Uozuya

Uozuya is a step above the rest of the other traditional Japanese restaurants in Kyoto. Instead of only preserving the traditional cuisine, the chef of this restaurant decides to revolutionize the dishes. Even though the chef jokes that his dishes are light on the stomach but heavy on the wallet, most can agree that every penny spent is well worth it. The chef of Uozuya uses oil sparingly, and traditional seasonal ingredients like ayu, crab, hamo, and matsutake are included in various seasonal omakase menus. The most popular dish of this restaurant is the Hanayama pepper hot pot, which was invented when the chef was working at a previous restaurant. The dish features Hanayama pepper and sea trout, and both play starring roles in this incredible dish. Look out for homemade tomato sauce, which is made with a special ponzu sauce. While classic dishes are still offered at this Kyoto restaurant, expect more modern takes — or at least a balance. Uozuya is the perfect restaurant for those looking to venture outside the traditional flavor box.