Doughnuts in Kyoto, Kyoto Prefecture! 10 recommended spots, from classics to creative varieties

Photograph:I.Shige

Hitsuji is a donut specialty shop about a 7-minute walk from Marutamachi Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line. It serves simply flavored donuts made with a dough based on natural yeast and hatsuga genmai (sprouted brown rice).

The attached eat-in space offers counter and table seating.

Photograph:みずき_0627

Kibi Sato is a germinated brown rice donut with a gentle sweetness like rice.

It is said to be slowly fermented with natural yeast, made with plenty of low-pesticide germinated brown rice and soy milk, and finished with a chewy texture.

Photograph:I.Shige

The photo shows "Kocha (black tea) to cream cheese to kibisato (unrefined cane sugar)." This doughnut is made with Earl Grey tea from the specialty tea shop Mlesna Tea House.

The dough uses homemade natural yeast. The long fermentation is said to create a soft and light texture.

Photograph:sakura52943

Koe Donuts Kyoto Ten is a specialty donut shop that pays close attention to its ingredients and how the donuts are made. Inside, you can enjoy freshly made donuts with a knife and fork.

Depending on where you sit, you can also watch part of the donut-making process, which adds to the appeal.

Photograph:akko.xoxo

They serve Homemade donuts made with a focus on local production for local consumption, naturally derived ingredients, and organic ingredients.

The "Lemon Meringue" is a donut with a soft and fluffy dough topped with meringue mixed with lemon peel. The lemon's tartness gives it a refreshing taste.

Photograph:林檎の食べ歩き

The "Donut Melt Strawberry" is a shortcake-style donut made with plenty of organic strawberries.

The dough is soaked with syrup, giving it a moist texture. The fresh tartness of the strawberries and the gentle sweetness of wasanbon (fine-grained Japanese sugar) spread across the palate.

Photograph:東行晋作

Nicot & Mam Karasuma Oike Ten is a cafe renovated from a kyo-machiya (traditional Kyoto townhouse). It sells donuts that are Homemade from scratch in its own workshop, without using dairy products or eggs.

From making the dough to lining up at the restaurant, it takes about 12 hours, and you can enjoy these carefully made donuts.

Photograph:Lady hana

The doughnuts are made by letting naturally fermented yeast dough rise slowly at a low temperature, which blends the flavors of the wheat and natural yeast and creates a chewy texture.

Another big feature is the use of komekoji (rice malt) from local Sasaki Shuzo. It is said to bring out the gentle natural sweetness of the rice itself.

Photograph:jikeda

The "matcha chocolate" is a doughnut that lets you enjoy two kinds of matcha. It features dough kneaded with Uji matcha (Kyoto green tea powder) and coated with matcha chocolate.

The elegant flavor of the natural yeast and the aroma of the matcha are said to make a perfect combination.

Photograph:ats0703

Kamo DONUT in Horikawa Shotengai (Horikawa Shopping Street) is a shop that serves natural donuts made with a focus on Domestic ingredients and minimal additives.

Including seasonal limited-time items, the showcase is said to feature about 20 kinds of donuts.

Photograph:hiyokomeko

The "French Sprinkle" is a donut made with rich, eggy French-style dough coated in chocolate.

It is finished with a generous topping of colorful sprinkles, making it a treat you can enjoy not just for the taste but for the look as well.

Photograph:iroiro.eater

The "apple fritter" is made by kneading finely chopped apples and cinnamon into donut dough.

The surface is coated with a sweet glaze, and its crunchy texture is said to be addictive.

Photograph:こげぱん0821

I'm donut? Kyoto Ten is a specialty shop for nama-donut (fresh doughnuts), located a 3-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line.

The interior, built around a stainless steel design, has a "spaceship" concept. It has a stylish and modern feel throughout.

Photograph:もぐもぐ日記.

The donuts at this shop are said to be made with brioche dough kneaded with pumpkin and several kinds of wheat flour.

After being slowly aged and fermented, they are quickly fried at high heat to create a unique melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Photograph:もんぶらん男爵

Not only the donut dough but even the toppings are all Homemade. By carefully preparing each one individually, they create a flavor that feels satisfyingly rich.

"Speicy Blue" is a donut made with hojicha (roasted green tea) flavored dough and topped with white chocolate.

