Gion Endo

There has never been a question about the freshness of Gion Endo's ingredients. That's because this traditional Japanese restaurant, set up just a little north of Shijo Hanamikoji Street, is owned by a family who wholesales the freshest fish and seafood to Gion's top-class restaurants. Yet, ultimate freshness isn't the reason guests keep returning to Gion Endo. The techniques of chef Endo have proven to be complex, with perfect execution time and time again. The luxury dish of Kyoto, the sea eel, is the main highlight of Gion Endo's omakase course. It’s inserted with up to 26 knives during preparation, and then roasted and simmered to present the best flavors and texture of this famous ingredient. Other than that, the tempura served is top-notch, and so is the rice dish at the end of the course. This classic Japanese restaurant should be on every seafood fan’s list when in Kyoto.