You have probably heard of people commenting that Japan is a country of expensive food – this is entirely mistaken! There are plenty of affordable food and snacks around, all you need to do is know how to find them. If you are unsure of what to eat in Kyoto, then you’ve come to the right place. Read on to find out more about my food journey in Kyoto!

Option 1: Melon Buns

Recommended: Oreno Pan Okumura
Average Spending per Person: <¥500
Good for: Breakfast / Snacks

Having watched anime showing the gangsters munching ‘melon bun’ after bullying, I’ve always wanted to have a taste of it myself. Albeit having tried those from the convenience stores or some local bakery stores, none has ever satisfied my fantasy for melon buns. Then, I met Oreno Pan.

Located at the Kyoto Station Hachijo South Exit – Kintetsu Mall Miyakomichi (京都駅八条口側の近鉄名店街みやこみち), this petit bakery offers the best melon buns I’ve ever tasted. Crispy on the outside and soft inside, the sweet biscuits come in original and green tea flavours. I highly recommend that you try these melon buns, you’ll never regret it!

Option 2: Convenience stores

Recommended: Lawson / Family Mart / 7-Eleven
Average Spending per Person: <¥500
Good for: Breakfast / Snacks

When you have to spend a few hours commuting in the trains, the best way to fill your tummy along the road is to get some onigiri from the widely available convenience stores. They are literally at every corner I turn to. Not to mention, they have such wide selection of sandwiches, chips, snacks, beverages, and small set meals called ‘bento’. These are good for a quick fix if you are catching an early train/flight, so I highly recommend you trying them out at least once. Especially the wide variety of onigiri, yummy!

In addition, try out their highly addictive variety of drinks!

Option 3: Standing-Up-Eating Noodles

Recommended: Kyoto Station / Miyako Standing Soba Restaurant
Average Spending per Person: <¥300
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

While restaurants are generally the more expensive choices in Japan, standing-up-eating soba/udon places are what you’ll be searching for.

Typically, I spend as low as ¥240 for a bowl of hot yummy udon. You will definitely get the authentic feels of a Japanese, as you stand alongside locals slurping the noodles away. In addition, water and condiments are free at a corner where you can take as you wish. This option is so cheap, yet tasty and able to fill up your tummy!

They are available within Kyoto Station, and around the city of Kyoto.

Option 4: Local Fast Food Rice Bowls

Recommended: Yayoi Japanese Teishoku Restaurant (やよい軒)
Average Spending per Person: <¥1000
Good for: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner

There are many local fast food chains like Yoshinoya and Yayoiken around Kyoto. If your accommodation does not offer the Japanese style breakfast, you can try it at Yayoiken. They offer rather affordable set breakfast from 7:00am to 11:00am. Though they are not extreme delicacies, they are value-for-money if all you want is to try some Japanese style meals.

The nearest outlet from Kyoto Station is located near the Hachijo South Exit, towards the direction of Aeon Mall. Menu can be found here.

Option 5: Supermarket

Recommended: Any local supermarket
Average Spending per Person: <¥1000
Good for: Breakfast / Lunch / Dinner / Snacks

At times when I have cravings for sashimi (raw fish), local supermarkets (not the fancy Isetan) have literally the cheapest sashimi (~¥480 for 8 pieces of salmon) and they’re just as fresh! Not to mention that the staff at these supermarkets are extremely friendly, especially the ones in front of Daitoku-ji Mae (in front of the bus stop)!

These supermarkets have also a wide range of instant food for you to have a taste of the local delights at really low prices – they somehow made me feel like I’m Chibi Maruko-chan! If you fancy chips, get them here. I guarantee that you will spend a good time trying to pick the ones out of the shelf of so many flavours.
Therefore, to avoid exploding my head, I simply asked a local teenager to pick his favourites for me.

Option 6: Cheese Tarts / Cakes

Recommended: PABLO
Average Spending per Person: <¥1000
Good for: Snacks

While there are abundant outlets in Osaka, there’s only one store in Kyoto located 5-minute away from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line.

While I’m not a fan of the signature big cheese cake, their mini cheese tarts are to die for! They tasted much better than the ones in Singapore, you simply have to try! The price is ¥185 for an original cheese tart, and ¥213 for a chocolate or uji matcha cheese tart. My favourite chocolate + uji matcha 6-piece box is at ¥1278.

Option 7: Ramen

Recommended: Ippudo Ramen (博多一風堂)
Average Spending per Person: ¥1000
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

My personal favourite is the famous Ippudo Ramen, ~¥790 for a big bowl of Hakata-style tonkotsu ramen. If you’re not yet satisfied, add another ~¥200 for 5 fried dumplings and that should fill you up pretty decently. If you’re still not yet full, then get an additional bowl of Char Siu rice (it’s a small bowl at ~¥400) and you’ll finally feel like heaven! The pork broth is on-point thick and savoury, yet not too much of the greasiness. Furthermore, condiments like hot moyashi (spicy beansprouts) and pickled vegetables are free for all on the tables.
I give Ippudo Ramen a HUGE thumb’s up with the simple and straightforward menu. It’s as if they’re making a statement: ‘We offer three best ramen, take your pick’.

Other Ramen

Sen no Kaze Ramen (千の風) and Ichiran Ramen (一蘭) offer also good ramen at slightly more expensive prices than Ippudo.

