15 Recommended Bento To Buy at Kyoto Station
We’re introducing delicious popular bento that you can buy in front of Kyoto station. When it comes to Japanese bento, inside the perfectly divided container, each article of food is beautifully laid inside like a box of food art. For a reasonable price, you can enjoy Kyoto’s local cuisine.
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1. <Awajiya> Kyoto Gyuuzen（980円）
On top of seasoned rice; teriyaki beef, shredded eggs and Kyoto’s famous pickled vegetables (Suguki pickles) are added to this beef bowl-like bento. Black shichimi spice mixture from Kyoto’s well-established shop is sprinkled on top, making it all the more delicious. We recommend this for anyone who wants to eat delicious beef bento. You can say that this is the most popular bento sold at Kyoto station.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
2. <Haginoya> Bamboo Basket Bento（1000円）
This bento is placed in an elegant bamboo basket giving it the appearance of beautiful art. Much better than homemade bento, at this high class restaurant you receive a fully loaded kaiseki ryori (Japanese traditional cuisine course) bento made with plenty colors like the green of vegetables, eggs and so on. Furthermore, in the case that you carry it with you, be sure not to turn it vertically or the food inside will end up looking sloppy....
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
3. <Haginotani> Conger Eel Sushi（800円）
Conger eel sushi has a similar texture to barbequed eel and is delicious with a sweet soy-based sauce. Recommended for those who like eel. The simple sushi roll with just the vinegared rice and sauce along with the volume of the eel can fill you up. The tightly rolled sushi is quite firm and we’re happy to say that it’s easy to eat both with chopsticks and with your hands.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
4. <Hatsuda> Wagyu Bento（1728円）
This popular wagyu (Japanese beef) speciality shop in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto city has set up a shop in JR Kyoto station’s Isetan department store. The most popular item that always sells out is the savory grilled wagyu which is extravagantly packed into the bento. It’s so popular that many people get off at Kyoto station just to purchase this beef bento.
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/english.html
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/t_chinese.html (中文)
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/floorevent/bento/ (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
5. <Hokusai> Uzumasa Roke-ben（980円）
In Kyoto there’s a famous movie studio (Uzumasa Film Studio) and by request from a famous actor there, this bento was created. Salted mackerel, eel, karaage and lots of other meat, fish and vegetables are all added and the vivid hue looks delicious. It is a famous bento that is often featured on local tv and magazines.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
6. <Nakagawa> Chirimen Sansho（930円）
Sansho is a spice made from the bud of a Japanese pepper tree. It has a unique aroma and is used in many Japanese dishes. In this bento, small dried fish with sancho and a pinch of salt is placed on top of rice and eaten. When you open the lid, you catch a whiff of the sancho and on top of the rice, there is a plentiful amount of chirimen sancho in three varieties. There are foreigners who either love or hate the unique aroma of the sancho but if you like small salted fish then you should give this a try. You can experience a brand new flavor.
HP: www.asty-kyoto.co.jp/kyoto/detail3.html (Japanese Only)
Address: ASTY KYOTO (inside the Kyoto Station Shinkansen ticket gates) (Google Map)
7. <Kashiwai> Kyoto no Tanuki-san（8 pieces / 918円）
Sushi wrapped in kyoyuba. Sushi rice made using red vinegar to bring out the sweetness is fried and mixed with sesame then wrapped in the sweet and salty kyoyuba. Inside the yuba is Japanese pickled vegetables, beef, thinly sliced daikon, kinpira-style sauteed burdock.and lots of other ingredients are added. It’s easy to pick up and hold in your hand and the sweetness make it a recommended bento for children.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
8. <Hokusai> Thanks for your hard work! It’s Tamba cattle!
（1100円）
One of Japan’s highest quality beef, Tamba Cattle is carefully cooked together in a special sauce and placed on top of rice in this bento. The deciding factor of the taste is in the beef fat which brings out the natural taste of the beef without using any ingredients like salad oil. Male or female, this is a popular bento. This bento is recommended for those who want to sample the ample flavor and tenderness of wagyu.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
9. <Hokusai> Japanese-style Karaage（670円）
This Japanese-style karaage bento boats of the unique aroma and flavor of the “Sanshuu” spice made from the bud of the Japanese pepper tree. Japanese karaage is different from European and American fried chicken. It is made in a thin coating with just the right amount of seasoning, has a good compatibility with chicken, is nice and not too greasy. This karaage can boast of tremendous popularity in Kyoto station! Definitely try it out.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
10. <Hokusai> Sauce Filet Cutlet Bento（670円）
Beef coated in batter and fried in oil is the main part of this meat bento. The filet cutlets in a special sauce together with the rice is amazing. This bento is recommended for those who can eat a Japanese homestyle meat dish. Children love the filet cutlets and it’s a popular bento among men and women of all ages.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
11. <Uoriki> Special Unagi Bento（3240円）
Currently, Japanese food is booming all over the world and BBQ unagi has become famous. People who want to eat genuine unagi will be happy with this bento. For the sauces, there is a thick, flavorful Osaka-style sauce and a light Tokyo-style sauce available. Because it’s a special unagi bento that uses the whole body of the eel, you can enjoy a sumptuous lunch of authentic Japanese unagi.
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/english.html
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/t_chinese.html (中文)
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/floorevent/bento/ (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
12. <Tenichi> Tendon Bento（1404円）
Here you can have a Tendon bento with tempura that has also become famous in the worldwide boom of Japanese food. Plenty of delicious tempura is placed on top of rice and sauce is added. Tenichi bento contains 2 pieces of shrimp, conger eel and 3 kinds of vegetables in perfect volume! Even though it contains 2 pieces of shrimp, you'll be happy to know the price is reasonable.
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/english.html
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/translation/t_chinese.html (中文)
HP: kyoto.wjr-isetan.co.jp/floorevent/bento/ (Japanese Only)
Address:Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
13. <Katsukura> Filet Cutlet Sandwich（950円）
“Tonkatsu” pork cutlets are the main part of this bento. In addition to being high-quality and delicious, the pork is tender, juicy and the cutlets are in ample quantity in this sandwich. It is delicious when eaten together with the black shichimi spice mixture made by Kyoto's well established shop.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
14. <Kitayama Nanzan> Wagyu Yakiniku Bento（1,027円）
You can find this delicious yakiniku bento only at this wagyu specialty shop. The wagyu is sliced so it’s easy to eat and using the city’s light brown miso it is grilled in a special sauce. Quite an extravagant dish. The sweet and salty sauce is exquisite and when matched with rice it’s excellent! This bento is recommended for persons who want to eat Japanese yakiniku.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
15. <Petit Restaurant Naito> Yorosan Tonkatsu Bento（864円）
“Tonkatsu” is a Japanese meat dish made with pork dipped in batter and fried in oil so it’s crunchy. This tonkatsu is made by a famous restaurant so the flavor of the pork along with the frying method so perfect you will become addicted. We want you to bite into the tonkatsu along with the plentiful sauce. It’s excellent accompanied with rice and is a dish that will make you fall in love with Japanese tonkatsu.
HP: hokusai-kyoto.co.jp/howtouse/varieties/jr_kyoto_suvaco.html (Japanese Only)
Address: Higashi-shiokouji-cho Shiokoji-sagaru, Karasuma dori Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto (SUBAKO JR Kyoto Isetan) (Google Map)
※The items and prices listed are subject to change. For precise information, please confirm at the shop itself.
The information in this article is accurate at the time of publication.
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