Alizia

Affordable and atmospheric

Food

Service

Atmosphere

Aunbo is located in the Higashiyama district of Kyoto, near Ishbei Koji, a charming cobbled street that winds up to meet Kodai Temple and Sanneizaka. In a part of Kyoto where you could easily pay 20,000 yen for a meal, here a lunch set will set you back about 2,500 yen (minus drinks). 

And the lunch set is exactly what I went for. Upon entering  I was ushered to a counter seat where I had a lovely view of the garden, and the mountains beyond. English menus are available and the staff helpful. I ordered and my first dish soon arrived - bundled greens in a delicate broth. The second dish was meltingly soft salmon, simmered in sake. Soup, rice and pickles were also served, the rice laced with chirimenjako, tiny little whole salted fish.  A small dessert was served afterwards, a sweet end to a wonderful meal. 

Aunbo is very popular and booking are strongly advised, especially for weekends or national holidays (I found this out the hard way). 

The entrance can be a little difficult to find. It's located just after a barbers shop, with a distinctive red, white and blue banner. It would be worth asking the place you are staying to write down the address, making it easier to ask for directions as you go along:

〒605-0825
京都市東山区八坂鳥居前町下ル下河原町472
Tel 075-525-2900
Fax 075-525-2932
info@aunbo.com