Inside Somebody Feed Phil Kyoto Yuma’s Story & Hidden Food Gems
What happens when one of Netflix’s most beloved food travel shows meets Japan’s most historic food city? In the Kyoto episode of Somebody Feed Phil, Phil takes a guided journey through the city’s mouth-watering restaurants, bustling markets, and more, all led by local guides.
Part documentary and part love letter to Kyoto’s culinary traditions, this episode highlights not only the city’s flavors but also the people behind them.
From sizzling dashi maki tamago omelettes in Nishiki Market to a farm-to-table Michelin-starred dinner at Lurra Kyoto, Phil’s journey captures both the humor and the heart of Kyoto’s food culture.
What makes it truly unique is that local guides, like Yuma, step into the spotlight, sharing places like the Nishiki Market with the world through laughter, storytelling, and unforgettable bites.
What is Somebody Feed Phil?
Somebody Feed Phil is a Netflix travel and food documentary series hosted by Phil Rosenthal, the director of Everybody Loves Raymond.
The show follows Phil around the world as he eats his way through markets, street stalls, and fine dining spots, all while connecting with locals. It’s lighthearted, funny, and emotional, blending food discoveries with human stories.
Each episode features:
- Local hosts or guides who introduces Phil to hidden gems
- Market visits, street food, and family-run shops
- A shared dinner where stories and laughter come together
The series is often compared to Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown, but with Phil’s unique sense of humor and warmth.
The Somebody Feed Phil Kyoto Epsiode
When the producers set their sights on Kyoto, they weren’t just chasing postcard-perfect temples. They wanted to capture the city’s soul through food. This episode brings Phil to Japan’s ancient capital, known for its traditions, temples, and refined cuisine.
Complete Location Guide for the Somebody Feed Phil Kyoto Episode
Phil explores the historic Nishiki Market, often dubbed Kyoto’s kitchen, sampling an array of street foods including marinated mackerel sushi, deep-fried hamo eel, dashimaki egg omelet, pickled vegetables paired with sake, mugwort mochi with sweet red bean paste, and koi fish prepared with sake, mirin, and soy sauce. We’ll give you the rundown of which shops he stopped at below.
WIFE&HUSBAND is a cozy, much-loved café that is famous not just for its coffee, but also for its concept, which blends Japanese aesthetics with the warmth of a couple-run shop. Here, Phil enjoys some delicious Kyoto-brewed coffee with some rich honey and cheese toast. If you’re a coffee connoisseur, this is the place for a wonderful cup of joe!
While enjoying his coffee and toast, Phil is accompanied by samurai and oldest tour guide in Japan, Samurai Joe. As they enjoy some coffee, they chat about Joe and about Kyoto.
A Stroll Down the Philosopher’s Path
Phil wanders down the Philosopher’s Path with that same wide-eyed joy he brings to every meal. The Philosopher’s Path is the kind of place that makes you slow down and take a breath. The cherry trees, the quiet canal, the little temples along the way; it all blends together in perfect harmony. He takes a breath, and savors the moment, just like he savors his food.
Visit the Philosopher’s Path HERE
Kichi Kichi Omurice Theater
Phil meets TV host Shizuka Anderson at Kichi Kichi. Here, the very outgoing chef Motokichi Yukimura serves theatrical omurice, or omelette rice, presented with dramatic flair. With a perfectly fluffy omelette on top of deliciously flavored rice, there is nothing more homey!
If you would like to visit Kichi Kichi, make sure to reserve in advance! They are quite famous and quite busy.
Check out Kichi Kichi Omurice’s official website HERE and make a reservation!
Gion – Geisha & Tea Ceremony
In the atmospheric Gion district, Phil and his wife Monica attend a private tea ritual and dance performance. These are both done by a geisha and a trainee, called a maiko. This is all led by pastry chef Reiko Yokota.
Want to attend a tea ceremony yourself? Want to meet a real geisha? Check out Maikoya, a beautiful tea ceremony venue in Kyoto. They not only offer tea ceremony, but many other traditional Japanese activities.
Noma Kyoto Popup Experience
Phil then visited the Kyoto popup of Noma, joining his friend Julia Huang for a kaiseki tasting menu by René Redzepi. It featured inventive dishes such as shabu‑shabu, shrimp topped with ants, cuttlefish, and bamboo shoots.
Due to this restaurant being a popup, it no longer exists. However, it showed a unique fusion of Japanese cuisine with western influence, all using local Kyoto ingredients.
Western-influenced food in Kyoto that uses local ingredients still carries a unique Japanese sensibility.
Our role at Ninja Food Tours is to introduce guests to the street food and local traditions, while shows like Phil’s can also highlight the growing and evolving food scene in Kyoto. Kaiseki and sushi are important, but they aren’t always the answer to how locals actually eat.
Phil slurps up world-class soba noodles at Juu-go, run by the passionate Akiya Ishibashi. Ishibashi not only makes the soba noodles, but does everything from growing the buckwheat himself to creating delicious dishes. The restaurant and its soba noodles highlight Kyoto’s elegant and artful dining traditions. You can truly feel Ishibashi’s passion for making delicious soba for his guests.
