A discreet alley behind Kyoto’s poshest shopping mall ‘BAL’ is where a cozy izakaya ‘Daidokoro Tenya (台所 てんや / Kitchen Tenya)’ is located. Quite a contrast. Daidokoro Tenya’s titillating yellow and green lights successfully attracted me. I was hungry.
Daidokoro Tenya.
Past the Japanese ryokan-esque entrance of Daidokoro Tenya was an unexpectedly spacious dining room. It looked authentic as a Japanese eatery that tries to appeal to Japanese customers. Piped music (Orange Range, Mr. Children, and Aiko) prove it. The eatery seemed to be stuck in the 2000s for good (imagine never ending ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Bedingfield at a diner).
Daidokoro Tenya’s menu.
Daidokoro Tenya’s menu was the perfect list of Japanese comfort food or izakaya food. The menu requires a native-level, advanced Japanese reading skill to order. I couldn’t read a few. I’m Japanese. But never mind. I know what to order at izakaya: potato, tofu, and omelet. So I repeat my incantation and the following were summoned:
Fried baby taro potato karaage (小芋の唐揚げ). In my words, Kyoto-style fries. 450 yen ($3.50).
Deep-fried tofu in dashi broth (揚げ出し豆腐). The classic izakaya dish. 500 yen ($3.80).
Dashimaki rolled omelet (だしまき). It had the perfect custardy texture. 550 yen ($4.20).
Yellowtail sushi (ぶり寿司). They were chunky and super fresh. 780 yen ($6).
And a random thought kicked in… Tofu skin and cheese with pizza sauce (ゆばチーズ包み揚げ). 680 yen ($5.20). Right then and there, my beloved Olive Garden’s Toasted Ravioli was sashay-ed away from my brain.
All the dishes at Daidokoro Tenya were flawless and well-executed. I can only appreciate their hard work. That was probably the best 2960 yen ($22) I’ve spent at a random izakaya for so long.
Daidokoro Tenya (台所 てんや) | Menu | 228 Minami Kurumayacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒604-8021, Japan
