SOU

Good place to spend time and eat local fresh and tasty food. The more japanese you speak the more food you can try because the english menu is limited to the ingrédients the chief always cooks.

Visited July 2019

Izakaya food, at least in Kyoto, is all about presenting what's fresh and interesting without making a big fuss about it. Sou does this admirably. There is a wide selection of dishes, from the traditional to the truly novel, but the chef doesn't strut. He serves the food he makes immediately, when h...e feels it's ready, and he doesn't push. If you're new, he'll make conversation. He has very little English: this place is best if you have some Japanese. There is an English menu, but it's limited to things he always has on hand. Those things are excellent -- you won't be disappointed -- but you're missing out. If someone in your party has Japanese, you've got access to the whole range. Sou is all about small touches. When you order sake, they'll offer you a basket of interesting sake cups, and you can pick something that you like. If you come a lot, they'll try to hold back your cup for you, too. It's about being local -- not just the food, but the people, the community. If you're only in Kyoto for 2-3 days, and don't have Japanese, this probably isn't the place for you. But if you've got a little time and are ready to join Kyoto life, Sou is a great introduction.

Visited January 2016