Today was Kyoto Day! Before we took off to Kyoto, we wanted to eat udon for breakfast. However, the restaurant was still closed so our backup plan was a curry restaurant just two doors down that seemed to be a 24/7 cafe joint. There were already people eating in it. 

You order via iPad that’s placed in front of every seat and the food was brought fairly quickly. I got a plate of pork curry rice. I honestly was just craving the curry sauce itself and drenched all of my white rice with it. I just love their curry! It was so good and totally hit the spot. The curry sauce was good and had a couple of soft carrots in it. I also love how they’re always generous with the curry to rice ratio. It was the perfect amount. Delicious carb fuel to hike the Fushima Inari Shrine after! That’s our first stop in Kyoto before the Nishiki Market and finishing the day off with the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. 

We hiked all the way to the top! Near the end, it got a little confusing as to what was the top or not but the many signs helped us. It started to sprinkle when we were heading down and downpour by the time we got to the bottom. My mom was so proud of making it to the top! It was around 12,000 steps to the top. 

Afterwards, we went to Nishiki Market nearby. A lot of the food stands were overpriced compared to Kuromon Market in Osaka. It was also really jam packed!! 

We shared a set of 8 takoyaki with mayo and masago mayo. The balls were freshly made and super hot. The octopus pieces were slightly larger. They were just as soft and creamy as the ones in Osaka. 

Afterwards, we shared a tiny platter of fresh uni and a broiled spider crab’s leg. The uni was so little but I couldn’t stuff myself with a whole tray of it. The crab leg was meaty and smelled/tasted like the sea. I was satisfied.

Lastly, a grilled eel skewer!! Gotta eat as much eel as possible because it’s know I won’t when I’m back home. It was soft and tender. Not as good as the Osaka but maybe if it were served more warm. They microwaved the pre-grilled eel skewers to order so that was a bit disappointing. 

After exploring Arashiyama, we took the train back to Osaka. Okay, so remember that dinner plans was that udon place I wanted this morning? Well, it was closed by the time we got back. They only open from like 11-4! Ugh, it wasn’t meant to be. 

Buttt… There is also an udon place a block away from our hotel that was still open so that’s what we settled for. And we were not disappointed. 

I ordered the beef udon with a potato croquette. The layout of the ordering system is exactly like Marugame Udon back in the States. 

This hit the spot after a rainy day and a hard day! The broth was very simple and light yet flavorful. The udon noodles were soft. I loved this beef compared to the beef udon back in the states because this wasn’t cooked with white onions. Score!!! Just plain beef. I love simplicity in my food. 

And my mom and I are tapped out early. Random heavy showers, walking around in the rain, so much train transfers. I hope I didn’t beat my mom up too much! Today is the heaviest traveling day of the trio though! 

Tomorrow will be Kobe day!