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Kuko

Nara

Chinese: Dim Sum, Hot Pot


Kuko Description

Located in Naramachi, Kuko is a hidden gem that offers a unique dining experience in the heart of Nara. This award-winning restaurant has been recognized for its exceptional Chinese cuisine, earning the prestigious Bronze award in 2024 from both The Tabelog Award and the Chinese Food West Top 100. With a rating of 4.33 based on 90 reviews and a staggering 7206 saves, this restaurant is a favorite among locals and visitors alike.

The menu at Kuko features a delightful selection of Sichuan dishes that are sure to tantalize your taste buds. From spicy Mapo Tofu to flavorful Kung Pao Chicken, each dish is expertly prepared using authentic ingredients and traditional cooking techniques. The restaurant's cozy and inviting ambiance, complete with elegant decor and attentive service, sets it apart from other dining establishments in the area. Whether you're craving a comforting bowl of hot and sour soup or a satisfying plate of stir-fried noodles, Kuko is the perfect destination for a memorable dining experience in Nara.

Get Inspired By This Cuisine

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Kuko Overview

Restaurant WebsiteDirections

Address

913-2 Kiderachō, Nara, Nara 630-8306

Phone

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+81 (0) 742-42-6492

Access

Save on your next Japan trip with discounted train travel using the JR Pass!

20 minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station

Operating Hours

Sun: Closed
Mon: Closed
Tue: 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Wed: 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Thur: 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Fri: 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00PM-8:00PM
Sat: 11:30AM-2:00PM, 6:00PM-8:00PM

Payment Methods

Cash

Restaurant Features

Reservations Accepted

Sake Selection

Kuko Reviews

Kuko Google Average Rating

4.6

5

Google
Home grown vegetables, no chemical seasonings, each item carefully prepared and very delicious. The atmosphere inside the restaurant was great and I was completely satisfied with the course.

5

Google
You can't visit this place unless you win the lottery.
I keep trying every month, and this is my first visit.
It is important to not give up 😀

When the reserved time arrives, you will be welcomed in.
Since it was a futari, I was shown to a table.
This day was lunch, so it was a dim sum course.
I added mapo tofu and dandan noodles as options.

Drinks include beer from a nearby brewery,
There are many choices, including various types of Chinese tea.
It was a very hot day with strong sunlight,
I had cold brew Chinese tea.

The dishes are made with vegetables from our own garden and local ingredients.
Overall, it had a gentle flavor.
One size of dim sum is quite large,
The course alone is quite large.
Except for one appetizer, it wasn't very spicy, so
I think it's a type that anyone can easily eat.

Overall, all the dishes are delicious.
I'm also curious about what the food will be like tonight.
Next time, I would like to come back if I can get a reservation for the evening!

5

Google
First visit to ``Chugoku Sai Naracho Koji''.
The structure was similar to a Kaiseki meal, and it was well-balanced and the portion was quite large, but even after I finished eating, I felt like I could still eat at least one more dish. The Nara vegetables used are grown by the couple. It was an impressive dish! ️It's difficult to make a reservation at this restaurant, but thanks to the wonderful food and the kind customer service from the wife, we were able to spend a pleasant time😄This is a recommended restaurant if you come to Nara. Over the past 10 years or so, the number of wonderful shops has been increasing in Nara. I'm looking forward to the future as the presence of delicious restaurants will be a factor in increasing the number of tourists to Nara.

5

Google
This restaurant is difficult to get reservations for. I was lucky enough to win the lunch reservation lottery and was able to enjoy the food today.
Although it was called Sichuan cuisine, it was not the Sichuan cuisine that reminds you of bean sauce, but the seasoning was very elegant. Of course, it was also a dim sum lunch.
There are so many types of oolong tea that it can be difficult to choose. There is also Daihong Pai, and I chose it because I don't have many opportunities to drink it. They poured boiling water over and over again.
The dishes made with carefully selected ingredients from Nara were very delicious. I wonder when I'll be able to win next time.

2022.12.21
Of course we had dinner! What's more, it's a course centered around Shanghai crab!
Anyway, the taste was very gentle, very complex, and I can't really explain it in words, but it was simply delicious.

5

Google
I miraculously won the reservation lottery and had my long-awaited dim sum lunch at Kuji 🥟

Chinese food that is gentle on the body, made with organic vegetables from our own farm and no chemical seasonings.

Although the medicinal soup is light, it has a deep flavor and I can feel my body enjoying it☺️
I want to drink it every day lol

The piping hot dim sum, xiao long bao, shumai, and steamed dumplings were all so delicious that I ate them more slowly than usual.

To finish, you can choose between Chinese chimaki or soup soba, so choose soup soba 🍜
This golden soup was really amazing✨
The flavor of Kinka ham is exploding and I absolutely love it 😍

I had a very satisfying time with the impressive dim sum lunch.
I hope I can make a reservation again 👏

More Dining Inspiration

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