper for ¥650, tomato salad for ¥780, a small portion of pufferfish tempura for ¥980, grilled eel for ¥1800, and plum wine with soda for ¥680. The tomato salad had a jelly-like texture from the broth, which was very delicious. The sashimi was fresh and had a nice combination of soft and crunchy textures. The pufferfish tempura was served with sudachi and rock salt, and was fluffy! I was too full to eat the rice with sea bream, but they offered to make it into onigiri if there were leftovers. The freshly cooked sea bream rice came in a small pot. The counter seat next to me was taken by a young woman who had a great appetite, which made me happy (she even finished the sea bream rice). They provide a clear receipt for payment. Breakfast seems to be very popular too, so I would like to make a reservation when staying nearby, although I heard that a different chef is in charge. I will definitely go back to eat here again!

I was guided by a colleague to visit this place. The service was very polite and the food and carefully selected sake were delicious. I ended up having three dishes and three glasses of sake. Even though I'm not used to drinking much, it was a wonderful experience. I appreciate that they provided a pitcher of water. They also offer wine, which I'm curious to try. It's worth noting that the tai meshi (sea bream rice) requires a minimum order of two servings. They also serve a breakfast set meal (reservation required), which I'd like to try next time.

A reservation-only breakfast at Shun Sai Mari. They are a popular restaurant that serves traditional Japanese breakfast with freshly cooked rice in a clay pot. Limited to 30 people per day. Reservations by phone only (accepted from 6:30 am to 11:00 pm) with time slots available at 7:30, 8:00, 8:30, 9:00, 9:30, and 10:00. Today, I had the "Kyoto Breakfast" for 1,700 yen (tax included), which included clay pot rice (made with Koshihikari rice from Kyoto Tanba), grilled salmon, two side dishes (eggplant and yuba), rolled omelette, kombu and bonito simmered dish, marinated paprika, miso soup, and watercress salad. The rolled omelette was delicious, and the eggplant side dish was also very tasty. I couldn't stop eating the rice—it was that good! The chef's skillful preparation was impressive, and the staff were efficient and pleasant. I also bought their mackerel sushi to take home, which was also delicious. The mackerel sushi costs 3,000 yen and makes a great souvenir. It was a delightful meal. Thank you.

I made a reservation for a seat at 8:00 about a month ago for breakfast in Kyoto. When I arrived around 7:50, there were other people waiting outside, so I lined up behind them and entered the restaurant close to 8:00. It seems like there was a misunderstanding with the person who lined up first. During the meal, someone who had a reservation for 8:30 came in and was seated before finishing their meal. As for the taste, it was decent for the price. If you're looking for a place to have hotel breakfast, this might be a good option, but if I would eat here again? I'm not sure.

The sea bream rice bowl was incredibly delicious! A must-try dish. The chicken wings were tender and flavorful, maybe they were reheated? The corn tempura had a subtle and elegant taste. The sweet and sour dish could have been a bit sweeter for my taste. The assorted side dishes were served quickly, probably because they were pre-made. While the side dishes didn't stand out as exceptional, they were consistently tasty. Thanks to the quick service, we were able to enjoy our meal and be back home within an hour. With two glasses of oolong tea, the total bill for two people was around 7600 yen, which was reasonable. The staff provided just the right amount of service, and considering the time and cost, I would definitely like to visit again.

Visited GW at night after making a reservation. Sat at the counter where I could see the kitchen. The assorted side dishes were all gently seasoned, with the eggplant being particularly delicious. The sashimi assortment showcased the local fish beautifully, each piece tasting incredibly delicious. The soy sauce was on the sweeter side. The rolled omelette had a homemade taste that I could eat every day. I also ordered the silver cod marinated in miso, which was a great choice. The seasoning brought out the richness of the fish, and the flesh was tender. The clay pot rice had a subtle dashi flavor throughout, and the white fish was tender. I would love to eat this every day. It seems that you can order dishes from the morning, but it requires a full reservation. I chose a Kyoto local sake for my drink. I can't remember the name, but it had a sharpness and a floral sweetness, allowing me to enjoy both aspects.

I made a reservation for the second restaurant on my Kyoto trip, but it was fully booked. The restaurant is quite busy with a good turnover. The food is gentle Kyoto cuisine. The creamy cheese and simmered baby cuttlefish appetizer goes well with sake. I wanted more of it. 1) Assorted side dishes - very comforting. 2) Rolled omelette - made with a good dashi, soft and juicy. 3) New onion and white miso gratin with shirasu (baby sardines) - delicious new onions, perfect balance of miso. 4) Sakura shrimp and onion tempura - crispy and delicious. It was a great restaurant experience.

