Chihana is a restaurant with a history dating back to 1946. Currently passed down the the second generation, owner chef Katsuyoshi Nagata keeps this restaurant going strong and Chihana has been awarded with 3 Michelin stars for a while now. With only 8 seats at the counter and 2 small private rooms, the capacity of this restaurant is really small. Having a small space ensure that chef can overlook every dish prepared and that’s a good thing.

Beautiful ceramic behind the counter. I ordered my meal during reservation and I went with Course B which was ¥18000+tax.

Pineapple and bonito

I’ve never seen pineapple in Japanese meals like this before.

Mushroom, vegetable mixed in egg

Shishamo

Clam, gluten, onion

Miso and raddish

Squid and vegetable mixed tempura

Loved this.

Fishball with chestnut and mushroom

Nodoguro and maguro

Different sauce for different fish. The kelp to go with sashimi is inspired by the first-generation owner of Chihana. Nodoguro is also known as blackthroat seaperch, something we don’t commonly see but not any less delicious.

Sea eel and cucumber

Not that I want to be mean but generally, don’t try to have sushi in Kyoto to Osaka. This was rather underwhelming.

Tiny fish, sanma (Spanish mackerel), fried gingko, cream and soybean, vegetables in sesame sauce

I loved the gingko. Gingko appears a lot during autumn.

Jellyfish and lotus root salad

This was my favourite. It was so refreshing and even though I was really full, I suddenly felt my appetite return. And I love pinenuts.

Spinach

Rice

Fruit juice

This is my first time having fruit juice for dessert and it was so good!

Best juice ever. Juicing with Japanese fruits is a different level.

Chihana 千花
584-13-2 Gionmachi Minamigawa, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan