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About a 15-minute walk from both <a href="https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3931.html?DestinAsian">Nishiki Market</a> and Nijo Castle, <a href="https://www.enboca.jp/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%82%AB%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD-1?DestinAsian">Enboca</a> is an innovative restaurant that reimagines Italian pizza using seasonal <a href="https://destinasian.com/category/japan/kyoto-travel-guide">Kyoto</a> vegetables. (A full episode of Netflix’s The Chef’s Table hones in on the legendary <a href="https://www.instagram.com/yoshihiroimai/?hl=en?DestinAsian">Yoshihiro Imai</a>, who learned his craft while working here more than a decade ago.) This daring pursuit takes place under the roof of a beautifully restored century-old machiya townhouse, complete with vaulted ceilings, an inner Japanese courtyard, and original wooden columns and beams. The tasteful refurbishment is thanks to <a href="https://www.enboca.jp/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%82%AB%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD-1?DestinAsian">Enboca’s</a> creator, originally an architect, who saved this former fabric dyeing studio from the wrecking ball.
Stepping inside, you’ll see a large wood-fired oven behind an elegant bar counter paired with elegant antique chairs. These are the best seats to observe the chef preparing locally sourced ingredients—the kiln-roasted vegetable platter is highly recommended—and baking luscious Neapolitan-style pies. There are 10 wafu-inspired toppings to choose from, such as shiitake, fresh seaweed, sakura ebi, and mizuna (Japanese mustard greens). However, traditionalists can also indulge in a tried and tested margherita, quattro formaggi, or marinara. Or why not have the best of both worlds and go half and half? <a href="https://www.enboca.jp/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%82%AB%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD-1?DestinAsian">Enboca’s</a> excellent range of Belgian beers and fine red wines means you will find just the right accompaniment to your East-meets-West culinary experience. —Bryan Eastlake
<a href="https://www.enboca.jp/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%B3%E3%83%9C%E3%82%AB%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD-1?DestinAsian" target="_blank" rel="noopener">enboca.jp</a> 
+81 75 253 0870 
<a href="https://goo.gl/maps/4dX7ZbCkLaFQDvcB9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">406 Ikesucho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Japan</a>

The roasted local vegetable platter at Enboca Kyoto is a must-try.

Enboca: Daring Innovation

Kyoto Dining