Chūka Soba Kyōichi Honten

　I’m often asked where to find dishes that are truly representative of Kyoto, but I find it difficult to recommend any one particular restaurant. Whilst it depends on your budget and personal taste, the restaurants that locals frequent regularly are where you’ll find the true taste of Kyoto.

　One such place is Chūka Soba Kyōichi Honten in Shijō Ōmiya. Established in 1948, it is a long-established restaurant where the majority of customers are locals. Whilst some chūka soba (Traditional soy-based ramen) shops have a soup with a lingering bitterness, here the broth is rich in dashi and has a subtle sweetness—truly the taste of Kyoto.

　The signature dish is the curry chūka soba topped with braised beef, but with udon, soba, rice bowls and even sweet treats on the menu, it’s a proper neighbourhood eatery. If you’re looking to savour the traditional atmosphere of Kyoto, I’d definitely recommend it.