Visited ☆ Saba Sushi Set Meal for 1,200 yen on 3rd August 2023 during my trip to Kyoto. Hello there! Today's itinerary included Kifune Shrine, Kurama-dera Temple, and Sanzen-in Temple. At Kifune Shrine, I received a "great fortune" in a water fortune-telling session, hinting at something good to come. At Kurama-dera Temple, I received guidance on my future path from the Tengu deity, drawing power from above. And at Sanzen-in Temple, I felt the timeless flow of time and received strength to live in the mundane world. Feeling hungry, I decided to have lunch at a restaurant near Sanzen-in Temple. Did you know that Kyoto is famous for mackerel sushi? It is said that "saba-zushi" originated in the Edo period. In the north of Kyoto, near Wakasa Bay, mackerel was commonly caught and salted. The mackerel was then transported along the "Saba Kaido" road, reaching Kyoto in 2 to 3 days, perfectly salted along the way. I wanted to try this mackerel during my trip, so I ordered the "Saba Sushi Set Meal". The set included 3 pieces of mackerel sushi, Yuba soba, sesame tofu, and pickles. The mackerel sushi was thick and well-seasoned, with the vinegar rice complementing it perfectly. Each piece was satisfyingly large and delicious. Mackerel sushi, so tasty! The Yuba soba had a sweet broth, with Yuba and Mitsuba adding a nice touch. Let's continue to enjoy Kyoto to the fullest!

On a Sunday in August, I took a stroll in Ohara. While it is famous for its beautiful autumn foliage, the lush greenery in the summer is refreshing, and it's nice to be able to spend time in the cool surroundings. Due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, there were no foreign tourists, allowing us to calmly visit the renowned temples. For lunch, we went to a restaurant called "Onomiyasu" inside a souvenir shop called "Morizen" right in front of Sanzenin Temple. The interior of the restaurant had tables arranged to ensure social distancing. They offered a variety of dishes such as rice bowls, noodles, and set meals. We ordered the "Saba Sushi Teishoku" for 1,100 yen, which included 3 pieces of mackerel sushi, sesame tofu, mini soba noodles, kuromame rice crackers, and pickles. Since Ohara is known for being part of the mackerel highway, we were drawn to this dish. Just the 3 pieces of mackerel sushi alone cost 700 yen, so the set meal felt like a good deal. The mackerel sushi had thick slices of mackerel marinated in a sweet and sour sauce. The rice had a gentle vinegar flavor, making the sushi easy to eat. The sesame tofu had a sticky texture and a rich taste. Although the sesame flavor was not very strong, it paired well with the wasabi and soy sauce. We had the mini soba noodles cold, with a sheet of yuba and wasabi on top. They were not the authentic type of soba noodles, but they were still enjoyable. The set meal also included pickles typical of Ohara. Overall, the meal had a standard taste for a tourist spot, but it would likely thrive with more visitors. However, in the current situation with a drastic decrease in tourists, it must be a challenging time for them. Thank you for the meal.

The strong dashi broth is delicious! Onomiyasu Ohara Store in Kyoto is located in Ohara, quite far from the city center and not flashy, but in a quiet location. After visiting Sanzen-in Temple, I had lunch at Onomiyasu Ohara Store, which was lined up in front of the gate. I had the recommended "Ohara Saba Kaido Saba Sushi Teishoku (¥1,000)" with a view of the scenery from the window seat. The saba sushi teishoku was delicious with a rich soba broth. The soba itself didn't leave much of an impression, but the broth alone was satisfying. The thick saba was also good! The sesame tofu was rich and delicious as well. It was simple but satisfying. My friend's nabe-yaki udon also had delicious broth! Thank you for the meal.

I came to the Kyoto-Ohara Sanzenin area for lunch. I often visit Kyoto, but I've never been to this area before. The abundant nature and serene atmosphere here are lovely. There are many similar old-fashioned touristy shops lined up, and one of them, called "Onomiyasu," caught my eye. I feel like I've seen it somewhere before, maybe at the subway or train stations in Kyoto. It seems to be part of the same chain of shops. I ordered the mulberry leaf dumplings set meal, which caught my attention. The mulberry leaf dumplings were a bit small and seemed slightly overcooked. I'm not sure about the taste, but they looked healthy with their green color. Thank you for the meal.

I had my first nabe-yaki udon of the season at Ohara Sanzenin Temple (^^) It was delicious and really hit the spot for my cold body.

"Tamago-toji soba"

Herring soba noodles

Homemade mackerel sushi lunch.

The mackerel sushi is delicious! It is thick and not fishy. The sushi rice was a bit firm though.

