As we finally arrived in the beloved Japanese city of Kyoto, our stomachs rumbling, we wondered what were the best places to eat around here. Little did we know that letting our stomachs and our eyes guide us while wandering the streets would lead to two excellent choices: Rookie and Sugarhill Kyoto.
As my friends and I went in search of food, we happened upon a gyoza bar called Rookie. The shining bright lights beaming on the restaurant in a seemingly desolate part of the city beckoned us to walk in. We were immediately greeted by a very nice employee that led us to our table. We were stunned by the decorations as we sat and looked at the menu.
We considered a variety of foods offered on the menu; however, we had to order gyoza as it appeared to be what the restaurant was known for. Along with an order of gyoza, I decided to order xiaolongbao, a type of Chinese steamed bun. This proved to be a solid choice as the xiaolongbao’s juicy delicious taste seemed to explode in my mouth with a flavor unfamiliar to me. Filled with tasty pork and vegetables, the xialongbao was delicious and unforgettable.
The gyoza was also just as appetizing. While crispy on one side and crunchy on the other, the gyoza had a great balance when it came to texture, and its taste was splendid. The juicy gyoza did not disappoint, by any means.
Another fantastic place was called Sugarhill Kyoto, a Japanese-and-Western-fusion restaurant with a famous cuisine that has been open since 2000. It proved to be a wonderful environment with an extremely friendly staff. We found that the teriyaki chicken was well renowned, so we knew what to order immediately, and it was, by far, no mistake at all. The savory chicken with the rice and potatoes was amazing. The combination of flavors worked so well along with the house-made mustard and wasabi mix. I finished my food in just a few minutes and contemplated getting another plate. It was that good!
Luckily, I had the chance of meeting a local in the Kyoto area by the name of Jun. He recommended multiple restaurants, but there was one that stood out for him more than the rest: Tohka Saikan, a local Chinese restaurant with an array of different delicious foods.
“That is my favorite place in Kyoto by far,” Jun told me. “I always go there with my father and have the best time. It is maybe a bit expensive compared to other restaurants around that area, but it is well worth it.”
Kyoto has a huge abundance of places to eat with a variety of different cuisines. Rookie and Sugarhill Kyoto provided just a handful of delicious meals that I had the pleasure to try.
