Gion Yorozuya

Gion Yorozuya is a small udon restaurant in the old streets south of Shijo-dori, between Kennin-ji and Yasaka Pagoda. It was founded to deliver meals to the teahouses and theatres of Gion, and over the years it built up a following among the district's geiko and maiko. Today it is a sit-down restaurant, and the Michelin Guide has awarded it a Bib Gourmand for good quality, good value cooking, including in the 2026 guide.

The dish everyone comes for is negi udon: soft noodles in a delicate dashi, topped with a generous heap of finely sliced Kujo negi, the long green onion that is one of Kyoto's traditional vegetables. The onion is mild and sweet, and the combination with the light Kyoto broth is simple but satisfying. Kyoto udon broths are traditionally pale and delicate, seasoned to let the flavour of kombu and bonito come through, and this style suits the onion well. Other bowls on the menu have their own story: one called Mari comes with pickled plum and another called Tsunoda with chicken, both named after well-known customers who favoured those ingredients.

According to the Michelin Guide, Yorozuya opens for lunch from 12:30 and for an early dinner from 17:30 from Monday to Saturday, with lunch only on Sundays, but hours at small family restaurants can change, so it is worth calling ahead. Diners often queue before opening, and the restaurant is small, so arrive early or be ready to wait. Payment is cash only. The restaurant handles any reservations itself by phone.

Yorozuya is a good choice for solo travellers and anyone wanting an inexpensive, local meal in the heart of Gion, a district where many restaurants are expensive or reservation-only. A bowl of udon takes little time, so it fits easily between sightseeing stops. The space is too tight for large groups or pushchairs.

The restaurant is a short walk from Keihan Gion-Shijo Station and from Hankyu Kyoto-kawaramachi Station across the Kamo River. Kennin-ji, Kyoto's oldest Zen temple, is just to the south-west, and the lanes of Hanamikoji and Yasui Konpira-gu Shrine are a few minutes away. From here it is an easy uphill walk to Yasaka Pagoda, Ninenzaka and Kiyomizu-dera.