Interestingly, in Japan, the word “pub (パブ)” indicates Philippine thanks to “Philippine pubs (フィリピンパブ)” where Japanese male sleazeballs may or may not end up hurting themselves even more. Meanwhile, Irish pubs (アイリッシュパブ) in Japan stay Irish (interchangeably within The British Isles). Just so you know, Irish pubs in Japan are NOT adult entertainment. They probably don’t serve San Miguel either.
The storefront of Dublin in Kyoto.
Inside Dublin.
Kyoto’s Dublin can’t be any more Irish than that. Guinness, an illustration of Zookeeper by John Gilroy, and The Hill of Tara… Everything screams in Irish except for waiters and locals exchanging bants in an ever-so-friendly festive vibe. Dublin is clearly an Irish pub in Kyoto and the place is happening.
Dublin’s menu.
Despite Dublin’s Irish concept, its menu appears to be more stretched. Irish-focused, Japanese foreign food (外国料理) with a yoshoku (洋食) orientation might explain what it offers: carottes râpées (French carrot salad), gambas al ajillo (Spanish garlic shrimp), tarako pasta (Japanese pollock roe spaghetti), and on and on. But the star is obviously:
Fish and chips. 1500 yen ($11.50).
Shepherd’s pie was also good. 780 yen ($6).
Dublin’s fish and chips were downright crisp. With a little splash of mighty American Heinz Gourmet Malt Vinegar, I couldn’t help but say “wicked good”. Dublin’s shepherd’s pie had a little Japanese yoshoku orientation kicked in. Cheesy and potatoey, Italian meat sauce was what it tasted. It was delicious. I assume they made the right choice as the Catholics. Dublin was salvaging local Buddhists (including me) in the land of Kyoto. Sláinte, I guess.
Dublin | 537-23 Ichinofunairicho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 〒604-0924, Japan
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