.png){kind=small}
If you’ve been to South Korea and are taking a connecting flight to Japan, you’ll surely miss your street food experience there. Don’t worry because you can enjoy your Korean food experience right here in the land of the rising sun. Looking so much like those street delights are the kushikatsu.
Also pertained to as kushiage, kushikatsu is a popular Japanese deep-fried, bamboo-skewered food, typically consisting of meats, seafood, and vegetables. They’re dipped in batter – often crafted from egg, flour, and panko breadcrumbs – before they’re fried until golden and crispy. Mouthwatering.
Kyoto, a place with several attractions that will require you to make a lot of walking, is one of the best places to taste delicious kushikatsu. Here are our picks of the best kushikatsu in this city!
1. Shinoomiya
First on the list a Kyoto izakaya restaurant known as Shinoomiya. They don’t just serve some of the best kushikatsu in town and perhaps all over Japan, but some of the most affordable, too! This diner is number one on Yelp.
Price: Starts at 999 yen per stick
Hours: 5 PM-1 AM
Contact: +81 50-2030-4678
Address: 2403-1 Misonou, Saijo-cho, Higashihiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 〒739-0000 Japan
2. Kyoto Kushidokoro Azumaya
Getting a table at this izakaya restaurant that serves kushikatsu will take you to an unforgettable dining experience. Those who have been here adore its lovely atmosphere. More so, you will forget about ordering the usual Coca-Cola when you can try their Japanese skewers with sake.
The sauces are the cherry on top. They offer three homemade sauces as your choices – the usual sauce, tartar, and matcha salt. They also have a yakitori sauce made from authentic Japanese native chicken, being crafted over the past 20 years already.
Price: Meal starts at 2,000 yen
Hours: 5 PM-1 AM Monday to Friday, 3 PM-2 AM Saturdays, 3 PM-12 AM Sundays
Contact: +81 75-212-5668
Address: 2F, 186 Zaiko-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture 〒604-8804 Japan
ALSO READ: BEST TONKATSU IN KYOTO
3. Pontocho Kushiyoshi
The kushikatsu experience here is rather unique in a sense the restaurant uses only premium ingredients. So, that means seafood caught near New Caledonia, a French territory in the South Pacific, as well as noodles from the Middle East, foie grass, and caviar, which are truly Western. It does not hurt to treat yourself to a classy dining every once in a while, does it?
Price: Meal starts at 7,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-3 PM, 5:30 PM-11 PM
Contact: +81 75-708-3667
Address: 191-6, Shimokoriki-cho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 〒604-8206 Japan
4. Yataiya Karasuma
Yataiya Karasuma is an izakaya, kushikatsu place, and sushi bar all at once. It’s the perfect dining spot to visit after work as they are open until midnight. Aside from authentic kushikatsu, your Japanese favorites are also here, such as tempura, sashimi, tofu, salad, and their signature fried ice cream mochi for dessert. Don’t forget to try their beer, too. Those who have eaten here recommend this restaurant to foreign travelers.
Price: Group meal starts at 3,800 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-12 AM Monday to Saturday, 11:30 PM-11 PM Sundays
Contact: +81 75-223-6636
Address: 1F~2F, 446-2 Sasayacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 〒600-8009 Japan
ALSO READ: BEST UNAGI IN KYOTO
5. Kushi Katsu & Wine Wabiya Rakuchu Tei
Wouldn’t you feel intimidated when you see the name of this restaurant on Google, or see its storefront while walking around Kyoto? You could, but don’t. This is where you can find the best Japanese skewers. Their Kyoto Kushikatsu Style Course is the bomb!
This set meal consists of Kyoto-style crispy and freshly-fried kushikatsu together with various unique and creatively crafted dishes. Ditch the sake for now and enjoy a glass of wine perfect whichever season of your visit is.
Price: Set meal starts at 7,300 yen
Hours: 5 PM-10 PM
Contact: +81 50-5596-8613
Address: Higashigawa, Pontocho-saki, Shijo, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 〒604-8009 Japan
6. Kushikatsu Daruma
This kushikatsu place is not the most sophisticated of its kind which you will see around Kyoto. You’ll start seeing a humble yet striking storefront featuring a gigantic face of its mascot above the door, and the entire restaurant lits up magnificently at night. Inside is a cozy space, so comfortable to the feeling even some of the customers would take photos with the staff. To say their kushikatsu and other offers are tasty is an understatement.
Price: Meal starts 2,000 yen
Hours: 11 AM-10:30 PM
Contact: +81 75-354-5021
Address: 902, Higashishiokojicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 〒600-8216 Japan
ALSO READ: BEST YOSHOKU IN KYOTO
7. Sosaku Kushikatsu Narinari
For those who want a peaceful respite from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto’s city life, this kushikatsu is the place to be. It’s a chic and calm hideaway where you can enjoy the skewers made without the seriousness. Thus, you get dishes with seafood and vegetables sourced from the market and meat from the tidiest butcher shops. Nothing compares.
Price: Meal starts 6,000 yen
Hours: 11:30 AM-2:30 PM, 5-11 PM
Contact: +81 50-5890-8581
Address: 552-3, Higashi Abura Koji-cho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 〒600-8216, Japan
8. Arashiyama Kushibun
Last, but not least is Arashiyama Kushibun. This restaurant has been doing business for 45 years now. They have two kushikatsu set meals. One consists of only 10 carefully selected ingredients, while the other uses 15, though both make generous use of Kyoto-style ingredients. Choose according to how much your tummy can take in. They are also among the most affordable kushikatsu restaurants in Kyoto.
Price: Meal starts 3,000 yen
Hours: 5:30-10 PM
Contact: +81 50-5595-0249
Address: 46 Tsukihoko-cho, Shijo-dori Shinmachi Higashi-iru, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, 2F, 〒600-8412, Japan
ALSO READ: BEST TAKOYAKI IN KYOTO
Those are eight of the best kushikatsu restaurants in Kyoto. Keep following where your palate brings you!
Looking for a fun food tour in Kyoto? Join our local guides for the Nishiki Market Kyoto Food Tour, where we will take you to the best food spots at Nishiki Market and let you feast on various delicious dishes.
Sign up today! Limited slots only.
Comments