Could it be?! In Kyoto?! Why are these familiar store name letters here?! As I was casually walking down the street straight from the South Gate of Yasaka Shrine, the distinctive "La BOMBANCE" sign caught my eye from the traditional townhouse wall. I was surprised. It turns out that it opened in March 2019 as a restaurant that also functions as the dining area of the "Sowaka" hotel. I had no idea... It's a stylish creative Japanese cuisine restaurant in Nishi-Azabu, and it holds fond memories from my time in Tokyo, so since discovering it in August, I've been waiting for the chance to visit. At night, they offer a 10,000 yen course menu and a variety of a la carte dishes. I enjoy speculating about the dishes while looking at the menu, so I made a reservation for the course. I won't write the menu exactly as listed to keep it a surprise. Here's a brief overview of the dishes: shrimp and potato gratin, assorted appetizers, sashimi, steamed dish, salad, hot dish, meat dish, rice, and dessert. The atmosphere of the restaurant is perfect for couples and the flavors are rich and bold, which may appeal more to younger people or foreigners. It's a great addition to Kyoto, and I hope more La BOMBANCE fans will discover it here.

The restaurant had a unique twist on traditional Japanese cuisine, with a name like "New Japanese Cuisine" setting the right expectations. Located near Yasaka Shrine and Kodai-ji Temple, the upscale hotel SOWAKA has a dining area where you can also enjoy the garden view. The stylish black-toned décor creates a chic atmosphere. The lunch set, priced at 6050 yen including tax and service charge, comes with one soft drink from the menu. The meal included the following dishes: - Appetizers: Duck breast, grape and fig salad, Smoked handlong shrimp, Salmon with scallop okra sauce, Broad bean soup, Salmon sashimi with aromatic vegetables, Salmon and blowfish sashimi with grapefruit, bitter gourd, apple, myoga, and thinly sliced pumpkin - Main dishes: Tempura with conger eel and shrimp, Roast beef with spicy mustard, Simmered abalone and grilled eggplant with seaweed soup, Rice from Uonuma Koshihikari rice fields - Dessert: Mango, white peach, watermelon, dragon fruit, and water shield mochi The appetizers had a slightly rich flavor, and overall the meal was delicious. The pricing was reasonable, making it a place worth revisiting.

I visited Labonvance in Kyoto for the first time. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was designed to reflect the Kyoto vibe. I had a light lunch course, which was just the right amount for me, and it was made with high-quality ingredients that made me feel like I was on cloud nine. Even though it was lunchtime, I couldn't resist having some alcohol! The service was impeccable, with the staff providing Japanese hospitality from start to finish, making my stay pleasant. I will definitely visit again when I come to Kyoto.

Recognized as a new type of Japanese cuisine that does not fit into a specific category, "La BOMBANCE" in Nishi-Azabu has earned Michelin stars for 10 consecutive years in the Tokyo Michelin Guide. Before starting my food blog, I visited the sister restaurant "La BOMBANCE Gion" located in a small luxury hotel called "Sowaka," which was originally built as a traditional tea house in the late Taisho to early Showa era. The restaurant is housed in a beautiful building with black lacquered ceilings and walls, giving it a mysterious atmosphere. The menu was quite intriguing and I enjoyed a leisurely meal with my family. I may have forgotten to take some photos, but overall it was a delightful dining experience. Thank you for the meal. ❤️

I felt that solving mysteries while having dinner was a great way to communicate with various people. The fantastic food was also very good, so I would like to visit again in another month. I also appreciated that non-alcoholic drinks were available.

I was thinking about where to have lunch in Kyoto, and I wanted to treat myself a little. I found this restaurant and it was amazing, truly amazing. From the appetizers to the seasonal dishes, Kyoto pickles, and freshly cooked rice served in a clay pot - everything was perfect! And all the dishes went well with sake, the lineup of Japanese sake was also top-notch! I wish I could choose the timing for the rice to be served, but I understand that it's not ideal to expect people to drink sake during the day. The staff mentioned that they were conscious of serving a lunch that pairs well with sake, and it was evident in the menu. From beer to two types of sake, the "insane deliciousness" (as written on the back label) of Black Swan and Kirikiri Karakuchi Toyoryo. Personally, I enjoy having white rice as a snack with sake, so it was not a problem at all. I would definitely like to visit this restaurant again!

I used the breakfast at the luxury hotel SOWAKA. Originally, I wasn't very interested in La Bombance in Hiroo because it was said to offer innovative Japanese cuisine, so I never had the opportunity to visit. In conclusion, my honest impression is that it prioritizes appearance over taste, and the flavors are not fully satisfying. With a hotel in a certain price range, especially in Kyoto, one naturally expects the basics of Japanese cuisine like white rice and miso soup to be exceptional. However, I didn't feel the deliciousness of the rice, including how it was cooked. There was nothing else worth mentioning, and in a way, the result was as expected.

