Kyoto Restaurant Guide -Kyoto food guide by a local cooking class instructor- JR Kyoto train station area

Kyoto Restaurant Guide -page 2-
Where to eat in Kyoto

I am not Michelin, but, a local cooking instructor.
Below are my best restaurant choices in Kyoto

This page- restaurants near JR Kyoto station
Page 1- restaurants mainly in downtown and Gion area

Kushikatsu(deepfried vege, seafood and meat on a skewer. Battered in panko bread crumbs.):
はな串(Hanakushi)- I used to go here once a week. Now, I live far from here so I have not been here for more than a year. They do one of the best kushikatsu in Kyoto, especially their chicken kushikatsu. If you tell the owner or chief, "Taro, the golfer" they probably still remembers me. They probably make fun of how terrible I play golf.
Price:
around 2,000yen with a couple of beer
Hours:
5:30pm to 2am
Close:
Sunday
Location:
Just a few meters east of Nanajo Shinmachi intersection. 7 min. walk from JR Kyoto train station.
*Nanajo is same as Shichijo. People use the term Nanajo more often to avoid confusion with Shijo.
"-jo" means "avenue"
"shichi" and "nana" both mean "seven"
"shi" means "four"
So, Shichijo or Nanajo both mean "seventh avenue" and Shijo means "fourth avenue."

Hanakushi

はなまる串カツ製作所(Hanamaru kushikatsu)- The menu are slightly cheaper here compared to Hanakushi.
In my opinion, Hankushi is tastier, but this place is also a great value.
Price:
around 2,000yen with a couple of beer
Hours:
5:30pm to 1am
Close:
always open
Location:
Just 20 meters east of Hanakushi, on the same side of Nanajo street.

the entrance

串家物語(Kushiyamonogatari)- If you enjoy eating kushikatsu, you can make kushikatsu here. This is all you can eat kushikatsu chain restaurants. This is a fun place to go, especially if you have children. Please be careful with the fryer.
Price:
around 2,500yen for dinner and 1,600yen for lunch
Hours:
each restaurant is different, but from around 5pm to 11pm
Close:
different by restaurants, but usually, always open
Location:
There are several. There is one on the 6th floor of Yodobashi Camera building(3 min north of JR Kyoto station), Takase building of Kiyamachi Sanjo intersection and Kyoto Aeon mall(5 min south of JR Kyoto station).

Seafood:
一瞬(Ichishun)- This restaurant does really good seafood. It is a bit far(10 min. walk) from JR Kyoto station, but if you are around and looking for some good seafood, it is worth going.
Price:
around 4,000yen for dinner
around 1,000yen for lunch
Hours:
11:30am to 2pm for lunch
5pm to midnight for dinner
Close:
Occasionally
Location:
NOW(2016) moved to Kyoto Tower building on the 2nd floor.

Udon:
力餅食堂(Chikaramochi)- A good handmade udon restaurant. The old lady probably do not understand English, so be sure to point the picture in the menu correctly.
Price:
around 500yen - 1,000yen
Hours:
10:30am-4pm
Close:
Sunday
Location:
On Nanajo street on the north side, right in the middle, in between Shinmachi and Nishinotoin streets.
It is a 8 minute walk north west from JR Kyoto station.

Store

Menu

Izakaya:
すたんどばー楽(Stand bar RAKU)- A great local drinking and dining izakaya. Food here is always good and the atmosphere is great. Nobody feels unfomfortable here and the owner Dai-chan is a super nice guy.
They also have a big selection of shochu and sake(good news for travelers who wish to try good sake for the local price).
The only drawback is that it is a STAND BAR, which means they don't have much seats. You must stand while eating & drinking. Well, the price is good and the food taste great, why complain?
Price:
around 2,500yen
Hours:
5pm-midnight
Close:
Sunday
Location:
5 minute walk north west of JR Kyoto station. However, it is a bit hard to find.
First, JR Kyoto station, walk west on Shiokoji street(the main street that runs east and west, just north of JR Kyoto station).
Then, turn right on the first block(Shinmachi street) and head straight.
Then, turn left on the first block(you will be looking at Kyoto tower on your right hand side). Head straight.
Finally, you will see RAKU on your right hand side.

RAKU

Closer look at the entrance

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