01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Aromatic steam curls up from piping-hot earthenware pots as an array of small dishes fills the tabletop. Situated just a short walk from JR Tanbaguchi Station, Korean restaurant AYAN offers homestyle Korean cooking built around rich broth depth and natural ingredient flavors, set in a calm and comfortable dining space.
At lunchtime, many diners opt for the house-specialty sundubu-jjigae set meal. Underlying the soup's spicy kick is a broth drawn from seafood and assorted base ingredients, yielding a lingering depth that pairs smoothly with the delicate, tender texture of local Kyoto tofu. Another highlight is the spread of 6 side dishes that accompanies the rice. Sesame oil-scented namul, simmered daikon radish, kimchi, and other thoughtfully prepared banchan let diners savor different textures and bites throughout the meal. The lunch lineup also features options like seolleongtang set meals infused with mellow beef flavor, alongside ingredient-packed doenjang-jjigae sets.
Evening Samgyeopsal and Hot Pots Featuring Kyoto Pork
For dinner gatherings, the menu shifts naturally toward hot pots and samgyeopsal centered on Kyoto-raised pork. Slices of pork belly grilled crisp alongside shoulder loin (moksal) can be wrapped in leafy greens with garlic, green chilies, and house sauce, letting the pork's sweet fat and juicy texture come through. In hot pots such as Kyoto pork budae jjigae and Japanese Wagyu gopchang jeongol, the simmering broth absorbs deep savory notes from every ingredient. Adding sari ramen noodles or Korean rice cakes, then finishing with rice for a comforting porridge, is a classic way to round off the meal.
A variety of a la carte choices, including thick, hearty seafood pajeon and tender steamed Kyoto pork slices, also make natural companions for drinks. Guests can pair their meal with by-the-glass pours of Chamisul and makgeolli, honey yuzu chuhai with real fruit pulp, or fruit-vinegar cocktails made with Micho, making it easy to settle in for a leisurely evening around the table.
