I was wandering around Nishi Market and wanted something a bit more substantial than a snack, so I decided to give this restaurant a try. Since arriving at 11 a.m., I’d often seen locals lining up outside, so I figured it must be a good place to eat.

I waited about 20 minutes before getting a seat. I ordered the Tanba-Dori Ankake Udon—udon with Kyoto’s local Tanba chicken and egg in a thick, starchy broth—along with some tempura chicken over rice.

First, the tempura chicken was excellent. The batter was light and subtle, and the chicken breast inside was moist and tender—some of the best chicken breast I’ve had in a while. The rice came with a bit of soy sauce, spring onions, and some pickled radish. There were also a few different types of furikake on the table, which I tried, but honestly, I didn’t enjoy any of them. The chicken with the soy sauce and rice provided plenty of seasoning on its own.

The udon was good—the noodles had a great texture, and the chicken thigh pieces were nicely cooked. The broth was tasty but a bit too sweet for my liking. I would have preferred more umami, but that’s just personal preference, as I generally prefer savoury over sweet when it comes to broths. Still, the bowl was comforting on a cold day and warmed me up quite a bit.

Overall, I can see why people enjoy this place, but I think soba-style noodles aren’t really my thing, as I’ve never been a massive fan of them. As expected, the service was excellent, and the food arrived promptly. And one thing I really appreciate about Japan: there’s always cold water with ice waiting for you as soon as you sit down.

Website: Fumiya Nishiki

Address: 493 Nakauoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8125