Kyoto, Japan｜Zezekan Pocchiri

Great ambience, a very rustic and classy restaurant. Had the shark fin soup and Peking duck which were quite good, but the jelly fish and squid were even better- soft and delicious. Better to make a reservation, especially for weekends. The price is on the higher side.

To anyone reading this comment, please understand that my rating is at 4.5/5. The restaurant's ambience is an experience in its own self, like time has stop during last century high-end Chinese restaurant. I came for lunch since it was far more affordable. I would say that the Mapo Tofu was one of the best I have in Kyoto (where I live for 5 years already). My only down point, hence a 4.5 score, was their famous pork dumplings (gyoza). Although the filling was abundant and quite tasty, I found that the wrapping particularly around the pleadings was far too thick for me. I chewed and swallowed all the filling already but still had to keep going on for the wrapping. Apart from that, a great experience.

This restaurant is an absolute experience from the moment you enter. There's the corridor leading in, the very old fashioned look and feel, the lighting, the staff, and the dining room itself with the long windows. The menu includes English, and most of the staff speak at least some, which is helpful for those of us struggling with Japanese. The food is wonderful, and speaking of the menu, it's traditional Chinese, so if items like shark fin upset you, you may want to go somewhere else... Also, a word of warning since the pictures don't quite convey it and Google doesn't give any dollar signs for price range, it's a little classier (although they kindly didn't turn us away in jeans and shirts). However, it's well worth the price.