Sometimes there are restaurants you want to keep a secret all to yourself, and this is definitely one of them.
Located by the river in the famous Arashiyama region of Kyoto is Tempura Matsu, a beautiful, traditional building where some of the finest dishes in Japan are served. One of the most stunning items on the menu are the noodle dishes, which vary from season to season, and diners are so impressed with their meals they’ve been sharing photos of their amazing dishes online.
The inaniwa udon, made from mugwort and served with wasabi and a raw egg yolk, are a hit with diners, both for their delicious flavour and their visually stunning bowls.
Made from a huge block of ice, the tiny scooped out bowl at the top helps to impart the noodle broth with a small amount of icy water as it slowly melts.
A whole table of ice cubes makes for a cooling sight.
Seasonal flavours are an important element of Japanese cooking, and Tempura Matsu doesn’t disappoint, with sakura cherry blossom noodles in spring.
Thin somen noodles are perfect as an icy cold summer dish.
While everyone is blown away by the cold noodles, the restaurant serves up a host of other amazing theatrical specialities like smoked buri…
Dishes served on huge lotus leaves…
Japanese sake served from a bamboo container…
And a delicate crab rice, which looks beautiful enough on its own, yet takes on an incandescent beauty once cooked in front of diners in a small pot.
The chef takes special care in only using the highest quality ingredients and prepares every dish with amazing attention to detail.
With a stunning view of the river alongside you as you dine on the sumptuous Japanese dishes, this is one of the best places to dine out in Kyoto.
Restaurant Information
Tempura Matsu/(天ぷら 松)
Address: Kyoto-fu, Kyoto-shi, Ukyo-ku, Umezu Onawabacho 21-26
京都府 京都市右京区 梅津大縄場町 21-26
Hours: 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m./5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (closed Wednesdays)
Phone number: 075-881-9190
Source: Navitime
Top Image: Instagram/little_meg_siu_meg
Are you game enough to eat Fire Ramen at this Japanese restaurant in Kyoto?
The top 30 restaurants in Japan, as chosen by foreign visitors
Japan gets swept up in creative new “cherry toast” trend 【Photos】
Mister Donut teams up with Michelin-listed ramen restaurant for surprising new noodle range
New Japanese dish combines two summertime greats – soba noodles and kakigori shaved ice
Gundam teams up with 300-year-old daruma maker for wood-carved anime mecha figures[Photos]
Tokyo’s new extra-expensive ramen restaurant is dividing opinions, so we tried a bowl
Japan’s instant ramen snack theme park features an athletic course even adults can enjoy
Used chopsticks upgraded from “waste” to “valuable material” by Kawasaki City thanks to ChopValue
Pizza Hut Japan’s drinkable curry pizza is here – Is it all we dreamed it would be?[Taste test]
Japanese temple burns to the ground, fire burning inside for 1,200 years unharmed
Bizarre Japanese vending machine sells “Peace and Equality” and “Angels and Demons”
Kanji ice cream becomes a sell-out hit in Japan
Starbucks Japan hoping fans will go bananas for its new mottainai banana affogato Frappuccino
Krispy Kreme Japan is bringing two special donuts to the most-forgotten big city in the country
Japan has a new cute and clever sunblock for cat lovers
Tokyo’s life-size Gundam anime mecha statue will be removed this summer
This Tokyo Station sweets sensation sells out daily, but we finally got our hands on it
Japan’s izakaya pubs closing at record pace, failing to attract foreign tourists
Ichiraku Ramen-inspired ramen sets from Naruto anime pay homage to Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura
The story of our reporter P.K. Sanjun’s heart attack
The average age of Japan’s hikikomori shut-ins is getting older, survey shows
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japan now has gyoza doughnuts, and they taste like no other doughnut we’ve tried before
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
Soak in a secret Japanese onsen hot spring…in a dilapidated old building
The top nine stand-and-eat soba noodle restaurants in Tokyo
Catch! Noodles and bowls fly through the air at this Japanese ramen restaurant
Cute cats come out to play as traditional Japanese geta sandals
New Yorkers go crazy for taiyaki fish ice creams
Ramen restaurant in Akihabara serves two different types of noodles in one bowl
Yep, that’s a whole ice cream cone as a ramen topping, as this restaurant in Japan offers【Pics】
Tom Hanks visits Japan, blends in with oyaji at restaurant in Tokyo
We eat Kyoto’s best-loved noodle dish at the restaurant that invented it
We serve a hot dish of the five best stand-and-eat soba restaurants in one area of Tokyo
Japanese restaurant chain now serving perfect recreations of Studio Ghibli food【Photos】
Londoners marvel at newly-opened Marugame Udon restaurant’s low prices
Ramen restaurant in Kyoto offers all-you-can-eat toppings and side dishes for free
Studio Ghibli meals from the world of Japanese anime look absolutely delicious in real-life【Pics】
Japanese restaurant serves noodles that you fold and eat【Taste test】