Inland basin Kyoto city has rivers such as the Kamo River, Katsura River, and Yasu River flowing through it, and it is also close to Lake Biwa, which has a tradition of freshwater fish and seafood such as sweetfish, crucian carp, eel, carp, river shrimp, and shijimi clam. The city has a strong river fish culture rooted in specialty shops, kaiseki cuisine, and traditional restaurants, making it stand out from other regions. Particularly renowned is the wholesale of sweetfish, with many restaurants in Kyoto highly valuing the city's top-notch shops. One such longstanding river fish specialty store is located in Nishiki Market, with a history of about 100 years. On this day, after having lunch at the Spanish restaurant "Estilo Ache," I passed by Nishiki Market and was drawn to the "Grilled Ayu with Roe," which I purchased. When eaten after lightly cooking it that night, the flavor of the ayu, although slightly diminished due to being a pregnant female, still retained the unique texture of the eggs. The balance between the bitterness of the internal organs and the harmony with the flesh was just right, and 3 fish cost 450 yen including tax. Eating it after carrying it around for about 6 hours naturally did not compare to eating it freshly grilled. Some people criticize Nishiki Market for its tourist-oriented development, but I believe there are still many longstanding excellent shops supporting Kyoto's food culture, making the arcade shopping street a place of great charm. While the service may come off as somewhat indifferent or not particularly friendly, this shop offers a variety of freshwater fish and seafood dishes such as grilled eel, rolled omelet with dashi, sweetfish simmered in sweet soy sauce from Lake Biwa, crucian carp sushi, shrimp with beans, carp bones, clam simmered in broth, and goby from Lake Biwa, where you can easily enjoy a selection of side dishes and delicacies.

Kyoto souvenir series. Nishiki Market, known as the kitchen of Kyoto, was established as a fish market in 1615 (Keicho 1). The fish at Nishiki Market at that time were river fish caught in the Kamogawa River and fish from Lake Biwa brought in from Omi, as well as salted mackerel carried on foot from Wakasa. You can still see remnants of those days at Nishiki Market, with many seafood shops and their displays of Lake Biwa specialty small sweetfish, simmered shrimp, and crucian carp sushi! I was thrilled to buy them and bring them home as a treat for myself. The small sweetfish has a unique softness and bitterness, while the crucian carp sushi has a rich acidity and deep umami flavor. They are sold in small packages, making them perfect for souvenirs or enjoying alone. Omi is truly the kitchen of Kyoto!! I was so happy to be able to buy crucian carp sushi. Thank you for the feast.

"I think I'll buy this." On this New Year's Eve, I came across a dish called "New Small Ayu Simmered" at this store in Nishiki Market in Kyoto. This store mainly sells side dishes made from river fish caught in Lake Biwa in Shiga, the neighboring prefecture of Kyoto. Although I had never used this store before, I decided to stop by and add something a little different to my New Year's dishes. There were many side dishes on display using fish such as crucian carp and carp, which are not commonly seen in nearby supermarkets. Among them, I was particularly interested in and purchased the "New Small Ayu Simmered." I asked the staff, and they explained that most of the ayu in Lake Biwa stay in the lake to live after swimming upstream in the spring, except for a few that grow larger. The majority of them only grow to about 10cm even after growing beyond spring, so they are called small ayu. Fishing is prohibited throughout Shiga Prefecture during the spawning period from September to November, so the small ayu caught right after fishing is allowed in December is treated as "New Small Ayu." I ate it with other New Year's dishes after the New Year, and although the taste was similar to regular ayu, the bitterness and aroma unique to ayu were mild, and the skin and bones were softer, making it moist and easy to eat. Additionally, this one I purchased this time used sansho pepper, which was well received by my family for its Kyoto-like flavor. It is less bitter and softer than the traditional tataki dish, making it somewhat easier for small children to eat. I don't think many people eat dishes made from river fish regularly. If you are looking for unique items at Nishiki Market, please consider this.

I found a market in Kyoto in 2019, where I could easily pick up a Kyoto-style rolled omelette for 100 yen each. I used to make my own rolled omelette in the Kyoto style without knowing the proper way to do it, but now I know to roll it from the far end towards me. I chose the simple egg-only version over the one with fish flakes. The Kyoto-style rolled omelette I had was subtly flavored with a light dashi broth and not too sweet, which I learned is the standard in Kyoto. In comparison, the rolled omelette I had in Tsukiji was quite sweet, almost too sweet for my taste. I personally prefer a bit more sweetness in my rolled omelette. It's fun to try different versions of rolled omelette, each with its own unique characteristics.

