How many of you have watched the infamous videos of this Japanese chef making the most delicious-looking Omurice on YouTube and slicing open that infamously fluffy egg omelette over a mound of perfectly-shaped rice to create a work of art? It’s so famous that this omurice video literally had over millions of people watching it and salivating!
When I found out that this famed Kichi Kichi omurice restaurant was located in Kyoto, I knew I had to make it there for dinner one day, just to experience that incredible-looking omurice in real life!
After checking out some reviews online, I read that it was best to make reservations, because this tiny hole-in-the-wall restaurant seats only 8 pax. We managed to make reservations via Kichi Kichi’s website for dinner on the day that we arrived in Kyoto.
After we checked into our apartment at Kyoto, we headed straight for Kichi Kichi restaurant! It was within walkable distance, and took us around 30 minutes by foot, while we explored our new surroundings in Kyoto.
Kyoto is beautifully quaint and retains a very olden-day Japanese charm to it.
Did you know:
Kyoto (京都, Kyōto) served as Japan’s capital and the emperor’s residence from 794 until 1868. It is now the country’s seventh largest city with a population of 1.4 million people and a modern face.
Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and spared from air raids during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today.
Kyoto is also home to the most famous geisha district, Gion. I unfortunately didn’t catch any maiko or geiko sightings. Though we experienced the next closest thing of dressing up in kimono!
Back to Kichi Kichi, we arrived there right in time for our reservation at 7PM, and met up with our fellow travellers, Woon and family! Kichi Kichi is hidden in a small street along Shijo Kawaramachi, and we had to follow our navi on Google Maps to a T, in order to locate this tiny restaurant.
Hello, Choy sisters! We were all super excited for this meal! The restaurant itself is tiny, with just 8 counter seats right in front of the kitchen.
As there were six of us, we ordered a variety of items from the menu to try. Every customer needs to order at least one dish, even though sharing is allowed.
Salad
Beef Cream Croquette
Butter Chicken
Chicken and Cheese Cutlet with Mustard Flavour
I thought that this dish: the Beef Stew was particularly good too, with tender beef chunks in a rich brown sauce.
Of course, the star of the night was none other than the famed Omurice. At the counter seats, you get a great view of the “show” as the chef starting preparing for his signature dish! And trust me, the chef definitely knows how to milk it for the cameras!
Here’s the fried rice waiting for its omelette to complete it, and at the same time complete your life
Chef expertly balances the long oval-shaped omelette onto the rice, and then splits it down the middle with a deft slice of his knife.
Followed by two generous ladleful of demi-glace sauce..
And there you have it!!!
I posted this video on Instagram and it went absolutely viral. You have to watch this in motion! That moment when the omelette spills its innards out into a perfect fluffy eggy mess.. It was nothing short of sublime.
A work of art, waiting to be devoured!
Two of us shared one regular-sized Omurice and the portion was just nice, with all the other dishes we tried! It also comes in a mini portion that’s good for smaller appetites.
Verdict? I was in love with the crazy fluffy texture of the perfectly looked omelette, and the combination of egg, rice, and demi-glace sauce! My only gripe was that it wasn’t salty enough for me lol.
But to Kichi Kichi’s credit, all of us finished every single last bit of the Omurice! (Even Choy papa and mama who ordered one regular portion each!)
ふわふわ卵の逆さオムライス Omurice with Fluffy Omelette 2,500 yen
(ハーフサイズ Half-sized / ミニ Mini 1,350 yen)
Yum!!
Price-wise, Kichi Kichi isn’t the cheapest, and will set you back around SGD35 per pax. In my opinion, what you’re paying for is really that magnificent display of culinary skills and the experience of a lifetime!
Oh, the friendly and charming Chef will be more than happy to take a photo with you!
In fact, YZ and I even asked if we could enter the kitchen area for a photo, and Chef gladly obliged! He’s truly a ham for the camera. You’ll know what I mean when you see him perform/cook in real life! This meal was certainly one of the most memorable highlights of our trip!
Kichi Kichi
185-4 Zaimokucho,
Sanjo Pontocho-dori Kudaru,
Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture
Operating time: 5pm – 9pm
> Kichi Kichi’s website for making reservations is here. <
Some other snapshots I took around Kyoto on the same day. We managed to catch the sunset on our way to the restaurant and it was magical.
Loving the rustic charm of the streets right outside our apartment.
Caught this old man that looked like he belonged in a samurai period drama. Hahaha.
There are so many hipster little stores, selling handmade crafts, bags, and knick-knacks all around Kyoto.
And nostalgic old book shops that look like this.
Many people cycle as their main mode of transport in Kyoto.
Low-rise wooden buildings, lined with trees and electrical posts with wires running across haphazardly.
I was speculating that this elegant Japanese lady was a retired geiko. I don’t know, but she looked so at ease in her kimono that it was immediately apparent that she wore one on a regular basis.
Yet another beautiful evening in Japan! 🙂
If you happen to have Kyoto on your itinerary, do pay Kichi Kichi a visit, just for that unreal experience. Hope you enjoyed reading this. Next up, I’ll be blogging about our two days spent in Osaka! ;D Stay tuned!
Accommodation – Roomorama
My accommodation in Japan was booked via Roomorama: I loved all the different apartments I stayed in, with the great accessiblity and well-furbished amenities! Featured above is my Tokyo apartment at Ebisu, my favourite of the lot.
With over 300,000 properties, Roomorama is the largest platform for professionally-managed vacation rentals and accommodations worldwide! Roomorama is giving away US$50 credits so you can get US$50 off your next Roomorama apartment booking!
Click on this link to get your US$50 credits on Roomorama 🙂
Wifi Device – VISONDATA
For my past few overseas trips (to Japan, Phuket and Hong Kong so far), I’ve been using VISONDATA pocket wifi and it has always worked wonderfully. VISONDATA wifi is available in 50 countries, and one pocket wifi can be connected to up to 5 different devices!
It’s extremely convenient and handy. I was impressed with the battery life of the pocket wifi device too, because it lasts at least a good 8 hours! I’m constantly updating on social media and checking on emails on-the-go, so that is quite a feat.
Quote “VDSGYINA” when you check out on VISONDATA for 20% off your order!
More Japan posts on the way, so if you’re planning a trip to Japan soon, remember to check back for updates!
xoxo
Japan – September 2015 Itinerary
(Osaka/Kyoto/Tokyo)
Narita to Osaka
Day 1: Arrived at Narita > Shinkansen to Osaka > Checked into Osaka accommodation > Dotonburi
Day 2: Universal Studios Japan!
Osaka to Kyoto
Day 3: Kuromon Ichiba Market > Lucky Owl Cafe > Train to Kyoto > Checked into Kyoto accommodation > Dinner at famous OmuRice restaurant
Day 4: Shinkansen to Takayama > Bus to Shirakawago > Back to Kyoto
Day 5: Kyoto Kimono rental > Kiyiomizudera > Arashiyama
Kyoto to Tokyo
Day 6: Shinkansen to Tokyo > Checked into Ebisu accommodation > Shibuya
Day 7: Sensoji, Asakusa > Omotesando > Harajuku > Shinjuku
Day 8: Tsukiji Fish Market > Narita Airport Express from Shibuya > Departure at Narita
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