Omen

Frommer's Review

A casual atmosphere and healthy food at reasonable prices make this tiny place popular. Vegetable udon (omen) is the specialty, and the house's traditional style is to serve the wheat noodles in a flat wooden bowl, the sauce in a pottery bowl, the vegetables delicately arranged (sushi style) on a handmade platter with a bowl of sesame seeds alongside. You dip and mix yourself, unlike at other udon shops where it all arrives like a stew swimming in one bowl. Tempura, lightly fried tofu, and kamonasu dengaku (fried eggplant topped with a rich miso sauce) are among the other dishes offered. Other branches are located just south of Ginkakuji (tel. 075/771-8994), open every day except Thursday from 11am to 10pm, and on Pontocho (tel. 075/253-0377), open daily 11:30am to 10pm. There's also one in New York.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.