Kyoto Food
Dinner and the Market
Eating at a Ryokan
We arrived at
our hotel
after 7pm and the hotel staff was quite happy to see us - we had booked
4 nights for 4 people and arrived later than most guests. After
the greeting, we were asked at what time we would like to receive our
meals. While in Beppu, we found our meals were an additional cost
and this room was already 10,000 yen a night/person so the prospect of
an additional cost (probably 4,000 yen a day) wasn't thrilling.
After much explaining, we finally understood - the 10,000 rate included
meals (contrary to what our English reservations said) so we gladly
accepted.
Ryokan dinners have a traditional form where every bite can be
different. The meal often has a plate of appetizers - little bite
sized savory snacks. All meals include pickles, some of which are
unique to the area or even the establishment. Our soup included
bit of matsatake mushroom.
Desert was always fruit. This meal had grapes and persimmons for
desert, but pear was also common.
Nishiki-koji Street Market
The next day we were shopping downtown when it started to rain - some
of the only rain we saw the whole trip. Checking the guidebook for
something to do close by (and hopefully out of the rain) we read about
(and then found) the Nishiki-koji Street Market.
The market seems to cater to the Ryokans
and restaurants of town. Fish is a very common sight, either
cooked or raw.
Fish is available in a surprising number of forms. As a
vegetarian, there are two types of fish I find hard to detect until it's
too late - the first is fish flakes (bonito). They are often
sprinkled on top of dishes but are quite sticky when they contact
fluid. The second is tiny rice sized fish they mix in with
(surprise) rice. You will notice them when you see little eyes in
your rice.
Tags: Japan(19), market(10), food porn(10), seafood(9), mushroom(2), octopus(1)
From: John Harvey Photo > Trips out of the Country > A Second Trip to Japan > Kyoto Food
Thank you this really helped me with my year 7 project on the food of Kyoto.
Anthony Loschiavo
Sunday, May 20th, 2007 at 01:05:04
Really cool photos, thank you for sharing.
Colin
Sunday, December 30th, 2007 at 11:20:45
Which Ryokan did you stay in? I have not found any for that price not even without food!
Laura
Sunday, February 17th, 2008 at 08:59:36
cool facts. Thanks
jen
Sunday, March 23rd, 2008 at 17:14:13
Wow those things make me wanna go to japan
elin
Tuesday, March 25th, 2008 at 02:58:08
The Ryokan was called kogetsuso, but I did a brief search and I'm not sure it exists any more. Check out a site like: http://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/db/kyoto/index.htm - they list lots of Ryokan for 10,000 yen a night and less.
John Harvey
Tuesday, October 21st, 2008 at 22:59:22
Thanks for helping me with my school project.
Dudeman
Monday, February 9th, 2009 at 06:28:59
Thank you it helped me very much
Love Atyum
Atyum Freton
Monday, April 6th, 2009 at 23:35:38
Yes thank you so so much!!!!
Ezzie
Sunday, May 31st, 2009 at 05:09:56
they design it so greatly. this helped. thanks
Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 18:43:08
Thanks for sharing (and taking pictures) of all the delicious delights!
Chris
Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 23:18:00
Last Modified Tuesday, June 9th, 2009 at 00:43:14 Edit
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