Having woken up close to 2 in the afternoon and had a bite of onigiri and my daily dose of ocha in a bottle before setting off on my exploring for the day, needless to say I was STARVING. I couldn’t afford another kaiseki meal so I walked past those, and I didn’t feel up for sushi or udon… so I decided to go for a dish that originates in Osaka. OKONOMIYAKI!

Okonomiyaki is essentially a savoury Japanese pancake containing various ingredients. The name derives from the word ‘okonomi’ means ‘what you like/want’ and ‘yaki’ means grilled.

Issen Yoshoku is one of the popular establishments serving okonomiyaki at pocket-friendly prices. Located in Gion, in a street just off the main road it was pretty easy to find because of its kitsch shop front decoration. Upon entering the restaurant, we were presented with a menu. Eager to see what they’ve had to offer, we flipped it open and stared at a huge picture of an okonomiyaki. Just one. Yep, they had an elaborate menu for just one dish they served in the entire restaurant. Well played.

The okonomiyaki served here consists of a wheat-based flour batter cooked like a crepe on the griddle, with scallions, shrimps, konyaku jelly and egg as some of the many ingredients stuffed into one yummy pancake. When I requested mine with no pork, they said they didn’t use any. Whoopee! I wasn’t entirely sure about the addition of konyaku jelly in my okonomiyaki, but it was a unique experience. The egg is hidden under the batter and is still runny, bordering on raw, but that’s the way I like it. It was PERFECT. This delicious monstrosity priced at just 630 yen (SGD7) is worth every penny and sure to keep you filled till breakfast. (if you’re not constantly hungry like me)

Check out the yolk porn, you drooling yet?

Kyoto after sunset is no less magical when it’s bright out. The streets are clean and safe, just don’t venture into any dark, formidable looking alley alone and you’d be fine. I walked into Pontocho and it was a really long and narrow stretch of road of restaurants serving food at both street and high-end prices.

Not much sightseeing could be done after dark as the temples would have closed by then, but the nightlight in Kyoto is vibrant. Though not as impressive as Osaka’s Namba, Kyoto at night has its own charm too. The Kyoto station is huge and a great place to be at if you want to do some shopping at an established shopping mall. There’s also Kyoto Ramen Koji on the 10th floor of the building, where there are restaurants specialising in a different regional style of ramen. It’s a ramen haven for all you ramen lovers. Plus, you get to choose your ramen out of a vending machine, that makes a good story to tell too!

 

If you’re as obsessed with rice cakes like I am, you have to try chigiri-mochi, a miso-flavoured rice cake wrapped in seaweed. I came back to Gion area on my last night in Kyoto JUST for this. I’m a huge glutton, I know.

There were many places and temples I couldn’t visit while I was there and I hope that work will roster me some nights in Osaka so I could clear them all. My sister recommends the Nishiki Market for all your fresh food and street food goodness. I was bummed I didn’t get to go there, because I was covering the harder to reach places, but if you’ve been there… do let me know how it was!