Dining in Miyako Michi

Miyako Michi is a shopping mall on the south west side of Kyoto Station which connects with the Asty Road shopping mall on the south east side. Effectively these two shopping malls form one long shopping street along the station building’s southern flank. Though there are some souvenir, grocery and other retail stores in Miyako Michi, the bulk of this mall is given over to cafes and restaurants. Here you will find plenty of dining opportunities, ranging from Japanese style noodles and sushi, to Western style pasta and hamburger steaks.

Malebranche Café

Malebranche is a “semi-self-service” café serving luxury French style desserts and sweets concocted from local ingredients. Among the unique sweets they have on offer are matcha (green tea) flavored Langues-de-Chat cookies, matcha flavored chocolate fondant, Kyoto shortbreads, and sweet golden chestnut cakes.

 Open: 9:00 – 21:00
 Tel: 075-661-3808

Wa-Café Kyo-Anju

“Wa” means “Japanese”, so in this café you can find Japanese style sweets such as matcha (green tea) flavored parfaits, and syrupy dango dumplings. Wash these down with some Japanese green tea for a truly Japanese style café experience.

 Open: 9:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
 Tel: 075-662-5864

Kyo-kissa Jun

Kyo-kissa Jun specializes in omu-rice, a Japanese adaptation of Western food, in which an omelette is wrapped about fried rice and usually topped off with ketchup. On the Kyo-kissa menu are several variations on this simple theme, most of which you can view in the display window before entering.

 Open: 7:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-691-2802

Edogawa

Edogawa is named after a famous river that runs through Tokyo, and so naturally it specializes Tokyo style “unagi” or broiled eel. A simple but substantial order of “unagi-don” or broiled eel served on rice and accompanied by miso soup will set you back 1,890 yen. For some variety, why not order the “Edogawa Teishoku,” or set meal, for 2,600 yen, which includes, eel, tempura, sashimi, rice, miso soup and pickles.

 Open: 075-672-2081
 Tel: 11:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)

Torihachi

Torihachi is an izakaya, or Japanese style pub and eatery, that specializes in yakitori, or char-grilled chicken kebabs. This is a casual bar that you can easily pop into for a quick snack or a couple of drinks on your way between sightseeing venues. For 520 yen you can get three sticks of kushiyaki, or skewered chicken, and for 780 yen you can get “ponkara” the shop specialty, deep fried kara-age chicken in a ponzu or citrus based sauce.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-691-4680

Magobei

Magobei specializes in char-grilled kebabs using Omi beef, one of the three most famous varieties of Japanese beef. A serving of skewered kushiyaki style char-grilled beef will set you back 780 yen. Wash it down with some local sake, or imojochu, a strong spirit distilled from potatoes.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-661-8505

Osoba-Dokoro Aoi

This restaurant specializes in Kyoto style soba, or buckwheat noodles. Nishin soba, or noodles with salty-sweet herring are especially recommended at 1130 yen. Other typical Japanese dishes such as tempura, deep fried shrimp and vegetables are also available.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-661-8998

Caffé Ciao Presso

If you want a real Italian style espresso or cappuccino made by a barista Caffé Ciao Presso is the place to go. On the food menu are pizza, sandwiches and Italian style pastries.

 Tel: 075-671-8807
 Open: 7:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)

Kyoto Kisoba Morihei

This freshly made noodle shop prides itself on its dashi soup which it has perfected over its 45 year history. The specialty dish is the “Kamoseiro” for 1500 yen, which consists of soba (buckwheat) noodles, with a dipping sauce and a serving of steamed Kyoto duck.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
 Tel: 075-661-2462

Shunsai Dining Yu

Shunsai Dining Yu serves Western style grilled food, such as shrimp, burgers and steak, all served up with plentiful fresh seasonal vegetables.

