Just Good Stuff

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Asahi

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Takase River

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Nighttime Cherry Blossoms

@ Gyoza ChaoChao,

near Gion District

〒600-8021 Kyoto,

Shimogyō-ku

Gyoza is a traditional Japanese dish - wonton wrappers stuffed with pork and cabbage, or different meat/vegetables.

Izakaya-Style Marinated Quail Eggs are often eaten as an appetizer or otōshi (お通し) and are hard-boiled and then marinated in dashi stock (miso base), soy sauce, mirin (rice wine) and sake.

Bonito (possibly Pacific bonito, Sarda lineolata?), popular also flaked and dried as a topping.

^ Sakuras over the Tasake River

Tucked away, with the help of Yelp, we found a delicious hideaway along the Tasake River. The river was overwhelmed by cherry blossoms, and as the evening fell, the street lights illuminated the blossoms. The restaurant/bar was fairly small, but every nook and cranny was utilized to it's fullest - we had room to hang up our coats, our bags and then some on the hooks and shelves above our heads. the windows we steamy and we felt as though the usual omotenashi was left a the door and replaced with a higher energy, more casual hospitality. The waiters were quick and friendly and the other patrons unusually loud and chatty. While we of course appreciated the crisp formal-ness of the various Kyoto gardens we'd visited, like Katsura Palace - this was a refreshing break. The food was equally surprising when it arrived. Everything was flavorful and delicious, every morsel. Asahi, gyoza, more asahi, more gyoza, more gyoza!