🍜 Kyoto, Uji Matcha Cuisine Tatsumiya

Uji City in Kyoto is a renowned tea-producing area in Japan. The matcha specialty restaurant Tatsumiya is located by the Uji River, which is quite lively during the cormorant fishing season from July to September. Established in 1840, the restaurant has a long history. Originally a tea wholesale business, it transformed into its current form as a dining establishment in 1913. Tatsumiya's unique feature is its ability to transform matcha, originally meant for drinking, into food, opening up new possibilities for matcha. Utilizing the expertise of a tea wholesaler, they combine matcha with seasonal ingredients to develop innovative dishes that are quite rare even in Kyoto restaurants. The meticulously crafted menu offers a wide variety of choices, with "Matcha Tofu" being the restaurant's most famous signature dish. Made from Tsuruko soybeans from Hokkaido to create soy milk, and paired with the finest matcha from Uji, it takes a full three days to complete. Other specialties include "Masu Tea Grilled," which is grilled with gyokuro stems and roasted tea. From kaiseki cuisine to bento boxes, you can savor various delicious dishes that incorporate seasonal ingredients. Dinner is fully reservation-based, so please be sure to book in advance. The restaurant features a counter suitable for small dining parties and a large hall for group dining, with some private rooms offering views of the Uji River. For those looking to taste Uji's specialty cuisine and enjoy a special moment, Tatsumiya is highly recommended.

A matcha cuisine specialty store located in Uji, Kyoto. A pioneer in transforming matcha from "drinking" to "eating." The restaurant offers unique dishes that can only be tasted here, such as "matcha tofu" and "masu tea-grilled fish." From kaiseki cuisine to bento, a wide variety of meals are available. The store provides a view of the Uji River scenery.