Nara Restaurants

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Having lunch in Japan is something like a cultural shock, especially when you have never tasted that kind of food before. We were served by servants in traditional costumes and all of them spoke at least a bit of english. This traditional hotel and restaurant is where the japanese emperor and all celebrities coming to Nara are going, so it might be a perfect choice for you,too !

Favorite Dish: Please dont ask me about any names of these dishes, I am even not able to describe any tastes, I just remember that the lunch was served in a wooden box plus some side-dishes, rice and some soup or rather a sauce, where you dip in some of the things from the large box. We got some explanations by our tourguide and I have to admit I did not like that sort of food at all, except for the desert, in my last picture.

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Nara on an August afternoon is a breeezeless steambath under a growlight. The idea of eating anything hot -- especially ramen -- is completely untenable. So we were elated on our walk from the JR station to Nara-koen Park to see a noodle shop serving cold ramen on the right hand side of the shopping street. It was small and named with Kanji, so we have no idea what to call the place, but it was cozy, inviting and full of locals cooling off. Hungry and overheated, we drooped in for a bite.
The cold noodles were excellent, filling us up and cooling us off at the same time. We slurped them like locals, sucking up their refreshing coolness with each breath. The staff was friendly and bent over backwards to serve us, even if we were completely incomprehensible. If you don't find this exact shop, I'm sure you can find others that will make you equally happy. Small cold noodle shops are another reason I love Japan!
Well, except that I was stupid and ordered hot noodles! Boy, was everyone impatient waiting for me to be done!

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Where to eat while in Nara? That is a big question.
You have a wide choice between the touristy places serving Japanese food and all those yucky places like McDonald and Burger King.
But if you really want to have good meal and good time step into one of the local izakayas, the tiny eatery with the red lamp at the door.
We found such a place on one of the narrow streets right of the main shopping passage.
The place was tiny, just a bar and few tables. There was very little English spoken and the menu was in Japanese only. The food was cooked right behind the bar by an old guy who really knew what he was doing. The wife was helping to prepare our meals and was serving the food.

Favorite Dish: Aside of delicious sake (in huge cups) we had there some nice fish and seafood. The food was delicious, just look at the pictures.

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We were lucky to find this place on the rainy evening. It was 1 1/2 block from the main shopping street (with glass roof) going opposite direction than Nara Park.
Small izakaya belongs to a lady in her ...late 50's... who not only will take good care of you but the fish served in that place is personally caught by her on the morning.
The lady is an avid fisher-woman who not only will cook her fish deliciously for you but each time she catches something she paints it. Yes, she paints her catch! All the paintings of her fish are hanging on the wall with proper date, place and weight of the caught fish.
I think this place is clearly the best izakaya in Nara!

Favorite Dish: We were eating our way through the night, flushing down everything with great sake. Just look at the picture. Sorry they are little blurry, but we did not wanted to disturb fabulous atmosphere of that place with our flash ;-)

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This place is also located of the main shopping street (see picture)
It offers the strangest pastries we have ever seen.
Some look like miniatures of other foods, some like danish, some are cookies.
Everybody can find something for themselves no matter where from you are coming!

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Since our hotel did not served any breakfast we started to wonder narrow streets of Nara early before all the store opened. While walking through the main shopping passage (with the glass roof) we notices small breakfast place where mostly local people were munching and reading their morning paper.
The place is tended by young couple with little baby.
The breakfast menu is simple but good. You have choice of very Japanese breakfast, not so Japanese breakfast and more like a western breakfast choice. It all looked good and inexpensive.

Favorite Dish: 2 butter rolls, one with scrambled eggs and one with slice of ham + coffee and salad.
See pictures

Enjoy a vegetarian meal comprising of hot porridge (congee) and an assortment of vegetables (pickled and cooked varieties) in the gardens of the shrine.

The ambience was peaceful and the food is wholesome

Favorite Dish: Hot porridge which is perfect on a cool autumn day

After absorbing the old culture and atmosphere of ancient Nara, it was good to step forward to current times. As we left Nara Park, we found ourselves in modern Nara with cafes and little shops.

At Pinocchio, it's cosy with lovely cushions and warm lighting. It's also good to have a clean bathroom to freshen up :-)

Favorite Dish: We love the chiffon cake set that comes with coffee