Now, the second installment of the "Eat-in at Nishiki Market" series is at Yamamoto Babashoten. Here, I had one skewer of rolled omelette and one skewer of grilled young ayu. After paying, the unique customer service of "Just pack it yourself and take it with you (; ･`д･´)!" left an impression on me. However, the taste of the rolled omelette was just as delicious as the previous two shops, and the grilled young ayu was especially delicious. Well, this shop seems to specialize more in processed river fish products than eggs (^ ^), so they also sell eel kabayaki, eel rolls, and even reasonably priced skewers of grilled pike conger, which I found intriguing. This is definitely one of the places I'd like to visit when the mood strikes haha. Thank you for the meal! m(_ _)m

Cow presents Kyoto, near Nishiki Market, 8th stop for drinking. By chance, found a drink space inside the market. Might as well... Usually just pass by this market, but this time decided to buy some food and bring it in. The plan is in action. This shop also sells various easy-to-eat items at affordable prices. Pointed to dashimaki (rolled omelette) for 100 yen per skewer (tax included) and grilled young ayu fish for 100 yen per skewer (tax included), paid the money to the staff, and suddenly heard "Here you go!" without being asked if I wanted them in a bag or anything. I thought they would ask, but they didn't. I just took them with my hands. Not angry, just found it funny. Tried the food and the dashimaki was delicious, comparable to specialty stores, and the fact that you can eat young ayu fish for just one coin is amazing. Also, quite satisfied with the taste. Thank you for the meal.

This is a review of the restaurant "Yamamoto Baba Shoten," which has a 70-year history of handling river fish at Nishiki Market in Kyoto. When I went to Nishiki Market in Kyoto to buy dashimaki and pickles, I was drawn to the delicious live river fish at "Yamamoto Baba Shoten." As I wandered through the crowded market filled with foreigners and tourists, my feet stopped at the storefront of the shop, and I searched for various items. I couldn't resist buying the one-bite-sized eel roll for 130 yen and the dashimaki for 100 yen to compare and taste them. Dashimaki: A dashimaki made by combining eggs with a rich dashi made from mackerel flakes and kelp. It is more delicious than the tamagoyaki in Tsukiji Market. Eel Roll: Based on the dashimaki, this eel roll is made by wrapping eel kabayaki slices around the core. The rich taste of eel kabayaki and the elegant dashimaki blend well together, creating a delicious harmony. "Thank you for the meal."

After leaving Konnamonja, I walked towards the Kennin Hachimangu Shrine and came across a shop selling dashimaki tamago, which seemed to be a fish store. I couldn't resist as I love Kyoto-style dashimaki tamago where the broth seeps into the egg perfectly. I quickly bought a skewer and it was delicious. As mentioned earlier, the broth blends nicely with the egg, and the egg itself is cooked perfectly. I left the shop feeling satisfied, but the Nishiki Market has many great shops. I would like to try pairing it with some sake next time, if possible.

In May, during a food tour in Kyoto, I bought some dashimaki tamago at "Miki Chicken Eggs" in Nishiki Market. While wandering around the market, I came across "Yamamoto Baba Shoten," which also sells dashimaki tamago. This shop offers dashimaki tamago on skewers, perfect for eating on the go. In addition to the regular dashimaki tamago, they also sell eel-filled tamago and dishes like grilled eel and grilled ayu fish. I decided to try the eel-filled tamago, which was delicious and satisfying. The price was reasonable at 150 yen. I look forward to trying their grilled eel next time. Thank you for the delicious meal.

Yamamoto Babashoten Store deals with various lake and river fish from Lake Biwa and Kyoto. They have eel, pike conger, shrimp, carp, crucian carp, and more. Their specialty is simmered and pickled fish dishes. I bought grilled eel skewers from Toyohashi and simmered carp. Nearby, a foreign tourist bought an eel sushi roll and ate it on the spot. It seems like Nishiki Market has changed to allow for food tasting. The grilled eel was slightly milder in flavor compared to Noto's grilled eel, with a tender texture. It felt a bit light. The simmered carp was cut into chunks, with roe included, making it too much for one sitting, so I split it into two. The flavor, despite looking rich, was not overpowering. It had a simmered taste, as the meat absorbed the flavor rather than being soaked in the broth. There are several fishmongers in Nishiki Market, each with their own unique flavors that are hard to compare.

Kyoto, Nishiki Market food tasting time, it was a bit difficult to find the restroom, so I felt it's best to use the restroom before starting the food tasting adventure (lol). Among the various shops, I wanted to try one of Kyoto's specialties, dashimaki (rolled omelette), so I decided to try it at this eel restaurant by having it on a skewer. Unlike other shops, this place caught my eye, so I ordered the eel-filled rolled omelette. The service was quite straightforward and lacked enthusiasm. I had the eel-filled rolled omelette with my companion. It definitely had the essence of Kyoto with the dashi flavor, making it clear that the eel was not the main focus, but rather the delicate dashimaki itself. This quality is something unique to Kyoto that you can't experience elsewhere. While the eel itself wasn't outstanding, there was a noticeable difference in the ability to bring out the delicacy of the dashimaki. Located in the middle of the shopping street, this shop is convenient to visit, so if you want to experience Kyoto, getting a takeout from here would be a good idea!

