mafu
When it comes to Hiro, it is a yakiniku restaurant run by a famous butcher in Kyoto. The main store is located at the entrance of Senbon-dori on the Sanjo Shotengai shopping street in Senbon Sanjo. I used to live nearby for a long time and have many memories of this place. I would often buy raw liver and offal from the butcher shop, and cook motsu nabe at home. As for the yakiniku restaurant, initially there was only this place, one in Kiyamachi, and a high-end restaurant in Gion. Even now, Hiro is still mainly known as a butcher shop, and not considered a yakiniku chain at all. However, when I looked it up recently, I found out that there are many branches all over now. There are even 3 branches near Kyoto Station alone. I didn't even know that. Of course, as long as the taste is good, it's fine, and Hiro is not the type to serve strange meat. This place seemed suitable for families with children. However, it may not currently be at the level of offering high-quality meat like other popular yakiniku restaurants. The tongue was less than 2000 yen, and although it was USDA, it didn't quite measure up to the popular yakiniku places nowadays. The upper harami had a similar impression. Even though it may also be due to how the meat was cut by the staff, the children had trouble chewing it, and honestly, it didn't taste as good as expected. The thin, cheap cuts of loin and kalbi were ordered and managed to feed the children. The raw tripe was also just okay. There were various things like whether the onions were cooked in the right shape. Overall, the experience didn't quite meet the expectations, but for a family-friendly restaurant, it was not a problem at all. If in a similar situation, I would probably choose Toraji. There is also Daisogun nearby. I have no problem with multiple locations or chain restaurants, but if the quality cannot be maintained due to expansion, it's inevitable. It's possible that my memories of the place have been idealized. This review is based on my experience dining there in 2022. I hope this information is helpful.