How to Dine with Geisha on a Budget

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Originally uploaded by me-spirit.

After a bowl of ma-ma (so-so) ramen (the only bad meal we had) and a few maiko sightings, Norv and I stumbled onto the Gion district. Partly out of hunger from a less than satiating meal and partly out of curiosity of what we could see being grilled, we were easily beckoned into the restaurant.

Norv felt more comfortable trying to speak Japanese so he tried to chat with the waitress and ask for a menu. She seated us at a table with these two lovely ladies, dressed like geisha. Mannequines, like these, were sitting at various tables, some by themselves, others with patrons. At first glance, we assumed that a businessman had his wife with him.

The waitress tried to explain something to us when we asked for menus, but we didn't understand. What should we order?



Only to find that there is only ONE item on the menu, which was Okonomiyaki.

It was both savory -- from the seaweed topping and a bit tangy -- from the Okonomikyaki sauce (which probably had Worcestershire sauce as a base). It was a pretty hearty meal, so Norv and I shared a plate, but didn't share beers. Our cold beers were refreshing and great to wash down the food. In Japan's cultural capital, I did not expect to find kitschy, kitschy Kyoto.