Kyoto Ice Cream: Gion Kinana – Kinako Ice Cream

This entry is part 7 of 7 in the series Do Not Miss
Gion Kinana’s fresh-made kinako ice cream, more cream than ice, is the best Japanese ice cream that I have had. Their parfaits are completely amazing too. Kinana is located in Gion, just off of Hanamikoji Street, one of Kyoto’s most scenic and historic neighborhoods. I liked Kinana…
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Kyoto Gion Wagyu Teppanyaki Kappo Sou

Recently I had dinner at Sou, a kappo teppanyaki restaurant in Gion. Dinner was excellent, the wagyu beef was amazing and it was not crazy expensive, so I made an appointment to interview the owner-chef, Mr Tsukada. Since I started KyotoFoodie I have received numerous inquiries from people asking where to go for teppanyaki in Kyoto. I rarely eat teppanyaki…
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Kyoto Cafe: Jouvencelle Gion and Maccha Chocolate Fondue

I have received requests for more Kyoto cafe reviews. Here is one of my favorites: Jouvencelle. Japanese Western-style cakes and confections, called yogashi, in Japanese, I am not a fan of. They are nearly alaways fluffy, puffy, airy things, short on taste and soul. Western-style cakes and confections available in cafes or for take out in the department store food…
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Bread and Spice: Hararyokaku Seven Spice Rusk Biscuit

Called ‘korabo’ in contemporary Japanese — collaboration and co-branding, is getting some traction among the often stodgy old merchants of Kyoto too. Though perhaps a purist at heart, I am quite a fan of some of these collaborations. I was quite amazed to see my absolute favorite shichimi seven spice dealer, Gion Hararyokaku, doing a collaboration with the mediocre Shinshindo…
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Wagashi: ‘Kyobeni’ D.I.Y. Azuki and Monaka

“I want to be crisp.” Very ‘Kyoto’ and ‘un-Kyoto’; it’s ‘do it yourself’ anko paste in monaka cookies! Not only that, the monaka cookie is the shape and design of a maiko’s lipstick compact. This wagashi turned out to be a lot of fun and solves a vexing problem for monaka aficionados. ’Do It Yourself’ Azuki and Monaka 京べに Happy…
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