In the midst of a super crowded place, the second stop for food sampling was at 14:13. Intrigued by the very affordable prices, we stopped at "Yamamoto Baba Shoten" which had a sign saying "Fresh river fish and processed products". We were drawn to the "wakasagi tempura" dish priced at 200 yen per plate. My child picked up the "unagi roll" for 130 yen and the "dashi roll" for 100 yen. Surprisingly, they also had alligator meat! The food was cheap and delicious, making our food tour enjoyable. Now, on to the next stop! 14:17.【3-day limited Kyoto series】"Episode 10" My child was amazed by the wakasagi tempura. Thank you for the delicious meal!

I took a stroll through Kyoto's Nishiki Market in January 2017. The market was bustling with people, but I managed to buy some delicious grilled oysters, processed foods, pickles, sashimi, and warabi mochi. There were so many different ingredients to try on the spot, so many tourists from overseas were also there. Some shops offered free samples, and it was so entertaining that I couldn't help but stop and watch. Despite the slow-moving lines, taking your time to explore the market is truly enjoyable. I particularly enjoyed the delicious flavors of Umaki and eel from Baba Shoten, which perfectly balanced with the eggs and suited my taste.

Before the Nishiki Market food tour (autumn 2015), I explored Nishiki Market based on a blog post titled "2-hour food tour at Kyoto Nishiki Market Shopping Street" by someone who enjoys food tours as a hobby. Here are some of the places and dishes I tried: - Kyoto Nishiki Inoue's 100 yen chocolate croquette (closed on certain days) - Nishiki Market's Kakuri's takoyaki with egg for 250 yen - Unagi roll for 130 yen at Baba Shoten - Kyoto-style takoyaki for 110 yen at Karikari Hakase - I skipped the hot Satsuma-age from Marujo Kamaboko - Sliced sashimi on a skewer from Kimura Sengyo - Fuuka's fu-manju and tea to finish. One of the recommended dishes was the unagi roll for 130 yen. When I arrived at the shop, I was first drawn to the unagi roll for 350 yen, which was quite large with eel in the center, and next to it was the 130 yen unagi roll and 100 yen dashimaki on a skewer. Since there were two of us, we hesitated a bit, but decided to choose the 130 yen skewered unagi roll. We decided to eat it right there at the shop. Inside the fluffy dashimaki was eel, but the eel was quite small. Perhaps I should have purchased the larger unagi roll instead. It had a good volume and the size of the eel inside was large! A bit disappointing feeling, but the eel roll also had a strong dashi flavor and was delicious. Thank you for the meal.

I revisited Kyoto's Nishiki Market at the end of the year and purchased a take-out portion of delicious umaki (rolled omelette with eel) for 1,000 yen to enjoy at home. The umaki was just as tasty as before, with a perfect balance of flavors. When I visited in February, I bought a bite-sized eel-infused dashimaki tamago (umaki) for 130 yen to eat on the go. The dashimaki tamago in Kyoto is delicious, but the full-sized ones are too big to take home. Having them in smaller portions is much more convenient. The taste was excellent, with the eggs cooked perfectly fluffy yet firm, and the eel added a nice touch. There were also other tempting side dishes like sweetened carp (with egg). I envy having such a shop nearby.

As I was walking through Nishiki Market, I came across several specialty shops selling river fish. It seems rare to find shops in the Kanto region that specialize in river fish, let alone multiple shops in one area. This just goes to show the demand for such products. Kyoto is truly amazing! They were selling eel, conger eel, and my favorite sweetfish as fast food options that you can easily enjoy on the spot. I asked the staff and found out that they also offer takeout, so I had some grilled sweetfish skewered and packaged as a souvenir for my daughter. When we had it for dinner at home, I felt like it would have been even more delicious if it had been reheated (grilled) properly. However, the small bones in the sweetfish made it a bit challenging to eat all of it from head to tail. It was a bit pricey, but that's understandable. I imagine the impression would be completely different if we had enjoyed it freshly grilled at the shop. Thank you for the meal!

On May 5, 2015, I visited Nishiki Market for some food tasting. My fifth stop was at a place where I had a delicious dish of premium eel for 160 yen and a tasty egg roll with eel for 130 yen. These were the best dishes I tried during my visit to Nishiki Market. The eel was tender and nicely grilled, while the egg roll was fluffy and filled with melt-in-your-mouth eel. Both dishes were reasonably priced, and I highly recommend trying them out.

This time, I visited when I went to Kyoto for work, not with my wife or daughter. The place is Nishiki Market, known as the kitchen of Kyoto. I visited Yamamoto Babashoten, a specialty store that handles river fish from Lake Biwa, Kyoto, and Shiga. When I looked at the products lined up in the store, there were eel, moroko, and sweetfish products using river fish. It was very overwhelming, but this time I purchased grilled young sweetfish and pickled river fish in nanban style. The grilled young sweetfish, although small, had a strong bitterness and flavor of the roe. And the pickled river fish in nanban style seemed to use several types of small fish in addition to sweetfish. The deliciousness of river fish was brought out here as well. I am interested in other products as well, but next time, I would like to try their famous eel. Thank you for the meal.