In 2009 we brought you authentic Kyoto osechi New Year's cuisine and while Japanese style is the norm there are some restaurants that do Western, Chinese or fusion-type osechi. I had a chance to meet Chef Shinzo Okumura of Restaurant Okumura who is said to have invented 'French Kaiseki' and talk with him about his unique French osechi cuisine.
Chef Okumura ...
The other day I was fortunate enough to be invited for a wonderful tempura kaiseki dinner by some new friends from San Francisco at one of Kyoto's most famous ryokan inns: Yoshikawa Ryokan. While Yoshikawa Ryokan is a fine place to stay, it is perhaps more famous for its tempura cuisine. Many Kyotoites go there just for tempura dinner.
Now, I ...
Iron Chef: Battle Pike Eel and the Man Who Carries the Future of Kyoto Cuisine on His Shoulders
Here is the English dubbed episode of Battle Pike Eel (hamo, 鱧 はも) on YouTube.
Summer Matsutake Dobin Mushi 夏松茸土瓶蒸し
Matsutake Mushroom is synonymous with autumn. Although rare, in early summer it can be had as well and is a favorite among aficionados and gourmets. Last night I got a taste of some at Kichisen, the greatest restaurant in the world.
Kifune Kawadoko at Kibunejaya 貴船の川床 貴船茶屋
This morning, once again, Tanigawa-san from Kichisen called and asked me to accompany him on a little culinary adventure up to Kibune. Kibune is a village in a mountain gorge in the north mountains above Kyoto, it is a top foodie (and date) spot, especially in the sweltering Kyoto summer. In Kibune they put deck-like ...
