Japanese restaurant • 252 Kuramahonmachi, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1111, Japan
Nestled in the deep greenery of Mount Kurama in Sakyo-ku, Kyoto City, Yuya is a long-standing soba restaurant that has been serving customers since the Meiji era.
Yuya was established in 1887 (Meiji 20) and the old photographs displayed inside the shop tell the story of its long-standing presence. The dignified appearance reminiscent of a machiya townhouse, along with the swaying noren curtains, embodies the ancient spirit of Kyoto.
Yuya's prized soba features a chewy texture and a refined sweetness unique to Kyoto. The broth, a rich and deep flavor typical of Kyoto, is made from a combination of kelp and bonito stock, with the aroma of sansho pepper stimulating the appetite.
The popular 'deer meat soba' is available only in winter, offering a perfect harmony of deer meat umami and sansho pepper, providing a warming sensation from within. In the summer, the 'cold hot spring egg soba' is recommended, complemented by the exquisite flavor of sesame oil in the cold broth.
In addition to soba, Yuya's specialty dishes are not to be missed. The sweet simmered ayu is a distinctive dish only found in long-standing establishments. It is exquisitely tender and perfectly seasoned. Furthermore, the parent-and-child Nanba soba and the chicken Nanba soba are also highly regarded.
The quietly nestled Yuya along the peaceful approach seems like a hidden gem away from the hustle and bustle of Kyoto. While savoring the soba and dishes, one can truly immerse in the elegance of Kyoto. When visiting Mount Kurama, be sure to stop by this establishment.