There are few foods more fun to eat than okonomiyaki (savory Japanese pancakes cooked on a griddle at your table) and Nishiki Warai is a great place to enjoy this treat.
Okonomiyaki is a Japanese dish that every visitor should try at least once (three or four times is more like it). Some places just hand you the ingredients and let you cook them yourself on the griddle, but this place is a bit kinder and gentler: they bring the finished dish to your table, pop it on the griddle and then you garnish it yourself and dig in. It’s great. Good drinking food and you can also get fried noodles (yaki-soba), among other things. It’s just at the west end of the Nishiki Market.
For more Kyoto okonomiyaki choices, see our Best Okonomiyaki in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Nishiki Warai
Name in Japanese:
錦わらい
English address:
1F M’s Court Building, 597 Nishiuoya-cho, Takakura-nishi-iru, Nishikikoji-dori, Nakagyo-ku
Japanese address:
中京区錦小路通高倉西入ル西魚屋町597 ミズコートビル1F
Opening hours:
11:30am-12pm (last order 11:15pm)
Price: Mid-range
Non-smoking area: No
Nearest Transport:
2min walk from Karasuma Station Exit 16, Hankyu line or Shijo Station, Karasuma subway line
Telephone: 257-5966
Website:
Official site (Japanese)
More Restaurant Suggestions: See my list of Kyoto’s Best Restaurants for more eating inspiration. The list covers all cuisines and price ranges.
Where Is This Place Located?
See these places on our Kyoto Google map:- Open the Kyoto map
- You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
- Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
- Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
- If you're using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.
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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