Okabeya

Reasonable price authentic taste an restaurant not to be missed in Kyoto!
For one person, and as a vegitarian, I ordered the 1850 yen set which comes with rice, soup, cold dish, five tofu sticks with different flavor and dipping sauce and a piece of soft tofu, I really enjoyed my dinner!

Cuisine: 6
Service: 5
Décor: 7
Value: 6
Overall: 6
If you love tofu of all form, size and shape, then this restaurant was made for you. If you don’t, go with an open mind and experience something that is certainly unique.
The restaurant was large but we were seated in a beautifully secluded corner with a view of the fountain outside. However, that may have caused a problem for the service since no one can be reached when we needed anything. When we asked for more tea or extra order of tempura, both items took multiple requests and way too long.
As for cuisine, we opted for two different sets to maximize our experience. Definitely loved the yuba, soy milk skin off the top of a slow simmering pot, dipped in sauce. Rest of the meal was good but not great. There was various styles and ways to eat tofu, but very few made me want more of it. Also, I wish there was more variety, some of the dishes felt too similar. Though as an overall experience, it is worth the try when in Kyoto if you love tofu.

I am not sure i have had so many courses in 1 meal ever. If I remember right we spent somewhere around $ 150/​person on this meal but this was an experience in Japanese culture, and food. Well worth it. I wasn’t a fan of all the things that were served but it was the experience that we went for :)

Okabeya is an affiliated or sister restaurant of Junsei near Nanzenji temple. Legend has it that «Don’t eat Yudofu or boiled bean curd in Kyoto», because it is expensive considering its materials. Only bean curd of vegetable protein. However I have ever tried three restaurants, one of them is Okabeya, and I think this is best of all. This Yudofu restaurant provides single meal or set course at reasonable price (approximately 2000 yen or so at lunch. In the meanwhile at least 3000 yen or so is necessary for the head restaurant).
I took French acquaintances to this restaurant after showing them around Kiyomizu temple, as I wanted them to try Japanese cuisine. It was their first experience to have Yudofu and they were glad to have one.
It has tasteful atmosphere inside and outside and accommodates many customers, approximately 500 or so. There are tables and chairs, so you are not required to sit in Seiza position. Different from its head restaurant, it is popular among customers of various ages. Bean curds are prepared in various ways, such as soaked in boiling soup stock, grilled with miso, or cooked as Obanzai or delis. I enjoyed different tastes of Tofu.
Here I do say, «Eat Yudofu or boiled bean curd in Kyoto». This restaurant will meet your belly and heart.