Dinner in Kyoto: Kyoto-Style Chinese at Gion Morikoh

Table of Contents

Kyoto-style Chinese cuisine

Dinner at Gion Moriko

It was time for dinner during my Kyoto trip… There were so many things I wanted to eat that choosing was hard, but I decided on Kyoto-style Chinese cuisine. It was my first time trying it. I made a reservation in advance and headed to Gion Moriko.

https://www.morikoh.com/

The exterior didn’t look like a Chinese restaurant at all—which I loved.

Inside, there was also a stylish painting of a peacock, bright and beautiful.

Peacock painting on an interior wall at Gion Moriko

Enjoying Chinese cuisine with a Kyoto touch

I’d heard that Kyoto-style Chinese cuisine is known for its gentle flavors, with less garlic and oil. I was excited.

The first thing we ordered was drool-worthy chicken. Well, of course it was delicious.

Next was the spring roll. It had a distinctive style, with a thin layer of egg worked into the wrapper. It was packed with bamboo shoots. Delicious.

Then came the "Steamed Small Shrimp Wrapped in Sheet Bean Vermicelli." It looked a bit like cheung fun, but this one was unusually made with sheet bean vermicelli. Silky and absolutely fantastic.

Steamed small shrimp wrapped in sheet bean vermicelli at Gion Moriko

I think this was chinjao rosu. The harmony between the velvety sauce and the perfectly stir-fried vegetables was wonderful.

The sweet-and-sour pork, too, I think, had just the right level of tanginess and was delicious.

And to finish, karashi soba—a Kyoto Chinese specialty, maybe? Even though it’s called karashi soba, the mustard wasn’t overpowering at all; it was nicely balanced. Delicious!