Tabelog ratingSaika (齋華) is a destination for modern Sichuan cooking, served in an intimate, single-house setting near Sennyuji Temple in Kyoto. The experience is centered on an eight-seat counter facing a seasonal garden, where chef Futoshi Saito prepares what some call 'nouvelle Sinowa'—a creative, Japanese-inflected take on Chinese cuisine.
Guests consistently praise the signature abalone noodles (鮑麺), thin noodles tossed in a rich abalone liver sauce, as a highlight worth the trip alone. Other celebrated dishes include a luxurious spring roll topped with crab and caviar, fried shark's fin with Shanghai crab, and a nuanced mapo tofu. The wine list and pairings are also noted as excellent.
However, the experience can be inconsistent. Several independent reviews report uneven hospitality, with regulars and celebrities receiving noticeably better treatment than other guests. Some also find the service brusque and the counter seating, which is in a sunken 'horigotatsu' style, to have tight legroom. The location is also tucked away and can be difficult to find.
Dinner is an omakase course, with reviewers in 2024–2025 reporting a typical spend of ¥30,000–¥50,000 per person. A standard course cost around ¥30,250, while a special course with wine pairing was about ¥50,000. For the quality and creativity of the cooking, many consider it a strong value for a special occasion, though the high price and variable service are important considerations.
- Booking: Reservations are essential and must be made well in advance via the TableCheck website. Walk-ins are not accepted.
- Getting There: Located in the Higashiyama district, about a 10-minute taxi ride from Kyoto Station's Hachijo Exit. The restaurant can be hard to find; it's advisable to have a taxi take you.
- Seating: There are only 8 counter seats. The seating is sunken 'horigotatsu' style, which some may find has limited legroom.
- Payment: Accepts VISA, JCB, AMEX, and Diners Club cards. Electronic money and QR code payments are not accepted.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
- Parking: No parking is available.
