Yuba Dining in Ukyo Ward, Kyoto (Japan)

In the last 10 years or so, Japan has incorporated the English language in their grade school curriculum. As a consequence of this, the concept of being "lost in translation" is gradually diminishing, particularly in big cities. Still navigating around Japan isn't as easy as you'd think. Vending machines found everywhere (fro train tickets, fast food, etc.) don't exactly have English translation on them. But it's all part of the fun.

I visited Tenryu-ji Temple (UNESCO World heritage site) in Susukinobaba-cho in the Ukyo Ward of West Kyoto. But my main destination was the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Before proceeding further, I looked for a restaurant for a fast lunch. I found this along the main road. It specializes in Yuba cuisine. Yuba is tofu skin (soy milk skin). It has rice in the soup; that heady, rich taste of the luxuriantly heavy broth. Yum

What's better: It costs a measly 980 yen, almost a quarter cheaper than many Yuba restaurants I know. Stayed at the second floor with a view of the surrounding hills around the area.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Street Gastronomy: Meat Wrapped Rice Balls (Kyoto, Japan)

From afar, they look like "turon" (banana lumpia). Once closer, you'll rethink your guess. It's hotdog on a stick. But are they?

Well, they're really rice balls wrapped in thinly-sliced meat - the nikumaki onigiri. There are two food concepts here: the "onigiri" refers to the rice balls; the "nikumaki" refers to the thinly-sliced meat, as I was told. These items are delicious and cheap at 500 yen a piece. Meat wraps are found all over Japan but they originated from the southern island of Kyushu.

I was just walking out of the Fushimi Inari Shrine when I saw these rice balls at the side streets of Kyoto, Japan's cultural mecca. 

This is the Eye in the Sky!
  

Yup, they're rice alright.

Before garnishing them.

#streetfood   #kyoto   #riceballs   #japan