01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Diners who tried the Aoi kaiseki course have singled out the tempura of pike conger and figs, and eel topped with a jellied egg mixture, as particularly memorable. One dish showcases seasonal ingredients; the other features eel, giving a sense of the variety within the course. The listed kaiseki options are Aoi at 5,000 yen, Shofu at 7,500 yen and Kashofu at 10,000 yen, so there are choices to consider for different occasions and budgets.
At lunchtime, there are bento options. The Kamo River bento is listed both with yudofu (hot tofu) at 2,600 yen and without it at 3,000 yen. The Sakura bento is also available at 2,000 yen, or with yudofu for 3,600 yen. Diners can use the tofu option as a guide when choosing. One person recalling a bento lunch mentioned tempura, sashimi and pickles; another found the portion neither too large nor too small, and the meal well balanced. The Kamo River bento menu lists sashimi, vegetable tempura, grilled and simmered dishes, rice, clear soup and a dessert or fruit course among its items, making it an option for a varied lunch.
Kizakura sake and Kyoto Beer are options for a drink with the food. The sake list includes Kura no Kahori at 600 yen, Junmai Ginjo Aiyama at 600 yen and Junmai Daiginjo S at 650 yen, as well as 300 ml of freshly pressed ginjo nama sake at 950 yen and Iwai Rice Junmai Ginjo at 1,200 yen. One visitor described Kyoto Beer’s Alt as an amber-coloured, bitter drink, then noted that the daiginjo they tried afterwards had a clean, citrus-like taste and aroma. Moving from beer to sake may offer ideas for those who like to choose drinks to accompany their meal.
The à la carte selection also includes an assortment of obanzai (home-style Kyoto dishes), assorted sashimi, dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette), grilled tilefish with salt and mackerel sushi. Some diners have enjoyed obanzai with sake, while others recommend the obanzai and sashimi platter. There are options for a meal built around individual dishes as well as for kaiseki.
Shofu-rou serves Kyoto-style kaiseki, with menus for lunch and dinner, and offers dine-in service with table service. The restaurant is described as quiet and relaxed, making it an option for a leisurely lunch with conversation or a dinner pairing seasonal dishes with drinks.
