Jingumae Higuchi

A review for other English speaking foreigners out there.

I've had quite a few Michelin star/guide restaurants over the last two weeks between Kyoto and Tokyo areas. Jingumae Higuchi and the head chef was the most deserving.

I usually don't like to use these types of descriptions for food or restaurants because prior to this restaurant I would've believed it pretentious. But the food was elegant, each dish simple yet full of purpose in flavor.

The head chef (whose name unfortunately I do not have since I do not speak Japanese) and his assistant were very kind. He has a friendly smile and is very welcoming to guests. I've watched many professional chefs cook "famous" meals but this was something different. Some chef's add "flair" or exaggeration in their methods where it feels like your watching a show, but not at Higuchi. The master chef cooks with such precision and grace it is almost inspiring to watch him cook. You could see how focused he was in making sure each dish was made to his standard.

If you choose one restaurant to experience this style of Japanese cuisine, it must be Jingumae Higuchi.

Not only is the chef's cooking great, but the proprietress' knowledge and sense of sake is wonderful! You taught me a lot. A cozy empty restaurant where you can eat calmly even on your first visit.
I was surprised when I visited again because I remembered even casual conversations with customers.
Professional!
While there are an increasing number of random restaurants that don't remember food allergies of customers, allergies can be life-threatening, so it's a precious place for me to be able to enjoy food with peace of mind.

Authentic Japanese food will make your heart and tongue sing! !

Visited at night after being invited by a regular customer.
When I went, I wasn't allowed to take pictures, so I only have pictures of the signboard and souvenirs.

Inside the store, the chairs are high and the desks at the counter are a little low, giving it a slightly unbalanced feel (lol)

As for the food, whatever I eat is a personal hit! !
I really liked the grilled cutlassfish, grilled shark fin jibuni, and miso soup.

When you bite into a hamburger made from pounded rump meat, the meaty taste spreads in your mouth, making you think that the meat should be like this.

The sauce and soup have a strong bonito flakes and are a little sweet.

The sea urchin in the sashimi was very sweet.
Sea bream also tastes better when eaten with Sudachi salt rather than soy sauce, as the quality of the ingredients is brought out better.

Another dish is Seiko crab shell with meat and rice covered with karasumi.
Shime sardine and chestnut mawashi (chestnuts boiled in salt and strained into a really fine powder) has a smooth texture.

The soba noodles at the end were particularly impressive (white eggplants were fried in a fox style, sliced ​​thinly and layered, wrapped around the soba noodles, served with black shichimi, the classic way of eating, and the soba soup was also delicious!)

For dessert, the water confectionery is mango and pawpaw puree, two types of grapes, and a pear.
At the end, you can choose from several desserts, and choose lamb fig ice cream while grilling on charcoal.
The ice cream was crispy, with just the right amount of rum, and the gentle sweetness of the figs and grainy accents were very nice.

♡Souvenirs♡
for breakfast

・Crispy plum and chirimen (jako, dried shrimp, kelp, white sesame) rice ball
・Special Chirimen Sansho (very soft and moist)

I was very satisfied until the next day! !

【business hours】
18:00～21:00(L.O.)
[Closed]
Sundays and public holidays