This was my first time at this restaurant. The interior, remodeled like an old folk house, has a comforting atmosphere. I ordered the mixed fry and side dish set. The mixed fry includes a choice of three items (pork cutlet, crab cream croquette, fish fry), and the side dish set includes four small dishes (carrot salad?, tofu, simmered eggplant, stuffed omelette), miso soup, and white rice. It was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

A few months ago, I started following this restaurant on social media, and this was my first visit. The name of the restaurant, "Aya Kiden," is one of the seventeen buildings within the Heian Imperial Palace in Kyoto. It is said that banquets and geisha dances used to take place here, and sometimes even the Emperor or members of the Imperial Family would visit. The cafe is located in a renovated 100-year-old townhouse, known for its daily specials made with high-quality oil and their famous French toast. **Overview of the restaurant:** The cafe is a 4-minute walk from Senbon Demizu bus stop in Kyoto City, or a 9-minute walk from Horikawa Shimotachiuri bus stop. It is situated along Jofukuji Street, between Shin Demizu Street and Shimotachiuri Street. On a sunny Sunday afternoon around 1 PM, I finally arrived at the front of the restaurant. The traditional tiled roof, relatively new row house, and handwritten menu board displayed outside give it the appearance of a typical townhouse cafe. However, the pillar in the center engraved with "Aya Kiden, Heian Imperial Palace" signifies that this place is not your average cafe. There were not many people waiting, so I entered the restaurant right away. Despite being a holiday, there were only a few customers - two middle-aged guests and one elderly guest. **Menu:** The menu offers dishes like pork cutlets, fried food, and desserts such as deep-fried French toast. They also serve alcohol like beer and cocktails, as well as coffee and tea. **Review of the "Yamagata Pork Cutlet Set Meal":** The set meal includes a 100g pork cutlet, coleslaw salad, a bento box with 4 side dishes, miso soup, and rice for 1600 yen. On the right side of the tray is miso(?) and sauce for the fried food. The pork cutlet had a crispy coating and the meat inside was packed with fibers, giving it a satisfying texture. It was well-seasoned with a good amount of fat, making it a great match with the rice. The side dishes included carrot rapeseed, simmered eggplant, silk tofu, and dried fish in the omelet. Each dish had a well-balanced salty flavor, not too strong but just right. The miso soup and rice were warm and had a comforting, homely taste. This place not only offers delicious fried food and side dishes but also allows you to fully experience the peaceful atmosphere of a townhouse cafe. Moreover, since this area holds significant historical value in Kyoto, it would be a good idea to explore the nearby historical sites as well.

I found a cafe run by Yamanaka Yuten on my walk around Kyoto last week. It caught my eye so much that I came back for another walk this week. For lunch, I chose a platter of four fried items. It included fish fry (today's was a Budai from Kochi), pork cutlet, shrimp fry, and a separate dish of crab cream croquette. The tofu was topped with salt and sweet oil, enhancing the sweetness of the beans. Today's frying oil was Yamanaka Deluxe Corn Oil. The fried items were crispy and delicious thanks to the fresh oil. The pork cutlet and fish fry were bite-sized and easy to eat, and the sauce seemed homemade with a fruity sweetness that complemented the fried food. The mini chocolate dessert at the end was satisfying with plenty of cream.

Not good, not bad. Just average. On the pricier side. Shrimp fry 3.1, crab cream croquette 2.9, pork cutlet 3.0, miso soup 2.5 (lacks any creativity or craftsmanship, didn't feel the chef's touch. I make better miso soup myself). Couldn't feel any aura or energy in the kitchen. Turns out it's not a small independent restaurant, but a side business of an oil shop. Makes sense now. Decent, safe service. Overheard that they don't have an English menu. Surprising! Even though there are pictures on the menu, it's rare in Kyoto. Bold move. The ambiance as a traditional Japanese house was charming. The bath next to the restroom, designed like a Goemon bath, was a nice touch. As a male Western food fan, this is my impression. For women, they might appreciate the crispy oiliness and find it delicious. The white rice is so good that I want to rate it 3.6, but it's not really a Western food flavor or style, and the portion is small, so I only rate it around 3.1. The side dish set for 300 yen is not bad, just okay. Disappointing. The cold, hardened sweet potato felt heavy on the tongue and throat, leaving a strong impression.

The other day, I saw Aya Kiyo's restaurant on TV and felt like eating their set meal, so I decided to visit. I chose the Mix Fry set meal where you can choose 3 types of fried dishes. I also added a side dish assortment. I chose shrimp fry, crab cream croquette, and chicken karaage from the various fried options. Since it's a café run by an oil specialist, all the fried dishes were crispy and delicious. The side dish assortment allowed me to try a variety of dishes, which made me happy. It was just the right amount for a woman, but it seemed a bit small for my husband. Next time, I'll visit with my friends.

Ordered the Mix Fry Set Meal for 1600 yen (includes pork cutlet, fried chicken, and crab cream croquette). A bit pricey but delicious fried food set. The restaurant is hidden in a residential area, making it hard to find, but the interior is quite spacious with a courtyard. The atmosphere and service at the restaurant are excellent.

