yukienglish
After shopping in Gion, we headed to Kiyomizu Temple at night. Most shops were already closed, so we thought it would be difficult to find dinner around here. However, we were relieved when we saw the lights of the soba restaurant "Ichinenzaka Masai" recommended by a friend. This hidden gem of a Japanese restaurant, soba shop, and izakaya is located quietly on Ichinenzaka. They also offer a variety of local sake for those who enjoy alcohol. On our way back from sightseeing in Kyoto, even if you visit alone, there are plenty of set meal options available. For example, there is the Oyster Fry Set Meal for 1,900 yen or the Hokkaido Shiraoi beef and Rusutsu pork blended hamburger steak set meal for 2,900 yen, which feature a wide range of Hokkaido ingredients. Set meals allow you to enjoy a variety of dishes even if dining alone, which is healthy. I visited with my three children, so we all enjoyed our favorite soba as the main dish with an additional side dish. I indulged in Nagano's Alps wine for 600 yen per glass, which has a refreshing grape flavor. Soft drinks are a great deal as they come with two servings. The Oyster Fry was surprisingly generous in portion size and the oysters were large. The brownish tartar sauce, with a hint of soy sauce, had a homemade Japanese-style taste. I couldn't resist the Kumo-ko tempura for 980 yen, as it included plenty of shirako and seasonal vegetables. The tender simmered beef tongue for 1,800 yen is cooked in a Japanese-style soy sauce instead of a demi-glace sauce, offering a delicious new way to enjoy beef tongue. The Tempura Soba (cold) for 1,300 yen comes with plenty of tempura, including large prawns. I ordered the Aburi Kitsune Soba (hot) and requested it warm, which turned out to be a great deal as it was served with warm broth for dipping the noodles, a unique twist on the dish. I wanted to warm up with the hot broth, so I added some soba-yu (soba water) and it was perfect. I had the Oroshi Soba for 1,100 yen, which is served cold and features a spicy pink radish from Hokkaido. I love spicy radish, so this was perfect for me! The soba itself was chewy and easy to eat. The restaurant has table seating, tatami seating, and counter seating, making it suitable for groups or individuals to relax. We chose to relax in the tatami area. When we couldn't find the restaurant, we called and they kindly came outside to wait for us, which was very touching. I would love to visit this restaurant again to enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine.