Located in the Kyoto Avanti mall south of Kyoto Station, Chibo is a reliable, failsafe option for okonomiyaki. The pancakes are awesome, they have a kid’s menu, and it’s English-friendly too.
Chibo Kyoto Avanti Branch Shop – image © Chris Rowthorn
Though the immediate area surrounding Kyoto Station looks a little unprepossessing, there are in fact hundreds of restaurants within a 500-meter radius to grab a meal at. Many range from good to great. One of our reliable standbys when we have to catch a bus from the south exit of Kyoto Station is the Kyoto Avanti mall branch of Chibo.
Chibo is an Osaka-based okonomiyaki restaurant with branches nationwide. The Kyoto Avanti mall branch is a convenient way to get a taste of the original without schlepping out to Dotombori Arcade.
It’s a wide-ranging menu, but if it’s your first time, get the signature Chibo: cooked on a hot plate till gorgeously griddled, it’s stuffed with beef, pork, scallops, and tiger prawn, in addition to the red ginger, cabbage, eggs, and grated mountain yam in the better. How tasty does that sound?
If that doesn’t float your boat, there are plenty of other options, like yakisoba (stir-fried noodles), crispy gyoza, or other teppanyaki dishes. Don’t forget to try the highballs! There are also kiddie options on the menu. You can choose from small okonomiyaki pancakes and smaller helpings of yakisoba.
Chibo has an English-language menu that makes ordering a breeze. It is also proof that restaurant chains aren’t bad at all: it’s a successful business with 60 branches worldwide.
For more Kyoto okonomiyaki choices, see our Best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Chibo Kyoto Avanti Branch Shop
Name in Japanese:
千房 京都アバンティ支店
English address:
B1 Kyoto Avanti, 31 Higashikujo-nishisanno-cho, Minami-ku
Japanese address:
南区東九条西山王町31 京都アバンティB1
Opening hours:
Monday-Friday: 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Saturday, Sunday and national holidays: 11am-10pm
Price:
Non-smoking area: Completely Non-Smoking
Nearest Transport:
2min walk from JR Kyoto Station Hachijo Higashi gate
Reservations:
Possible
Telephone: 671-8921
Website:
Official site(English)
Kyoto Vacation Checklist
- For all the essentials in a brief overview, see my First Time In Kyoto guide
- Check Kyoto accommodation availability on Booking.com and Agoda.com - often you can book with no upfront payment and free cancellation
- You can buy shinkansen (bullet train) tickets online from Klook - popular routes include Tokyo to Kyoto, Kyoto to Osaka and Kyoto to Tokyo
- Need tips on where to stay? See my one page guide Where To Stay In Kyoto
- See my comprehensive Packing List For Japan
- You can buy an eSim to activate in Japan or buy a data-only SIM card online for collection when you arrive at Tokyo's Narita or Haneda Airports or Kansai International Airport. You can also rent an unlimited data pocket wifi router
- Compare Japan flight prices and timings to find the best deals
- If you're making frequent train journeys during your visit, you might save money with Japan Rail Pass – see if it's worth it for you
- A prepaid Welcome Suica card makes travelling around Kyoto easy – here's how
- World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Buy at home or while traveling and claim online from anywhere in the world
- Do you want help planning your trip? Chris Rowthorn and his team of Japan experts at Japan Travel Consulting can help
