If you’re planning a day trip to Uji, Kyoto, your plans probably already include matcha, Byodo-in Temple, and a slow walk along the river. What tends to get overlooked, though, is where to eat in Uji and that’s where Jidoriya Kokoro comes in.
I came across Jidoriya Kokoro almost by chance. It’s a small chicken yakitori restaurant in Uji, Kyoto, and it ended up being one of the most satisfying meals I had outside of central Kyoto. Uji is often treated as a half-day stop, but staying a little longer reveals a quieter, more local dining scene, and this restaurant fits seamlessly into it.
There’s nothing flashy about Jidoriya Kokoro, and that’s exactly its appeal. Locals come here for carefully grilled jidori chicken, cooked over charcoal and served skewer by skewer at an unhurried pace. For travelers looking for places to eat in Uji, Kyoto, especially if you’re craving something savoury and comforting, this is a spot worth knowing about. Check out my full Jidoriya Kokoro review below.
Why Jidoriya Kokoro Is Worth Seeking Out
This is my 3rd visit in two years to this unassuming local hot spot. The menu revolves around jidori chicken, a premium Japanese breed known for its firmer texture and deeper flavour. Each skewer is grilled with intention and has such intense chicken flavours. My favourite time to visit is at lunch time as they have some pretty incredible lunch sets to choose from. Each set is under $20 which makes it a great deal.
PRO TIP: This spot accepts reservations, so I highly recommend making one so you don’t have to wait in the queue.
Jidoriya Kokoro Review – Lunch Set Menus Worth Trying
Even though they are tourist friendly (multilingual menus including English, Korean and Chinese), the clientele here is predominately locals. Lunch is served from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM with last order being 1:45 PM. On our visit we got:
- Kokoro Lunch Set (1550 yen) – with Kyoto red chicken yakitori grilled on charcoal and chicken tempura
- Tsukune Lunch Set (1450 yen) – red chicken juicy tsukune (minced chicken skewers) with your choicce of egg yolk sauce or ponzu daikon sauce
- Yakitori Donburi Lunch (1200 yen) – yakitori donburi with charcoal grilled chicken on top of white rice and topped with chives and sauce
The sets are well portioned with one free rice refill per set. The sets all come with a large refreshing radish salad with a bright and citrusy dressing. The Kokoro Lunch Set and Tsukune Lunch sets come with additional small side dishes. On our visit we got cold tofu with soy, a creamy avocado salad and a small cold chicken and cucumber dish. The sets are rounded out with a small bowl of miso soup.
The Tsukune Lunch Set features three delicious charcoal grilled skewers that are juicy and flavourful. I went with the raw egg yolk for my sauce and it was the most brilliant orange. The richness of the egg yolk pairs so well with the jucy minced chicken.
The Kokoro Lunch Set is the best choice if you want a great selection of everything that is available. The chicken tempura is lightly battered and very juicy. The chicken yakitori was very juicy and flavourful with a great char flavour.
The Yakitori Donburi Set is great if you’re a purist and want to focus on just chicken and rice. The chicken is juicy with a great char flavour and the rice is fluffy and white.
Jidoriya Kokoro – Location & When to Go
Jidoriya Kokoro is located near Uji Station, making it easy to reach before or after a day of sightseeing. It’s especially well-suited for dinner after visiting Byodo-in Temple or exploring the river area. Because seating is limited, reservations are highly recommended. For travelers searching where to eat in Uji, Kyoto, this restaurant fits seamlessly into any itinerary.
Worth a Try?
Jidoriya Kokoro may not be the kind of place that instantly grabs attention, but that’s part of its appeal. If you’re already in Uji and wondering where to eat this yakitori spot is absolutely worth considering. The focus on jidori chicken and careful grilling makes it a solid choice for anyone curious about yakitori in Uji, Kyoto. It’s the kind of meal that feels quietly satisfying rather than showy, and sometimes that’s exactly what you want to fuel a day of sightseeing.
However, the restaurant is small and limited seating mean it’s not ideal if you’re in a rush or traveling with a large group. But if you’re looking for a relaxed, local lunch and want to experience a different side of Uji’s food scene, Jidoriya Kokoro is worth a try.
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Jidoriya Kokoro
Address: Japan, 〒611-0021 Kyoto, Uji, Myoraku 25番地
Website: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/kokoro-uji/reserve