I have visited the main store in Tokyo Hiroo before, but this time I visited Labonvance in Gion, Kyoto with my mother. The food was wonderful, with dishes that were delicately seasoned yet rich in flavor and umami. The mystery-solving menu was also enjoyable. The atmosphere of the restaurant was lovely. Personally, the foie gras-wrapped burger and the mixed rice were the MVPs, they were so delicious. The friendly and beautiful female owner and I even found out that we lived in the same area, so we had a great time chatting. It was a very enjoyable time for both me and my mother. It's a shame about Kadoya, but I definitely want to visit this restaurant again when I come back to Kyoto. Thank you for the meal. ⛩

I was able to experience the taste of a famous restaurant in Nishi-Azabu in Kyoto! Located at the luxury Hotel Sowaka, Labonban Gion offers a traditional Kyoto atmosphere in a restored old house. The interior has a modern Japanese feel and is very calming. They offer a wide selection of local sake from Kyoto and the surrounding areas. The meals are served with a sense of mystery and are not only delicious but also visually appealing. While dinner is wonderful, the breakfast is even more impressive. The cute presentation and the ochazuke (rice in tea) with bonito flakes and dashi broth are gentle on the stomach and perfect for starting the day. The location is also convenient, just a 3-minute walk from Yasaka Shrine. I highly recommend visiting this restaurant!

I had a lunch course for the first time at my mother's birthday meal. La Bonbance has beautiful and elegant dish choices and presentation. The portion was modest, but it left a satisfying feeling of fullness. My mother, who hasn't been able to go out much, was very pleased and even requested to visit again. Thank you for the delicious food today as well! 😊

I visited Labonvance Gion in June. It was visually beautiful and very enjoyable. I was completely satisfied with the consistently delicious food. I liked being able to adjust the amount of rock salt in the seafood salad. The nine small dishes were all carefully made and I could enjoy a variety of flavors. The spiciness of the mapo tofu skin was just right. I look forward to visiting again next time.

The way light is brought in, the swaying of the trees... creating a perfect space!!! Even the glassware and cutlery are polished to perfection, making you hesitate to use them. I really want to meet the person who designed this place ^_^ I was drawn to visit by a review from a reviewer I admire who mentioned the first small dish, but the portion seemed small and I wondered if I could eat rice with this amount... but it turned out to be a course meal and the small dish was just an appetizer (lol). The contents of the small dishes included tuna tataki with okra, simmered beef tendons, simmered eggplant and sakura shrimp, salmon with mango sauce, dried tofu and bamboo shoot stir-fry, I can't remember all of them (lol). I'm a picky eater, so I thought there would be at least 3 items out of the 9 that wouldn't suit my taste, but surprisingly, I enjoyed all of them. Next came the seafood salad, steamed conger eel soup, seared beef, and corn rice. Actually, I'm not a big fan of conger eel depending on the cooking method, but this was delicious. The chicken soup and seafood soup complemented each other well, adding a subtle richness to the delicate conger eel. The beef was thinly sliced and layered like a mille-feuille. You can either eat it all at once or one slice at a time. The meat is incredibly tender. This dish is served with a fuel underneath the plate to keep it warm until you finish. I was so eager to see what was under the plate that the staff lifted it up to show me. Amazing!!! The corn rice was served as it is and also as ochazuke. The corn was so sweet that when I saw the rice crackers for ochazuke, I had to ask for seconds!!! I've loved rice crackers since I was a child (weird?), I couldn't resist them〜 For dessert, there was shiratama, kudzu with red beans, and a tiny roll cake mango blancmange. All this for around 7000 yen, I'm very satisfied!!! Much better than expensive French cuisine. Next time, I want to stay at their affiliated hotel♡ Thank you for the wonderful meal ===========

I visited La Bombance Gion for the second time. The dishes were all beautifully presented and tasted very good. I highly recommend the menu for May! They have a sommelier who pairs the alcohol with the dishes, making the experience even more enjoyable. The menu keeps you guessing and the staff engages in conversation while you try to figure out what it is. I look forward to visiting again soon!

This is my third time having dinner here. Even if you are not staying at the attached inn, you can make a reservation for dinner only. Each time, the dishes are carefully prepared and both the presentation and taste are perfect. I think the dinner here is of very high quality. I have not been to any restaurants in Tokyo yet, but I am curious to try them out.

SOWAKA Kyoto has a restaurant attached to it. The space is modern and calming, with a mix of Japanese and Western elements. The menu is like a mystery to solve, which adds to the fun. They use high-quality ingredients like abalone, Ise lobster, salmon roe, caviar, and truffles, creating dishes that show great taste. It was a delight to enjoy a variety of delicious items little by little. The tableware was also lovely, adding to the joy of dining out in a special way that I hadn't experienced in a while.

