Yakiniku, Teppanyaki and Wagyu
Yakiniku (焼肉) refers to Japanese-style grilled meat dishes, often cooked on a tabletop grill. It’s heavily influenced by Korean barbecue but has its own unique flavors, dipping sauces, and cuts of meat.
Teppanyaki (鉄板焼き) is a style of Japanese cuisine where food is cooked on an iron griddle (teppan). It often includes a mix of meats, seafood, vegetables, and rice dishes.
Wagyu (和牛) literally means “Japanese beef” and refers to specific breeds of cattle in Japan. The most famous Wagyu is “Kobe beef”.
Itoh Dining 伊藤ダイニング $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CogvdczfFo5qW2aa8
URL: https://itoh-dining.co.jp/kyoto/index.html
TEL: 075-525-3235
Open every day
Reservation: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/itoh-dining-kyoto/reserve?utm_source=google
If you want to try the real Kobe Beef, I’ll recommend “Itoh Dining”, run by NOBU, a famous Japanese chef who runs “Matsuhisa” Sushi restaurant in Los Angeles. The location is great, overlooking the Shirakawa River, in Gion. They have a Kobe Beef Course for Yen 25,000. Be aware that kids under 6 aren’t accepted.
Yakiniku Hiro Yasaka-tei やきにくヒロ八坂邸 $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/pJ2ZyPm8ybEJ77vc8
URL: https://yakiniku-hiro.com
TEL: 075-525-4129
Open every day
Reservation: https://yoyaku.toreta.in/yasaka/#/
They have 12 restaurants in Kyoto and provide excellent quality meat at reasonable prices. The restaurant uses a beautiful old Japanese-style wooden house with a well-maintained garden. The course starts from 10,000 and it is quite extensive.
Tendan 天壇 $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/c8nfhKcaw5yPLtC39
URL: https://www.tendan.co.jp/
TEL: 075-551-4129
Open every day
Reservation: https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26001422/?cid=google_yoyaku
Very famous Korean BBQ restaurant, loved by local people – a family friendly place. Their BBQ sauce is very light Kyoto style, and it’s worth trying it. They offer a BBQ terrasse (Jun through September) on the rooftop with a great view of Kamo River.
Aburiya あぶりや $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K5c5ZYWqoqRxfiHF7
URL: https://maps.app.goo.gl/K5c5ZYWqoqRxfiHF7
TEL: 075-344-4929
Open every day
Reservation: https://booking.resty.jp/webrsv/vacant/s014098102/14243?isfixshop=true
In Kyoto, there are lots of Yakiniku BBQ restaurants. There are also lots of all-you-can-eat BBQ places, but we think that this is the best choice, with good quality meat and reasonable price (we love the senior discount!), and good and fast service. They have an all-you-can-drink menu too. The problem is they are always full.
Kobe Beef steak Mouriya Gion モーリヤ祇園 $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KHQ8v7xw9ozaY7GN9
URL: https://www.mouriya.co.jp/
TEL: 075-532-4129
Open every day
Reservation: https://www.tablecheck.com/shops/mouriya-gion/reserve
A steak chain restaurant from Kobe. They only use “Tanbagyu” (the brand name of Kobe beef), which comes from contracted farmers.
Kobe Beef Teppanyaki Gion Noichi 神戸牛鉄板焼き祇園之いち $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nd7G4So3TUYMDUiK6
URL: https://kisshokichi-kyoto.com/gionnoichi/
URL: 075-708-8211
Open every day
Reservation: https://booking.resty.jp/webrsv/plan_search/s014161901/34245?isfixs
Located in Gion Hanamikoji, they provide good quality Kobe beef. On the first floor, you sit in front of a “teppan” (heated iron plate) and can see how the chef cooks your meat.
Sukiyaki and Shabu-shabu すき焼き・しゃぶしゃぶ
Sukiyaki: A Japanese hot pot cooked in a sweet-savory soy sauce-based broth.
Shabu-shabu: Another hot pot with thinly sliced meat and vegetables boiled in water.
Like cheese or meat fondue, both dishes involve cooking food at the table in a shared pot.
Mishimatei 三島亭 $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6iKiPDTRwctBomGE9
URL: https://www.mishima-tei.co.jp/
TEL: 075-221- 0003
Close: Tuesday, Wednesday
Reservation: https://r.gnavi.co.jp/plan/k001300/plan-reserve/plan/plan_list/?sc_cid=google_kg_reserve
This place has 140 years of history as a Sukiyaki restaurant! You can enjoy the beautiful traditional setting inside its old building. They also provide great service. They serve the Sukiyaki, in the Kyoto style, starting with spreading sugar in a frying pan and grilling meat without broth. It’s more expensive than other Sukiyaki restaurants but it’s a special experience and everything is top quality.
Junidan-ya Honten 十二段家本店 $$$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6Zhj2YBnBNb4R1HRA
URL: https://junidanya-kyoto.com/
TEL: 075-561-1655
Close: Wednesday, Thursday
Reservation: https://res-reserve.com/ja/restaurants/junidanya
“shabu-shabu” style was invented here, in 1949 at Junidan-ya Honten main restaurant. In a hot pot, you just dip the thinly sliced beef quickly then eat it with sesame sauce.