Located on Jofukuji Street, just north of Shitadouri Street in Nishijin, this cafe is a renovated 100-year-old former rice shop that has been refurbished without the use of chemical substances. The building exudes a sense of history and tradition, with many historical monuments nearby, including a stone monument marking the site of the Aya-Kiden Hall where dances and banquets were held during the Heian period. The cafe serves a variety of dishes using oil from the longstanding Yamana Oil Store, as well as drinks and sweets from Sasaki Sake Brewery. The seating area is divided into two spaces, with a charming garden at the back. The menu includes a choice of fried dishes, such as minced beef and Kyoto pork cutlets, crab cream croquettes, and possibly Yoro mountain pork fillet cutlets. The dishes are served with a selection of sauces, including miso, sesame, and orange olive. The meal also includes four appetizers, salad, rice, and miso soup. The portions are slightly smaller than average, but the quality and taste are exceptional. Overall, it's a unique dining experience in a historic setting.

This is a cafe restaurant run by the long-established oil merchant Yamanao Oil Store in Kyoto, specializing in fried foods. The most popular item is the daily special limited to 5 servings, which sells out as soon as it opens at 11 am. On this day, when I arrived at exactly 12 pm, it was already sold out. So, I ordered the Fry Set with 3 types of fried dishes to choose from. I chose Roast Tonkatsu, Minced Cutlet, and Crab Cream Croquette. In addition, I ordered the assorted side dishes. The day's assortment included pumpkin salad, stir-fried carrots, pickled red and white turnips, and salted cold tofu. My impression was that the fried food was really delicious. The assorted side dishes were also good and gave a sense of Kyoto. If I had to mention one thing, it would be that the fried food wasn't piping hot and there was a lingering sense of being pre-fried while waiting.

Yamanaka Oil Store in Nishijin, Aya-ki-den Heian Palace Site, Aya-ki-den Marker Stone. This cozy café and restaurant is located in a renovated hundred-year-old rice shop using their own natural oil. The atmosphere is very calming and the food tastes delicious, thanks to the fresh oil they use. Highly recommend the tonkatsu!

Yanaka Abura-ya is a specialty fried food shop located in a traditional Japanese townhouse. I visited on a Sunday afternoon and found it convenient as they have a parking lot. The atmosphere inside the shop is lovely! I ordered the Mix Fry Set for 1800 yen, where you can choose 3 types of fried dishes. I chose the minced cutlet, shrimp fry, and swordfish fry. The set also came with fried tofu, spicy simmered eggplant, a small portion of potato salad, and miso soup. The minced cutlet was served with a sesame and miso sauce with yuzu flavor, which was delicious! The shrimp fry was juicy and had a great texture, especially when paired with tartar sauce. The swordfish fry was also tasty with a light and crispy coating. All the dishes were well-coated and fried in a light oil that was not heavy on the stomach. Although the price may seem a bit high, the refined and delicious fried set meal was worth it. Thank you for the meal!

Navigating through narrow alleyways where cars struggle to pass, I made my way to the Aya Kiden Cafe at Yamanaka Oil Store, which is located on a large piece of land in the area. The cafe has its own parking lot, as well as a guest house, providing ample parking space. The building itself is beautifully designed, retaining the traditional Japanese house style both on the exterior and interior. Inside, you can find a display of various oils used in the dishes, as well as several oils from Yamanaka Oil Store. I visited the cafe with my family, including children, totaling six people. We were told that we could use all the available space without any hesitation, allowing us to enjoy our meal comfortably. There are also table seats in the back with a view of the garden, creating a lovely atmosphere. For my meal, I chose the Swordfish Fry set meal for ¥1500. I was attracted to the tomato sauce and tartar sauce that were generously made with olive oil, although I found the tomato sauce to be a bit lighter than expected. The fry was perfectly crispy on the outside and the fish inside was warm and delicious with a juicy flavor. I also tried a piece of the pork cutlet, which was tender and tasty. The side dishes (eggplant and squid ratatouille, sesame-flavored tofu with sesame oil and salt, carrot with olive oil, pickles), Hachidai Gyobee's white rice, and homemade dressing all added to the overall experience, showcasing the attention to detail and enhancing the satisfaction of the meal. While the portion size may not be as large as some may expect, the quality of the food and the thought put into each dish make it worth the slightly higher price for lunch. Overall, it was a satisfying experience for the women in our group. Thank you for the delicious meal!

