Visited for lunch on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, a little after 12 o'clock. It was quite crowded, with customers coming in one after another. Today's order was ramen. It seems to be run by an elderly couple. The ramen had a strong pepper flavor and was light with a chicken broth, reminiscent of the old Chinese restaurants. The taste was simple and reflected the personality of the staff. Above all, I felt that there was something more important than the taste at this restaurant.

The state of emergency has been lifted, but unnecessary outings are still being discouraged. In my workplace, office staff are required to telework every other day, while technical staff telework an average of four days a week to reduce the number of people commuting. Yesterday, I went to the office, but the cafeteria was only offering a limited menu. With most students attending remote classes this month, there were fewer people around, so it was understandable. Although we are encouraged to take out our meals and eat at our desks, dining out is allowed as long as we avoid crowded places. Yesterday, I went out for lunch for the first time in a while at a Chinese restaurant called "Chuuma." It is located a little west of Kawaramachi Street. The exterior looks old and the interior is dimly lit, giving off a subdued atmosphere. There was a sign outside advertising the daily lunch set for 930 yen, which included "sweet and sour pork," "crab and egg dish," "vegetable salad," "soup," and rice. I arrived at the restaurant around 1:30 PM on a weekday, past the lunch rush, so it was quiet with just the couple running the place. I was the only customer. The lunch menu had a slightly strange pricing, but the dishes arrived shortly after. The main dish was the sweet and sour pork, which had a perfect balance of sweet and savory flavors with tender fried pork. It was very satisfying. Next, I tried the crab and egg dish, which was soft and fluffy with a rich flavor. Overall, the food was delicious, and I hope they continue to do well in the future.

I dropped by casually before 1 pm. Today's set meal was 930 yen, with oil-splashed chicken and eight treasure vegetables. The surprise came with the egg soup. The sweetness of the corn spread gently in my mouth, which was unexpectedly good. The eight treasure vegetables and oil-splashed chicken were delicious as well. Each dish was carefully seasoned, giving a refined Chinese taste. However, as I was eating, I started to feel like there was a bit less rice. I wondered if I could get a refill. Just then, the lady asked, "Is the rice okay?" What perfect timing. I haven't received such service in a long time. With this, I can't complain. It may not be extremely affordable, but a set meal under 1000 yen in Kyoto is quite cheap, and when the taste and service are good, it becomes a great choice, don't you think?

I entered around 7:00 PM. I ordered sweet and sour pork set meal. It cost 1200 yen and I was surprised! The soup was huge, with lots of vegetables like wood ear mushrooms. There was also pickles and salad included. It's a great deal with plenty of vegetables. The tea was delicious.

You can enjoy a meal with generous portions at this restaurant. I was surprised by the amount of egg soup they served. It's located just off the main street, and the table seats fill up quickly. I had the vinegar set meal, which was excellent with plenty of vegetables.

The retro Chinese restaurant serves light and soft dishes, but they feel lacking in flavor. Sitting at the counter, you can watch the couple cooking. They stir-fry vegetables, add soup, and finish with a ladle of seasoning. The soup lacks depth and flavor, even with a lot of pepper added. Adding vinegar brings out some sweetness. The noodles are thin and soft, and the vegetables are cooked tenderly with a hint of meat. The lunch set seems to be popular, but I won't be revisiting this place.