During a stroll through the village of Ohara in Kyoto, we decided to stop by the traditional Japanese café and restaurant "Onomiyasu" located in front of Sanzenin Temple. Intrigued by the menu showcasing Ohara's famous set meals, my spouse and I decided to have lunch there. The restaurant is situated right in front of the Sanzenin Temple's main gate, with a souvenir shop (Kyoto's famous products store Ohara Morizen) in the front and a café and restaurant in the back. As we walked past the souvenirs towards the back, we were surprised by the spacious and beautifully bright interior of the restaurant, which can accommodate around 120 guests. We were seated by the window, and my husband ordered the "Fresh Yuba Soba Set Meal" while I opted for the "Momiji Bento". The Fresh Yuba Soba Set Meal came with rice, side dishes, mulberry rice cake, and pickles for 1,000 yen. The large, glossy yuba on top of the soba noodles, drizzled with a Kyoto-style broth, looked delicious. It also came with garnishes like yukari rice seasoning, pickled Japanese ginger, and spicy shiitake mushrooms, along with mulberry rice cake for tea time, making it a great value. The Momiji Bento, priced at 1,500 yen, included tempura, side dishes, grilled fish, simmered dish, rice, stewed dish, and soup in a beautifully lacquered box filled with Ohara's specialties. The freshly fried shiso and pike conger tempura were particularly delicious! This bento offers a colorful array of Kyoto flavors for you to enjoy. It's highly recommended for those looking to sample a variety of Kyoto dishes.

On the second day of my trip, while exploring Ohara, I visited Sanzenin Temple and on my way back, feeling a bit hungry, I decided to try a local specialty at a tea shop near the temple. A flyer caught my eye advertising "Fresh Yuba Soba." The shop had a store in the front and tables in the back, and it was quite spacious. I quickly ordered the Fresh Yuba Soba set meal for 1000 yen, and the friendly proprietress asked me in a gentle Kyoto dialect, "Would you like it warm or cold?" It was a hot summer day, so I chose the cold soba without hesitation. The soba arrived in a cool glass dish with fresh yuba on top. In addition to that, there was cucumber with grilled eel, mustard-flavored mushrooms, seasoned rice with yukari, and the local specialty Shibazuke. The soba was served cold, so it was refreshing and delicious. The yuba and broth added a nice touch. The soba itself was probably made with a 80:20 ratio, but it had a good texture and the broth was slightly sweet and refreshing, complementing the fragrant mitsuba garnish. The cucumber with grilled eel was a good alternative to eel, with the sweet vinegar flavor complementing it well. I'm not a fan of mushrooms, so I didn't try the mustard-flavored mushrooms, but since it's a specialty, it must be good. The Shibazuke was the same as always, no matter where you go in Japan. In terms of taste, portion size, and value for money, I would rate it 3.0. The standout feature of this place is the kind and warm-hearted proprietress, who creates a cozy atmosphere, earning a service rating of 4.0. Overall, I would give it a 3.5, with the proprietress's charm being the highlight. The shop also has a well-stocked store space, so it's worth taking a look around there too.

Onomiyasu, located in front of "Sanzenin" in Ohara. A souvenir shop is attached, and as I was wandering around, the lady kept inviting me, so I decided to stop by. Even though it's called "Onomiyasu," I couldn't drink alcohol because I was driving, and the cheapest menu item, the "Today's special menu" called "Nama Yuba set meal," was priced at ¥900, but since it was around 3 pm, I decided to order the cold Nama Yuba Soba for ¥700. The interior had about 28 wooden tables and chairs, and the lady was the only one serving customers. I overheard her talking to other customers, mentioning that the water in Ohara is taken directly from the river without going through a purification plant like in Kyoto city. Hearing that made me want to have water, so I asked the lady to switch my tea to water. After about 10 minutes, the cook, who was in the kitchen, brought the food. The cold soba with fresh yuba on top, accompanied by natural wasabi and mitsuba, had a refreshing taste. The broth was normal, but the yuba, the specialty of the shop, was shiny, elastic, and chewy, making it delicious. Overall, being an extension of a souvenir shop, the restaurant has a wide entrance, good natural light, and a cheerful atmosphere. However, for someone like me who values price and portion size, I would give it 3.5 stars (65/100).

During Golden Week, I visited Sanzenin Temple in Kyoto, which I had wanted to see for a while. It was quite deep into the mountains, so I was worried about finding food. However, right in front of the main gate of Sanzenin Temple, I found a restaurant called "Onomiyasu." I was hungry, so I decided to go in. The entrance had a souvenir corner and the back was a restaurant. I ordered the famous mackerel sushi set meal. When I tried it, the rice was a bit hard, maybe because it had been sitting for a while. It might have been delicious if it was freshly made, but it was a bit disappointing...

I visited this restaurant on June 29, 2011, during the transition from fresh greenery to early summer at Ohara Sanzenin. It is located in front of Ohara Sanzenin, among several souvenir shops and restaurants. The interior of the restaurant was not too crowded as it was a weekday, and I sat at a table near the window where I could enjoy the bright light and the view outside. The yuba and pickles were delicious, and the rice was very satisfying. The dessert included Yatsuhashi, which is typical of Kyoto.

After exiting Kyoto Subway Kitayama Station, there is a shop selling mackerel sushi and rice balls nearby. Perhaps they are targeting people going for a picnic at the nearby botanical garden or Kamogawa riverbank? Sometimes when I park and ride from Kitayama Station to the city, I always see this shop and have been thinking of buying something someday on my way back for dinner. A half portion is just right for me, half with alcohol and half with miso soup. If I have some vegetable side dishes, it would be perfect. It is a tradition for me to wrap it in Sangokuya's roasted seaweed, which makes it even more delicious!