Today's lunch was at "Sagami," an udon restaurant located on the outskirts of Kyoto city, along the Kiyotaki road north of Sagano Shakado. The restaurant is surrounded by nature, with a traditional folk-style building that stands out. There is a gravel parking space in front of the restaurant where a few cars can be parked. It is said that even the current Emperor of Japan has visited this place. The interior of the restaurant is also a traditional Japanese house, with tables on the earthen floor, raised seating areas, and even sunken kotatsu-style seating in the back. The menu features classic udon dishes, such as shibazuke yuba tororo, which would appeal to tourists. They also offer bukkake udon, kamatama udon, and tempura rice bowl. A specialty of Kyoto, shin soba, is featured prominently on the menu, but the real specialty here is the tarai udon. There are various variations available. I decided to try the "tarai udon set meal" for 1350 yen because I also wanted to try the tempura. The tea pot is made of rattan, fitting the atmosphere of the restaurant. Inside, you can see items like straw raincoats and grass sandals on display. Watching the kitchen staff prepare the udon and serve the tempura adds to the excitement. When the food arrived, the table was filled with dishes. The rice had pickled vegetables on top, simple yet flavorful. The tempura was freshly fried, with a crispy coating. The tarai udon was served in a wooden bucket, with ice to keep it cold. The udon noodles were flat and the broth coated them nicely. They were not as soft as Kyoto-style udon, nor as firm as Sanuki-style udon, but had a unique texture with a good level of chewiness. Despite being a tourist spot, this restaurant serves high-quality udon dishes.

Udon restaurant located near Daikakuji and Seiryoji in Ukyo-ku, Kyoto. Second visit. Despite being in a tourist area, it is a proper udon restaurant with reasonable prices. The Chicken Tempura Udon costs 880 yen. The freshly fried tempura on top of shiny udon. The broth is served separately for you to pour over. The portion is generous and satisfying. The udon has a firm texture and a smooth surface. I finished it all in one go. The restaurant was almost full, but the quality of the food was worth it.

Near the Seiryo-ji Temple in Saga, there is a hand-made udon restaurant. The freshly fried tempura is crispy, the udon noodles have a good chewy texture, and the delicious Kyoto-style broth is irresistible. The carefully fried shrimp is plump, and even a hot spring egg is included, making it undoubtedly delicious. The atmosphere around Saga is wonderful with great temples, but there are many tourist-oriented shops (excessively promoting "herring soba" or "tofu hot pot set meals"), making it difficult to choose a restaurant, which is one of the few downsides. Unlike Arashiyama, it is quite a distance to go back to the city to eat. In this context, being able to enjoy delicious udon between Gio-ji Temple and Daikaku-ji Temple without wasting time is a very valuable restaurant.

It was delicious!

There are four parking spaces in front of the restaurant, and inside, there is a nostalgic decoration that makes you feel warm. The udon noodles are flat and chewy, with a satisfying texture, but the broth for the cold noodles is a bit light. I think it would taste better if the broth was stronger or if the noodles were drained a bit more.

This shop is known for its hand-pulled "tarai udon" noodles. When you hear "tarai," people from Kansai region might think of something quite large, but here it's more like a small bucket. Essentially, it's kettle-cooked udon noodles. The noodles are slightly thin but have a good texture. Watching the kitchen from the counter, you can see the udon being carefully boiled and rinsed multiple times, indicating that they take their time and care in preparing the dish. The condiments include freshly ground sesame seeds, which add a nice fragrance. The "tarai udon" costs 700 yen, while the "tempura tarai udon" with tempura on top costs 1,450 yen. Watching the tempura being fried in the kitchen makes it look so delicious that you might want to order an extra serving. There are also various other menu items available. The shop has a small parking lot with space for about three cars.

I stopped by on my way from Arashiyama to Daikakuji. The parking lot was small so I went early. The interior of the restaurant felt a bit old, but they had a counter, tables, and tatami seating, making it a good place to stop by quickly. It was my first time trying tarai udon, and it was delicious. The udon noodles were flat, so I thought it was just regular udon. Even though it was winter, I had cold udon. My companion had hot udon. Both were good in their own way. The udon was not like Sanuki udon, but more like thick Inaniwa udon, with a chewy texture. It is dipped in a light sauce, which may feel a bit lacking as it doesn't cling to the noodles much. However, it is delicious. The prices are not too high, so I would like to visit again when sightseeing.

Located on the way from Arashiyama to Okusaga, this restaurant has the appearance of a folk craft tea house, creating a cozy atmosphere of "Okusaga". Their specialty is "tarai udon", which is a type of udon noodles cooked in a pot. The taste is quite delicious, but what really stands out is the serving style - the noodles are served in a large wooden tub, giving it a unique presentation. The restaurant is situated in a quiet area away from the bustling tourist spots of Arashiyama, allowing visitors to experience a more tranquil side of Kyoto. It's like dining in an old countryside house. A great place to enjoy a meal. (There is a photo displayed of when the Prince Akishino visited the restaurant)

This udon restaurant is located on the way from Arashiyama to Kiyotaki, Kennin-ji Temple, or Daikaku-ji Temple. It's recommended for those who visit Daikaku-ji Temple or Kennin-ji Temple for sightseeing and want to have udon for lunch. The restaurant has a parking space for three cars in front of the store. Their specialty is "tarai udon" where the udon noodles are served in a wooden tub and you dip them in broth before eating. You can also add sesame seeds for extra flavor. The restaurant is housed in an old traditional Japanese house, giving it a nostalgic atmosphere. There are various old items displayed inside. The menu is extensive and the food is decent, making it a good choice for families and couples.

Udon that won't make you feel sick. Made with domestically grown wheat from Shikoku and handcrafted at the restaurant. A precious find.