Kyoto is a well-known tourist destination with its cultural sites and scenic views, as well as superb cuisine and renowned restaurants. When it comes to Japanese cuisine, however, from traditional recipes to unique presentations and fantastic ambiance, Kyoto’s Michelin restaurants are some of the best in the country.
Table of Contents
- How to become a Michelin restaurant
- Top-rated Michelin restaurants in Kyoto
- Recently recognized 3 Star Michelin restaurants in Kyoto:
- Summary
How to become a Michelin restaurant
Japan is known for its excellent taste, especially when it comes to food. With the mouthwatering oriental flavors that Japan offers combined with its artful and intricate designs, it is no wonder that Japan has several Michelin Star restaurants, especially in the Kyoto district. Now, what exactly is a Michelin star restaurant? Let’s take a brief look at what it takes to achieve that coveted Michelin star.
The road to having a Michelin star is not easy. Only the world’s best and most exceptional restaurants would attain the coveted Michelin star. To give a short historical background about Michelin stars, it started when the Michelin tire company started to produce its iconic Michelin Guides in the early 1900s. These guides had the sole objective of encouraging people to drive and try out the best restaurants in the hopes that people would buy more tires. As years passed by, the Michelin became the gold standard in providing the best restaurant recommendations.
※ Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts, "A Brief History of the Michelin Star Rating"
Michelin Stars have a three (3)-point scale star rating system. A one-star restaurant category means that the restaurant is good. A two-star restaurant category means that the food is excellent and it is worth a stop-over, and a three-star restaurant category means that the food is superb and exceptional.
※ Michelin Guide, "How To Use This Guide"
In Kyoto, Japan there are a number of Michelin restaurants where both locals and foreigners fawn over. 2020 Michelin statistics report that there are over 100 Michelin star-restaurants in Kyoto and only eight (8) of them have received the elusive three-Michelin star category. Twenty-two (22) has garnered a two-star Michelin category, and seventy-eight (78) has a one-star Michelin category.
※ Michelin Guide, "MICHELIN Guide Kyoto-Osaka 2020 Selection"
Writer's Pick
Top-rated Michelin restaurants in Kyoto
Many of Kyoto’s Michelin restaurants are kaiseki restaurants - a Japanese restaurant that serves highly refined seasonal Japanese dishes and ingredients as an elaborate course meal. Both the price and quality are top-standard, and while it may not be affordable to dine at all these locations in one trip, splurging on one or two may be the experience of a lifetime.
Iida
If anyone wants to have exceptional food served in the peaceful gardens that are reminiscent of traditional Kyoto, then Iida is the place to be! Iida features seasonal dishes that complement whatever the season may be! Served in artful serving bowls that are carefully and artistically prepared for guests, the food can be almost too pretty to eat! But once you bite into the delightful dishes such as the delicious grilled awafu (gluten cake with millet) and leek dish in spring, you will know why Iida got the coveted three Michelin stars. Aside from excellent traditional Japanese dishes served in artful dishes, Iida also boasts of excellent customer service! The staff, including the chef’s wife being the hostess, will make you feel right at home in Japan with their courteous demeanor.
Hyotei
Hyotei has established a long legacy as it is a Michelin-star restaurant that has been operational for about 400 years in Japan! It boasts of a serene and peaceful ambiance, perfect for locals and tourists who would want to relax with a sumptuous meal. Their meals are very organic without many preservatives as they want to highlight the natural flavors of their dishes. Indeed, Hyotei is a reflection of the minimalist and elegant culture of Japan through the dishes they offer.
※ Hyotei, "A Short History of Hyotei"
Isshi Soden Nakamura
Isshi Soden Nakamura also has an impressive legacy as it has over 180 years of history. The history of Isshi Soden is interesting as it upholds the tradition of sharing your business secrets verbally to just one child of your own flesh and blood to preserve your competitive edge over the others. This is the same principle that Isshi Soden Nakamura prevails, the reason why Isshi Soden Nakamura provides only the highest quality of dishes. Guests are treated to spectacular customer service complete with your own private dining area with a sumptuous course meal - two options for lunch and four for dinner. It’s no wonder that Isshi Soden Nakamura has consistently garnered three Michelin stars for over ten years now!
※ Isshi Souden Nakamura, "Introduction"
Kitcho Arashiyama Honten
Kitcho Arashiyama Honten provides a breathtaking ambiance that rivals the flavor of the food that it serves! The restaurant ambiance boasts of sophisticated furniture with a gorgeous and ethereal backdrop. This restaurant is a reflection of the Japanese culture, from how the food is prepared and served; this restaurant’s attention to detail is commendable! The food served by Kitcho Arashiyama Honten is truly a feast for all five senses with its delicate and artful presentation and its aromatic, mouth-watering flavors!
Kikunoi Honten
Kikunoi, which means “Chrysanthemum well” in Japanese, holds a historical meaning for Kikunoi Honten as reflected in the Chrysanthemum-themed walls and decoration of the restaurant. The restaurant ambiance is so beautiful that some compare it to a scene in a fantasy movie! It is also known that water is salient in every dish, especially in Japan, with their umami-rich flavor that is important in every Kaiseki course. This is the reason why Kikunoi Honten lives by two principles: exquisite and flawless and that every guest gets a delightful treat every time they go to Kikunoi Honten.
Since it is in Japan’s culture to offer only the best, more restaurants have garnered the elusive 3 Star Michelin. Let’s take a look at the Kyoto restaurants who have received this prestigious achievement lately.
Recently recognized 3 Star Michelin restaurants in Kyoto:
Mizai
Located in a relatively quiet corner in Kyoto, do not be fooled by this quaint restaurant as it offers truly delectable dishes. Recent visitors commend the restaurant as wax candles burn at the sides, making the ambiance serene and peaceful akin to the peace a visitor would feel when he or she steps for the first time in a temple. Every guest is welcomed with tea, which is a tradition for most parts of Japan. The food is exemplary and tickles all your senses by the food and creativity of the restaurant.
Maeda
If you are a fan of kaiseki dining then Maeda is the place to go. Renowned for using only the best seasonal ingredients that can be offered for that day, Maeda emphasizes on both texture and flavor. Serving their food in authentic Japanese ceramic plates, Maeda certainly makes sure that their food looks as good as it tastes! Their signature dishes include plates of sushi and sashimi - perfect for tourists who want to have a taste of authentic Japanese food! Maeda also garnered their three-star Michelin recently.
Gion Sasaki
Consider getting an early reservation at Gion Sasaki because it is one of the restaurants in Kyoto where it is difficult to make reservations. Their dishes are craftily and delicately placed to enhance each ingredient. If you are lucky to have a reservation in Gion Sasaki, make sure to have their seasonal dishes as it is sure to offer only the best and finest ingredients that the season offers cooked to perfection and artfully served to the customers. Gion Sasaki also provides a variety of culinary entertainment and it is most famous for its seasonal brick oven menus. It achieved its 3-star Michelin in 2020.
Summary
If you would ever be in Kyoto, make sure to treat yourself with good food by going to any of the recommended 3-star Michelin restaurants mentioned above. All of the restaurants infuse traditional Japanese culture on their menu and only serve the best food and ultimate dining experience. Discover and set out to accomplish your next food goal in Japan - at the world's best 3-star restaurants!
