01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Past the steam rising from the simmering pot, an assortment of carefully prepared ingredients rests in the fragrant broth. Located in Mibu Bojocho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, Muro is an izakaya that spotlights oden steeped in delicate dashi alongside freshly cooked kamameshi rice pots. Starting with classics such as daikon radish, beef tendon, and boiled egg reveals textures that yield effortlessly, suffused with the gentle, warming umami of the broth that accentuates the core flavour of each ingredient.
Alongside customary staples, the kitchen's creative oden variations are equally compelling. Dishes that highlight the freshness of vegetables and condiments include broccoli infused with savoury broth, a whole simmered tomato, and local chicken paired with fragrant Kujo scallions. Small-plate choices like enoki bacon, shiitake stuffed with minced shrimp, and kuruma-fu wheel-shaped wheat gluten simmered with beaten egg offer plenty of variety to graze through as drinks flow.
A variety of izakaya dishes fills in nicely between courses of oden. Seared local chicken tataki, raw octopus with wasabi, and lightly grilled dried firefly squid deliver bold flavours that pair naturally with a drink. The beverage lineup ranges from chilled or warmed sake to highballs, fresh-squeezed chuhai, and wine, allowing diners to tailor their choice to the richness of each plate.
To round off the meal, kamameshi arrives steaming at the table. Fragrantly cooked pots featuring local chicken or salmon and salmon roe are deeply satisfying on their own, but pouring dashi over the rice to eat it ochazuke-style makes for an especially comforting finish. Because kamameshi takes time to steam from scratch, ordering near the start of the meal ensures it arrives at just the right moment, as the lingering warmth of the oden and drinks draws to a close.
The dining room balances a relaxed ambience with an inviting energy, making it equally well suited to a quiet solo drink or an evening with close companions. As a popular spot open late into the night, booking ahead is recommended when planning a visit.
