I am also interested in traditional sushi restaurants in Kyoto that are loved by the local community, in addition to high-end sushi counters. One such place is Sushi Zen, known for its signature "chirashi sushi" covered with a layer of colorful egg. The restaurant has a traditional Kyoto townhouse charm, with a dignified appearance and a welcoming atmosphere. The white wooden counter and the kind master and his wife in white coats create a gentle impression. The phone keeps ringing constantly with takeout and catering orders, showing how beloved the restaurant is by the locals. Sitting in a raised seating area, I enjoyed the serene atmosphere of the restaurant, with modern lighting above the counter and neatly arranged sushi barrels on the shelves. The meticulous nature of the master is evident in the orderly display. Decorative zodiac tiles are displayed on the alcove, adding to the visual appeal. The chirashi sushi, priced at 1500 yen, is carefully crafted and visually stunning with its vibrant egg topping. The cool, fluffy egg is filled with ruby-colored tuna, sea bream, octopus, and eel, all marinated in a sweet sauce that blends perfectly with the sushi rice. The hot tea served was delicious and complemented the meal well. The eel pressed sushi, priced at 1600 yen, also had a beautiful presentation, with glossy eel on top. The eel melted in the mouth with each bite, thanks to the harmonious blend of sauce and rice. Overall, the chirashi sushi was the best I've ever had, and the meal was truly a delight.

This is a sushi restaurant located in Sanjo Shijo in Kyoto. The nearest station is Karasuma Oike subway station. The restaurant faces Sanjo Street, so it is easy to find. They are only open on weekdays, which makes it difficult for me to visit. I was able to take a day off and went there for lunch. I arrived just before 12:00 pm and was seated without waiting, but the restaurant quickly filled up with customers. The interior is a typical machiya style, with a counter on the left side upon entering, a raised tatami seating area on the right, and more tatami seating at the back. I had already decided on the chirashi bowl from their menu. The chirashi bowl (1700 yen) was beautifully presented with a layer of sliced omelette covering the rice, topped with various sushi toppings like sea bream, yellowtail, octopus, and marinated tuna. Everything was delicious. Although I'm curious about their nigiri sushi, I might just order the chirashi bowl again next time. It's convenient that they offer continuous service even though they are only open on weekdays.

"Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tokyo_messi! Located about a 5-minute walk west from Karasuma Oike Station is Sushi Zen. Unlike traditional chirashi sushi that is adorned with various toppings on a bed of rice like jewels, this place takes a more modest approach, using only tamagoyaki (rolled omelette) to cover the rice. The tamagoyaki is simply seasoned with salt, giving it a rich flavor that makes you want to keep eating more. As you dig into the tamagoyaki, you'll find hidden treasures like tuna, eel, and sea bream. The combination of these flavorful fish with the vinegar rice and egg is truly delightful. Who knew that such happiness was hidden in Kyoto? This is a must-visit chirashi sushi restaurant in Kyoto that will make you want to come back every time you visit the city."

I used the lunch menu. Around 3pm, only one customer in front of me at the counter. I ordered a chirashi bowl. Prices are going up, which is a shock, but maybe all places are the same... Shortly after ordering. Still delicious as always. I will come back again. I hope they are open on weekends too.

The specialty here is chirashi sushi, which I always eat. But this day, I felt like having tekka maki (*´꒳`*). I hesitated a bit, but ultimately decided on the assorted sushi set for 2600 yen. It came with miso soup for 300 yen, six pieces of nigiri, one tekka maki roll, and one piece of anago nigiri. The anago was so tender and melted in my mouth, very delicious. The tuna and squid were also thick and tasty. The tekka maki had the perfect ratio of rice to tuna, just the way I like it. It was so delicious, I felt satisfied after eating it. It was a bit past lunchtime, but there were still customers enjoying beer and appetizers leisurely, which made me a bit envious. Eating sushi rolls really fills you up, doesn't it? Full and satisfied, thanks for the meal!

I took a bus towards Ninna-ji Temple, but got off midway because I was hungry. I decided to visit Sushi Yoshi, a restaurant I had bookmarked since my last trip to Kyoto. We arrived a little after 11 am and found the place already bustling with customers, mostly foreigners from Europe, America, and Korea. We ordered the Chirashi for 1,700 yen and were served hot tea in large teacups, giving off a traditional sushi restaurant vibe. The Chirashi looked beautiful, with colorful toppings like tamagoyaki, nori, and various types of pickles. It tasted different from the usual Chirashi I have had, with toppings like anago, yellowtail, octopus, and sea bream. As we enjoyed our meal, the chef started making pressed sushi with anago, reminding us that we were indeed in Kansai. It was a delicious and satisfying lunch on our first day in Kyoto. Thank you for the meal!

