It’s been said that Nishiki market is the kitchen of Kyoto! It has been there for over 400 years. You can find many kinds of food from not only local (Kyoto), but also all over the place! This is a guide for you to find great foods that you must try! Let’s explore what to get there 😉
About Nishiki Market
It is located in Kawaramachi area, Kyoto city, Kyoto. The length is 390 meters, there are 126 shops (as of Dec 2021)
Long History – Over 400 years
It’s been said that there was a market here between the years 782 to 805 but there is no document to prove it. Although, there are records which show evidence of some fish shops in 1311.
The government started allowing fish mongers to register their business as shops, and some of the fish shops got registered in 1615 officially.
Background
There is good quality & cold groundwater running around Nishiki market, and people could keep food fresh with that water even when they didn’t have a fridge and freezer, which must be one of reasons why some businesses were started there, people say.
Rule in Nishiki Market
NO Eat & Walk
You can NOT eat and walk at Nishiki Market, unfortunately. You can eat-in if they have seats inside. If not, take away and eat somewhere else.
NO Bring In & Eat Things Purchased At Different Store
You can NOT bring food/beverage purchased at different store. Although, there are 2 places where you can eat the food purchased in Nishiki market with a condition.
Tango Table – order one thing (food/beverage) per person (even kids too) at Tango Table, then you can bring and eat food purchased in Nishiki market.
Nishiki Shokudo – order one thing (beverage) per person at Tango Table, then you can bring and eat food purchased in Nishiki market.
What to Bring To Nishiki Market
Cash
Some of you might think “why?” but actually there are a lot of shops that don’t accept credit/debit card nor electric payment in Japan. I know it’s out of date and I completely agree, but just understand that you might need to pay in cash at some places.
Eco Bag (Plastic Bag)
As I mentioned earlier, you might need to buy and bring items back to your hotel or somewhere else to eat. Although now in Japan, you need to purchase a plastic bag when shopping. Better to bring your own bag(s)!
If you don’t have them, you can find them at 100 yen shops such as Daiso, Seria, etc. It can be a good souvenir for you too!
Dashimaki Tamago (Egg Omelet)
Dashimaki Tamago is a kind of egg omelet, with dashi soup (broth).
Dashi: broth
Maki (Verb: Maku)
Tamago: egg
It’s a very common side dish that you can find in obento (lunch box) in Japan. It is fluffy and tastes different depending on who makes it. Each restaurant (shop) and family have their own recipe.
There are some shops where you can eat Dashimaki Tamago in Nishiki market,
- Tanaka Keiran
- Miki Keiran
- Yamamoto Baba
Tanaka Keiran
Tanaka Keiran has been running their business over 85 years, sticking with Dashimaki Tamago. They don’t sell online because they want customers to come and eat delicious food in Kyoto.
No chemical food additives/chemical seasonings are used in their Dashimaki Tamago, no added sugar either but you can find sweetness in it.
I highly recommend you to try it!
Note
- No seating
- Be careful for soup leaking
Fresh Seafood
Although Kyoto doesn’t have an ocean nearby, they always have good fresh seafood from all over the place. There are a lot of Ryoutei(s) and Kappou(s) – japanese traditional restaurant, usually a bit expensive – in Kyoto where you can enjoy good food including seafood.
Kimura Fresh Fish
Kimura Fresh Fish was founded in the Edo era, Genna 6 (year 1620), and has a long history of running their business in Nishiki market, too.
The variety of seafood that you can see is amazing here! You can find a lot of kinds of fish & clams, a plate of sashimi, some salmon skewers, tuna etc. which are easy to eat.
They have some seats inside for a quick eat! I had an oyster (raw) from Hokkaido! It was HUGE but only 800 yen. OMG so cheap!! It was super creamy and tasteful! If you don’t like raw seafood, you can ask them to grill it.
Note
- inside seating available
- Beverage (alcohol)
Unique Food
There are a lot of unique foods in Nishiki market, that you rarely find it somewhere else. *It doesn’t mean it is invented here
Kai
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This always comes up when speaking of Nishiki market. Tako Tamago is an octopus with quail egg inside. The taste is mixed sweet and savory. It was invented in Hokkaido originally, but Kai started selling it on a stick.
Sweets
Ichigo Daifuku
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Kofukudo started making and selling Wagashi (Japanese sweets) in 1868. They have beautiful Wagashi which is like an artwork.
Their Ichigo Daifuku is very popular! They make both Tsubu-an (red beans paste with some parts of beans) and Koshi-an (smooth paste of red beans) so that you can choose whichever you like.
Nishiki Ichiha
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If you like to try Japanese sweets including matcha-flavored food, dango, etc, this is the place to go!
Nishiki Tenmangu Shrine
This is not food. But there is a shrine named Nishiki Tenmangu at the edge of arcade. Actually there are some shrines inside. Each is specified to wish for.
- Shiogama Shrine : for safe delivery of childbirth
- Shiradayu Shrine : for getting pregnant
- Hinode Inari Shrine : for success of business
and etc. It looks beautiful with lanterns at evening, too.
More >> Kyoto Travel Blog
Nishiki Market has a long history, and there are many stores/shops where you can enjoy the food.. Recommend going there with much appetite so that you can try a lot of food!
