Department Store Basement Food Court — Review by J. Kenji López-Alt
Kyoto, Japan — Japanese
Kenji and Akari visited a food court in the basement of a department store in Kyoto where they sampled six dishes plus three desserts. The standout items were the fresh unagi and quality seafood, though some items like the katsu were overly soggy and salty. Overall, the variety and quality of the offerings made for an enjoyable casual dining experience.
What was great: Fresh unagi (freshwater eel) that was lightly seasoned and fatty, good quality pork katsu, ikura nigiri, sakura mochi, apple pie with cream filling, kashiwa mochi, and various desserts
What could improve: Soggy katsu, some dishes were too salty
The Dishes
The pair started with a pork katsu that came with plenty of sauce, resulting in a soggy texture that detracted from the experience. Despite the sogginess, Kenji noted the pork itself was of good quality. They sampled unagi (freshwater eel) that was very lightly seasoned and fatty, which Kenji particularly enjoyed. Chicken tempura was tried but seemed unremarkable. The sushi selections included ikura nigiri which was fresh and delicious. Several other dishes were tasted including what appeared to be items with wasabi that required some adjustment for eating. The dessert portion featured sakura mochi which both reviewers praised as very good, an apple pie with cream filling that was sweet with a pleasant tartness, and kashiwa mochi which they seemed to enjoy as well.
The Experience
The setting was a casual food court environment in the basement of a department store, typical of Japanese department store dining options. The atmosphere was relaxed and conducive to sampling multiple items. Service appears to have been straightforward without specific commentary on wait times or service quality.
Value & Pricing
No specific pricing information was mentioned in the transcript, though the food court setting suggests affordable, casual dining typical of Japanese department store food courts.
Notable Moments
I don't mind soggy katsu with you
I've been waiting for dessert my entire life
The review had moments of humor as the pair navigated some of the dishes, particularly when discussing how to eat certain items and reacting to wasabi content.
The Verdict
This department store food court offers a solid selection of traditional Japanese items with generally good quality ingredients, though execution varies. The fresh seafood items shine while some items like katsu could use better technique. The dessert selection is a particular highlight. This type of venue is ideal for casual sampling of multiple dishes and trying a variety of Japanese specialties in a convenient location.