Japanese street food tour in Kyoto! We stayed super close to Nishiki Market, where it's so well known for all the food and snacks.
Before diving into the food scene, my bf and I decided to go for a little kimono shopping. I have to admit, I was hesitant at first, but the positive feedback on social media got me hooked. No shame here folks, I love a good photo-op.
Now, let's talk about the food. We ate a ridiculous amount of food, but hey, when in Japan, right?
First up, Tako Yaki. These balls of goodness were huge and had crispy rice stuff on top. It was a first for us, and it was yum. One weird thing though, you can't dine in unless you order one dish per person. Like, come on, can't we just share?
Next, we stumbled upon a Japanese tapas joint. The fun and lively atmosphere was perfect for a mid-day break. We tried deep-fried sushi and grilled eels, but the best part was the first shot of sake for only 100 yen. Let's just say, we had a little too much fun at mid day!.
We also tried grilled mini squid, which was pregnant (how do we call squid at this stage of its life? O.o). If you're a squid roe fan, then you'll definitely enjoy this one.
Dessert break! you can't go to Japan without indulging in matcha ice cream. It's super intense and super good. Everywhere! I swear.
One shop we couldn't resist was the Chestnut and Chestnut Tea stand. They give away chestnuts and welcome you to come drink some chestnut tea for free every time you pass by. It was the perfect drink to warm us up on those chilly days.
But my all-time favorite Japanese snack was Mitarashi Dango. It's a must-try for anyone visiting Japan. My friend, Aman, couldn't stand it because of that mochi mushy texture but I can die for that. The sauce as well, how it's savory and sweet at the same time.
Overall, our Japanese street food tour was a success. We ate our weight in food, had too much sake, and even went kimono shopping. It was a casual, fun-filled day. And when in Kyoto, Nishiki Market and all of its delicious offerings is A MUST!!!!
Nishiki Market
609番地 Nishidaimonjicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan