This past May, Jacob and I went back to Japan with some friends. One afternoon in Kyoto, we split up so the two of us could have a lunch date at Yuzugen. It’s a lovely little restaurant tucked along Pontocho Alley with two bright yellow yuzu hanging on the noren curtains. For those of you who don’t know, yuzu is a citrus fruit that looks very similar to a lemon. We had eaten here previously in 2023, where we ordered some dumplings and noodles. Both were amazing, and we knew we had to come back.
We arrived right before they opened. It was a rainy day, so we were the only people waiting in line. Once we were seated and started looking over the menu, it was decided that the best course of action would be to order a bunch of things and share because we each wanted to try so much.
We started with the cucumber in yuzu citrus and the daikon in yuzu citrus. The closest thing I can compare them to is a sweet pickle. They had that familiar vinegary flavor you’d expect from a pickle, but with sugar and bright citrus added. Absolutely delicious. The cucumber was so good that I ordered a second serving. The daikon was sliced so thin it was almost transparent.
Next, we ordered four each of the yellow and green yuzu dumplings. The green dumplings have a citrus and chili paste filling, while the yellow have a citrus and miso filling. These are what we had three years ago that put this place on our favorites list. We already knew they would be great, and they didn’t disappoint. I slightly prefer the yellow over the green, but I also love miso. So if miso isn’t your thing, just order the green ones and you won’t be disappointed.
Next came the deep-fried sea bream. We are both from the southern United States, so we know fried fish, but nothing prepared us for the perfectly salted crust and the light, flaky texture of this one. I knew it was going to be good, but I did not expect to audibly moan after my first bite. I was almost disappointed that I had to share it with Jacob! I’m not sure I’ll ever experience that combination of flavor and texture again without going back to Yuzugen. If you only order one thing, this is what I recommend.
Finally, we had the chicken and yuzu citrus noodles. This was the same dish we ordered back in 2023. Jacob and I are creatures of habit, so we often order the same things because we know we won’t be disappointed. And, of course, we weren’t. It was served with fresh greens on top. You would expect it to be heavy like chicken noodle soup, but the broth was light, bright, and refreshing. It was the perfect way to round out the meal.
If you’ve made it this far, you’ve probably realized I really like this restaurant. Between ordering seconds of the cucumbers, trying not to inhale the dumplings, and seriously considering not sharing the sea bream with Jacob, I’d say it was a pretty successful lunch date. The next time we’re in Kyoto, I have a feeling we’ll end up right back here.
また後で!
Katlyn
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