KYO SUSHI OOKINI
Based on the belief that food is medicine, this 25-year-old sushi venue in Kyoto employs organic vegetables and wild-caught fish to assemble a hyperlocal menu that heals the body and the soul.
Restaurant Details
Sushi may not fit the traditional definition of junk food — at least, not like greasy burgers from fast-food joints. But it was once Japan’s hawker food, designed for quick bites on the go.
Murata Tsutomo, who founded KYO SUSHI OOKINI in 2000 by Kyoto’s Mibudera Temple, is elevating these iconic morsels with a focus on nutrition, designing a course of carefully calibrated nigiri that balances health and flavor.
It’s all made possible for a few reasons. The restaurant's softly lit, traditionally designed space is located near the Kyoto City Central Wholesale Market, Japan's first wholesale market, allowing easy access to fresh seafood and vegetables. And Murata is pretty serious about where his items come from. All seafood is wild-caught, while the vegetables are organic. The salt used is 100% seawater, free from chemical seasonings, and the miso comes from Gifu, which is made with soybeans grown without pesticides.
The menu remains as seasonal and thoughtfully composed as ever, showcasing Murata’s expertise as a chef with over 45 years of experience with kyo-ryori (Kyoto cuisine) and nihonryori (Japanese cuisine). And if his guests already marvel their way through striped horse mackerel, boiled conger eel dressed in thick sauce or the chef-special mugwort pasta, they'll be even more pleased to discover they can also request their favorite sushi. A vegetarian or avoiding animal-based products? Murata, a city-certified dietary education instructor, can work his magic on a new menu.
Such hospitality typically comes at a premium, but KYO SUSHI OOKINI’s courses are surprisingly affordable. Grab a seat at the counter to witness the talent at play.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI offers a traditional meal of appetizers, tempura, sushi, and dessert, with an unwavering commitment to organic vegetables and wild-caught fish. Even the salt used is made of 100% seawater, leaving no room for compromise.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI offers a traditional meal of appetizers, tempura, sushi, and dessert, with an unwavering commitment to organic vegetables and wild-caught fish. Even the salt used is made of 100% seawater, leaving no room for compromise.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI presents a premium course featuring fresh cuts of wild-caught sashimi, along with an assortment of tempura, sushi and dessert.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI presents a premium course featuring fresh cuts of wild-caught sashimi, along with an assortment of tempura, sushi and dessert.
The Japanese mugwort, or yomogi, takes center stage in this special lunch and dinner course, featured in the chef’s signature pasta. For the sushi and sashimi course, enjoy high-quality, wild-caught fish, organic vegetables and meticulously selected ingredients — even down to pure 100% sea salt.
The Japanese mugwort, or yomogi, takes center stage in this special lunch and dinner course, featured in the chef’s signature pasta. For the sushi and sashimi course, enjoy high-quality, wild-caught fish, organic vegetables and meticulously selected ingredients — even down to pure 100% sea salt.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Remarks
KYO SUSHI OOKINI can accommodate dietary restrictions, including halal and kosher preferences, though please note that it is not certified.
To ensure the best experience, guests with dietary restrictions or food allergies are kindly asked to inform the restaurant in advance, as same-day requests may not be possible.
The restaurant reserves the right to refuse reservations to guests who have excessive dietary restrictions, particularly those of fish or vegetables.
The course menu content listed above is an example, and is subject to change based on seasonal availability.
The restaurant cannot always guarantee that it can provide guests with their preferred seating options after a reservation due to availability.
The pictures provided are for illustrative purposes.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Business Days
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Address
41 Mibuhigashitakadacho, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto 604-8845
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Access Info
KYO SUSHI OOKINI is a 13-minute walk from Saiin Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line or a 12-minute walk from Sai Station on the Arashiyama Main Line.
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Phone Number
KYO SUSHI OOKINI Cancellation Policy
Cancel your reservation at least 2 days before the dining start time to receive a full refund minus a 3.2% transaction fee.
Restaurant location
Featuring beautiful landscapes from mountain to sea, Kyoto Prefecture conveys traditional Japanese culture through its architecture and gardens, art and artisanal crafts, and delicious local cuisine made from regional produce.
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