April 4, 2023 (Tuesday) The long-awaited day has finally arrivedヽ(*^^*)ノ Taking advantage of his refreshing vacation, I also took a break and headed to Kyoto∠(* 'ᵕ' )／♡ We departed early in the morning, and arrived in Kyoto before 10 a.m. (*´ `*)✿ We followed him closely to avoid getting lost, took a bus to Jingo-ji Temple, and got off along the way... Feeling hungry and not in a rush, we arrived at "Sushi Zen" in Kyoto for our first meal♬.*ﾟ We lifted the curtain and opened the sliding door... There were a counter and a raised tatami seating area. The sushi wasn't revolving! A foreign family was enjoying sushi. We sat at the counter, and hot tea was served. It was too hot for my sensitive tongue, so I blew on it before sipping (laughs). My partner smartly ordered the "Chirashi Sushi." The presentation was stunning, with an abundance of scrambled eggs and pickled ginger creating a contrast of yellow and pink colors, reminiscent of the current season. Moving aside the scrambled eggs with chopsticks, we could see the beautiful ingredients inside, a secret only known to those who have tasted it. The carefully marinated fish - sea bream, eel, tuna... a generous serving. The rice was deliciously and neatly arranged. You could sense the skill and care of the chef. It was not just visually appealing but also incredibly delicious. The chirashi sushi was a treat. Thank you for the meal (*ᴗˬᴗ)

I went to the restaurant a little after 10 o'clock in the morning. However, there were already two groups inside, and many takeout orders. Two more groups arrived later. The takeout orders have calmed down a bit. The sushi was good, but the vinegar rice might not have been the best. It was disappointing that they didn't have flounder. But I guess that's just due to their supply.

"Chirashi" is perfect for a late breakfast as it opens at 10 am. The specialty chirashi sushi is topped with plenty of egg and seafood underneath. It's interesting whether to call it chirashi sushi or seafood bowl. The egg isn't too sweet, but the seafood hidden underneath with soy sauce is delicious. There's no wasabi accent, which might be something to consider. And there's a slight sourness lingering after finishing. Sushi in Kyoto is satisfying for breakfast or lunch.

Order: Chirashi (1700 yen) - A chirashi bowl with plenty of ingredients. The sweet sauce was delicious and addictive. The portion size was satisfying for the price. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also nice, and I would like to visit again.

We visited the restaurant around 11 am with three people. We were guided to a raised area at the end of the restaurant. The place was still empty, with only one customer at the counter. However, it seemed like there were phone orders coming in, so the atmosphere was a bit hectic. Soon after, a solo male customer and a group of customers arrived, and the restaurant became full. The hot tea we ordered arrived as expected, and we also ordered three chirashi bowls. The male customer received his food quickly, which made us wonder if the restaurant doesn't follow the order of arrival. When the male customer finished his meal and left, it had been 30 minutes since we arrived. Seeing customers who came after us getting their food first, we asked if our order was being processed, and we were told to wait a bit longer. Shortly after, our chirashi bowls arrived. They were as delicious as rumored, and it was a great relief. It was not so much a relief but a reminder of the nobility that dictates the principle of "first come, first served." Experiencing the greatness of Kyoto culture, we were able to start our sightseeing journey happily.

This is Sushi Yoshi in Sanjo Shinmachi. When I asked the head chef if the impact of the coronavirus has decreased and if tourists have returned, he said, "We have always been focused on tourists." That day, there was a European couple as the first customers, and they ordered Chirashi and Nigiri, which were perfect. Tourists are amazing! I also had Nigiri, and it was a shame that there was no flounder that day.

I visited "Sushi Zen" for the first time in a while because I saw that they had won the Michelin Bib Gourmand award. I ordered their chirashi sushi, which is a dish with various types of seafood on top of sushi rice, topped with a large amount of shredded egg. I first tried the seafood and sushi rice together, then tried it with the shredded egg. It was delicious both ways. I quickly finished the dish because it was so tasty and the sushi rice was easy to eat. I felt satisfied with just the right amount of food, although it would have been even better if it came with some soup.

I visited the restaurant around 11 am on a weekday, and it seemed like there were no other customers at that time. However, the sushi chef behind the counter looked very busy due to the high number of takeout and delivery orders. There were both counter seats and tatami seating available, and you could choose where to sit. I opted for the tatami seating as the counter seats didn't have backrests or places to put personal belongings. The hot green tea served was initially too hot to handle, but it was delicious and warmed me up. The popular menu item "Chirashi" was served promptly without much wait. Most customers in the restaurant and those ordering takeout or delivery seemed to go for the Chirashi or Anago Chirashi. The Chirashi for 1700 yen was filled with plenty of beautiful kinshi tamago and a variety of fresh sushi toppings like octopus, tuna, sea bream, yellowtail, and more. Each topping was fresh and flavorful, making the Chirashi very satisfying. It's likely that this restaurant only accepts cash payments.

