【Kyoto Station / Kiyomizu Temple Cuisine 2024】6 Must-Try Foods in Kyoto

Exploring Kyoto from the bustling Kyoto Station to the serene Kiyomizu Temple area is a culinary adventure you won't want to miss. We've handpicked six iconic dishes that you simply have to try. From traditional kaiseki meals and delightful matcha desserts to mouth-watering yakitori, there's something to satisfy every palate. Get ready to embark on a delicious journey through Kyoto!

If you're in Kyoto, you absolutely have to try the Tofu Hot Pot. It's a local favorite, and for good reason. Imagine the chef preparing fresh, silky tofu right in front of you, then gently placing it into a bubbling kombu broth. Once it's perfectly cooked, you get to enjoy it with a dip of either yuzu soy sauce or sesame sauce. The dish usually comes with a side of Japanese vegetables, shiitake mushrooms, and taro. The handmade tofu from Kyoto is incredibly smooth, and when combined with the sweet and flavorful broth, it creates a simple yet unforgettable dining experience.

Welcome to Kyoto, the home of traditional Japanese sweets known as wagashi. One of the most popular treats you’ll find here is the three-color dango. These delightful dumplings are crafted from glutinous rice flour and filled with delicious ingredients like sweet red bean paste, matcha, and red bean puree. Their charming and colorful appearance makes them a feast for the eyes, and their chewy texture offers a truly enjoyable experience, especially when they’re fresh and slightly warm. Kyoto also offers a variety of seasonal wagashi, such as sakura mochi in spring and yuzu daifuku in winter. These are definitely must-try delicacies when you visit this beautiful city.

When you're in Kyoto and craving wagyu, you can't go wrong with Kagoshima A5 wagyu. Kyoto is home to numerous specialty restaurants that serve this top-tier wagyu, known for its tender, juicy texture and beautifully marbled fat. Each bite reveals rich, unfolding flavors that are simply unforgettable. Even simple dishes like sukiyaki and shabu-shabu become extraordinary with this beef, and you can also enjoy it grilled, teppanyaki-style, or even as sushi. The beef is so tender it practically melts in your mouth, making it a beloved choice for food lovers.

Kyoto is famous for its top-notch matcha, which has led to a wide array of mouth-watering matcha desserts. The go-to treat has to be the matcha sundae, featuring velvety matcha ice cream crowned with chewy shiratama dumplings, sweet red bean paste, and a generous dusting of smooth matcha powder. Other delectable delights you shouldn't miss include matcha pancakes, daifuku, and puddings. The rich aroma of matcha lingers with every bite, making the experience truly unforgettable.

When you're in Kyoto, you absolutely have to try Chazuke. This comforting dish features hot white rice soaked in either genmaicha (brown rice tea) or sencha (green tea), and it's paired with an array of Japanese side dishes like pickled daikon, spicy cod roe (mentaiko), and mountain vegetables (sansai). The aromatic tea infuses the rice with a refreshing flavor that perfectly balances the savory side dishes, making each bite a rich and layered delight. Despite its simplicity, Chazuke is a true culinary treasure of Kyoto.

When you're exploring the culinary delights of Kyoto, you absolutely can't miss out on Unagi Rice. Kyoto is dotted with numerous specialized Unagi restaurants where the dish is made fresh to order. The eel undergoes a two-step process: first, it's steamed to perfection, and then it's grilled with a generous coating of a sweet and tangy sauce. This careful preparation results in eel that's tender and bursting with flavor, with a crispy, aromatic skin that's simply irresistible. Paired with fragrant Japanese white rice, this dish is a heavenly treat that will leave you wanting more with every bite.