Repeat visit...◎ Reservation required. This is an izakaya specializing in obanzai (Kyoto-style home cooking). Reservations are a must for both breakfast and dinner. During my Kyoto trip, I had experienced failures even with good reviews on Google and Tabelog, so after thorough research, this was one of the successful places I found (lol). Be sure to try the obanzai assortment. You'll be impressed by the elegant seasoning.

It is completely reservation-only. Limited to 30 people, I entered 10 minutes before the scheduled time and was seated at the same counter as last night. In front of me, there was shiny rice cooked in a clay pot. The meal consisted of a plate of salad, watercress and yuba dashimaki, eggplant oden, pickles, furikake, and kombu miso soup. The fish was salmon cooked in the Nishijin style. There was about four bowls of rice, and it was very filling. The seasoning was light and had a gentle flavor, which was delicious. If you're considering having hotel breakfast, it's better to eat here. Thank you for the meal. I would like to come back again. The rice was plump, glossy, hot, and had a strong sweetness.

I made a reservation for one person in advance and the phone service was excellent. I also reserved breakfast for the next day. I ordered a Sapporo beer, which I usually don't like, but the Sapporo beer here was surprisingly delicious. For the first order, I got a set of 5 appetizers, including firefly squid with wasabi, simmered highland tofu with eggs and fuki, potato salad, and boiled greens with yuba. The Omi beef stewed in cream cheese, pickled in miso paste, and a sashimi platter were all delicious. This is Kyoto at its best! I love Kyoto. I am happy to have found such a great restaurant. It was a double happiness with Japan winning the WBC. I finished with sea bream soup noodles. Thank you for the feast. I will definitely come back!

I made a reservation about 2 weeks ago to have a traditional Japanese breakfast in Kyoto! I had a 9:30 reservation and they made breakfast right at 9:30, so I was able to eat freshly cooked rice. As soon as I entered, it was served to me ☆ I enjoyed dishes like rolled omelette, simmered greens, simmered eggplant, grilled salmon in sweet Kyoto miso, pickles, and more, and fully indulged in Japanese cuisine!! The dashi broth was delicious, and I felt so happy starting my day like this, thinking that I want to have breakfast like this at home too. Thank you for the meal!!

Same-day reservation. I noticed that items circled with ○ on the menu were available in smaller portions for individuals. It's amazing, they are considerate of solo diners. I ended up ordering too much because there were so many things I wanted to try. If I had to nitpick, I wish there were more local Kyoto sake options. But overall, I was very satisfied.

The companion who made the reservation slipped on the icy road and fell. The restaurant is located on a slightly sloping road. They cook rice in a clay pot, so it's difficult without a reservation. The price is 1700 yen for a Kyoto-style breakfast. It's delicious rice cooked in a clay pot early in the morning. The neighboring table had a family of Chinese guests.

I heard about a delicious restaurant in Kyoto from my parents and decided to visit during my trip to Kyoto. It was located in a quiet residential area a short walk from Karasuma Station, with a lovely and peaceful exterior. The food was delicious, and the dishes were beautifully presented, making it a great choice for private dining or casual entertaining. I was especially happy to enjoy a seasonal dish of Matsutake mushroom rice in a clay pot. Although we were a party of two, the portion size of each dish was small, allowing us to try a variety of dishes and enjoy the experience.

I went to eat at a restaurant called "Kyoto Morning Breakfast" that I had been curious about because I often saw it on Instagram. It is famous for being delicious. The rice cooked in a clay pot is delicious...!! I love clay pots, so I was so excited that I couldn't sleep at night. The restaurant opens early in the morning, and reservations are required for breakfast. You can check the availability of seats on the website's "Notice" section. Reservations are only accepted by phone, and you can make a reservation in 30-minute intervals starting from 7:30. It fills up quickly, so be careful. Reservations are accepted until 10:00. I sat at the counter seat. Soon after, breakfast was served. When making a reservation by phone, they advised not to be late as they cook the rice in the clay pot according to the time the customers arrive. Lateness is strictly prohibited. As the reviews and rumors suggested, the rice cooked in the clay pot was indeed delicious. With each bite, I was surprised and couldn't stop eating. The rice in the clay pot here is the best. I felt happy from the morning... Now, I will have breakfast at Imari and start sightseeing in Kyoto city!!