Hello. Tempura & Sake Ginkiten. I am in charge of PR at Kyoto Porta branch.

It’s that time of year when the September sunshine gently illuminates the city. The ever-changing play of light throughout the day creates such pleasant afternoons that you’ll find yourself wanting to pause for a moment. In this post, we’d like to introduce a selection of dishes that our staff absolutely love—dishes we hope you’ll savor during these peaceful moments. We hope these suggestions inspire you to enjoy a truly fulfilling dining experience.

A Masterpiece Recommended by Artisans, Featuring a Striking Contrast in Textures

The dish that our staff can’t help but reach for during breaks or after work is “Pita-ku” (green bell peppers and pickled daikon radish tossed with salted kelp). The subtle bitterness of the green bell peppers and the satisfying crunch of the pickled daikon combine with the umami of the salted kelp to create a surprisingly deep and complex flavor. Slipping this dish in between meals—especially those centered around fried foods—cleanses the palate, allowing you to savor the next bite with even greater clarity. It’s simple, yet the fact that such a combination of ingredients alone can deliver such satisfaction is a testament to the wisdom of the artisans who created it. It’s not only excellent as a snack to accompany drinks but also serves as an outstanding palate cleanser. Taking time to savor these subtle flavors—forgetting the hustle and bustle of daily life—brings a little peace to the heart.

The Magic of Freshly Fried Food: Locking in the Natural Flavor of the Ingredients

As a tempura specialty restaurant, what we value most is “preserving the freshness of our ingredients.” A prime example of this is our “Shrimp and Mitsuba Kakioki.” The shrimp’s firm, springy texture and the refreshing aroma of mitsuba are sealed inside the batter in a brief, high-temperature frying process. By using a water fryer, we’re able to minimize excess oil while bringing out the natural sweetness of the ingredients to the fullest. Take a bite, and after the crisp texture of the batter, you’ll be greeted by the rich umami of the shrimp and the refreshing coolness of the mitsuba. This exquisite balance is a luxurious experience that can only be savored when the dish is served fresh out of the fryer. As you watch our chefs skillfully fry the dish right before your eyes at the counter and enjoy it while it’s piping hot, you’ll feel the vitality of the ingredients firsthand. Please give this dish a try—it’s sure to add a touch of surprise and delight to your everyday meals.

A heartwarming experience: the aroma of savory grilled dishes and the lingering aftertaste of dashi

In addition to our fried dishes, our aromatic grilled items are the hidden stars of our menu. Our “Grilled Scallions Drenched in Bonito Flakes” is a dish where we slowly char the scallions to bring out their natural sweetness, then coat them generously with bonito flakes. The moment the scallions’ melt-in-your-mouth texture combines with the aroma of bonito flakes filling your nose, you can’t help but smile. Also, among our staff, it’s a classic tradition to round out a meal with the “Daimyo Bowl (Aosa Miso Soup).” This miso soup, infused with the aroma of the sea from the aosa seaweed, warms you to the core and gently soothes a stomach full of fried and grilled dishes. Despite our convenient location directly connected to the station, we strive to be a place that fits seamlessly into your daily life by offering dishes that reflect this meticulous, handcrafted artistry. At the end of a busy day, we invite you to come experience the warm, comforting afterglow of pampering yourself here at our restaurant.