Gyuzen 牛禅 $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/srmZNzf352QUF88q7
URL: https://www.k-company.net/gion-gyuzen/english.html
TEL: 075-533-3344
Open every day
Reservation: https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26003500/?cid=google_yoyaku
Very casual Sukiyaki & Shabu-shabu restaurant. A good quality all-you-can-eat place.
They also have Wagyu and Kobegyu beef courses.
Kimura Sukiyaki キムラすき焼き $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/MuSoSxVkw1SjwvEx8
URL: https://www.kyoto-teramachi.or.jp/shop/w081/
TEL: 075-231-0002
Close: Monday
Reservation: TEL
The restaurant has run a business for nearly 100 years and is loved by the local people. Nothing fancy but good quality meat at a good price. They provide the guest with instructions, and you cook the Kyoto-style Sukiyaki by yourself.
Yakitori and Kushiyaki (焼鳥 . 串焼)
The “Yakitori“, skewered and grilled chicken, can be found in Izakaya (pubs) and some other types of restaurants. But we recommend the choice and the quality found in a specialized yakitori restaurant.
Kushiyaki includes all kinds of skewered and grilled or fried foods, including the above yakitori type. The word combines “kushi” (串), meaning skewer, and “yaki” (焼き), meaning grilled or roasted. Kushiyaki can include various types of meat, seafood, and vegetables, all skewered on bamboo sticks and grilled over charcoal.
Sumibi Yakitori Otonari 炭火焼鳥おとなり $$
Location on Google Maps: https://goo.gl/maps/XMKgeoxS43CaJUxm9
TEL: 075-744-1885
Close: Monday
Reservation: TEL
Located on Gojo street, typical local Yakitori restaurant. Good quality Yakitori and “Omakase” chef’s choice is a good value. Because it’s near Miyagawacho, one of Kyoto geisha districts, you may encounter Geiko san or Maiko san in the late evening.
Tarokichi 太郎吉 $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/uMHywBA6Z44bNF4RA
URL: https://www.instagram.com/kyoto.tarokichi/
TEL: 075-551-7335
Close: Sunday
Reservation: TEL
Casual Yakitori restaurant near Shijo. Good quality yakitori, good price, and good service.
Kushiyaki Manten Pontocho 串焼き満天先斗町 $$
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/u5bwZT4HCBUamrD88
URL: https://fun-no1.com/business/restrant/manten/
TEL: 075-212-0600
Open every day
Reservation: https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26025158/?cid=google_yoyaku
Fresh vegetables, fish, beef, chicken, cheese, etc, and all kinds of skewered foodstuff are available.
Tonkatsu (とんかつ)
Tonkatsu is a popular Japanese dish consisting of a breaded and deep-fried pork cutlet. It involves coating slices of pork with panko breadcrumbs, and then frying them in oil. The two main types are fillet and loin.
Miyagawa Tonemon 宮川豚衛門 $$
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CJxrrLouXSQ7PryEA
URL: https://www.instagram.com/miyagawatonemon
TEL: 080-4087-9504
Close: Monday, Tuesday
Reservation: https://www.tablecheck.com/ja/miyagawatonemon/reserve/message?utm_source=google
Located in Miyagawacho, you will find it in a narrow passage. The owner is very friendly and the quality of the meat is excellent.
Kyoto Tonkatsu Katsuta 京都とんかつかつ田 $
Google: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LUffLWFu64jiBjDa8
URL: https://chikayado.jp/tonkatsushijo?_src=gbp
TEL: 075-371-5855
Open every day
Reservation: TEL
It’s a mall place but there is not much waiting time. The pork cutlet set menu starts from yen 1,500 and is a good value. Watching how the meat is cooked over the counter is fun.
Gyoza（餃子）
Gyoza or Japanese dumplings with a thin, delicate wrapper and a flavorful filling, typically made with ground pork, cabbage, garlic, ginger, and chives. You will find them as side dishes at Izakaya, Ramen shops, etc., but some specialized restaurants are well worth a visit.
Tiger Gyoza タイガー餃子 $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/nyCv5B1opxv1BWr39
URL: https://kiwa-group.co.jp/tiger_kawaramachi/
TEL: 075-257-7665
Close: Tuesday
Reservation: https://booking.ebica.jp/webrsv/search/e014000746/24139?isfixshop=true
Casual Chinese restaurant chain. Their Gyoza are well seasoned and they are our favorite. The place is located a couple of minutes north of the Shijo Kawaramachi crossing, so after visiting the Nishiki market, it’s a good place to stop and taste Gyoza.
Chao Chao Gyoza チャオチャオ餃子 $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/AoKkD28LWcm2Gpyx7
URL: https://advance-kitchen.studio.site/
TEL: 075-353-2626
Open 6 days a week
Reservation: TEL
A very popular Gyoza restaurant. They have lots of different Gyoza, including vegetables and Tofu Gyoza. No meat and no Fish menu is available.
Ebisugawa Gyoza Nakajima 夷川餃子なかじま $
Location on Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/VXCk8Qniwpuqoyz18
URL: https://www.nakajimagyoza.com/
TEL: 075-533-4126
Open every day
A very simple Gyoza dumplings shop. Yen 380 for 5 Gyoza is very cheap and they taste good.