Hungry for some delicious handmade soba? Check out Juu-go HERE.
Check out their Instagram too!
Philanthropic Coffee & Community at Kozmoz
At Kozmoz New York Coffee, Phil observes its dual mission. Here, they serve American-style fare, like delicious burgers and fries, and run English classes on the second floor. Their funds are donated to local charitable programs.
Sweet Tradition at Kazariya
Phil then stops by Kazariya near Imamiya Shrine. Here, he tries aburi‑mochi, or traditional toasted mochi coated with sweet soybean powder, which has been prepared the same way for a millennium.
Want to sink your teeth into some sticky and sweet traditional mochi? Then make sure to visit Kazariya HERE!
Fine Dining at LURRAº
The Kyoto episode of Somebody Feeds Phil ends with a dinner at LURRAº, the Michelin‑starred modern Japanese restaurant run by chef Jacob Kear. Phil shares exquisite dishes like oysters, trout, and eggplant galette with all the friends he made while filming this episode.
Take a look at their official website here.
Visit LURRAº Here!
Meet Yuma: Food Tour Founder and Netflix Host
For Yuma, food is personal. He has traveled extensively throughout the world. He’s been to the US, Europe, and Asia, and learned firsthand the challenges travelers face in finding authentic culinary experiences, something he is very passionate about. He made it his mission to make authentic Japanese culinary and cultural experiences accessible and memorable.
Yuma founded Ninja Food Tours in 2017, and has spent years walking travelers through Kyoto’s hidden backstreets, telling the stories behind humble skewers and centuries-old recipes. Through these food tours, visitors experience Kyoto’s hidden gems beyond the tourist hotspots.
So when Netflix called, it felt surreal. Yuma wasn’t just a fan of Somebody Feed Phil, he’d binge-watched it, laughing with Phil’s infectious curiosity. Suddenly, he wasn’t watching anymore. He was hosting.
Behind the scenes, Yuma coordinated with vendors at Nishiki Market, secured filming permissions, and even helped producers shape how Kyoto’s culinary traditions would be presented. More than logistics, though, he carried the responsibility of sharing his city with the world.
Filming Day at the Nishiki Market Highlights & Challenges
The Food Stops:
Phil’s Kyoto adventure unfolded like a tasting menu:
- Tananaka Shoten – delicate Kyoto-style saba zushi (mackerel sushi)
- Notoyo – famous for its freshwater fish, they tried simmered koi fish
- Uoriki – the seasonal star: hamo eel tempura, a summer delicacy
- Gabana – crisp sake paired with Kyoto-style pickled vegetables
- Tanaka Keiran – soft, umami dashi maki tamago (egg omelet)
- Kofukudo Nishiki – Mugwort mochi with red bean paste, a traditional Japanese sweet
Filming Realities
A few weeks before filming, one of the producers reached out and asked me to guide Phil through Nishiki Market for the Kyoto episode. It sounded straightforward at first, but lining up vendors proved tricky. Explaining that it was a major show in the west didn’t always resonate, and after a few rejections I had to adjust plans and find stalls that were open to being filmed.
The actual shoot brought its own hurdles. Rain pushed even more people than usual into the market, making the already narrow walkways even more crowded. Moving the crew through Nishiki while keeping vendors, shoppers, and cameras in balance was no small task.
On top of that, Phil’s presence turned into an attraction in itself, with people eager to stop him for photos. While all of this limited how much history and detail could be shared on camera, the final cut still manages to capture Nishiki’s lively atmosphere and give viewers a glimpse into Kyoto’s unique street food culture.
The Reunion Dinner at LURRAº
At the end of the Kyoto episode, the filming team gathered for a reunion dinner at LURRAº Kyoto. It is a modern restaurant that has since earned a Michelin star.
The setting was more intimate, yet the experience carried just as much meaning as the crowded market earlier in the day. Instead of showcasing luxury ingredients like wagyu or rare seafood, the highlight of the evening was a plate of simply grilled local vegetables, seasoned only with salt.
The choice of dish underscored an important lesson: memorable dining is not always about extravagance, but about the stories and connections behind the food. That same philosophy shapes our own approach to food tours in Kyoto, where we often feature farm-to-table restaurants that highlight the richness of seasonal produce.
Just as at LURRAº, it is the narrative around the meal, the farmers, the traditions, and the cultural context that transforms a simple dish into an unforgettable experience.
Yuma’s Behind-the-Scenes Reflections
Food in Kyoto is more than just flavors on a plate; it is a story of culture, tradition, and community. When Yuma guided Phil through the Nishiki Market, he wanted to show that every dish has meaning. Storytelling is what transforms a simple tasting into a lasting memory, and it is why guided food tours in Kyoto are so powerful. They connect visitors to the people, history, and heritage behind the food, making the experience truly unforgettable.
