Kyoto – Our Favorite Fried Chicken at Karako

The Missus and I have our favorite cities, Kyoto is one of these. It strangely felt almost like coming home, we feel so comfortable here. We again stayed in the area near Higashiyama Station. We enjoy the less hectic pace here, yet the location is close enough to everything.

After dropping things off at the apartment and getting a load of laundry going we headed off to an early dinner.

We headed up Higashioji-dori to a familiar sight.

The place was just opening up. The gentleman running the place was just getting things in order, towel rolled over the back of his neck. There's a comfortable, well-worn vibe to this shop.

Just as on our previous visit, we were greeted with a smile, seated, plates were pointed out. Then he pointed to the self-service dishes on the counter telling us "helpu you self….."

While Karako seems more of a ramen shop, we weren't particularly enamored of the ramen here. Instead, we really enjoyed the karaage. And, it's also a bargain.

It was apparent on our last visit that rice bowls and fried chicken was the way to go here.

The Missus enjoyed the chashu gohan here the last time; but had really developed a taste for mentaiko in Hokkaido. So She surprisingly chose that!

Very nice savory tones, perfectly cooked rice.

So I ordered the chashu gohan….love the balance of salty-sweet in this version of chashu.

And the wonderfully crunchy, super moist, umami laden chicken karaage.

Surprisingly light, with a faint flavor of ginger, a hint of sweet and major deep savory tones, must be Shio Koji.

A pretty inexpensive meal as well; about $12 for two!

Karako
12-3 Okazaki Tokusei-cho
Kyoto

After dinner we crossed over the Kamo River and made our way back to the shopping arcades and the Nishiki Market area. It was quite relaxing to revisit those now familiar places, like the Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine.

It was such a crisp and clear evening. The bright lights of the restaurants and bars on Ponto-chō reflecting beautifully on the Kamo River.

We took time to stop at the statue of Izumo no Okuni.

Izumo no Okuni is the creator of what we know as Kabuki which originated here in Kyoto. Her statue stands, sword slung over one shoulder, fan in the other.

A few blocks over on Shijo-dori resides Minamiza Kabuki Theatre, considered to be the one of the best places to watch Kabuki in Japan.

Brightly lit on this evening.

Last time we were in Kyoto, Chion-in Temple was undergoing some renovation. On this evening it stood dramatically under the bright moonlight.

This was the Kyoto we remembered……