"The term 'like a museum' is personally the highest praise for a restaurant. The dishes mainly consist of fresh wheat gluten and tofu, so of course, I wouldn't want to eat them every day. Using it occasionally brings surprises and satisfaction, and it's quite a unique restaurant, so I recommend it for tourists or those who don't come around here often. There's no need to go into detail about each dish. I've been really busy lately... (;_; In short, the tofu soaked in sauce is just normal, with a taste of beans without any deep fermentation flavor, and the white miso soup with floating fresh wheat gluten (apparently there's a specific name for it) is incredibly delicious. The fresh wheat gluten teriyaki lives up to expectations, and the miso-sesame sauce is also very tasty. It pairs well with rice and sake, and the vegan 'beef' made from fresh wheat gluten is interesting, giving off an elegant scent of Shojin cuisine overall. The rice has a normal fragrance but strangely sweet...! This aspect is also memorable. Ordering cold sake for lunch was a great choice. There are various dishes that don't feel like typical rice accompaniments, making it endlessly enjoyable to sip on sake."

★2023 Kyoto Trip★ The purpose of this Kyoto trip was to visit this shop (*'ω'*) At Hanbee Fu, a long-established shop specializing in Kyoto-style fresh wheat gluten, I enjoyed the "mushiyoai" steamed dumplings made with Kyoto-style wheat gluten and Kyoto yuba. From start to finish, the dumplings made with fresh wheat gluten, wheat gluten, and miso were enveloped in a gentle dashi broth and had a chewy texture. Simple yet substantial, these fresh wheat gluten dishes were delicious as side dishes with rice. I enjoyed a variety of fresh wheat gluten dishes and savored the flavors while looking out at the inner garden from my seat, which was very comfortable. The staff's service was also excellent. For those who prefer strong and bold flavors, it may not be satisfying enough, but I personally loved it, so I definitely want to visit again on my next trip!

I was glad to be able to make a reservation as I had been wanting to visit again when I came to Kyoto. The Mushi-Ya is delicious as always. You can enjoy various types of wheat gluten from start to finish. Every dish is beautiful, delicious, and amazing. The staff is also very polite. I will definitely visit again!

I had my first experience of a course meal featuring fu (wheat gluten) in Kyoto! It was a lunch full of fu dishes that you can only find in Kyoto, and it was truly impressive. Each dish was made with fu, creating a rich and deep flavor that was irresistible to those who enjoy bold and intense tastes. If I had to nitpick, I would have liked to see a bit more variety with dishes featuring other bold flavors like meat or fish alongside the fu dishes. After the meal, I tried a 551 pork bun which tasted extremely rich in comparison. Haha!

I finally managed to make a reservation for the Hanzoemon Koji insect-rearing cuisine that I've been curious about for about 20 years! A few years ago, when I lived nearby, I tried calling many times but couldn't get through. When I visited the restaurant after a long time, I was surprised to see that it had been renovated into a glass building. However, the tea room was still in the original building, full of charm. The room on the second floor of the tea room that I entered for the first time had a classical Western-style decor. The insect-rearing cuisine is said to be a dish to soothe the insects in your stomach, but the dishes made with raw gluten and yuba were elegant and delicious, satisfying both the stomach bugs and myself. The chewy raw gluten and tasty broth made for a healthy meal. Gluten in the wheat gluten may be a problem for those with allergies, but it's a good source of protein without fat. There are also displays of old bento boxes and stacked food containers, so be sure to check them out. (There is no introduction from the staff, so it's better to let them know if you want to see the displays.)

I made a reservation at my wife's request and visited the restaurant. Since there were no available dates until the reservation date, we booked it for 11:00. The furniture, from the chairs we waited in to the table we were seated at, was all very nice. Just sitting and waiting made me excited. "Mushiyashoku" is a term in Kyoto dialect that refers to a light meal to feed the bugs in your stomach. The website explained this, but it was far from it - we were served a full course meal of wheat gluten and tofu, and we were completely full. From the classic nama-fu dengaku to unexpected textures of wheat gluten, we could enjoy a variety of flavors. My wife mentioned that she started liking wheat gluten after eating this dish in the past. Well, of course, if you can enjoy such good wheat gluten and tofu. Thank you for the wonderful meal.

