A Taste of Japan: Kyoto pt 2 - Cherry on my Sundae

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Alas, we have reached the end of my Kyoto travels. Here is the final post continuing on Kyoto and all of its wonders.

If you're looking for a market similar to Tsukiji in Tokyo, come visit Nishiki market in Kyoto. With myriads of souvenir shops, small vendors, shrines, and even fresh seafood, it's a great spot to spend the afternoon.

Keep in mind, the market does get busier in the afternoon and the shops close at 5 pm.

Fish cakes, potato balls, fried quail eggs all available to purchase.

People in Kyoto love their pickled vegetables. You can find pickled and cured products at multiple stands in the market.

My favorite snacks were the croquettes and squid stuffed quail egg. The squid literally looks like a red baby squid and may not be everyone's cup of tea, but the flavors are actually fantastic. Give it a try if you're feeling brave!

After visiting the snacks, check out any of the restaurants along the way. A lot of the restaurants seemed to have similar menus so we chose the one with the shortest wait. People warned me before my trip that portions are smaller in Japan, but I found that this is not always the case. Many places have set meals, allowing you to taste several dishes and walk away full. This was my first time having tentamadon, tempura simmered with beaten egg over rice, and hopefully, it will not be my last.

Walk two blocks over and check out other restaurants like this crazy looking omurice. Kichi Kichi only has about 12 seats and requires reservations beforehand. The chef is incredibly entertaining and accommodates any changes to the dish you require. This was the most popular dish on the menu, chicken omurice with the creamiest egg on top. I can assure you, no other restaurant will make omurice like this.

Another favorite in Kyoto was the abura soba at Tentoku. This dry ramen was my all time favorite dish, even better than the ones I've tried in Tokyo. A must-have.