Day 5: Karaage Rice Bowl for Us Please :)

Toriyasu has two arms. The entrance with the chicken logo banner is its poultry section. It boasts a history of over 120 years.

The little restaurant next door on the other hand, has a shorter history of over 50 years.It doesn't take reservation. So be prepared to queue! :)

Toriyasu serves three classic donburi: Oyako-don, Karaage-don & Tamago-don. Karaage-don is its signature. :D

It was a no brainer decision. We chose Karaage Donburi! :D I love it! I'm surprised by how much rice I could stomach especially after seeing Beanie having difficulty finishing his. :))) I think the bowl of donburi contained at least two bowls of rice! *.* Oh bother. I polished it anyway. :)))

It only made sense to take a stroll after a heavy lunch. Admiring Kyoto for the last time before heading to Osaka! :)

We passed by St Agnes Church (one of the oldest churches in Kyoto) while walking back to Noku. :)

Details of Toriyasu:
Karasuma-dori Oshikoji-kado
Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto
T: 075 241 0456

Day 5: Quick Stop at Nishiki Market

This morning we headed to Nishiki Market. :) Shops opened around 10.30am. Pretty late for a market isn't it? :)))

Nishiki is a haven for food related items such as fresh seafood, produce & cookware. It's a great place to find seasonal foods and local specialties, from Japanese sweets & snacks to pickles, dried seafood & sushi.

Beanie has a thing for soy milk. :) That's the first thing he bought at Nishiki. :D I love soy milk too, especially those infused with almond. I remember vividly our nanny used to make soy milk herself and she would put it in milk bottles for us. We were 3 or 4 year olds then. :)

There are lots of traditional snacks to satisfy any hungry tummies. :)))

Mom's munching on squids. :)

We learned something new this morning. :) This wood-like blocks are katsuobushi (dried, fermented & smoked tuna). After shaving, we get bonito flakes. :D

Mom likes buying preserved or dried candies and she was spoilt for choices at Nishiki. :)

Mom & Beanie's other hot picks are fruits, especially strawberries. :D

As for me, I couldn't help checking out the flower shop here. :) Flowers are inexpensive in Japan. More importantly, they are way too gorgeous.  

Visit Nishiki Market if you have extra time to spare. :)

Day 4: Stuffed to My Forehead at Yoshikawa Tempura :)))

Oh oh oh...poor feet...please take us to Yoshikawa Tempura. :O Taking in the sights of Kyoto streets as we figured our way to dinner. :)

The walk was longer than expected. We learned a lesson. When Google maps say 10 mins, it usually mean 20 mins in reality. :(

Yoshikawa Tempura's is a small outfit with only 11 seats, and reservation is required.

Lin had pre-ordered Chidori set for us. All we needed to do was sit back & savour. :)

I'm not an appetiser or starter person. Often I prefer to jump to the mains. :) But in Japan, there is a certain order we need to adhere to. :))) So be patient. :)

Ebi tempura at its freshest. :D

I love flowers but eating them is a different story altogether. :))) It felt weird chewing such a big piece of flower.

Chestnut tempura :) Crunchy chunk. :)))

Fish tempura :)

Side dishes of silver fish. :)))

Daikon tempura

Salt to compliment the eel tempura :)

Lotus tempura. Do not be fooled by these morsel pieces. By now, I had to ask the chef if this was the last item in the set. :((( It wasn't! Save me....

Sweet potato and prawn tempura. :))) My two fav items but not when I'm stuffed to my forehed. :(

And the finale was rice with tea. :) But eh... why are there tempura stuff in it too... :( 

Pat on the shoulder for completing our meals. I did however shoved some items to Beanie when the chef wasn't looking. :)))

We adjourned to the adjacent room for desserts! :O

Sorbet for me anytime! :) Strawberry sorbet refreshed our palate & ease the stuffiness. :)))

Details of Yoshikawa Tempura:
Tominokoji Oike-sagaru
Nakagyo-ku
Kyoto 604-8093
Japan
T: +81 75 221 5544