Dinner at Kyo-Chabana: My Favorite Restaurant in the World

There was one last thing we had to do before leaving Kyoto, and that was to have dinner at Kyo-Chabana, the restaurant which I've long referred to as my favorite in the world.

As the sun set, my mom and I walked beneath the bright lights of Kyoto Tower and into the restaurant’s small, warm, cozy interior.

Mom and I were led to a booth in the corner of the restaurant. The server handed us our menus and reached under the table to turn on the gas heater which would warm up the large plate griddle which was built inside a recess on the table between us.

Of course, we had to start with an appetizer, and we decided to order a small plate of edamame beans roasted with oil and salt.

Kyo-Chabana is a teppanyaki restaurant, where dishes are prepared and served in front of guests on top of a teppan, a large, flat heated griddle not unlike a hibachi grill. 

I have been to Kyoto three times in my life, and every time I've had dinner at Kyo-Chabana. Each time, I've ordered the same two dishes. A tradition is a tradition, after all!

First, we had a large serving of avocado yakisoba. Traditional Japanese buckwheat noodles were served on the griddle in a creamy sauce along with chunks of ripe, buttery avocado, grilled bacon, and slivers of onion.

Next, we had tomato okonomiyaki.

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese cabbage pancake. It is traditionally made with wheat flour, eggs, shredded cabbage, and other vegetables. Here, it was topped with a runny fried egg and finished with a gravy boat filled with a sweet and savory tomato sauce.

Kyo-Chabana remains my favorite restaurant in the world! Even though it's been years since I have visited it, the quality of the food has not diminished. It was again one of the best meals that I've ever had!