I enjoyed a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, then took the JR Nara Line to Toji Temple, one station away, and walked around the temple grounds. They happened to be displaying a Nirvana painting, but I didn't have time to hear the explanation, so I headed to Gion Shijo by Keihan Electric Railway. From there, I walked to Hanami-koji and watched a performance of traditional dance at the newly renovated Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater. Last year, I watched a performance at Minamiza Theater, so I was excited to see the difference. The Kaburenjo Theater is primarily a practice space for dance and song, unlike Minamiza, which is a famous Kabuki theater. I was captivated by the performances of the geiko and maiko. After the hour-long show, I went to "Hanbeifu" in Kiyomizu-Gojo for a late lunch. I walked through the grounds of Kenninji Temple and arrived at the restaurant on Gojo-dori Street after about 30 minutes. The restaurant had transformed into a lovely glass-fronted establishment. I was seated at a counter with a view of a beautiful courtyard through a glass window in front of me. The meal I had was a type of "mushiyo," which is meant to calm the stomach so that you can enjoy the meal. It included various dishes with raw and boiled fu (wheat gluten) as the main ingredients. The portion was more filling than I expected, and I enjoyed the meal while admiring the view of the garden. On the way back, I exited onto the Gojo-dori Street side and unexpectedly came across the original-looking exterior of Hanbeifu. It turned out to be a delightful lunch experience.

I had the opportunity to visit Kyoto, and based on a friend's recommendation, I made a reservation and visited this place. We were only allowed to stay for 90 minutes from the reservation time, and my friend arrived late, so it became a bit hectic. Although it was not a private room, there was no one sitting next to us, so it felt like a private room which was nice. This time, I had the "mushiyaki" course, and various dishes using different types of wheat gluten kept coming out one after another, filling me up.

I didn't have a reservation, so I went to the restaurant with a sense of resignation. However, the lady, who I believe was the owner and had injured her foot, told me to wait a moment! In the end, she managed to accommodate me. I enjoyed a variety of delicious dishes, including fresh wheat gluten. The hospitality of the lady added an extra 0.5 to the experience!

The menu consists of "mushiyoi" steamed dishes with Kyoto-style fu (wheat gluten) and yuba (tofu skin) dumplings. The interior of the restaurant is currently undergoing renovations, and the garden is also being renovated until the end of the year. I thought I would only be able to eat a light amount of raw fu, but I was surprised to find that the meal was quite filling! Make sure to go on an empty stomach. 3,850 yen per person.

Located south of Kawaramachi Gojo and Keihan Kiyomizu Gojo Station, this restaurant specializes in "mushiyo" dishes made with wheat gluten and yuba. They only serve lunch during the daytime, with a menu featuring Kyoto-style wheat gluten and yuba dim sum. Reservations are required, so I made a reservation before visiting. The restaurant seemed to be undergoing renovation, so we dined in a building in front of the actual restaurant. After being seated, we were served tea and hot towels. Soon after, a tray of dishes arrived, including natto-flavored raw wheat gluten, rice, wheat gluten dumplings, pickled vegetables, simmered dishes, and grilled wheat gluten and yuba. Everything looked delicious. The natto-flavored wheat gluten was tasty, and I was impressed by the variety of dishes made with wheat gluten and yuba. The deep-fried dish was crispy, and the grated yuba with raw wheat gluten was delicious. The white miso dish with mugwort-flavored wheat gluten was also very tasty. Despite being a "mushiyo" restaurant, the portions were quite generous. Finally, we enjoyed a dessert of bracken rice cakes and left feeling satisfied. It was a healthy and delicious meal, and I look forward to visiting again. Thank you for the meal!

For lunch, I visited a restaurant that specializes in fu (wheat gluten) and yuba (tofu skin). First, I had a set meal with boiled fu and miso-glazed fu. The rice was served in the center with a small portion. The miso-glazed raw fu and fu dumplings were delicious. Next, they served boiled yuba and fried fu. The fried fu was crunchy! I wasn't sure when to eat the rice. The boiled fu in miso sauce and the white miso soup were sweet. Lastly, they served a fu dessert resembling warabi mochi. The portions were not very big, but I ended up feeling quite full. The original building of Hanbeei Fu in front of the restaurant has been left as it is since it was relocated. I wonder if they will demolish it. It's a really nice building, so it's a shame.

Located at the foot of the Gotenzaka Bridge, this restaurant was established during the Genroku era. It has been about 20 years since my last visit. This time, the main store is under renovation so we dined at the tea house across the street. Unlike my previous visit, where there were many monks dining, this time it was mostly regular customers. We enjoyed a variety of carefully prepared and delicately flavored wheat gluten dishes, and the service was excellent, allowing us to relax and savor our meal.