Sharing Kyoto with the world is also a source of cultural pride. Yuma believes tourism is vital for Japan’s future and that food is one of the strongest ways to connect with travelers. For first-time visitors, the lesson is clear: come hungry, stay curious, and take time to learn the stories behind each dish. Respecting local traditions and engaging with vendors adds depth to any visit. Whether exploring Nishiki Market or joining a Kyoto food tour, travelers will find that food is the gateway to understanding the city’s identity and why it deserves its reputation as a world-class destination.
How to Experience Kyoto Like Somebody Feed Phil
One of the best ways to explore Kyoto’s food scene the way Phil does is by joining a guided food tour of Kyoto. A local guide can take you through Nishiki Market and nearby neighborhoods, introducing you to hidden stalls and restaurants you might miss on your own.
Tours like Ninja Food Tours also provide insider stories and cultural context that make each bite more meaningful, just as Phil highlights in the show. From seasonal street snacks to family-run eateries, a guided experience ensures you taste the best of Kyoto while understanding the traditions behind the food.
Of course, you can also recreate the journey yourself by visiting the episode’s featured locations, including Nishiki Market, Kichi Kichi for omurice, and traditional tea houses in Gion.
When exploring on your own, remember a few etiquette tips for Nishiki Market: avoid blocking walkways, finish food at or near the vendor stall instead of walking and eating, and be respectful when taking photos. Following these simple guidelines helps support local businesses while making your Kyoto food adventure smoother and more enjoyable, just like Phil’s.
FAQs about Somebody Feed Phil Kyoto
Q: Where can I watch the Kyoto episode of Somebody Feed Phil?
A: The Kyoto episode is available to stream on Netflix right now. Give it a watch today!
Q: Can I visit the Kyoto locations from the show?
A: Yes. Most of the restaurants, markets, and cultural spots featured in the Kyoto episode are open to the public. Some, like fine-dining restaurants or tea ceremonies, may require advance reservations. Street food markets such as Nishiki Market are open daily for walk-in visits.
Q: What foods did Phil try in Kyoto?
A: In this episode, Phil sampled a wide range of Kyoto specialties, including marinated mackerel sushi, dashimaki tamago (rolled omelet), pickled vegetables, mugwort mochi, soba noodles, and theatrical omurice at Kichi Kichi. He also enjoyed a fine dining experience at LURRAº, as well as traditional sweets like aburi mochi.
Q: Can I book a food tour to experience Kyoto like in the show?
A: Absolutely. Guided food tours in Kyoto allow visitors to explore a wide variety of Kyoto’s culture and unique cuisine. You can go on tours that take you through the Nishiki Market, or tours that specialize in izakaya restaurants. These tours provide the background stories and cultural context that make Kyoto’s food scene so unique, which is something the show highlights but could not cover in depth.
Q: Do I need to speak Japanese to visit these locations?
A: No. While Japanese is the main language, most vendors in Nishiki Market and staff at major restaurants are accustomed to international visitors. Booking a guided food tour can help with translation and give you deeper cultural insights.
Q: Which restaurants did Phil Rosenthal visit in Kyoto?
A: Here is a list of all the places Phil and his friends visited:
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Nishiki Market – Sabazushi, dashimaki, pickles, sake
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Wife & Husband – Honey toast and coffee
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Kichi Kichi Omurice – Famous theatrical omurice
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Philosopher’s Walk – Scenic stroll (no food)
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Gion – Traditional tea ceremony and geisha performance
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Noma Kyoto (Pop-up) – Kyoto-inspired tasting menu
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Jugo (Juu-go) – Soba noodles and porridge
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Kozmoz New York Coffee – Burgers and tacos, charity-focused
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Kazariya – Aburi-mochi (grilled skewered mochi)
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LURRAº – Fine dining: oysters, trout, eggplant galette
Final Thoughts
The Kyoto episode of Somebody Feed Phil is more than a food travel show; it is a celebration of culture, people, and the shared joy of eating together. Through Yuma’s guidance, viewers get an authentic introduction to Kyoto’s flavors and traditions through the bustling Nishiki Market. The behind-the-scenes challenges and heartfelt stories reveal that food experiences are not only about taste but about connection, history, and pride.
For those planning a trip, the lesson is clear: Kyoto is best experienced through its food. Whether joining a guided food tour with Ninja Food Tours or retracing Phil’s steps at the markets, tea houses, and restaurants, visitors can discover the city’s soul one dish at a time. By approaching Kyoto with curiosity, respect, and an appetite for stories as much as flavors, travelers can create memories as meaningful as those captured on screen.
To experience Kyoto like Phil did, book a guided food tour with Ninja Food Tours and let a local expert bring the city’s culinary heritage to life.
Interested in learning about incredible sightseeing locations across Kyoto? Make sure to check out our other blog posts, such as our guide to the Nishiki Market, the history of Fushimi Inari, and an itinerary for 3 full days in Kyoto.
We also run food tours in Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka, so be sure to put those on your itinerary when you come to Japan!
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