JPN: Izumoya (いづもや)

Fuwa fuwa egg omelette!

Welcome to Kyoto, Japan! Formerly the capital of the country for more than a millenium, Kyoto is the place to experience traditional Japan with its preserved architecture and thick culture. I visited Pontocho, a district famous for geisha (Japanese female entertainers) and had a fulfilling meal there. Kyoto cuisine is the highlight of today's review.


Gion Set ¥2,100 (~S$26.95)
Taste: 8.5/10

Named after another well-known geisha district in Kyoto, the set that was brought to me was a plethora of widely acknowledged Japanese dishes, such as sashimi (Japanese raw sliced seafood) and tempura (Japanese battered and deep-fried assortments). The former, particularly its tuna fish, was fresh, while the latter had thin and airy coatings. The highlight of the dish, however, was the egg omelette which was down-to-earth and フワフワ (fuwa fuwa, an onomatopoeia which means light, airy and fluffy).


Hanaizumo Nozomi Set ¥2,100 (~S$26.95)
Taste: 8/10

The other set featured a medium-sized unagi (Japanese freshwater eel). I'm a big fan of unagi, and I have to say that while the one I had didn't disappoint at all, I found that it could have more of the melt-in-the-mouth quality. In addition, the sauce could be a bit sweeter. The soup had a heady aroma of ginger and spring onions, and the chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard) was heart-warming and light on the palate. Lastly, the complimentary green tea served was of adequate thickness. 

Melon's Rating
Taste: 8/10
Ambience: 8.5/10
Service: 8/10
Overall: 8/10

Pika's advice: Looking for something slightly more affordable for dinner? The Tempura Set is priced at ¥1,680 (~S$21.50). Anyway, it's said that the restaurant has been featured on the television before, but I think there must be a restaurant serving better unagi dishes. Nevertheless, it was a nice dining experience, especially when I could savour the food while enjoying the view of Kamogawa river.

Izumoya
(いづもや)

Pontocho Dori 
Nakagyo, Kyoto
Japan
(Daily: 11.30am - 3.30pm, 5.00pm - 10.00pm)

*Prices quoted are nett prices.

Have a nice meal,
Cliff(y)

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