Many people prefer Ichiran Ramen as it provides more flexibility and customisation of your bowl. While Ichiran offers the same amazing Tonkotsu ramen, its broth is a little saltier. Also, Ichiran’s bowl comes with noodles only, so you’ll add the sides (even for the black fungus and spring onions) at additional costs.

I’ve visited Sen no Kaze for their amazing Tonkotsu Ramen, while my companion tried the equally flavoursome vegetarian ramen. Do note that their vegetarian ramen may have fish essence added, but this can be removed upon request as they offer flexible options for vegetarians and vegans. I absolutely love this flexibility!

All three ramen stores mentioned above are available in downtown Kyoto.

Option 8: Curry House

Recommended: CoCo Ichibanya (CoCo壱番屋)
Average Spending per Person: ¥1000
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

Another place where you can customise food the way you like it, and I love it. There’s CoCo Ichibanya outlets in Singapore, but the taste is entirely different for some reason. The curry in Japan is just so much more fragrant than at anywhere else.

First, you choose the type of curry sauce, e.g., pork/beef curry, or some ready-selected menu like pork cutlet rice etc.

Second, choose the size of your rice. The portion is standard at 230g, but you can decrease or increase the quantity as you like. I find this really helpful to not waste any food.

After that, choose the spicy level. I have personally tried all levels and I am warning you: do not attempt the maximum for the first time. I love spicy food, but having the food too spicy at level 8 didn’t make it an enjoyable dish.

Finally, feel free to add the toppings.

I would definitely recommend coming to Coco Ichibanya in Japan. For a decent price, you get to fill your tummy with food of good quality and quantity!

Option 9: Departmental Food Hall

Recommended: Isetan / Daimaru / Takashimaya
Average Spending per Person: ¥1500
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

On a Saturday night, I was so frustrated at the long queues at the eateries that I’ve decided to just get some good’ol bento from the Isetan food hall at Kyoto Station. Lucky for me, I was not disappointed at all.

If you’re too tired from all the walking in Kyoto, then this is a quick fix for lunch or dinner.

Option 10: Conveyor Belt Sushi

Recommended: Musashi Sushi (寿司のむさし)
Average Spending per Person: ¥1500
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

After trying so many different conveyor belt sushi restaurants, I’ve concluded that Musashi Sushi probably has the best quality sushi of them all. Compared to Musashi Sushi, the others either have the sashimi cut too thin, dry, or overpriced.

Reasonably priced from ¥146/plate for standard sushi, Musashi Sushi offers also the non-wasabi options on the belt. This is probably the best option to satisfy your cravings for different variety of sushi!

The outlet is located at approx. 5-minute walk away from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Main Line/Tozai Line.

Option 11: Seafood Restaurants

Recommended: CHOJIRO Shijo Kiyamachi (長次郎 廻転寿司 京都)
Average Spending per Person: ¥2500
Good for: Lunch / Dinner

Located steps away from the entrance of Pontocho Alley on Shijo dori, CHOJIRO is a popular restaurant among foreigners. Their standard fish sushi starts from ¥260 onwards and they have higher quality than your usual conveyor belt sushi restaurants. In addition, they have some good sashimi platters which are absent in conveyor belt sushi restaurants. The prices are very affordable so you should give it a try if you’re up for some good sushi and sashimi.

We queued for so so long to finally get a seat, so remember to come early or make a reservation in advance.

Option 12: Teppanyaki

Recommended: Teppan Tavern Tenamonya (鉄板居酒屋 祇園てなもんや)
Average Spending per Person: ¥2500
Good for: Dinner

We walked into this small hidden gem beside Yasaka Shrine by chance, and boy was it a fantastic experience.

The couple running the place were extremely courteous and friendly, we felt like home instantly. The atmosphere was cosy and unpretentious, almost like a bunch of friends dining together. Moreover, the food was amazing. The whole experience was indescribable, so I highly recommend that you dine here if you love some good’ol Teppanyaki! Must try: everything.

Tenamonya is located 5-minute away from Gion-Shijo Station on the Keihan Main Line. You must make reservations in advance. We were lucky to have gotten a seat without reservation at 5:30pm, and the rest of the limited seats (~15 seats) were all reserved.

Option 13: Kushiyaki

Recommended: Kushiyaki Manten (満天)
Average Spending per Person: ¥3000
Good for: Dinner

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Nestled within Pontocho, this restaurant is a 3 minute walking distance away from Sanjo Station on the Keihan Main Line. They have an extensive variety of grilled skewers, so there will be something for everyone (unless you’re a vegetarian)!

Even though the items don’t come cheap, they’re of quality and have amazing tastes. Pair them with a sake or two to complete the tiring day! Do come early or make reservation in advance as it gets crazy crowded at dinner time. Otherwise, you may end up queuing for hours.

Special Note: Halal food

Halal food is fairly available in Kyoto as well. That’s right – halal food is fairly available in Kyoto! Unfortunately, I did not go to any so I can’t give recommendations. On the other hand, this blog provides a good lists of halal eateries in Kyoto!

Conclusion

My list consists of mainly affordable options in Kyoto, therefore they are nothing too fancy or overly expensive. If you’re having a bigger food budget, then you must try Kaiseki (懐石) – a traditional multi-course Japanese dinner. Even though they are expensive, by all means try it! It is a once in a lifetime experience only available in Kyoto!

Still don’t know what to eat in Kyoto? There are plenty of stalls and restaurants in the city, follow Google Map and there’ll surely be something around for you. Otherwise, be adventurous and wander into somewhere randomly!