焼肉図鑑
In Kyoto, the popular yakiniku restaurant "Hatsuda" may be more famous for the bento boxes sold on the 2nd floor of Kyoto Station's Isetan department store than the main store. It was quite far from Kyoto Station, requiring 2 train transfers or costing about 4,000 yen (one way) by taxi. I managed to reserve a seat on the day and went to eat alone. I didn't do any research beforehand, so I thought it might be an omakase style, but it turned out to be a place where you order a la carte. The staff recommended the yukke, so I decided on the cuts of meat to order while snacking on it. I started with salted tongue, top loin, and then marinated harami, kalbi, and liver. The cuts were all very refined, which didn't quite match my preference for heartier cuts of meat. The meat disappeared after just a few chews. The meat itself was very good, especially the top loin and kalbi. The kalbi, despite being small, was packed with flavor and was the number one choice of the day. However, the meat's refined texture may not be to everyone's liking. I also ordered a mysterious tasting soup that became addictive. I wanted to drink more and more of it, it captivated me like a drug. This was really good. The biggest issue with the restaurant is probably the billing. The prices of the meat are not clearly stated, ranging from 2,000 yen upwards. In other words, it's market price. Therefore, you won't know how much you need to pay until you ask for the bill, which could be frustrating for many. Furthermore, they inform you that there will be an additional charge for using a credit card, which can be disheartening. In the end, I had one drink and ate plenty of meat, and the total came to 18,800 yen. Whether this is expensive or cheap depends on personal standards, but for those who are bothered by the lack of clarity, this may not be the right place. On the other hand, for those who are used to this kind of system, such as at sushi restaurants, this place may be suitable. Personally, I have no issue with the market price system, but I do think they should stop adding charges for credit card use. It doesn't make sense. I have a blog called "Yakiniku Zukan" where I document my experiences eating at yakiniku restaurants across Japan. Check out my blog for more information on other yakiniku restaurants.