Memo. Visit date unknown. A hidden gem cafe run by the long-established "Yamanaka Oil Shop". The atmosphere is outstanding! For the origin of the shop's name and history, please refer to other reviews. For lunch, you can enjoy a lunch set with fried food using their proud oil. Today's oil is "rapeseed oil". There are many menu options and although the tonkatsu is tempting, I ordered the shrimp fry & fried chicken set. The fried food is voluminous but crispy and light! The high-quality oil doesn't make you feel greasy even if you eat a lot. It has a good aroma. And if you have it with beer... it's a blissful momentヽ(*＾ω＾*)ﾉ The glossy rice, miso soup, and side dishes are all top-notch! Enjoying the oil from a famous shop in a historic building. This is definitely delicious⭐︎

It's hard to find shrimp tempura that is as crispy as this. The oil isn't greasy at all, and the shrimp is firm, giving it a satisfying bite! The small dishes also fill you up. If I had to mention one thing, I'd like them to provide salt and soy sauce on the table for those who like stronger flavors like me! But other than that, no complaints. I couldn't decide what else to eat because everything looked so good. I usually feel guilty after eating fried food, but the oil here is light, doesn't cause indigestion, and doesn't leave a greasy smell. I decided that if I ever crave fried food, I'll come here!

This is a shop that earnestly and purely serves fried food, and it is delicious! However, I feel like it could use a bit more flair. This is Kyoto, after all, and people's expectations are high here. There used to be a famous restaurant called Murase in Teramachi-Kyogoku that served amazing beef cutlets, but it has since closed. I hope this shop can reach greater heights. The expectations are high.

On the second day in Kyoto, I looked forward to having lunch at Ryokiden. This charming restaurant is located in the northeast of the Shishinden, the former residence of the Emperor during the Heian period where dances and banquets were held. The building has been renovated from a historic machiya and uses oil from the nearly 200-year-old Yamaguchi Oil Store. I ordered the recommended limited 5 servings Healthy Lunch set (1350 yen), which includes: - Main dishes: hijiki seaweed croquette and corn soy milk creamy croquette fried in "natanene akamizu" oil. - Cabbage salad dressed with "tamadome shibori sesame oil." - Ratatouille cooked in "orange olive oil." - Kinpira stir-fry flavored with curry in "rakka shu oil." - Soy milk soup - Dried radish mixed rice - Dessert with "yuzu olive oil." The croquettes were crispy and light, showcasing the high-quality oil used. The cabbage salad was refreshing, and the kinpira stir-fry was delicious. It was a great experience to taste various oils in one meal. I enjoyed the lunch in this nostalgic setting. On the way back, I stopped by the Yamaguchi Oil Store, a charming shop with a rich history.

I had a tonkatsu set meal at a oil shop located just north of Nijo Castle. The shop is said to be a traditional townhouse that is over 100 years old. The tonkatsu, made by the oil shop, was so crispy and not greasy that I could eat as much as I wanted without feeling heavy. It was delicious.

Yamanaka Oil Store has been running a oil shop since the Edo period and owns several machiya (traditional townhouses) in Nishijin, one of which houses a café called "Ryokiden" serving mainly tonkatsu dishes. The name "Ryokiden" is derived from a building of the same name in the Heian period where dances were performed. The café is quite popular, often filled with high school students on school trips and foreign guests. The interior is adorned with autographs of celebrities, indicating its fame. Personally, I wouldn't typically choose such a trendy place, but I was invited by a relative with connections to the shop. I ordered the recommended tonkatsu set meal (1250 yen). The tonkatsu was of decent size and had good meat quality with a sweet fat. The frying oil, being from an oil shop, was excellent - crispy and not greasy at all. The tonkatsu was served with a hearty miso soup, shiny rice, and various side dishes, all of high quality. Although slightly pricey, the atmospheric old machiya setting made it worth it. Overall, I had a delicious lunch. Thank you for the meal!

I visited a tonkatsu restaurant run by Ms. Aya Ayaki because I was interested in their tonkatsu. The location is a bit hard to find, but they have a well-equipped parking lot, which is convenient compared to other restaurants in the area. They also have a smoking area and a waiting room. Since I visited during an off-peak time, I was the only one in the restaurant, which felt a bit dim and lonely. I tried the tonkatsu set meal (1250 yen) with a choice of 3 sauces, and I chose ponzu sauce. The meat quality and oil were good, but the frying technique was lacking a bit. Personally, I prefer tonkatsu with a slightly coarse breading that doesn't come off when you bite into it, with a hint of pink inside. There were other side menu items that caught my eye, like paninis and sandwiches, so I'd like to try them on my next visit. However, I don't think it's suitable for using as a cafe because the smell of oil and the aroma of coffee don't really match well.

The other day, I finally went to a restaurant I had been wanting to visit for a while, Ryokiden. It is located on the site of the former Ryokiden within the Heian Shrine (Imperial Palace). Inside, there was a traditional hearth and a beautiful garden. This restaurant is run by Yamanaka Abura-ten, a long-standing oil shop from the Edo period. As a result, they offer a variety of fried dishes. I ordered the Ebi Fry & Chicken Nanban set meal, which was around 1,400 yen. The Ebi Fry was served with fried onions on the side. They fry their dishes in olive oil, and they were using extra virgin olive oil for a limited time, which I think added a crispy and flavorful touch to the dishes. The Chicken Nanban was also delicious. Instead of dressing, they recommended drizzling olive oil on the salad. They had two flavors available, lemon and orange, which were surprisingly flavorful due to being mixed with crushed olives. It was a tasty experience at this fried food restaurant.

Mixed fry set meal with three kinds of side dishes and a generous portion of assorted delicacies. (^O^)v