When it gets cold, I always crave steamed sushi at least once a year. This year, I went to Higashi Sushi. As soon as I lifted the lid, the delightful aroma made me feel happy. Under the layer of fluffy egg, there were plenty of grilled eel hidden, bringing a smile to my face. Despite the small portion, I felt satisfied after finishing the meal. It was a truly happy time.

In this area, when it comes to Kyoto sushi, this is the place to go. The restaurant offers table seating, but it is known for takeout and delivery orders. This time, I ordered for takeout (placed the order over the phone a few hours ago). The rolled sushi was delicious with a satisfying amount of sushi rice, but the balance with the fillings was a bit off. The mackerel sushi was also tasty, but again, there was a lot of sushi rice and the balance with the mackerel was a bit off. The sushi rice was a bit soft. Overall, it was a good meal.

I have come to love the steamed sushi that I enjoyed in Kyoto during the winter. Last winter, I tried it at Izugen and Suehiro, and this winter in Kyoto, I visited Higashi Sushi in Senbon first. When searching for "Kyoto Higashi Sushi", another Higashi Sushi in Shichijo also comes up. Both are pronounced as "Azumazushi". I would like to try the Higashi Sushi in Shichijo as well when I have the chance, but first, I went to this restaurant which is a member of the Noren-kai. The restaurant opens at 11:00, but it seems that meals are served from 11:30. Since it was the end of the year, I made a reservation in advance to confirm if they were open. I mentioned that I wanted to try steamed sushi, and it seems they started preparing it as soon as I entered and gave my name. The steaming process takes about 25 minutes. It was cold outside, so I decided to have a hot sake. Since I was there, I also ordered 5 pieces of mackerel sushi before the steamed sushi was ready. The proprietress mentioned that the restaurant is relatively new as a member of the Kyoto Sushi Noren-kai but already in its fourth generation. In Tokyo, you could confidently say "we are a long-established shop", but this is Kyoto after all. The son has taken over the business and seems to be a very reliable person. He will surely continue to protect the shop's reputation. Inside the restaurant, there is a plaque with the names of the Noren-kai members, including some that are no longer in business. The mackerel sushi had a moderately mild vinegar flavor. I don't have much experience with mackerel sushi yet, so this is just my initial impression. And then, the steamed sushi was ready. I opened the lid of the bowl and steam rose up. The slight vinegar scent along with the steam was very faint. The bowl was hot and couldn't be touched. I lightly rested my left hand on the edge of the bowl and eagerly devoured it. The rice was white, and there was plenty of conger eel in it. It's interesting how each restaurant has its own unique touch. In the cold winter of Kyoto, steamed sushi warms both the body and the soul. It was lunchtime, but the restaurant wasn't too crowded. People in this area seem to prefer takeout or delivery to enjoy at home. I feel that these small family-run restaurants, where you can see the faces of the makers, are really nice. (Visited on 3/15)

A passerby came across a sign advertising a limited-time "kani chirashi" dish for 3 days. If it uses "San'in Kani from Kasumi", it's worth buying for the owner's late-night meal. The Kasumi crab caught at Kasumi Fishing Port in Hyogo Prefecture is known for its strong sweetness due to being raised in deep-sea water. Upon ordering, they asked to wait inside and even served tea while waiting. The interior has a small counter and table seats, giving a cozy feel. The kani chirashi costs 1296 yen and, although the amount of crab may be small, it is praised for its sweetness. The simmered shiitake mushrooms and vinegared rice were also well-liked. The restaurant seems to be beloved, with a photo of the owner and Mr. Hiromi Fujiyama displayed, along with a curtain-like decoration on the counter, possibly a gift. This time, only takeout was used, but the service was good, making it a place worth dining in if the opportunity arises.

I visited one of the 16 restaurants in the Kyoto Sushi Renkai (13th visit, 3 more to go!). It is located along Senbon Street, just north of Shitaterumai Street. Historically, it is situated between Nijo Castle and Kitano Tenmangu Shrine (on the site of the Heian capital's Suzaku Avenue). The restaurant has around 5 counter seats and 2 tables. The current owners are a husband and wife, the second generation. They were very kind and welcoming. I really wanted to try the mackerel sushi, so I ordered the "Nijo" sushi set which includes 2 pieces of mackerel sushi and 3 different pressed sushi varieties. It also comes with soup. The mackerel sushi was rare and delicious, with thick slices and gentle vinegared rice. The pressed sushi had a nice balance of vinegared rice. I liked it so much that I even got a mackerel sushi to go (1 piece for 3600 yen). Among the restaurants I've visited in the Sushi Renkai, this one was my favorite. I personally found the location convenient, so I hope to visit again for a leisurely dinner next time.

