Yokochou

This place was an absolute delight!
We came here because of the review we saw below and boy am I glad we did.
This is truly a local gem and we were the only Americans in the restaurant. Everyone else were locals enjoying the night out with friends and family. It’s a bit away from the busy streets in a more residential area but I think those are the best places!
This was a wonderful seafood experience. So many fish stuff to eat here. We had sashimi, to table side grilled fish stuff, to fried fish stuff on a stick!
I would say that you would have to know Japanese to come here. The menus are all written on the wall and they give you a piece of paper to write what you like to order. We started off ordering things we could read but then made friends with the table next to us that helped us order more unique dishes.
I would love to come back again the next time I visit Kyoto.

Being from Hawaii and finding out that there is a Unilocal in Japan now, i thought i’d chime in and let my fellow Unilocalers know about this unbelievable Izakaya experience at a restaurant called Izakaya Yokocho. This came as a recommendation from my wife’s friend in Kyoto who is a foodie and always takes us to the best places in and around Kyoto.
Izakaya Yokocho was an amazing dining experience with all types of seafood your heart desires. Unfortunately i can’t read Japanese so i let my wife and her friend and for me, i could care what they order because i will eat anything that they put in front of me.
We started out with a Sashimi Moriawase Platter for five which just was mind boggling with all types of fresh fish which included Otoro or fatty Tuna, Uni, Ama Ebi, Abalone, Tako, and a few other fish which were just amazing in texture and taste.
Kyoko also ordered us a special Japanese Crab with a tag on it which means it’s a very special type of crab and boy was it delicious.
Grilled Ika with just a squeeze of lemon which has the perfect texture and not too chewy
Shrirako Ponzu so good
We also had Yaki Fugu which was Blowfish that we grilled on a Charcoal grill. I love fugu and that’s why i like going in the winter because Fugu is in season during that time of the year.
Grilled Whole Nodoguro or Black Throat Perch: Now this was the star of the show here at Izakaya Yokocho. This fatty and oh so delicious fish is only available during the winter and it’s probably one of the best grilled fish i have ever eaten in Japan. It was that delicious.
Grilled Hokke: This Japanese Mackerel Grilled simply melts in your mouth and is very common in Japan.
Next we had some Giant Clams and Sazae or Giant Sea Snails which were so fresh that they showed it to us before they grilled it in the back. They were both out of this world.
Did i even tell you that the Japanese make a Potato Salad that is just amazing??? They make it to perfection and i could this all day and night seriously.
All i can say is that eating at these type of restaurant’s in Japan are right up my alley and i love eating at Izakaya’s because i could try a whole bunch of different items on the menu and the portions are just the right amount and not overwhelming like the food here in Hawaii where portions are considerably larger but not as tasty as Japanese fare. The seafood in Japan is far superior to any other place i have visited as i have traveled around the world and nothing comes close.
So if you are ever in the Kyoto area my friends, try Izakaya Yokocho, i highly recommend this place and you will not be disappointed i can promise you that. Thank You Kyoko Chan for a wonderful dining experience here in Kyoto.