New cultural center called "Neo Sujin"

I don't consider myself as "trend hunter" but my friends in Kyoto always bring me to all the new hot area!

My new favorite spot to hang out is called "Neo Sujin" (Sujin Shinmachi in Japanese) which is located pretty close to Kyoto station, 15 to 20 mins walk from J-Hoppers Kyoto.

I would say it's food stand complex or outdoor dining, which has large number of seats both inside and outside, including standing area in front, and fire place on the back, cool tipi tent as a smoking room!
And their food/drink selection is great - you can enjoy Kyoto burger to local delicacy called Choboyaki which looks similar to Takoyaki, to craft beer to organic wine!

It's not just a dining space, they sometimes have cultural event like Rakugo Japanese sit-down comedy, live-paint, coffee tasting and so on. They even have a Kimono rental shop!

Interesting (and sad) fact about this place is actually they are closing in 2 years when they relocate Kyoto university of art, so you better be hurry!

And surprising to see that they have been already listed on Google Maps saying "Neo sujin town open air beer garden" which is nice! I like it!

Enzyme Meals in Kyoto

Have you heard of enzyme meals?
Well, please don't ask me, because I don't know much except the fact it's so TASTY and HEALTHY.

This cafe called "Kouso Cafe 85" uses interesting seasonings like malts, charcoal, some kind of enzyme used as sugar.
They have plenty choices for vegetarian and vegan menus. So if you have any difficulty finding decent vegan/vegetarian restaurant, this is the place to go.



I'm not vegetarian nor vegan, but the quality of the taste and food is guaranteed!
(in Japan, it happens quite often where you are so disappointed with the quality and quantity compared to rather expensive pricing at those healthy restaurants...)



Location: https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/%E3%81%93%E3%81%86%E3%81%9D%E3%82%AB%E3%83%95%E3%82%A7%EF%BC%98%EF%BC%95/@35.0164698,135.7536776,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x6001087e6195f211:0x83fa114025dc84b0!8m2!3d35.0164698!4d135.7558663

Food court revolution (Kyoto tower)

Food court to me was always a place for family day-out or teenagers' hangout.
Although the new food court on the basement floor of Kyoto Tower building is probably the most hip and stylish one I've been to!

Kyoto Tower Sando - Renewal in April 2017

Finally had a chance to visit, and I was just amazed by their selection of restaurants and cozy atmosphere. You can order food at the each shop and have it at their counter table, or you can have it at the center tables (photo above).

https://www.kyoto-tower-sando.jp/en/shop/floor#floorB1F 

My pick-ups would be
1. Sukemasa (Gyouza dumplings)
What makes this Gyouza unique is their "local ingredients" such as miso or green onion from Kyoto, and their Teishoku (set) is pretty reasonable!
 

2.The Roots of all evil. (standing bar)
I've talked about Kyoto craft gin Kinobi on this blog the other time, this standing bar is their second shop! You can try their unique gin menu!

And also, they have some events at the food court like:

 

OH MY GOSH. DJ is spinning at the food court? Totally mind blowing.

You should definitely pay a visit and try their food and atmosphere!

  

HotPot party!

Hello everyone!
One of the greatest helper BEN will be back in Kyoto on Feb 22nd!
We will organize a NABE(HotPot) party!!!
Let's get warm by hot NABE!

Feb 22nd 20:00-
@J-Hoppers Kyoto kitchen
500 yen *Please bring your own drink

KOKOLAYA

Kokolaya is a Japanese restaurant.
It is located in Gokomachi Street in Kyoto.

The atmosphere is very nice and you could feel ''Japanese Style".
You can try Japanese healthy cuisine at reasonable price.

Why don't you visit there ? :)

■Open
Lunch: 11:30 - 14:00 (until lunch are sold out)
Dinner 　18:00 - 22:00

■Close: every Tuesday

 http://kokoraya.moss-co-ltd.com/shopdata/gokoumachi.html

Morimori Sushi(sushi train) in Osaka

This is my favorite Sushi restaurant. Where I went the branch is in Kumiyama in Kyoto but I introduce a branch in Osaka for this time as the access is easier for the one in Osaka. (The main branch is in Ishikawa prefecture which is famous for fish since the place is Japan sea side.) This is sushi train restaurant but the quality is vary nice as I think! The sushi makes me like want to have them again after I eat them. 'Morimori Sushi at Aeon mall in Osaka dome' *Directly connected from Dome-mae Chiyozaki by subway Nagahori Tsurumi-ryokuchi line. *Pictures are available as below: http://tabelog.com/osaka/A2701/A270401/27073333/

Hanamaru kushikatsu seisakusho

Do you know what kushikatsu is? It is kind of deep fried BBQ with a stick,comes with a few piece of ingredients and dip in Japanese style sause to eat. There are meet,fish and vegetable available for the ingredients. So that no worry even if you are vegetarian. The place is located near to a cross road Shichijo and Karasuma street,within 5 mintutes walking from the cross road to the West.

Osechi, the traditional new year's food

Osechi-ryori are traditional Japanese New Year's foods. The tradition started in the Heian Period.
Usually dishes are put in the boxes called 'Jubako'  which resemble the bento boxes.

The dishes that makes up 'Osechi' each have a special meaning celebrating the New Year.
For example;
'Kuromame' , black soy beans, 'Mame' (beans) means 'health', symbolizing a wish for health in the New Year.
'Ebi', skewered prawns cooked with sake and soy sauce. It symbolizes a wish for a long-life.

It might be difficult to have a chance to eat Osechi unless you are invited to the family New Year's celebration by the local people. And there is getting less and less to prepare their own Osechi at home.
Major department store provide the mail-order service of Osechi. However you need to order earlier for the famous ones, usually it will be sold out by New year.

Marche @ Bukkoji temple and Kujo Green Onion Festival @ Umekoji-park

Marche @ Bukkoji temple

OCT 11th, 12th and 13th   11AM - 9PM
Free entrance

There are many food booths from popular restaurants of Kansai and Tokyo.
Also you can enjoy very cool live music !





Kujo Green Onion Festival @ Umekoji-park

OCT 12th, 13th and 14th  10AM - 5PM
Free entrance

If you are Ramen lover, Don't miss it!
There are many types of ramen with kujo green onion.
Also they sell fresh local vegie and fruits.





Both are only 10min by bicycle from J-Hoppers : )
Have a nice local food !!!