Choosing the trip’s final flavors among tofu, herring soba, and yuba udon
As the time to head back draws near, choosing that final meal becomes a bit more deliberate. You might want to savor one more time a flavor you loved during the journey, or perhaps linger over that quintessential taste of Kyoto you have not yet experienced.
When traveling with family, that final meal must also balance everyone’s preferences with the time remaining. Whether to slowly appreciate tofu, settle things neatly with a single bowl of soba, or enjoy comforting, warm udon. Three spots close to the station each left behind a distinct final impression.
Kyoto Tofu Fujino京豆冨不二乃
A spot to soothe the reluctant feelings of departure while lingering over delicate tofu and yuba.
Tofu textures could vary this much
Tasting sesame tofu, yuzu-scented tofu, and warm oboro tofu in succession showed how a single ingredient could show completely different expressions. I had imagined a meal composed purely of softness, but nutty richness, delicate fragrance, and gentle textures melting on the palate each lingered individually.
The warm tofu in particular made me wish for another helping. That said, eating too much right from the start could make the courses that follow feel overwhelming, so enjoying it a little at a time felt best.
Different expressions from yuba to deep-fried tofu
In my memory of having a warm tofu course on the journey’s final day, the rich aroma of yuba lingers just as strongly. The dish of deep-fried tofu paired with broth was also delicious, offering a way to round out a Kyoto meal in a direction quite different from familiar meat dishes.
Even with such neat and refined food, the wait was by no means brief. There were days with long waits, so I would rather recommend it to families who have set aside plenty of time for their meal rather than when boarding time is near.
Location 11th floor restaurant area of JR Kyoto Isetan, directly connected to Kyoto Station.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan · 11th floor restaurant area of JR Kyoto Isetan, directly connected to Kyoto Station · Search Map
Matsuba Kyoto Station Branch松葉 京都駅店
Savoring the taste of Kyoto once more with herring soba inside the Shinkansen ticket gates.
Soba with the sweet, savory depth of herring lingering behind
The sweet and savory simmered flavor of the herring paired wonderfully with the broth. Slurping the noodles and pairing them bite by bite with the fish left me feeling, even in that final bowl, that I truly had visited Kyoto.
Even on a trip where rain kept us from roaming far, I have memories of having this single bowl on the way back. There were times when, without stopping by many more places, a single taste lingering on the palate neatly tied the entire journey together.
An egg rice bowl for anyone craving rice
When not everyone felt like having soba, the combination of pork cutlet rice bowl and egg was also wonderful. Tender egg infused with broth alongside crispy cutlet delivered all the satisfaction of enjoying a familiar classic.
While everyone can pick between soba and rice bowls to suit their own tastes, this branch is located inside the Shinkansen ticket gates. You will want to check first whether that fits the travel route of the family riding with you before settling on it as your final meal.
Location Kyoto Station 2nd floor concourse inside the Shinkansen ticket gates. Since it is inside the Shinkansen boarding area, make sure to distinguish it from restaurants outside the gates.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan · Kyoto Station 2nd floor concourse inside the Shinkansen ticket gates · Search Map
Mimiu Kyoto Isetan Branch美々卯 京都伊勢丹店
A comforting udon meal rounding things off gently with tender yuba and broth.
A final udon meal enjoyed with generous servings of yuba
The yuba udon offered a wonderful harmony of tender ingredients and broth. Generous amounts of yuba sat on top, letting its nutty flavor continue between mouthfuls of noodles, while the gentle, unassertive broth stayed comforting right through to the end.
For a dinner before boarding our departing Shinkansen, I opted for a single bowl rather than a hot pot that takes time to simmer. Rather than feeling regret that I should have eaten more, what remained was pure satisfaction from rounding things off with a broth I love.
A hot pot to simmer together if time allows
During a leisurely family meal, udon-suki (udon hot pot) offered a different kind of joy. As we simmered each ingredient and picked them out one by one, the flavor of the broth deepened, and the child ate the noodles and broth happily, making the meal feel easy and relaxed.
Even after finishing all the noodles and vegetables, it was hard to part with the broth. Whether to wrap up the journey over a shared pot or head back briskly with individual bowls is a choice best made based on how much time is left.
Location 11th floor restaurant area of JR Kyoto Isetan, directly connected to Kyoto Station.
Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan · 11th floor restaurant area of JR Kyoto Isetan, directly connected to Kyoto Station · Search Map
If you wish to leisurely savor diverse flavors of tofu, choose Fujino; if you want to enjoy a final Kyoto soba inside the ticket gates, choose Matsuba; and if you crave comforting broth and yuba, choose Mimiu. Rather than the most lavish dish, the ideal final meal is one where the entire family can look back on its taste in total comfort.