Ryoanji Yudofuya

Description:

• If you're visiting Ryoanji Temple in northeastern Kyoto, there's no lovelier setting for a meal than this traditional restaurant, which calls itself the Ryoanji Seven Herb Tofu Restaurant in honor of the only thing it serves, yudofu, which is boiled tofu and vegetables topped with seven herbs. You can order it by itself, or as a set meal with side dishes. Entrance to the restaurant, situated beside the Kyoyoike Pond, is along a small path that takes you past a stream, a small pond, a grove of maple and pine, and moss-covered grounds, which are also what you look out on as you dine, seated on tatami. You'll know you're getting close to the restaurant when you hear the thonk of a bamboo trough fed by a stream, which fills and hits against stone as it empties. Note that if you wish to come here only for a beer after visiting the temple, you'll pay an extra ¥300 ($2.50/£1.25) table charge in addition to ¥500 ($4.15/£2.10) for the beer.

• © Frommer's 2013

Awards:

Frommer's

•  Highly Recommended 2010