Today, I’d like to introduce you to a famous udon restaurant in Kyoto called Okakita. Located next to another well-known udon restaurant, Yamamoto Menzo, which only accepts reservations, Okakita operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Okakita is a traditional Kyoto udon restaurant offering udon, soba, and rice bowls. Since they don’t take reservations, be prepared to wait in line if you want to eat here. The restaurant opens at 11 AM, and when I arrived at 10:35 AM on a Saturday, there were already ten people waiting in front of the shop. A staff member was present to guide customers to the end of the line, so just follow their instructions.
By the time the restaurant opened at 11 AM, around 50 people were in line. As soon as the doors opened, I entered and took a seat. The interior can accommodate about 30 people, so not everyone who lined up before the opening could get in during the first seating.
During the hot summer afternoons, the sidewalk in front of the restaurant provides no shade, so a persnal- size parasol or hat is essential.
Since I was the 10th person in line, I managed to get in during the first seating and placed my order. Many customers around me were ordering the signature dish, Tempura egg drop udon, which was served in just a few minutes. Tempura egg drop udon is a dish where two pieces of tempura shrimp and udon are bound with a fluffy egg in a savory broth. I opted for the Tempura Seiro Udon, which took about 10 minutes to prepare. The udon noodles were nice firmness, cold, and slippery, while the tempura was hot and crispy, accompanied by matcha salt.
I also ordered a beef rice bowl. Available in regular and small sizes, the bowl was simple, topped with beef and green onions, and had a refined, not overly strong flavor. It was delicious.
I noticed some foreign customers in the restaurant, and they received English menus, so these are available if needed. When I left the restaurant around 11:40 AM, the line outside had grown even longer. However, because it’s an udon restaurant, the turnover is relatively quick, so you might not have to wait as long as the line suggests.
Visiting Okakita is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy delicious udon while experiencing Kyoto’s traditional culinary culture. Be sure to check it out!
OKAKITA : 京うどん 生蕎麦 岡北
Address: 34 Okazaki Minami Goshō-chō, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto 606-8334, Japan
2-minute walk north from the “Dobutsuen-mae” bus stop (City Bus)
Business Hours: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Last Order)
Closed: Every Tuesday and Wednesday
