Joanna James
Kyoto is the living embodiment of Japan’s culture. Nishiki Market is among the must-visits. Known as Kyoto’s Kitchen, the market promises a memorable culinary experience with these must-try foods.
Nishiki Market started as a wholesale fish market long ago, with traces you can still see today. There are numerous fish stalls lining the street. One of the best stalls is Kimura Fresh Fish. The stall is known for serving the best sashimi, and there’s so much variety too. Among the favourites are tuna and salmon, but there are more exotic options such as octopus, sea urchin, and clam. Clearly, there’s so much to choose from, but whatever you decide to pick, rest assured it’s going to be as fresh as it gets. To get a taste of delicious Japanese-style seafood right then and there, try the skewered carpaccio-style flavour.
If you’re not Japanese, this is not something you’re likely to have come across. What is Tako-tamago? It’s an octopus-egg combo! It’s essentially baby octopus cooked in a sweet and savoury sauce. The sauce is made with sugar, mirin, and soy sauce. Before cooking it, however, a quail egg is placed inside the head. This dish has a very diverse flavour profile, with all the flavours working surprisingly well together. The texture is sort of chewy and crunchy, and the quail egg has a pâté-like flavour. During your food tour of the market, you’ll find various similar exotic dishes, so it would be easier to stay at a hotel nearby. Your options include Travelodge Kyoto Shijo Omiya, which is known for offering great hotel deals in Kyoto.
Nishiki Market has over 100 stalls. One store stands out for serving all things soy. It’s Konna Monja, known for having a menu that includes pretty much everything from tofu to even soy ice cream! While all these treats are must-tries, one particular item beats the rest: soy milk doughnuts. These doughnuts are the perfect snack to have during your tour. They’re delectably crunchy on the outside and oh-so-soft and fluffy on the inside. There’s a variety of toppings to choose from too, from caramel and chocolate to apple cinnamon. You can also go for Japanese flavours like Kuromitsu and Kinako. If you’re craving something simple, plain doughnuts are just as delicious too.
Most stalls at Nishiki Market have been there forever. Ajisai No Toyo, for one, has been serving delicious unagi rice bowls since 1912. Unagi is eel, which the stall sells grilled over charcoal. On the outside, it’s a crispy char, and on the inside, it’s moist and tender. It comes with a topping of a sweet, caramelised sauce. This restaurant is open only for lunch, so plan your day right, and you can take a lunch break to enjoy an unagi rice bowl at Ajisai no Toyo.
To try delicious beef sushi, stop by Kyo No Oniku Dokoro Hiro. It’s a butcher shop and a restaurant serving a variety of dishes, but their beef sushi is the best. It’s a combination of beef slices and rice, and the shop serves them bite-sized. Once you’ve had your fill, buy some grab-and-go beef skewers or crispy beef croquettes to snack on while exploring the market. If you want a more substantial meal, however, there’s a proper sit-down restaurant where you can have beef steaks and other beef dishes.
Nishiki Market is loved for its offerings of amazing seafood. One of the most sought after, by both locals and tourists, is oysters. Daiyasu, a popular stall at the market, serves oysters in a variety of styles. You can have them raw, steamed, or fried. To add a quintessentially Japanese twist to your food tour, try Dashimaki Tamago, oyster gratin, and miso stew. Don’t forget to order a cold beer or sake to wash it all down!
A true believer that the pen is a mighty weapon, ventures into reaching the minds of every reader with the earnest hope of leaving an indelible stream of thought.
A travel writer who has a passion for fashion and a deep interest in admiring new and exotic attractions around the world.
