Located on the fourth floor of a mixed-use building right in the heart of a tourist area, this beloved local restaurant is frequented by residents but rarely by passersby. Even monks can be seen dining here. I have been a regular customer for decades, and while the portion sizes have decreased over the years, the prices have remained reasonable. The flavors are top-notch. Unlike typical Chinese restaurants in the city, the dishes here are not heavy but rather have a refined taste that pairs well with lychee wine or Shaoxing wine. For those who don't drink alcohol, the warm jasmine tea served as a complimentary beverage is a perfect match for the meal. The lightly seasoned yet flavorful fried rice is a must-try dish. The friendly service by the owner, who is somewhat of a local celebrity, is also a charming aspect of the restaurant. As it is a "Sichuan cuisine" restaurant, many dishes contain chili peppers. Those who are not fond of spicy food may have limited options, but the spiciness is generally mild, so most people should be able to enjoy the food without any issues.

Enjoy Cantonese cuisine in a luxurious decor dominated by red. Located in Gion, close to Hanamikoji Street, this restaurant offers spacious counter seating that can accommodate couples or solo diners. For larger groups, there are also private rooms available. Highly recommended dishes include crispy shrimp chili, stir-fried squid and celery, sweet and sour pork, and their delicious soups. If you make a reservation in advance, you'll receive complimentary almond jelly for dessert. The restaurant also provides a thoughtful souvenir, which impresses out-of-town guests.

The restaurant used to be near Yasaka Shrine, but recently moved to a building near Shijo Hanami Koji. It used to be a crepe Suzette cafe, if I remember correctly. For me, it's only a 7-minute walk from home, so I'm very happy about it. Although the space is smaller now, they reserved a private room for four people next to the entrance when I called ahead. The interior is simple with a red color scheme and a chandelier hanging down (why?). I ordered a warm Shaoxing wine, but since I'm not a big drinker, I decided to go for the higher quality 10-year-old one, which was served in a Baccarat cut glass. It was interesting to have Beijing duck served in Baccarat glassware under a chandelier. The Beijing duck here is thinly sliced and generously garnished with white scallions, and at 2500 yen for 4 pieces, it's quite affordable. The glutinous rice siu mai is excellent, much tastier than other places. The prices are reasonable, and since it's now nearby, I plan to visit often. However, the space is a bit small, so it might be tough if there are large groups dining at the same time. I will call ahead before going.

At the request of my family, I visited the Canton Club in Kiyamachi and the Tenjiku Kyoto store in Gion Minami, which I have been using for many years. The atmosphere of the restaurant has changed quite a bit, but the comfortable service remains the same, which is reassuring. Although the capacity has become smaller on the 4th floor of the tenant building in Gion Kita, the menu and performance remain unchanged. I am impressed by how they manage to operate efficiently with a small number of staff, from the kitchen to the counter and the hall. Perhaps the presence of many familiar regular customers is helping with this. We ordered our usual a la carte menu, without drinks, totaling 10 items. Each dish was served at a stress-free pace and was delicious. I look forward to visiting again.