Also known as Shojin Cafe Waka, this is a house that was converted into a restaurant and is located near the Bukkoji temple. Run by a woman-owner who serves a fixed menu with all-vegan dishes; only the cake set contains egg and milk. For groups of more than three persons, or if ordering the lunch box, a phone reservation is requested. Menu varies but includes a lunch (small vegan dishes with rice), takeaway lunch box, organic coffee or tea, hojicha tea, and cake set. Open Wed-Sat 11:30am-3:00pm. Closed Sun-Tue.
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Shimokyo, Ynaginobamba, Bukkojisagaru, Shinkaicho 397-9, Kyoto, Japan
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- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 04 May 2020 by Guest
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23 Reviews
First Review by Ayane
harmonica
Points +70
Lovely, home-y cafe with a very kind owner - Edit
This restaurant was so nice! I called ahead to confirm there was space, and mercifully the place was very quiet. It has both chairs and sofas; the latter overlook a small garden. The cafe feels like a large living room, and it's furnished with cozy stuff and books that make it feel like home.
Read moreThere was only one lunch set, so no menu, although there's a sign with the day's offerings outside (Japanese only). The woman who owns the place was very friendly, and the meal was delicious and filling — and only ¥1000! Will definitely add this to my rotation.
Pros: Amazing vibe, Great value, Delicious!!
Guest
tszkiu
Points +38
Such a wholesome place for lunch! - Edit
This place is a hidden gem! They serve delicious Shojin Ryori for just ¥1000. I could feel that the owner put lots of thoughts and kindness into each dish. The place is really calming as well. I felt like I was having lunch at someone’s house.
Read moreThey only serve one set lunch, so there is no menu.
The place is mostly vegan, but sometimes (rarely) they serve some dairy products. Don’t worry though, because the owner would ask whether you’re a vegan or a vegetarian!
I honestly hope I have more beautiful words to describe my love for this place.
Pros: One of the most delicious lunches I’ve had, The cafe was really calming, Lovely conversation with the owner
Guest
MinaNoir
Points +170
Delicious and incredibly cheap bento boxes - Edit
We ordered vegan bento boxes to take out and despite not having them at their best (bought them in the morning and did't had them till the evening) they were delicious, very complete and a total bargain!
Read moreWished we would have known of this place sooner and try out more of their eat-in options!
The building is very pretty and homely and the owner and chef was very friendly, pour us some tea and sweets on the house whilst we were waiting for the bento meals to be made
Pros: Very good value bento boxes, Cute venue, Very local clientele
Cons: Bento boxes selling out fast, Short opening times
Guest
Mowsea
Points +104
Cute place to eat! - Edit
The woman was quite nice and the food was good as well! Just note that the previous reviewers who mentioned she used a good amount of salt are right. The top half of the rice and the dish in the middle of my photo were both quite salty, especially compared to other Japanese restaurants I’ve eaten at in Kyoto with similar meals, but it was all still tasty. The rest of the meal wasn’t too salty so I wouldn’t worry too much about it.
Read moreShe gave my friend and I tea for no extra charge and the meal itself wasn’t expensive at all! Also keep in mind that the owner speaks very limited English; despite this we had no issues with ordering/paying despite our limited Japanese.
Pros: Extremely affordable (1000 yen) , Tasty, Cute place to eat
Cons: Some of the dishes were very salty
Guest
NielsdeWinter
Points +162
Amazing value - Edit
This is truly a hidden gem. For a mere 1000 yen you can have a full lunch set consisting of several small dishes, each very flavorful and unique. The hostess is very kind and thoughtful and the restaurant has a garden view. A must-see lunch spot in Kyoto. The only downside is perhaps that the food was a bit salty, which I like but may not be for everyone's taste.
Read morePros: Carefully presented, flavorful dishes, Perfect service, Great value
Cons: A little bit salty for those sensitive to it
Guest
HugoIan
Points +569
Really beautiful place - Edit
This place is really comfy and it has some beautiful views. She don't understand English really well but tries a lot. The traditional meal was really good and very cheap compared to the majority of vegan places. It has a second floor with space for art expositions.
Read morePros: Beautiful place, Cheap
Guest
DJMatocomp
Points +437
Cozy, cheap, great food - Edit
Lunch box is cheap option, tea is great
Read moreGuest
Veganbea
Points +150
Delicious and healthy - Edit
Otera house is a great vegan restaurant, I've loved my meals here! The set lunches are really delicious, fresh, and healthy. The set lunch was 1000, 1200 with a drink, or 600 for a takeaway box.
Read moreIt's near busy shopping areas but feels so peaceful and serene.
Updated from previous review on 2021-06-03
Guest
Birgit
Points +1863
Best veggie place in Kyoto - Edit
It is such a delightful place and the food is fresh, delicious and Japanese style with some international influence. The lunch set comes with tea or coffee. The owner chef speaks a little English and prepares everything with love and expertise. Very nice sitting area.Enjoyed this so much!!!!!
Read morePros: Mostly vegan, Super clean, Lovely space
Cons: Cash only
Guest
ShanNZ
Points +64
Lovely food but a little salty - Edit
Cute, out-of-the-way place, was very quiet, even on a Saturday at lunch. Delicious food but could have done with a bit less salt. Still really enjoyed it though.
