Kikunoi Honten kaiseki course menu overview in Kyoto Japan dining experience gourmet Japanese cuisine Michelin star luxury hospitality

Nestled in the heart of Kyoto's Higashiyama Ward, Kikunoi Honten offers an exquisite Kaiseki experience that artfully blends seasonal Japanese ingredients with masterful culinary techniques. This Michelin 3-star establishment is renowned for its refined presentation and tranquil ambiance, making it a must-visit for gourmets and cultural explorers alike.

Starters

The meal begins with an artful assortment of appetizers that awaken the palate and showcase diverse flavors and textures. Highlights include smoked salmon sushi delivering smoky richness, mustard-dressed rapini offering a peppery bite, and a delicately crafted haddock roe terrine. Lotus root stuffed with mustard and cured karasumi rolled in cuttlefish present traditional Japanese seafood at its finest. Complementing these are tofu pickled in white miso and pomegranate, alongside a refreshing salad of sea cucumber and turnip for a harmonious balance.

Mains

Kikunoi's main courses represent the pinnacle of Japanese gastronomy, featuring seasonal and regional delicacies. Dive into the silky steamed cod milt bathed in aromatic truffle sauce garnished with fresh chives. Sashimi options include the prized fugu (pufferfish) served with its delicate skin, grated radish with red pepper, and nuanced vinegared chrysanthemum petals, as well as pristine yellowtail sashimi accompanied by grated mustard radish and soy sauce.

For a steamed delight, savor red tilefish enriched with grated kabura turnip, wood ear mushrooms, lily bulb, mitsuba herb, fresh sea urchin, gingko nuts, and a hint of wasabi. Vegetarians can relish a dish of baby turnip, muge taro, kintoki carrot, kujo onion, and gluten roasted in yuzu peel then finished with yuzu miso, offering a vibrant and zesty profile. Seafood lovers will delight in the salad of roe-bearing crab adorned with Japanese citrus, delivering a burst of ocean freshness.

For those seeking heartier fare, the hotpot of tender duck breast with green onion, accompanied by duck meatballs and a sprinkle of sansho pepper, offers a warm and comforting experience. Additionally, the porridge of rice enriched with cod milt, bone-in pufferfish meat, rice cake, fragrant yuzu, and fresh seri herb blends tradition and subtle flavors into a soothing main course.

Desserts

Conclude your Kaiseki journey with an elegant buckwheat walnut sponge cake paired with luscious caramel ice cream. This dessert is garnished with fresh strawberries, bright Amakusa orange, a drizzle of caramel sauce, and a refreshing hint of mint, offering a harmonious balance of sweetness and texture to finish your meal on a high note.

Drinks and Specials

While Kikunoi Honten does not offer a separate menu for drinks, guests can enjoy a curated selection of sake, including sparkling varieties such as Mio sparkling sake, enhancing the delicate flavors of the cuisine. The seasonal Kaiseki course menu is meticulously crafted to reflect the freshest ingredients available, ensuring every visit offers a unique and authentic taste of Kyoto's culinary heritage.

Experience impeccable service and tranquil private dining rooms that create an intimate and peaceful atmosphere ideal for savoring every bite.
Taste the harmony of delicate, fresh seafood and seasonal produce expertly combined in beautifully presented dishes.
Explore a multi-course Kaiseki journey that embodies the essence of Kyoto's culinary and cultural traditions.

4.3

459 Shimokawarachō, Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, 605-0825, Japan

075-561-0015

Closing soon - Closing 7:30 PM

Monday

12:00–12:30, 17:00–19:30

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

12:00–12:30, 17:00–19:30

Thursday

12:00–12:30, 17:00–19:30