We visited the Nishiki Market, arriving just after 9:30. However, many stalls were starting to open, with some still closed. To pass the time, we decided to explore the surrounding streets and get a better feel for the area. By 10 o’clock, we returned to the market and began sampling some of its offered food.

Our first stop was a stall selling chicken skewers grilled over coals. I tried two varieties: chicken and leek with teriyaki sauce and another with plum sauce. Both were well-cooked, but the plum sauce was too tart for my taste and could have used more sweetness. The chicken and leek skewer, on the other hand, was delicious. The teriyaki sauce complemented the chicken perfectly, and the sweetness of the leek added a nice balance.

Next, I visited a takoyaki stall and ordered the classic version topped with dried seaweed, Japanese mayonnaise, and bonito flakes. When they arrived, they were steaming hot—almost dangerously so! Despite this, the takoyaki was wonderfully cooked, with a fluffy yet gooey texture. My only criticism was that the pieces of octopus inside were smaller than I’d hoped. I also wished I ordered the vision with cheese, as they looked better than my order.

After that, I tried unagi (grilled eel). Watching it being cooked with a propane flame was fascinating, though I was disappointed that it had to be microwaved first. Still, the eel itself was flavorful and incredibly tasty, thanks to the sweet soy sauce it was coated in.

I also sampled the famous matcha jellies. While I’m not a big fan of matcha, I thought I’d try them. Unfortunately, they weren’t to my liking. Although the matcha flavour was pleasant, I couldn’t get past the texture with the dust on top. I understand why others enjoy them, but they weren’t for me.

Next up were soy milk doughnuts. These reminded me of the mini doughnuts you’d find at fairs in New Zealand, though they weren’t as dense and didn’t come coated in cinnamon and sugar. They were light, airy, and delightful. I could have quickly eaten more if I hadn’t been saving room for other foods.

Finally, I tried tempura prawns and scallops, but these were disappointing. The batter was far too thick, overpowering the seafood. To make matters worse, the scallops were overcooked, which left me underwhelmed.

Visiting Nishiki Market was an enjoyable experience, but it didn’t quite live up to the hype. Perhaps it was the time of year, but some offerings were underwhelming. If I return to Kyoto, I wouldn’t make a special trip to the market, though I might stop by if I happened to be in the area on a Saturday.

Website: Nishiki Market

Address: Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8055, Japan