Photograph:食っとーと

TRUFFLE DONUT Kyoto Takatsuji-dori Ten is a fresh doughnut specialty shop from Tottori, about a 6-minute walk from Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Main Line. There is a line almost every day, and some days they sell out by early afternoon.

Takeout only, and it is a great pick as a treat for yourself or a gift.

Photograph:美桜❤︎関西グルメ

The "Truffle Plain" is a donut fried only after you order, with a focus on serving it fresh. The dough is said to use truffle oil and truffle salt.

The just-right saltiness and aroma of the truffle bring out the good flavor of the dough.

Photograph:curu

The "Matcha Premium" in the photo is a popular menu item available only at this shop. It is a donut made with dough kneaded with high quality matcha (green tea powder), filled generously with rich matcha cream.

It is said to be a dish that lets you directly enjoy the aroma, bitterness, and richness of matcha.

Photograph:すいぐる

Natural café Kyoto Ekimae Ten is a cafe popular for its homemade fluffy fresh donuts and light roast coffee.

The natural interior, surrounded by greenery, offers counter and table seating. It is a great choice not only when you want a light bite, but also when you want to take a break during a walk.

Photograph:coni__stagram

The doughnuts use Special wheat, and each one is Homemade at the restaurant. They fill dough that is left to ferment at a low temperature for a full day with plenty of cream.

In addition to the five regular menu items, they also offer seasonal limited-time flavors.

Photograph:LaVieEstBelle

The "Custard" is a doughnut filled with rich custard cream.

The sugar-dusted dough is said to have a crisp texture. The cream and the dough itself are both mildly sweet, making it easy to eat.

Photograph:nagiのグルメ日記

MILK DO dore iku? Karasuma Gojo Ten is a Hokkaido-born specialty doughnut shop with locations across Japan. It offers nama-jitate doughnuts (fresh-style doughnuts) made with carefully selected ingredients from Hokkaido, including flour and milk.

Takeout is popular, but there is also an eat-in space available.

Photograph:500(チンクエチェント)

The "Jikasei Tiramisu (house made tiramisu)" is a donut filled with tiramisu cream and dusted with cocoa powder.

Reviews also said the moist, smooth dough inside goes perfectly with the melt-in-your-mouth cream.

Photograph:ごろう114

The "Noko Matcha Glaze (Rich Matcha Glaze)" is a limited menu item available only at the Karasuma Gojo Ten. The donut is coated in matcha glaze and topped with sliced almonds.

It also has matcha cream inside the dough, so you can fully enjoy the aroma of matcha.

Photograph:∞ (๑˃̵ᴗ˂̵) ∞

This is a creme brulee donut specialty shop in one corner of Kyoto Sanjokai Shotengai (Kyoto Sanjo Shopping Street). It is Takeout only and is popular for eating on the go and as a souvenir.

In addition to donuts, they also seem to offer drinks such as coffee and matcha latte.

Photograph:a_monary

The "crème brûlée doughnut" can have its surface torched with a burner after you order it.

The caramelized surface is said to have a crisp texture and a nice toasted aroma. One bite makes rich custard spill out from inside, and it is popular for the great balance of sweetness and bitterness.

Photograph:ひより♩

The crème brûlée doughnut and matcha (powdered green tea) set is also recommended.

They prepare the matcha fresh and whisk it to order right in front of you. It has the rich bitterness that is unique to matcha and is said to offer an authentic taste.

Photograph:yama-log

Maeda no Donatsu is a Takeout specialty doughnut shop operating on the first floor of a coffee shop. It sells doughnuts made with care, with each one Homemade all the way through the final step.

Doughnuts are lined up in the display case by the bay window, making this a shop where you can casually stop by and buy some.

Photograph:もっつ×もっつ

The donuts are made with carefully selected ingredients such as Special Domestic flour, whole wheat flour, and butter.

They are fried in a dedicated fryer while the oil temperature is adjusted with care. Their simple, familiar taste is loved by a wide range of people, from children to adults.

Photograph:yossy1

The "Chocolate" is a plain doughnut coated with lightly sweet chocolate.

It has a crisp outside and a chewy inside, and when freshly fried, you can enjoy its toasty aroma and gentle sweetness.