Meshi Dokoro Pochi is a japanese teishoku restaurant in Karasuma Kawaramachi, Kyoto.
A teishoku counter near Karasuma-Oike in Kyoto. Daily-changing fish set, simmered vegetables and rice; cash, fast turnaround for the office lunch.
Signature dishes: Yokai teishoku, Daily fish set
Must order: Daily fish teishoku with side plates
Tip: Cash only, no reservations. Counter seats 12, lunch crowds turn over fast.
Address: Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8062, Japan
A chicken-paitan ramen counter on Karasuma in Kyoto. House-raised Kyotamba bird boiled to a milky broth and finished with bright grated yuzu skin.
Signature: Chicken paitan ramen
Order: Tokusei chicken paitan with chashu and ajitama
Tip: Open lunch through dinner without a break; afternoon trade easiest 14:00-17:00.
A cleaner-broth ramen counter in Nakagyo, Kyoto. Light dashi shoyu, hand-folded wonton and the kind of bowl locals order between meetings at lunch.
Signature: Light shoyu ramen, Wonton ramen
Order: Wonton ramen with extra menma
Tip: Open from 11:00 daily. Counter seats 10 and turns over fast.
A 1925 Gion counter selling one dish only in Kyoto: issen yoshoku, a pancake of batter, green onion, meat scraps and Worcestershire sauce. Kitsch decor.
Signature: Issen yoshoku pancake
Order: Issen yoshoku, the single menu item
Tip: Cash only. Counter or take-away for ¥680. Watch the red lanterns at the corner.
A chicken-paitan ramen counter on Karasuma in Kyoto. House-raised Kyotamba bird boiled to a milky broth and finished with bright grated yuzu skin.
Signature: Chicken paitan ramen
Order: Tokusei chicken paitan with chashu and ajitama
Tip: Open lunch through dinner without a break; afternoon trade easiest 14:00-17:00.
A cleaner-broth ramen counter in Nakagyo, Kyoto. Light dashi shoyu, hand-folded wonton and the kind of bowl locals order between meetings at lunch.
Signature: Light shoyu ramen, Wonton ramen
Order: Wonton ramen with extra menma
Tip: Open from 11:00 daily. Counter seats 10 and turns over fast.
A Gion counter on Hanamikoji that sells one item: pan-fried gyoza orders, paired with cold Asahi. Wood-finished room, cash only. Priced at ¥.
Signature: Yaki-gyoza, Beer
Order: 30-piece gyoza order with a draft beer
Tip: Cash only and no reservations. Counter seats are limited, queue forms by 18:30.
Katsukura's Kyoto Station basement outlet, perched in Porta's depachika. Born in Kyoto in 1992, this chain runs ground-sesame sauce and free-flow cabbage.
Signature: Pork loin katsu, Black-pork katsu
Order: Premium loin katsu set with sesame sauce ground tableside
Tip: Walk-in only; expect a 20-minute queue at peak lunch in Porta basement.
The Kyoto Station tower outlet of the Hiro yakiniku family, five minutes from the platforms. Japanese black wagyu, family-style charcoal grills, 200 seats.
Signature: Wagyu loin, Tongue salt
Order: Black wagyu sirloin set with tongue salt for two
Tip: Reservations needed for parties of 4+ on weekends. Open until 23:00 daily.
