Just down the hill from Ginkaku-ji Temple, Omen is one of our favorite restaurants in Kyoto. They serve some of Kyoto’s best udon noodles.
Few restaurants manage to maintain high standards once they become immensely popular, but Omen has been doing it for years. The name means “noodles” and that’s their signature dish: thick udon noodles, served with either hot or cold broth. But there’s also a large a la carte menu with all kinds of excellent dishes to go with your noodles, usually made from seasonal ingredients. There’s comfortable tatami seating downstairs, along with a few counter seats that are good for solo diners, and table seating upstairs for inflexible foreigners. With an English menu and a welcoming staff, it’s no surprise that this place is a favorite of Kyoto’s long-term expat community. Just be warned: during cherry blossom season, the line for tables will be out the door.
For more meat-free eating suggestions, read our round-up of Kyoto’s Best Vegetarian Restaurants.
English address:
74 Ishibashi-cho, Jodo-ji, Sakyo-ku
Japanese address:
左京区浄土寺石橋町74
Opening hours:
11am-9pm
Closed one day a month irregularly, usually Thursday
Price:
Moderate
Non-smoking area: Yes
Nearest Transport:
10min walk from Ginkakuji-michi Bus Stop, Kyoto City Bus 5 or 17 from Kyoto Station
Telephone: 771-8994
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Customer Reviews:
Read reviews of Omen restaurant on TripAdvisor
More Restaurant Suggestions: See my list of Kyoto’s Best Restaurants for more eating inspiration. The list covers all cuisines and price ranges.
Near To Here:
Omen is located in Kyoto’s Northern Higashiyama district. See our complete list of things to do in Northern Higashiyama, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
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.
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
