Visited on a certain weekdays in December 2023, after 11 o’clock.
Located about 5 to 6 minutes walk from Chūmachi Yanagi Station, there is a restaurant called “Shimo Daikaku Cha Ryō Honban”.
After informing them of my reservation, I was guided to a table where I could enjoy a beautiful garden view. We sat together.
The restaurant has a good size, with only two customers prior to us.
Today, I ordered the "Shimo-daigo Menu" for ¥8,800. Therefore, I also requested a drink, which was "Sapporo Ebisu" for ¥1,100.
In front of the beer, a "kombucha" with a sage flavor is served. It brings a pleasant warmth and a hint of saltiness during the cold winter in Kyoto.
After enjoying kombu tea, I savor Ebisu beer. A robust beer that allows me to appreciate its richness and bitterness.
First item: "冬至和え" – a dish prepared by combining egg noodles with Kyoto vegetables and pumpkin. The texture of the egg noodles is pleasant and their presence is noticeable. The pumpkin mixture that enhances the seasonal flavor is delightful. The natural sweetness of the Kyoto vegetables also adds a good bite to the dish. This is an extremely satisfying first course.
Wash dishes: As expected from the appearance, these dishes are made with drizzles. The crab meat is finely mashed together with a light filling of radish and ginger. It's a taste that truly captures the refined Japanese flavor. A dish that allows one to enjoy a calm and elegant taste. The finely prepared crab meat also has a rich and profound flavor.
Zou-ri: The dish features grilled sushi tuna and oseto. The tender tuna fillets have a rich and complex flavor. It’s an absolute pleasure to enjoy this exquisite tuna with beer. The oseto has a smooth texture that feels delightful to the palate. I enjoyed the sushi thoroughly, pairing it with seasonings. At Kyoto-style kaiseki restaurants, one always gets access to top-quality dishes.
Sōkōdō (Appetizers, Grilled Dishes, Stew, Sauces): A variety of dishes that seem suitable as appetizers. High-quality and delicate ingredients like precious hime kagura, and delicious sweetness from Nami-machi kakiemon. The combination of citrus and salted vegetables creates a unique taste experience. As for grilled dishes, there’s scallop rostered dish. The seasoned long yuba complements the juicy scallop rostered dish perfectly. The flavor of Horikawa burdock and mountain pepper grilled dish is also great when enjoyed with scallop. As for stew dishes, there’s eggplant mochi. This dish showcases Kyoto-style Japanese cooking with care and effort. The sauce is made from octopus and nine-stringed onions mixed with mustard vinegar miso. The crunch of octopus and onions is truly enjoyable. It’s a satisfying experience to enjoy Sōkōdō.
Meal: A combination of boiled rice with kelp dressing, pickles, and a bowl featuring white miso. The slightly soft-boiled white rice offers a sweet taste, while the pickles bring a rich umami flavor. The kelp dressing also has a pleasant saltiness. The white miso adds a Kyoto-like flavor to the dish. It was a meal that allowed me to fully appreciate the quality of the ingredients.
Water delicacy: A set meal consisting of Rieko tofu made with Kaga-nabee, topped with strawberries and drizzled with black syrup. This is a refined water delicacy that offers a moderate sweetness and a sense of Japanese charm. The Rieko tofu has an excellent texture and taste.
In a calm atmosphere inside the restaurant, we were able to enjoy a magnificent Japanese-style meal. The environment for enjoying the meal itself was also satisfactory. It’s a "Shimoiku Cha Ryō". Although there is an additional service fee, the price is not cheap at all. However, it’s definitely a place that is perfect for gatherings.
In Kyoto, if you want to enjoy kaiseki cuisine with confidence, this is a highly recommended restaurant.