 Open: 10:30 – 22:30
 Tel: 075-661-3225

Sushi Masa

Here in chic surrounds, you can sit at the counter and watch as the chefs prepare your sushi from the freshest marine products. Tempura, sashimi, eel and tofu dishes are also available.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-661-6899

Szechuan Cuisine Rakuraku

This restaurant specializes in Szechuan Cuisine, one of the four great cooking styles of China, which is characterized by its bold and spicy flavors. On the abundant a la carte menu look out for their handmade shumai dumplings. The 12th day of each month is titled “Tofu Day” because their “mapo dofu” dish, a hot pot of tofu and minced meat in a peppery sauce, is marked down from 800 to just 400 yen!

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
 Tel: 075-661-7367

Suika KYK

Suika KYK serves tonkatsu, or deep fried pork cutlets, and shabu shabu, which is thin slices of boiled meat and vegetables with a dipping sauce. They pride themselves on using the best ingredients: Kagoshima “kurobuta” or black pig pork and Kyoto’s famous vegetables. A serving of tonkatsu with rice and vegetables will set you back 1900 yen. A serving of shabu shabu is 2880 yen.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-693-4668

Amici

Amici serves Italian pasta and rice dishes. A Vongole Rosso (spaghetti with a clam sauce) will set you back 750 yen. The Mushroom Doria, a rice based gratin style dish, costs 800 yen. Simple breakfast sets of toast, ham, egg and salad are available on the morning menu.

 Open: 6:00 – 23:30
 Tel: 075-661-3005

Wabiyazanmai

Wabiyazanmai specializes in teppanyaki, which is iron plate griddle style cooking, but also serves oden, (fish cakes and other ingredients in a hearty broth), and egg and flour based okonomiyaki pancakes.

 Open: 11:00 – 23:00
 Tel: 075-672-2828

Kyo Tonchintei

Kyo Tonchintei is another teppanyaki and okonomiyaki iron plate griddle restaurant which complements its main dishes with colorful obanzai – typical Kyoto home style side dishes. Local craft beers are also available.

 Open: 11:00 – 23:00 (Last orders: 22:00)
 Tel: 075-693-9911

Ichifuji

Ichifuji bases its menu on Kyoto’s unique style of home cooked seasonal vegetables, tofu cuisine and obanzai style side dishes. Order “Kyo-no-Meibutsu Teishoku” – a set meal of famous Kyoto specialties for 1500 yen.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Tel: 075-662-1567

Grill & Bar Toyotei

The first Toyotei restaurant opened in Kyoto 1897 and the company prides itself on its history of introducing Western style dishes to Japan. Now the Toyotei company has a number of branches in Kyoto and Osaka serving up hamburger steaks, Japanese style curry, pizza, and all manner of Western style hor d’oeuvres and desserts.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00 (Last orders: 21:30)
 Tel: 075-662-2300

Hamamura

Hamamura is a long established Chinese restaurant chain, which opened its first branch here in Kyoto in 1924. Rice and noodle dishes predominate, but particularly recommended is the duck ramen noodles and the gyoza mince dumplings.

 Open: 11:00 – 22:00
 Sundays & holidays: 11:00 – 21:30
 Tel: 075-672-1010

Mister Donut

Exit Miyako Michi from its far western exit and you will find a Mister Donut shop just outside. The Mister Donut chain is Japan’s most popular doughnut shop. Choose from a wicked assortment of freshly baked sugary temptations. For those who require yet more variety, muffins, pies and pastries are also on offer. For those who crave caffeine, there are free refills after the first cup of the “blend coffee”.

 Open: 7:30 – 23:00
 Tel: 075-693-8155

Man in the Moon

Just beyond the Mister Donut shop is a little Irish style pub called The Man in the Moon. A cozy spot, the food on offer here is typical pub fare, and it’s a good place to grab a drink before or after your journey. There are eight beers on tap, a fine range of whiskies, and Happy Hour is from 11:00 – 19:00.

 Weekdays: 11:00 am – 2:00 am
 Fridays & Saturdays: 11:00 am – 4:00 am
 Tel: 075-672-2522

Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.