Autumn visit – Muromachi Wakuden (Kyoto, Tabelog 4.15)

Wasn’t planning to have a meal in Kyoto as our Japan trip itinerary doesn’t actually include the golden triangle route. Somehow I managed to snag reservation at Sushi Sanshin in Osaka using omakase website, and consequently, we had to alter our itinerary. In order to make the detour more worthwhile, we decided to also squeeze in a dinner in Kyoto.

Not going to write a detailed review as Muromachi Wakuden is fairly bookable and probably has been reviewed many times here. My visit in October coincided with the autumnal mushroom season and the majority of the dishes had mushrooms elements.

Meal highlights were 1) ‘Nariaiyaki’, a generous serving of hamo (daggertooth pike eel) rolled and stuffed with matsutake mushrooms, 2) plump Kotake mushroom from Iwate deep-fried to perfection and 3) medicinal Suimono (lidded dish) which contained 8 types of different mushrooms. Fruits (whole plum, figs, melon) were also incorporated into several dishes to bestow freshness and contrast.

Wakuden is proud of its cultivated rice (runs its own organic paddy fields in Kyotango) hence the meal finished with carbs offering (you can go all out or opt out). I went the full house and in total had 7 bowls of carbs (rice with kotake, eggplant somen, plain rice x 2, saba sushi, seaweed somen, & yam rice) with more rice to take home as onigiri omiyage.

Overall, a pleasant and well executed meal without really mind-blowing. At 22,000 yen incl tax & service charge, the price is at the low-end range for dinner in Kyoto. Atmosphere was a tad busy with staffs running around as guests dined at different times through the evening rather than starting at the same time.

Menu (October 2024):

1. Crab, Rock Mushroom, Chrysanthemum, Melon
2. Kotake Mushroom Tempura, Gingko, Karasumi, Rice
3. Tai (seabream), Uni, Finger Lime
4. Assorted Kinoko, Walnut Tofu, Bonito Broth
5. Grilled Ayu (sweet fish), Uruka sauce
6. Hamo (eel), Matsutake Mushroom, Pickled Plum
7. Eggplant, Kudzu Somen
8. Wagyu Sukiyaki, Matsutake Mushroom, Fig
9. Wakuden organic rice with pickles
10. Saba Bozushi
11. Somen with Ariake
12. Rice with Grated Yam, Katsuobushi
13. Bamboo sake (welcome drink)
14. Fruits with Wine Jelly
15. Yokan wagashi
16. Omiyage Onigiri