Wabiya Korekido is a restaurant in Gion that serves top-notch oyakodon (chicken-and-egg rice bowl) at lunch and fabulous yakitori at dinner. If you can’t decide what time to head there, don’t choose – just go twice.
Wabiya Korekido – image © Chris Rowthorn
Located right on the famous Hanamikoji Street in Gion, Wabiya Korekido is one of the few yakitori restaurants that does both lunch and dinner services. They source special Wabiya chickens from Tottori prefecture, which make juicy and incredibly flavourful chicken dishes. With counter seats laid out around an open kitchen, you’ll get to watch the staff cook everything right in front of you.
At lunch, they serve oyakodon, a rice bowl topped with chicken and egg. At Wabiya Korekido, rice, chicken, and vegetables arrive at the table in a hot stone bowl, to be mixed with house-made sauce and three raw eggs tableside. The heat of the stone bowl cooks everything to an umami-ful, gloriously sloppy mixture.
As you can imagine, it’s a popular place for lunch, but don’t be put off by the queues – because they serve just the one dish, there’s no faffing about with menus, and the line moves pretty quickly.
Dinner at Wabiya Korekido, on the other hand, will be a revelation as a first yakitori experience. From the expertly-grilled chicken parts to the bold, full-flavoured chicken soup at the finish of the meal, it’ll be a meal to remember from your vacation in Kyoto. Try ordering the white liver pate, too – it’s delicious.
You could order a la carte, but a course menu might save you the hassle of agonising over menu items as you go. The course menu is available in English, and some of the staff speak just enough English to communicate what you’re eating. Reservations are highly recommended if you’re arriving later in the evening towards 8:00pm.
For more Kyoto yakitori choices, see our Best Yakitori in Kyoto page.
Name in English:
Wabiya Korekido
Name in Japanese:
侘家古暦堂
English address:
570-231 Gionmachi-minamigawa, Hanamikoji-dori-Shijo-sagaru, Higashiyama-ku
Japanese address:
東山区花見小路通四条下ル祇園町南側570-231
Opening hours:
11:30am-2:30pm, 5pm-11pm
Price:
Non-smoking area: Completely Non-Smoking
Nearest Transport:
6min walk from Gion-shijo Station Exit 6, Keihan line
Reservations:
Possible only dinner
Telephone: 532-3355
Website:
Official site (Japanese)
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
