Nishiki Market is a downtown Kyoto marketplace located on the east end of Nishikikōji Street, one block north and parallel to Shijō Street, and one block west of Teramachi Street. The market, which is rich in history and tradition, is well-known for being the source of many of Kyoto’s famous foods and goods.
The great thing about the Nishiki Market is that many foods are sold in small portions, allowing you to try a variety of foods in a single day. In this article, we’ll introduce you to 10 of the best and most highly rated gourmet street foods to try.
1. Tako Tamago Octopus (Kai)
At the Nishiki Market, you can find some unusual foods, such as the popular Tako Tamago, which is a baby octopus with a boiled quail egg stuffed into its head. Tako Tamago can be found at Kai for 350 yen per piece (extra large size). This delicacy goes well with liquor, such as sake.
2. Carpaccio of Toro-salmon (Sengyo Kimura)
Sengyo Kimura has been selling fresh fish since the Edo period. They provide high-end Michelin-starred restaurants with high-quality fresh seafood. A carpaccio of toro-salmon (fatty salmon) on a stick with freshly squeezed lemon juice is one of their most popular dishes, costing 250 yen per piece.
3. Dashimaki (Tanaka Keiran)
Tanaka Keiran specialises in egg dishes made with carefully selected kelp dashi. Kyo Dashimaki, a rolled-up omelette cooked in a specially prepared broth and served on a skewer, is popular here. Kyo Dashimaki is 120 yen per piece and is only available from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
4. Soy Milk Matcha Soft Ice Cream (Konnamonja)
Konnamonja, which has been in business since 1991, is well-known for its soy milk sweet treats. Their soy milk matcha soft-serve ice cream, which quickly became their signature product when it was first introduced 20 years ago, is one of the best things to get here. The frozen treat is visually appealing, with its green and white colours swirled together to form a distinct silhouette. Fujino’s soy milk is used to make the ice cream, which costs 350 yen per cone.
5. Komochi Kensaki Ika (Hatanaka Shoten)
Hatanaka Shoten is well-known for its quick and inexpensive snacks, with everything pre-made and reheated when you order. Kensaki Ika is a swordtip squid with eggs that costs only 100 yen a piece. It’s served on a skewer, making it simple to grab and go.
6. Chocolate Croquette (Inoue Tsukudaniten)
Inoue Tsukudaniten, despite being a tsukudani specialty shop, sells a variety of traditional, home-style Kyoto dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The Chocolate Croquette, however, is their most famous item and one of the most popular items to purchase at Nishiki Market. Melted chocolate is covered in a crunchy coating in this delectable snack. Well worth the 120 yen price tag per piece.
7. Fu Manju (Nishiki Kofukudo)
Nishiki Kofukudo is well-known for its Japanese-style sweets, such as manju, a steamed yeast bun with filling. The Fu Manju, which consists of anko (red bean paste) wrapped in namafu (wheat gluten), is highly recommended. Fu Manju are soft and wrapped in a leaf. They are only 173 yen a piece.
8. Hamo Kushi (Uoriki)
Uoriki is a fish market where you can sample gourmet hamo for a low price. Their Hamo Kushi (pike conger on a skewer) is ideal for on-the-go consumption. We recommend their Hamo Teriyaki, Hamo Tempura, and Hamo Katsu, which all cost 500 yen.
9. Menchi Katsu (Meat Shop Hiro)
The Meat Shop Hiro, founded in 1976, specialises in the highest quality Japanese beef. Menchi katsu, a breaded and deep-fried minced meat cutlet, is one of the restaurant’s best dishes. Menchi katsu is delicious, filling, and inexpensive, costing only 160 yen per piece.
10. Jumbo Takoyaki (Karikari Hakase)
Takoyaki is a Japanese snack made from a wheat flour batter and filled with a variety of ingredients such as octopus, green onion, pickled ginger, and tempura pieces. In the Nishiki Market, the only place to get takoyaki is at Karikari Hakase, where they sell Jumbo Takoyaki for a reasonable price. A pack of six is available for 200 yen.