10D9N Spring Japan Trip: Issen Yoshoku, Gion
When we were wandering around the streets of Gion, we stumbled upon a funny statue. A dog running away from the dog which bite his pants. It's quite cute and funny and hence, we were drawn to it.
The statue apparently belongs to a restaurant named Issen Yoshoku which is named after the dish that it sells. Issen Yoshoku (literally translates into "the first Western food") offers a variation of Japanese beloved dish, okonomiyaki.
If you are not sure whether to give it a try or not, you can stand by for a few minutes while watching the chef making Issen Yoshoku. You can see that the okonomiyaki (which kinda looks like Japanese filled omelette) is filled with various ingredients. They look pretty nice from where I was standing, really. Issen Yoshoku is doing pretty good on its marketing department by putting the kitchen in front of the restaurant. LOL.
The doll in the Japanese kimono looks pretty creepy but she welcomes you the Issen Yoshoku so let's just enter and give it a try, shall we.
Okay, turns out there is one doll allocated to each table to ensure that there is no diner eating alone at Issen Yoshoku. I don't know about you but I find this arrangement somewhat interesting and yet, creepy at the same time. Other than the lady doll in kimono, Issen Yoshoku has other interesting decoration too.
It seems that the wall is filled with wise sayings but they are all in Japanese characters and hence, I can't really read them. It's pretty amusing to look at the drawing though.
Oh right, once you enter and get your table, you just need to tell the waiter/ waitress how many of Issen Yoshoku you'd like to order. Anyway, there is nothing else to order in this restaurant. One Issen Yoshoku costs 630 Japanese Yen which is a good deal considering you are eating in Gion area. Here comes our order.
We deconstructed the Issen Yoshoku and we were pretty amazed looking at various ingredients they put inside the okonomiyaki from chopped scallions, egg, corns, konyaku, and thinly sliced pork. The sauce is leaning on the sweet side just like the sauce that the Japanese use for takoyaki.
A take out is also available at Issen Yoshoku. Do give it a try when you are visiting Gion. The restaurant is located at the street main street of Gion.