Budget Bites in Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto, like much of Japan, can be an expensive place to visit. But there are a ton of restaurants in the city that won’t break your budget.

Saikatei

Saikatei in the Kyoto Station area serves generous portions for both lunch and dinner. They serve Chinese cuisine mixed with local dishes, and a plate of sashimi will only cost 800–2,500 yen (about $7–23).

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Ippudo Ramen

Ippudo Ramen is a chain restaurant that gained popularity throughout Asia for its rich and tasty soup and noodles. The gyoza dumplings are the best in town, and a bowl of ramen costs just 850 yen (around $8).

Okonomiyaki Katsu

Okonomiyaki Katsu is one of Kyoto’s hidden gems and a truly delightful experience. The restaurant is run by an elderly couple and only seats a handful of guests at a time — expect a wait! But the scrumptious okonomiyaki is more than worth it, and doesn’t cost more than $10.

Yagura

Yagura specializes in soba noodle soup topped with herring. It sits right across from Minamiza Kabuki Theatre, perfect because it’s local tradition to enjoy a bowl of soba after a kabuki performance.

Katsukuru

Katsukuru is a little pricier than our other options, but is the best place in Kyoto to sample pork katsu. The Sanjo location is hidden in an alley and tough to find, but the pork tenderloin menu options are perfectly cooked and only run around 1,200 yen (about $11).