Kibarashiya

Open the menu to find classic izakaya small plates alongside Korean-inspired dishes such as savoury pancakes, homemade kimchi, and japchae. The chijimi pancakes packed with rich beef tendon and the slow-simmered Omi beef tendon are standouts well suited to lingering over a first drink. Local ingredients also feature prominently, seen in skewered Kyoto nama-fu dengaku glazed with miso and crisp karaage made from Kyoto Tamba Ajiwaidori chicken, each showcasing rustic yet meticulous preparation.

For an easy start to the evening, homemade potato salad studded with smoky iburigakko (smoked daikon pickles) or an assorted platter of homemade namul make appealing first bites. To drink, options span Kyoto's local Jurakudai sake and Korean makgeolli to Kyoto craft gin Kinobi and Japanese whiskies such as Hibiki and Yamazaki. Whether ordered on the rocks or with a chosen mixer, the whiskies and flavourful drinks pair effortlessly with the savoury dishes.

Kibarashiya opens at 17:00 as evening sets in. With counter and table seating, the space caters equally well to a quiet solo drink or a shared meal among companions. To finish, a sizzling stone-pot bibimbap or samgyetang-style ramen in a gentle, savoury broth rounds off the night on a deeply satisfying note.