Shimai

Some evenings are best rounded off with a bowl of noodles in a soothing, hot dashi broth after drinks. Shimai, an izakaya situated in Kyoto's Saiin district, stays open from 18:00 in the evening until 5:00 the next morning, making it a reliable spot whether for a hearty late meal or a final stop on a night out.

A natural way to start is with a draft beer or a highball alongside a selection of reasonably priced appetizers. The menu offers a wide variety of drinking snacks, ranging from deep-fried favorites like well-regarded crab cream croquettes and head-on fried prawns to salt-grilled fatty Atka mackerel, sashimi, and horse meat sashimi. Savory grilled dishes such as stir-fried beef small intestines (hoso) and grilled chicken skin make it easy to assemble a personalized spread, even when dining solo.

Another defining strength of the restaurant is its extensive selection of noodles and rice dishes. Warm choices such as kitsune udon, beef udon, piping-hot ankake udon with its thickened sauce, and nabeyaki udon offer comfort after drinks. Diners can also opt for oyakodon, katsudon, ochazuke, or rice porridge (zosui), making the establishment just as practical for a late-night supper. The welcoming hospitality ensures a relaxed atmosphere where guests can unwind at their own pace.

Shimai is closed on Thursdays, and payment is cash only.