Tempura and Wine Kojima Kyoto Branch” is conveniently located just an 8-minute walk northwest from Kyoto Station, making it a popular choice not only for those returning from work but also for tourists and business travelers alike. As the name suggests, you can enjoy “tempura” and “wine” at reasonable prices.
With an average budget of 2000 to 3000 yen, it’s a popular spot even in the competitive area around Kyoto Station. The main branch, originally established in Nagoya, is renowned as a highly sought-after restaurant with reservations often difficult to secure. The Kyoto branch opened in March 2022. At the Kyoto branch, various ingredients are incorporated into tempura, including carefully selected fresh ingredients from Kyoto Central Market and Italian-inspired dishes. We regularly feature seasonal ingredients to ensure our customers always have something new to enjoy. We welcome guests for any occasion, ensuring everyone can find something they love. For those staying in the Kyoto Station area, the restaurant is conveniently located near many hotels, allowing guests to easily enjoy tempura and drinks. Additionally, we recommend visiting us for a second or third round, and takeaway options are available for guests who wish to enjoy tempura in the comfort of their hotel rooms.
In terms of size, the restaurant is small to medium-sized, with around 40 seats including 7 tables and 9 counter seats. At the counter, guests can enjoy the immersive experience of watching tempura being fried right in front of them, allowing them to savor the sounds and aromas.
At the counter seats, guests can experience a warm sense of hospitality tailored to each individual. The stylish interior of the restaurant, combined with the friendly service of the staff, enhances the overall dining experience. With skilled artisans preparing seasonal delicacies from both land and sea, paired with a selection of wines and other beverages, the compatibility reaches its maximum. According to reviews on a certain website, 94% of customers are satisfied with the “cuisine/taste,” while 91% are satisfied with the “atmosphere of the restaurant.”
The clientele is evenly split between men and women, with an average of three people per group. Families with children are also welcome, constituting approximately 25% of the customer base, providing a comfortable environment for all. Foreign visitors make up around 30% of the clientele, with 70% being of European or American descent and 30% being of Asian descent. Furthermore, the restaurant implements thorough measures to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, ensuring a safe and enjoyable dining experience for all patrons.
From classics to creative tempura!
You can enjoy over 20 varieties of creative tempura at all times. Alongside stylish creative skewered tempura made with plenty of seafood, meat, and vegetables, you can also savor carefully selected wines. While the regular menu includes English translations, there’s also a dedicated English menu for added convenience.
If you’re unsure what to order, the manager assures that you can’t go wrong with the signature menu item that many customers opt for: the “Tempura Assortment of 5 Varieties”
Assorted Vegetable Set A 1000 yen（Tax inclusive ）
Avocado, Sweet Potato, Lotus Root, Prosciutto-wrapped Eggplant, Asparagus with Parmesan
Assorted Appetizers Set B for Alcohol 1250 yen（Tax inclusive）
Ikura Canapé, Camembert Cheese (2), Avocado, Tuna Canapé, Plump Shrimp, Seasonal Pickles
Assorted Seafood Set C: 1390 yen（Tax inclusive）
Ikura Canapé, Tuna Canapé, Plump Shrimp, Seasonal Sashimi
One of the manager’s recommended items is the famous “Nori Tempura with Salmon Roe Canapé.” It’s included in the Tempura Assortment of 5 Varieties Series, Set B for Alcohol, and Set C for Seafood. It’s highly praised for its addictive combination of oceanic aroma and the texture of salmon roe.
The freshly fried tempura batter is crisp and light, offering a delightful crunch. Depending on the season, carefully selected salts are available, allowing you to enjoy the tempura according to your personal preference.
The popular new menu item, “Tempura Sushi,” is a masterpiece that combines tempura with sushi rolls generously topped with fatty tuna, spicy cod roe, and salmon roe, making it a highly sought-after dish that many customers order. With a price of just 590 yen for two pieces, it’s not only Instagram-worthy but also incredibly affordable. Be sure to give it a try!
Of course, aside from tempura, there are also delicious sashimi and other à la carte dishes available. For dipping with tempura, you can choose between tempura dipping sauce (which can be exchanged), sauce, matcha salt, and Kojima’s original blend of salt (available on the table).
As the name suggests, “Tempura and Wine Kojima” focuses on the marriage of tempura and alcohol, aiming to showcase the flavors of the ingredients. In addition to a lineup of wines (red and white) and sparkling wines, the restaurant offers a wide range of beverages including beer, sours, shochu, and cocktails. Foreign customers tend to favor white wine and sparkling wine among Western customers, while Asian customers prefer beer and highballs.
It’s also convenient that the restaurant is open every day of the year. Operating hours are from 11:30 to 22:00 (last order for food and drinks is at 21:30). During lunchtime, from 11:30 to 16:00, you can enjoy reasonably priced lunch sets exclusively available during this time.
The image shows the “Conger Eel Tempura Set Meal” (tax included 890 yen), consisting of bamboo fishcake, lotus root, eggplant, daily assorted vegetables, one conger eel, and pork loin. It’s a satisfying set meal with great value for its price and generous portion size.
There is also an all-you-can-drink menu available, priced at 1800 yen for 90 minutes during dinner time and 980 yen for 60 minutes during lunchtime. Making a reservation in advance, especially through online booking, is recommended. Reservations can be made even outside of regular business hours, with same-day reservations accepted until 21:00. Online reservations can be made through Hot Pepper or Tabelog, with bookings accepted until 17:00 the day before the visit. Although it’s a popular establishment, it’s possible to find available seats without a reservation, especially during weekdays between 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM or after 8:00 PM.
Accepted payment methods include VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Diners Club, and JCB. Additionally, electronic money such as ICOCA, as well as mobile payment options like COIN+, PayPay, d Payment, and au PAY, are also accepted.
A message from the manager
At our restaurant, we strive to provide tempura dishes that allow our customers to experience the freshness of ingredients sourced from the Kyoto Central Market, with seasonal variations to ensure that our guests can taste the essence of each season. We are committed to offering tempura that satisfies both Japanese and international palates, and we look forward to welcoming all of you to our establishment.