One of the reasons for visiting this time was to enjoy our restaurant's dishes made with wheat gluten. The name "Mushiyo-i" is quite charming. Upon researching, it seems to originally refer to a light snack to keep the stomach quiet. I made a reservation a month ago, never imagining the current infectious situation. The tearoom is under construction, so I headed to the building across the street. I was welcomed with warm green tea. Next, a lunch box tray was brought out. From the top left, there was simmered wheat gluten, vinegar salad with cross-shaped wheat gluten and cucumber, a bowl of boiled wheat gluten and yuba, three types of miso-glazed dishes, silk pod rice, round wheat gluten with lily bulb, wheat gluten with sansho pepper flavor, pickles, rice, and sweet wheat gluten shaped like a plum. The rice was stacked like a tower, resembling a sacred meal. I enjoyed it with Sasaki Sake Brewery's cold sake. Next, a dish of boiled yuba in broth was served, followed by fried puffed wheat gluten, and finally, white miso soup with mugwort wheat gluten. And to finish, sweet wheat gluten dusted with soybean flour. Everything was incredibly delicious, and I was very satisfied. I initially thought "Mushiyo-i cuisine" would be like a small tasting, but it turned out to be a lot! It was a full feast. It's hard to believe that all these variations and colors are vegetarian cuisine without any meat. The volume of dishes as "Mushiyo-i" was surprising. Is this a reflection of Kyoto's modest culture, or a kind of humor? Kyoto's culture is truly profound...

I finally got to visit this popular restaurant that requires reservations. The only option for lunch is a ¥3850 kaiseki course featuring various dishes made with wheat gluten, such as simmered gluten, miso-glazed gluten, tofu skin, sesame-dressed gluten, and more. Despite only being made with wheat gluten, I was quite full! The interior of the restaurant is filled with historically valuable items.

We made a reservation for two people. Since we booked on the same day, only the last time slot was available. We ended up feeling very full. We were so full that we couldn't even think about having dessert afterwards. Actually, we had shaved ice beforehand because we had some time, and it turned out to be the right decision. If you like gluten, you'll be satisfied.

A course meal filled with fresh wheat gluten. From simmered wheat gluten to miso-glazed and tempura, there is a wide variety. With so many dishes, you can definitely leave feeling satisfied. The ambiance and service from the staff are wonderful. Only one lunch option available, reservation required. ..Wheat Gluten Course ¥3240.

Established in 1689, this restaurant offers a meal called "Mushi Yoi" for 3850 yen. The meal includes various dishes such as fresh wheat gluten, seasonal flower gluten, rice with perilla, pickled ginger, and more. The review also mentions the unique dish called "Zen" which is simmered raw wheat gluten. The meal is served with a variety of side dishes such as vinegared cucumbers, fried wheat gluten, and a bowl of warm wheat gluten and raw tofu. The review also provides links to the restaurant's Instagram and TikTok pages for more information.

I purchased the Sasamaki-fu from Hanbeifu at Morita-ya Quality Food Market located in Suina Muromachi on the B1 and 1st floors of the Kyoto Economic Center, directly connected to Shijo Station. It was a pleasant surprise to come across this popular product from a long-established store in a station building. In my family, there are also fans of Fukuoka from the long-established Kyoto Fukuoka store. Both are popular for their Sasamaki-fu! When I brought it home, I was greeted with joy. The smooth and moist texture with elegant sweet bean paste, made with no additives, was a delicious and healthy afternoon treat. *Note: The next month, when I visited the same Morita-ya Quality Food Market in Suina Muromachi, this product was not on display. It seems that Hanbeifu's products can also be found at their main store in the city, Takashimaya or Isetan department stores, events, and in Ginza.

Due to COVID-19 measures, Fufufu An's café was operating with limited seating. The building is very nice, with a traditional Japanese interior that is perfect for those exploring Kyoto. The music was classical, creating an elegant and relaxing atmosphere. I ordered the Fuu Parfait, which came with black syrup and thin tea in separate containers, a nice touch. It took over 20 minutes for the parfait to arrive, possibly because they were busy with lunch service. The café was not too crowded, but it seemed like they were focused on their kaiseki meals. The parfait was delicious, with smooth matcha ice cream, chewy mochi, and a variety of toppings. The thin tea was a bit diluted, I wished for a stronger matcha flavor. Overall, I enjoyed the parfait and would like to visit again. The price was 1100 yen including tax.