February 13, 2008
Nikishi Food Market 錦市場
For anyone who proclaims to be a foodie, a visit to Kyoto wouldn't be complete without popping by Nikishi Food Market.
The market sits in a narrow street in downtown Kyoto. The narrow street is lined by shops selling fresh seafood and traditional Japanese eats like pickled vegetables, barbecued unagi, sweets, sushi, sashimi, etc.
The market is very crowded so be prepared to be squashed as you weave your way through! After you're done with the food, walk around the shopping arcade which has more than enough shops to cure any shopaholic of his/her addiction. And if you still haven't had enough of good food, walk to the Daimaru (大丸) or Takashimaya (高島屋) department stores not far from Nikishi Food Market and head for the basement. The basements of Japanese department stores are like food meccas!
OK, enough words from me...let the pictures of Nikishi Food Market speak for themselves!
An endless stream of people
Only the Japanese can be bothered to make fish cake in such pretty shapes and colours
Take your pick of seafood
Care for a sushi bento?
A mountain of miso paste
Heaps of unborn fish lie in this bright orange mound
Adventurous eaters will love this stall selling fugu (puffer fish)
The Japanese version of 'chai peng' - a stall that sells different dishes where you can pick and choose from
Steaming hot food was just the thing for a cold winter's day
The most expensive strawberries I've ever come across - 600¥ (S$8) per strawberry!
The piece of unagi on the bottom left landed in my stomach
Pickled vegetables
Getting there: It's a five-minute walk from Shijo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line and Karasuma or Kawaramachi Stations on the Hankyu Line.