Ginkakuji, which means Silver Pavilion, is one of Kyoto’s most iconic sightseeing spots. Its official name is Joshi-ji and it was built in 1482 by shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa as his retirement villa. It was modelled after the Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion).
If you are looking for a good restaurant around Ginkakuji, I would like to introduce to you Harakiku Shokudo.
Harakiku Shokudo was established in 1927, one of the oldest restaurants in the area with 90 years of history.
Harakiku Shokudo’s menu have Japanese, English and Chinese translations to accommodate to the increasing number of Western and Chinese tourists. If this is your first visit, I recommend one of the four options from Kyoto Specialty which can be found on the first page of the menu.
The restaurant is impaccably clean, retaining its old-school charm with wooden tables and checkered-padded wooden chairs. It is such a warm and cosy little restaurant.
This is Ginkakuji Tofu Pot [700 Yen] where kamaboko (the pink and white slices), seasonal vegetables, mushroom, tofu skin and a block of silky Kyoto tofu is served in a pot. Kyoto is famous for its tofu thanks to influence from Buddhist temples and monks. If you have not tried Kyoto’s tofu, this is a good chance to try it. Bon Appetite’s post on Kyoto’s Tofu Obsession is an entertaining read if you want to know about the history and best places in Kyoto for tofu.
Ginkuji Noodle [750 Yen] is very similar to Ginkakuji Tofu Pot. The ingredients are basically the same: kamaboko (the pink and white slices), seasonal vegetables, mushroom, tofu skin and boiled fish paste. You get to choose between white of brown soba but there is no tofu.
Besides the two Kyoto Specialty dishes my friend and I tried, Harakiku Shokudo also serves many iconic Japanese dishes such as curry rice, Japanese fried rice, soba and udon.
Harakiku Shokudo
Address: 54 Jodoji Ishibashicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture 606-8406, Japan
Telephone: +81 75-771-3866
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday – Sunday 11.30am – 6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)”
