Monk

Kyoto, Japan

Taking inspiration from Zen monks, who’ve expressed enlightenment as a circle drawn on a piece of paper, chef and restaurateur Yoshihiro Imai likens stretching the dough for his much-lauded east-meets-west pizzas to meditation. It must work, because diners describe eating the creations that emerge from Imai’s legendary, clay-domed wood-fired oven as something of a mystical experience in itself. Having opened Monk in 2015, the chef sources fresh produce daily from farmer partners in Ohara, north of Kyoto, as well as foraging for herbs and wild ingredients such as wood sorrel and wild peas to fuel his seasonal, daily-changing five- and seven-course omakase menus. Located by the river on a quiet one-way street known as the Philosopher’s Path, the dark, snug dining room has an open kitchen at its centre, allowing diners to watch Imai prepare dishes such as charred sashimi, saba pizza (a Monk spin on sardine ‘za) and salted aubergine and pork.

Key Information

• Average price per person $100
• Dinner: Tues – Sat
• 81757481154
• Visit Monk's Website

Location

147 Jodoji Shimominamidacho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, Kansai, Honshu, 606-8404