Kyoboshi

Masterful! Tempura at its purest and best. Every single serving done to perfection and served with pride. An dining experience that highlights a single style of cooking - nothing more and nothing less. Wonderful! (Difficult to find...but worth it!)

Visited September 2019

Must make reservation which we did through our hotel concierge. We were a party of 5 and though there were still available seats (maybe 3-4), 2 walk-in guests were turned. I suspect he only cooked for one party, or at least people in the same seating, at a time as the small restaurant was only servi...ced by our chef and his wife. Our dinner cost ¥13,200 (all-in) for about 18 courses; sake separately priced and the food was delicious - the batter light and food fresh. Chef was innovative too; it wasn’t just about simply coating the food in batter - for eg we had fish wrapped in shiso leaf, crab legs in avocado, fish wrapped in seaweed...yummy. The dips of lemon juice and home-made (such fine) salt was supplemented by grated daikon. Lovely and yet simple condiments. One of us did not take shellfish and was given a wide selection of fish instead. A must-go.

Visited November 2019

It does not get better than this. I made reservation with help of Tokyo friend and concierge. I have had many Michelin and 5 Star dinners, and I wondered how a tempura dinner would compare without all the other components, and I am happy to say it was incredible and amazing. I was full after the mea...l. I savored every moment. I did not know Kyoto is known for tempura. My friend instructed me to eat very soon after chef serves me, so I did. I wanted to be respectful. I think I ate so fast that he sped ip our pace. Every single piece was delectable. Everything had a balanced and simple yet full flavor. It was an amazing meal. I am so glad we had a chance to eat here. The dry sake pairs wonderfully with the meal, and I recommend it.

Visited October 2019

The way we have eaten tempura is dead. This place is unique. Perfect. The chef really enjoy cooking tempura and he exalts the food thru the most elegant tempura technique Its a pleasure.

Visited April 2019

First things first: here’s some useful indications to go there (it definitely worth the efforts). First ask you hotel’s concierge to make the reservation. The place is very small and I don’t think they allow people without reservation because the products are so fresh that they probably buy them eac...h day. When you want to get there TAKE CARE: THE PLACE INDICATED ON TRIPADVISOR IS WRONG (at least at the time I’m writing this review). Take hanamikojidori NORTH from shijo gion. Turn second right (just after the Lawson konbini) and just after crossing a narrow alley, look on the left side for the blue curtain with 京星written on it on your left. The place is very beautiful and the chef and his assistant are very kind: explaining everything in English and making you comfortable. The food is simply marvellous. The batter is wonderfully light, everything is perfectly cooked, fresh, inventive and delicious. I can’t imagine going back to Kyoto without a reservation there.

Visited October 2017