This is also a member of the Kyoto Sushi Renkai association. I had been wanting to visit this restaurant for a while, but I had missed it about three times due to not checking the regular holidays or temporary closures. I think I have visited almost all the restaurants affiliated with the Kyoto Sushi Renkai at this restaurant. I jumped in right at the opening time around 11:30 AM at this restaurant facing Chimon Street. I was welcomed by a polite female owner and a thoughtful head chef, and the service was excellent. The restaurant has 6 counter seats on the right side and 2 tables on the left side, and we sat at a table. There are about 4 lunch menu options, and I ordered the Chirashi sushi (972 yen). It arrived in about 7-8 minutes. Instead of miso soup, it came with red miso soup that day. When I opened the lid of the Chirashi sushi, it looked quite elegant and beautiful, typical of Kyoto. The toppings included shrimp, squid, sea bream (with wood buds), marinated small sea bream (sasazuke), two large simmered shiitake mushrooms, and vinegar lotus root with cucumber. The finely chopped kinshi tamago (shredded omelette) added an elegant touch, and the green peas sprinkled on top made it look beautiful. The sushi rice was mixed with finely chopped dried gourd and sprinkled with sesame seeds. The taste was also elegant, with a light touch of vinegar and salt compared to other places. The squid was deliciously tender, the small sea bream had a nice aroma from being marinated with kombu, and the shrimp was firm and tasty. I really liked the taste, which was not too strong in vinegar or salt. The red miso soup had my favorite seasonal vegetables and was generously sprinkled with sansho pepper. Overall, the Kyoto-style Chirashi sushi was to my liking. And the fact that it was under 1000 yen and even had change left made it feel like a good deal. They also offered Chirashi sushi and maki sushi sets, as well as mackerel sushi, so I would definitely consider revisiting this place. Rating: 3.5

It's delicious but there are few reviews. I've come to realize that you can't always rely on Tabelog ratings. Even in highly rated restaurants with many reviews, there are cases where they are not popular among locals in Kyoto. Of course, there are also delicious restaurants. Now, as for Higashi Sushi, it is a traditional sushi restaurant. The nigiri sushi is authentic and the chirashi sushi as well. There are cheaper and more popular restaurants nearby, but they are completely different. If you want authentic sushi, this is the place to go. It's real sushi. I forgot to take a photo of the delicious food. Among Kyoto's sushi restaurants, I think this one is quite delicious. You should definitely give it a try.

The seasonal hamo sushi here is amazing, even though the season is over. I make sure to eat it at least once every year. The hamo sushi crumbles in your mouth and is so delicious that other places' sushi might not compare. Just be careful because it's priced based on the market. I also like the Kansai-style slightly sweet shari and often buy their rolled sushi. The tamago (egg) here has a taste that I really enjoy. I don't eat their nigiri sushi too often, but I do come here occasionally to buy their rolled sushi. I'm probably seen as a strange customer for doing that. It's a bit sad that there aren't many reviews for this place.

I purchased a bento box set at the "Kyoto Flavor Feast Exhibition" held at Takashimaya Kyoto Store. It included eel stick sushi, three types of boxed sushi, and assorted rolled sushi. The rice had a slightly sweet and gentle Kyoto-style flavor. The eel was thick and soft, complementing the simmered sauce well with a hint of sansho pepper. The boxed sushi with thick omelette and shrimp was visually appealing and enjoyable for all ages. The boxed sushi with saury had a unique deliciousness compared to others. The white fish boxed sushi had a subtle accent of kelp between the fish and rice. The rolled sushi was slightly thicker than others, filled with concentrated flavors of shiitake, burdock, and trefoil, creating a perfect balance. The owner was awarded the title of "Kyoto Prefecture's Modern Master Craftsman" in 2015. I look forward to visiting the shop next time to enjoy the traditional Kyoto sushi crafted by this master craftsman.