Read moreGuest
RussellGold
Points +113
So nice. Would go back every day. - Edit
Absolutely delicious and healthy. Food you could eat every day and still feel good about the decision.
Read moreGuest
steaus
Points +17
Best meal in Japan! - Edit
The set lunch at Otera House was the best vegetarian meal we had in 2 weeks in Japan. We were there nearly a year ago and still talk about it. Would recommend to friends! Absolutely charming experience.
Read moreGuest
kat.ross
Points +206
Delicious and authentic Japanese lunch set. - Edit
The lunch set here is so nice. Really varied and filling, and the price was good too. It’s a little tucked out of the way, but definitely worth a visit as it’s a quiet area so a good place for a chilled out meal.
Read morePros: Cool building with little garden and window, Good value lunch set, Quiet part of town
Guest
TheoD.
Points +125
Blown away - Edit
This is the food I want to eat every day in a restaurant for lunch. It’s tasty, fresh and is very diverse. Very friendly staff. 10/10 I would go there again if I was in Kyoto.
Read morePros: Fresh, Friendly staff
Cons: Little hard to find
Guest
fabiennedemmer
Points +470
Best traditional food I had in japan - Edit
Absolutely the best Japanese food i had so far! Fresh and really nice homecooked food. Really nice athmoshere. Would love to have find this place sooner.
Read morePros: Fresh delicious, Cheap , A lot of food
Guest
mellowtrouble
Points +144
delicious and affordable - Edit
grabbed a quick boxed lunch - was ¥600 and fresh and delicious. total thumbs up. will definitely go again.
Read moreGuest
JanineBarthel
Points +310
Cute place - Edit
We went for lunch once. The cafe is cute and service was friendly. The lunchset was delicious (especially the mock meat) but I didn't like some of the side mushroom loaded side dishes (I hate mushrooms haha). There were many Japanese guests. We noticed that the guests who came after us couldn't get any more food as it was sold out (we came at around 1pm).
Read moreThe price is good but we weren't overly full after lunch.
It's a good spot to visit and a nice experience overall!
PS: there's a mega cute Shiba Inu in the garden across from the Café. He was super playful and cuddly!
Pros: mostly vegan, good mock meat, good price
Guest
KyotoNice
Points +28
Recommend!!! - Edit
The food is nice and the atmosphere also!
Read more5 star!!
Guest
freezer966
Points +176
great lunchboxes! - Edit
I still don't understand why take away food seems to be cheaper than eating the food in the restaurant but it's the case here aswell. Take a lunchbox and save 250 yen. Very tasty and good value!
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2016-09-25
Pros: good value, tasty
Guest
sathya1709
Points +73
Good value - Edit
Visited for lunch. Open wed-saturday for lunch. Delicious food with moderate portions. Rice+soup+4 items for 850 JPY.
Read moreWill last for say 3-4 hours but I didn't feel full with the meal. But it was worth the price.
Also, they give bento boxes of the same for takeout at only 500 JPY which you cannot find anywhere else to my knowledge. Choice is limited as there is only the set meal but that shouldn't be an issue if you are planning to eat traditional Japanese food.
Cozy place with two tables and a couple of sofas with tables and seating at the counter. Think can accommodate around 15 persons in total.
Pros: Value for money, Delicious food
Cons: Moderate portions
Guest
Oberonn
Points +17
good value and delicious - Edit
Very cheap for what we ate. good food, and nice concept. the miso alone was worth going for.
Read moreCons: Need to brush up on your kanji before going, to u.
Guest
Nancy Cadet
Points +1038
Lovely lunch spot--my favorite in Kyoto - Edit
Location: midway between Shijo & Gojo stations, easy walking distance from Gion or the Nishiki market, this sleek and airy cafe is on a short block between Yanagibaba-dori & Takakura-dori, beside the very large Bukkoji temple complex. There is a sign outside "Shojin Cafe Waka."
Read moreAmbiance & menu: The cafe is open Weds-Sat , 11:30-5:00 for organic coffee, tea, cake and a vegan lunch special. Mine was delicious --the best Japanese home cooking style vegan lunch I've had in Kyoto (1000 yen). The friendly owner is bilingual and there is an English menu. Portions were moderate to generous and each dish had seasonal vegetables and a distinctive taste:pickles and glass noodles , squash and tomatoes, spring roll with tofu, miso soup with eggplant.
Pros: Vegan, Inexpensive, Tranquil attractive space
Cons: Last order 4:30PM
Guest
Ayane
Points +145
Friendly and bright atmosphere - Edit
The place is used as a gallery and a café. The menu is short, with just one meal and some cakes, but it's delicious and healthy food. They call it Shôjin-ryōri, which means that it is buddhistic food, which monks ate some time ago, because it doesn't contain any animal products. Well, they seem to use egg in their meal. So I was told by a friend who occasionally eats there, that it's actually not real Shôjin-ryōri.
Read moreBut anyway it's tasty and when you call them 30 minutes in advance they prepare a bento (lunch box) for you.
Pros: Bright atmosphere , Nice construction of the inside
Cons: Just one choice of meal
Guest
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