Murakata

At lunchtime, the izakaya Murakata in Kyoto’s Chodoji Kitamachi serves up hearty set meals accompanied by a generous spread of home-cooked sides. A regular favorite among the daily mains is yurinchi, crisp fried chicken topped with an aromatic sauce, well regarded for its balanced, savory flavor. Each tray arrives with rice and tofu miso soup alongside an array of carefully prepared small dishes, from a soft-boiled seasoned egg and simmered soybeans to dashi-steeped komatsuna greens and braised burdock with konjac noodles. Seasonal Kyoto-style obanzai, such as dried daikon radish and steeped Manganji peppers, adds further variety to the meal. Diners can select their preferred pickles and, after returning their tray to the counter, finish with a self-service cup of coffee for an unpretentious, thoroughly satisfying midday meal.

Come nightfall, Murakata shifts into a proper evening izakaya with a dependable selection of regional sake and shochu. The sake list is varied, featuring crisp options like the dry Orochi, which pairs easily alongside beer, shochu, and bites such as gyoza dumplings. Welcomed over the counter by the genial master, visitors settle into a calm, comfortable space that works equally well for dropping in solo or booking ahead for an evening drink with friends.