Kyoto, Japan｜Chihana

I visit here last week, the traditional Japanese culinary experience was exceptional. The dishes were meticulously prepared, reflecting the precision and dedication of the highest level of culinary tradition. The flavors were harmonious and delicate. Additionally, the chef's politeness and attentive service added an extra layer of warmth to the whole dining experience.

Lovely kappo dinner in the heart of Gion. The restaurant is a fairly new reopening of the original Chihana that used to hold three Michelin stars before it tragically burned down. So how is the place? We were seated at the main counter so we could watch the master prepare the dishes, which is something I always enjoy. The atmosphere was serene but not as stiff as in most kaiseki restaurants in Kyoto I have been to. The meal started with a fried piece of flat fish (hirame) accompanied by a Japanese citrus fruit, which seemed to be a signature dish of the restaurant. This was wonderful and was followed by an impeccable sequence of dishes. We had chosen a set menu at the lower end of the price scale, but I found the cooking on a constant high level, and all the ingredients matched the season and the Kyoto setting. Some sake and beer went well with the food, and overall I can say this was a really nice dinner that I would recommend to anyone looking into experiencing Kyoto cuisine. Especially as reservations were easy to get via Pocket Concierge by the time of my visit.

We had a wonderful meal at Chihana. A very warm welcome and excellent, attentive service throughout. We really appreciated that the host and chef explained the ingredients of the dishes in English for us. The food was truly lovely: fresh, seasonal ingredients, rich in flavour. A particular highlight was a lovely clear broth lightly flavoured with yuzu. At the end of the meal, we had a very nice conversation with Mr. Nagata, the head chef. I would thoroughly recommend Chihana; it was a memorably good meal.