Wakamashi
Enjoy to your heart's content the seasonal dishes prepared by the owner, who specializes in Japanese cuisine, and the sake that goes perfectly with it.

Carefully selected sake with a focus on dry food drinks
Located in the Kinugasa area, just a stone's throw from Kinkaku-ji Temple, Wakazu is a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy course lunches at noon and à la carte Japanese cuisine at night.The owner, Mr. Hayo Wakamatsu, who trained at culinary inns in Osaka and Shimane and Wakuden in Kyoto, is in charge of his skills. We opened this restaurant in the fall of 2022 with the idea that ``I want people to enjoy their favorite dishes at their own pace.''
He goes to Kyomi Pass to fetch water, which is essential for cooking, and buys seasonal vegetables from Higuchi Farm in Takamine. ``The lunch course (6000 yen) is often used by local people.It is popular among women as it uses plenty of vegetables, and some mothers come with their friends,'' says Wakasu.It has gained a reputation among locals for its ability to enjoy authentic cuisine in a calm space with eight comfortable seats at the counter.
In the evening, you can order a la carte orthodox menus such as sashimi, grilled dishes, and oily dishes, as well as casual sake and appetizers made with seasonal seafood and vegetables.He says that he prepares items that he would wish had on the menu if he were in the customer's shoes.
There are about 50 brands of sake to pair with the dishes, including some not listed on the menu.In addition to Densake (Nishida Sake Brewery in Aomori), which Mr. Wakasumi himself is a fan of, he also produces Yamawa (Yamawa Sake Brewery in Miyagi), Tsuruei (Aoki Sake Brewery in Niigata), and Kushira ( There are many sakes such as Chiyo Sake Brewery in Nara that are delicious to drink with food.
``You can choose any, but if you ask me what I recommend, I'd start with a dry and refreshing brand like [Haaseura] (Miyake Hikoemon Sake Brewery, Fukui). Why don't you choose the second cup as a standard?'' says Wakasugi. They say their taste preferences become clearer, such as ``I want to drink something with more aroma,'' or ``I want something that brings out the flavor of rice more.''You can enjoy sake for half a cup from 2 yen and one cup from 500 yen.
Even on his days off, Mr. Wakamatsu spends his time visiting liquor stores and other places looking for sake. She smiles and says, ``My ideal is for people to enjoy cooking and drinking, and go home feeling energized and thinking, ``I'll do my best again tomorrow.''''

Wakamashi
- Address
- 5 Kinugasakaido-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto CityOpen with Googlemap
- TEL
- 075-600-9256
- Opening hours
- 11:00-15:00, 17:30-22:00 *Reservations required for lunch
- Closing days
- Closed on Mondays
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