Muromachi Wakuden: A Must-Visit Restaurant When Talking About Japanese Cuisine in KyotoThis ultra-established restaurant has produced chefs from renowned places like Ginza Fujiyama, Tokuhachi Honya, and Kiyama.I had the summer lunch course this time, featuring seasonal Kyoto vegetables like conger eel, sweetfish, and Kamo eggplant, along with fresh seafood, allowing me to fully enjoy the seasonal flavors unique to Wakuden.**3rd Dish: Fried Octopus and Corn** This dish features firm octopus and sweet corn, lightly fried to perfection.The red vinegar sauce combined with honey creates a harmonious balance of acidity and gentle sweetness, enhancing the umami of the ingredients.**6th Dish: Sweetfish from Biwa** A splendid sweetfish served with a tangy wasabi vinegar, a summer classic.While it has the characteristic slight bitterness of sweetfish, there are no off-flavors, and the flesh is plump and delightful.**7th Dish: Kamo Eggplant** My personal MVP.The Kamo eggplant, cooked to a melt-in-your-mouth texture, is paired with a rich egg yolk miso.It beautifully brings out the natural sweetness and umami of the eggplant, and the elegant dashi adds layers of flavor, making it enjoyable until the very last bite.**8th Dish: Clam Hot Pot** A hot pot featuring oversized clams as the star ingredient.The rich umami from the clams is complemented by aosa seaweed, oboro tofu, and new onions, allowing for a full appreciation of the delicious dashi.I drank every last drop without leaving a trace.**9th, 10th, and 11th Dishes: Three Types of Rice to Conclude** The finale was unexpectedly a trio, which made me very happy.Luxuriously made with fatty, large mackerel sushi, rice topped with fluffy egg and conger eel cutlet, and a rice porridge concentrated with clam umami.It was a satisfying conclusion that left me completely full.At JPY 13,000 for this quality, it’s an incredibly good value lunch course.Considering the skills, ingredients, and variety that come with this long-established restaurant, the price is surprisingly reasonable.I can confidently recommend this place to anyone experiencing Japanese cuisine in Kyoto for the first time.