I had a meal with my senior at a stylish restaurant that caught my eye when I passed by before. The entrance had a sophisticated black theme, and the service staff welcomed us warmly. As we sat down, the menu was presented, starting an enjoyable dining experience. The menu included a fun mystery-solving course, with the appetizer featuring 9 different dishes arranged like a Kyoto checkerboard. The roast beef was also a delightful surprise. The next dish was a scallion and tuna "ne-gi amezuyu nabe" that was carefully selected and delicious. The final mystery was quickly solved, bringing a sense of satisfaction. Although the number of dishes was a bit limited, the presentation was excellent and the service was great. If you're looking for a fun dining experience, this restaurant is a great choice.

I randomly entered a restaurant and had the Chicken Nanban for lunch. The lunch menu had three options for "one soup and three side dishes" (Salmon Fry, Chicken Nanban, Shrimp Chili) and also Hitsumabushi. The "one soup and three side dishes" options were in the 2000 yen range, while Hitsumabushi was in the 5000 yen range. It was a slightly upscale lunch. Looking around, it seemed like most people were having a course meal, so maybe there are other menu options if you make a reservation. The interior and service were both well done, and upon further research, it seems like this is a restaurant with its main branch in Hiroo. The set meal that arrived had a special taste. In particular, the small side dishes (boiled komatsuna greens), miso soup, and squid with vinegar miso dressing reminded me of the flavors of a Kyoto ryotei (traditional Japanese restaurant). The broth was refined, and the set meal, which you can eat for around 2000 yen, was so carefully prepared that it didn't seem like a typical set meal taste. The Chicken Nanban was also well-made, with a crispy skin, and each piece of chicken had the same shape. I wonder if they carve them out. The Nanban flavor was very elegant and delicious. The potatoes underneath the Chicken Nanban were best eaten while they were still crispy. They were really delicious. The rice was also surprising, served freshly cooked in an earthen pot. It must have taken some time, I realized. Thank you for the meal.

I visited a renowned restaurant in Nishi-Azabu which has opened an innovative Japanese cuisine restaurant in Kyoto's Gion area. The menu is like a puzzle, making you think about what dish will come next while enjoying your dinner. The dishes I had this time were: 1. 1000 years old -> Appetizer 2. Bamboo waiting for eight -> Matsutake mushroom and conger eel, puree, kabosu soup 3. Three fish sheep delicious fish roll -> Seafood roll sushi, conger eel, salmon, shrimp roll sushi, marinated tuna and couscous, Thai kelp, sea urchin, grated yam, lemon vinegar 4. Grilled sahehosoba -> Roasted tea soba, shredded omelette, chrysanthemum greens, bacon 5. Red 62 saute -> Sauteed red tilefish, eggplant, fig 6. 4 sitting on the floor, 10 times -> Foie gras tofu, beef loin, truffle sauce 7. <゜)))彡 divination vinegar-soaked -> Vinegar-soaked sweetfish, green beans, pumpkin, onion 8. MOU TE-L 5:30 -> Beef tail rice 9. Enjoy ♪ -> Fruit punch, monaka, fresh yatsuhashi, karinto custard cream, cream anmitsu Solving the puzzle while waiting for dinner was a new experience for me, and I was excited to see what would come next. The dinner left a lasting impression on me, especially the foie gras tofu. The aroma of truffles, the sight of delicious meat and foie gras tofu, and the taste that further stimulated my appetite. Of course, the taste was outstanding, and I couldn't help but let out a sigh of satisfaction.

When I stayed at the excellent location townhouse-style hotel SOWAKA in Kyoto Yasaka, the breakfast restaurant was a familiar place called "La Bombance". The main store is located in Nishi-Azabu, Tokyo, and I had visited it for dinner a few years ago. The impression was that of a stylish French restaurant, serving unique and unconventional Japanese cuisine. The menu was filled with wordplay and riddles, making it a fun dining experience. Although I don't remember the details, I recall that the "4 Kozatea164" on the menu was a foie gras chawanmushi. The hotel's dining experience was at the adjacent "La Bombance Gion" and it was connected to the hotel. This time, I only had breakfast, but the menu was well thought out and each dish was delicious without any shortcuts. Unlike typical hotel breakfast menus, the dishes here were creative and visually appealing. The individual pots of hot freshly cooked rice for each guest were a nice touch. I was convinced that this restaurant within the luxury hotel was of high quality and did not disappoint.

Yesterday, I had Japanese food so this time I went for Western food. The main dish was sunny-side-up eggs and salad. I toasted the bread myself on the grill. The granola, jam, and fruits were all delicious, but I wished there was a main dish with more impact. In Japanese food, the silver cod was super delicious, but there was no dish that could match it, so personally, I preferred the Japanese food.

I stayed at the adjacent inn called "Sowaka" and had breakfast there. You can choose between Japanese and Western breakfast, and I chose the Japanese option. The rice was cooked in a clay pot and was perfect. The side dishes were all carefully prepared, such as silver cod and rolled omelette, truly a satisfying traditional inn breakfast. They are originally a famous restaurant in Tokyo, and the breakfast was truly exceptional. Tomorrow, I will try the Western breakfast.