I visited a sushi restaurant in the area near Karasuma Oike, which is newly featured in the Michelin Guide. Sushi Zensan seems to be popular for their chirashi sushi, with a counter seat where they make sushi right in front of you. I chose to sit at the counter this time. They served me hot tea. The menu included various types of nigiri sushi, chirashi sushi, rolled sushi, and boxed sushi. I decided to try the popular chirashi sushi this time. Chirashi Sushi: Served in a round sushi tub, covered with a layer of kinshi tamago (shredded egg omelette). Pickled ginger was placed on the side. The fluffy kinshi tamago had a great volume. Under the kinshi tamago, there were layers of octopus, squid, tuna, and conger eel, with rice spread at the bottom. The freshness of the seafood was good, and they were seasoned well with soy sauce. The kinshi tamago was not too sweet, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine. The octopus was large and had a nice texture. It was a delight to find conger eel in it! The sushi was filled with plenty of ingredients, providing a satisfying meal. With rice packed tightly underneath, I felt full after finishing just this dish. It was fun to dig into the sushi tub filled with kinshi tamago and discover the toppings. I found the innovative chirashi sushi enjoyable!

I entered the restaurant at 10:43 AM on a regular day and left without a guest at 10:57 AM. There was only one customer inside. The chirashi bowl cost 1600 yen and it was delicious! Under a large amount of shredded egg, there were various marinated seafood such as tuna, squid, octopus, sea bream, and yellowtail, all fresh and tasty. Eating while mixing with the shredded egg was a great idea. Looking at an old menu, it used to be around 1100 yen? That was impressive. I hope to enjoy such a meal again someday. Thank you for the delicious meal.

In September, we start with this series, the 2022 Seafood Bowl 20 Match Part 2. We will be visiting a total of 20 restaurants, including new ones, based on our usual spots. For Part 2, we visited "Sushido Sushi Zen" in Kyoto, Karasuma-Oike. We ordered the Chirashi for 1600 yen. At first glance, it only seems to have tamagoyaki (sweet omelette) on top of the sushi rice. But hidden within this layer of tamagoyaki is...

It's great that they are open from 10 am. This place is famous for their conger eel chirashi, but I recommend trying the conger eel nigiri as well! The tuna and yellowtail are also delicious. I usually eat a lot, but this time I had to go easy due to my health condition.

A traditional sushi restaurant known for its visually appealing chirashi sushi with a single thread of silk egg on top. Despite its convenient location, it has a comforting atmosphere like home. Around 11 o'clock on a weekday, there were two groups of customers already there. The counter was lined with items prepared for takeout orders, indicating that many customers prefer to call in their orders. [Food Ordered] Chirashi - ¥1600. I thought it was a bit pricey, but it turned out to be quite a generous portion. And it was delicious (*´ω｀*). Some of the fish had a slightly tough texture, but the silk egg wrapped around everything nicely. It actually added to the good texture. I enjoyed eating while watching the Koshien baseball tournament on the TV above the counter. I would definitely like to visit again. Thank you for the meal!

I visited for lunch. It was past 11 am and there were no other customers. I was brought here by an acquaintance who said that the chirashi sushi here is famous, so I ordered the "chirashi sushi" as recommended. After waiting a few minutes, what was served was completely different from what I had imagined. The entire bowl was covered with shredded egg, which was surprising. I started eating and found that the layer of shredded egg was surprisingly deep! Even if I tried to see the hidden ingredients at the back, the egg was in the way and I couldn't see. I didn't even know how to eat this properly! Without knowing what was underneath the egg, I plunged my chopsticks in and pulled out a bite to eat. The rice, nori, slightly sweet soy-flavored white fish, and egg filled my mouth. It was quite a unique eating experience. As I continued eating, I tried to push the egg aside, but I still couldn't see what was inside, so I continued eating without knowing for sure. I could identify tuna, octopus, squid, shrimp, eel, sea bream, and yellowtail, I think? Watching the chef at the counter, I saw that after putting the sushi rice, they sprinkled nori, laid a generous amount of small pieces of sashimi, brushed with sweetened soy sauce, and finally topped it with plenty of shredded egg. It was not only impressive but also delicious. Thank you for the meal!

For dinner in Kyoto, I had a delicious chirashi sushi at the famous sushi restaurant Sushizen on Sanjo Street. I arrived around 5:30 pm and the restaurant was empty, so we had the place to ourselves. We sat in a cozy raised seating area and ordered the signature chirashi sushi and anago pressed sushi to share. While waiting, we were served hot tea which was rich and tasty. The chirashi sushi and anago sushi arrived together and were both delicious. The chirashi sushi had a layer of sweet tamagoyaki on top with a variety of fresh seafood and vinegared rice underneath. The marinade on the seafood paired perfectly with the cold vinegared rice. The balance of tamagoyaki, seafood, rice, and pickled ginger was perfect, making it the best chirashi sushi I've ever had. The anago sushi was also excellent with tender eel soaked in a sweet and savory sauce on top of firm sushi rice. Overall, it was a delightful sushi experience in Kyoto, and I look forward to trying more sushi restaurants in the future.