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…
Posts Tagged ‘Gion neighborhood’
Kyoto Cafe: Jouvencelle Gion and Maccha Chocolate Fondue
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…
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…
Izuju: The Best Kyoto Style Sushi in Kyoto
Sushi in Kyoto has a long history but it is quite unlike the nigiri sushi that we are used to abroad. Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto was landlocked and that required somehow keeping fish edible after the journey here. Kyoto sushi required some smarts and ingenuity, it also had to be good enough for the emperor! Izuju is a restaurant in Gion…
Tenshu — tempura donburi in Gion
Tenshu — tempura donburi in Gion

Tenshu, located in Kyoto’s Gion district serves a famous tempura dinner course and an equally famous donburi at lunch. Tenshu is a very famous restaurant, countless celebrities and national politicians dine at Tenshu. On a weekend you can expect to wait 30 to 60 minutes to be seated for lunch!




