The "Omakase Course of Kushiage" was served from 17:30 onwards. The freshly fried kushiage paired well with beer. The vegetables were tender and delicious. The large shrimp was also tasty. The breadcrumbs were finely textured, providing a good crunch. The oil was light and gentle on the stomach. Overall, there were thoughtful details in the preparation.

This is a warm and cozy restaurant with a lot of charm. The deep-fried skewers were unique, but I was hoping for something more traditional. The size of the dishes and the plates didn't quite match, making it a bit difficult to eat. It lacked a certain elegance, which was a bit disappointing. The creatively prepared dishes are great conversation starters, but it may not be a place you'd want to return to often. It's perfect for those looking for interesting fried foods. However, if you're craving delicious skewers, this place might not fully satisfy that craving. If you're in the mood for a leisurely meal in a clean and interesting restaurant, then this place is probably perfect for you.

I went on February 28, 2015. It was my first time. The atmosphere was nice and the restaurant was elegant. It was a calming place and the food was incredibly delicious, the best. I felt happy. The tuna artery was surprisingly delicious. The other menu items were also very cute, delicious, and outstanding. Thank you. It was a feast. I will definitely go again. I will eat with gratitude for all the ingredients in this world. I'm calling for delicious food♪ The more you eat, the more powerful you become♪

I stayed in Kyoto for 2 nights and 3 days. While walking around the city in winter, I stumbled upon "Kushi Hira-O". They offer a creative kushikatsu course for only 4000 yen. In addition to over 10 pieces of kushikatsu, they also serve various small dishes. The sake served between the kushikatsu pieces varied in flavor and cooking method. I enjoyed 4 cups of sake. To finish off, they served a mini curry udon, which was about the size of a sake cup. The restaurant has been in business for 15 years and it was a great place that immediately brings to mind the phrase "innovative ideas".

The best hospitality, the best taste! This is Kyoto!! I visited while on a business trip. The restaurant was quietly open, but when I peeked inside, it was bustling! It was a bit intimidating to enter, but I gathered my courage and went in! Unfortunately, the counter was full, but I was able to relax and enjoy my meal alone in the back seats! I had sake (^_^*) and enjoyed 24 dishes. I couldn't take photos of everything as they requested to keep it low-key. The dishes were all delicious!! I had eaten tempura just two days ago in Tokyo, but the ones here were significantly better! Especially the chestnut, muscat grape, sweet potato, and salmon!! I was so happy. The curry udon was just the right amount, and even the dessert at the end was delicious! The owner and his wife were also lovely people. I found a wonderful restaurant in Kyoto. I would love to visit again. I deducted one star for not being able to take photos of the food, but everything else was perfect!!!

The friendly owner made the atmosphere very welcoming. The service was excellent, with a wide variety of dishes coming out one after another. I had delicious tempura skewers, which were light and crispy. The owner even opened the restaurant early for me so I could catch my train on time, which I really appreciated. The food was delicious and I would definitely make this my regular spot if I lived in Kyoto. And on top of that, it was very reasonably priced.

Delicious skewers served one after another, more skewers than expected and I was full. The restaurant was packed with customers coming in one after another. The prices were surprisingly low. It's a great restaurant.

The skewers with care were very delicious! The owner couple is very kind and nice! We chose the 24-item chef's choice course. The amount and deliciousness at this price are very generous! I will definitely visit again!

On Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas, I went to see the Rohm Illumination in Nishioji Gojo for the first time. On the way back, I was looking for a dinner spot around Nishikyo or Shijo Omiya, and I made a reservation at Hiraosan, a place I had wanted to try for a while. I made the reservation about a week ago. Since it was a Saturday before Christmas, only 8:30 was available, and I hesitated if it was too late, but it turned out to be just right after seeing the illumination. I arrived a little before 8:30 on the day, and the counter seats were already prepared. The owner and the hostess were very considerate, apologizing for the wait as soon as we sat down, which left a good impression. During the Christmas season, they offered a special Christmas course for 5,000 yen, which was about 1,000 yen more expensive than the regular courses. They also asked for no cancellations over the phone, which was understandable. After 8:30, there were two more groups of customers besides us, and the 15 seats at the counter and the table seats were fully occupied. There were some regular customers as well, creating an atmosphere of a popular restaurant. When it comes to tempura, I felt like having a beer, so I ordered a draft beer. Unfortunately, the glass had a slight smell, maybe from a damp cloth, so I couldn't drink it for long and switched to cold sake. They had a wide variety of cold sake and shochu, and the prices were reasonable. I happened to see a bottle of sake, which got me excited, and then I tried the temptation of sweet potato shochu. The first appetizer consisted of five items on a cute Christmas-themed plate, which was a bit different from the image of Hiraosan. After a short wait due to the crowd, about 15 types of tempura were served one by one. Each one had a crispy coating and a flavorful filling. The sweet potato was mashed before frying, giving it a fluffy texture and enhancing its sweetness. As a Christmas special, there was also Ezo deer meat and crab legs. The owner kindly explained how to eat each piece. In between, a broccoli milk soup in a cocotte dish was served, which also felt a bit out of place. The meal ended with bite-sized curry udon. The dessert was a Santa Claus sablé cookie and a crisp sorbet. The tempura was delicious, as expected from a professional, but the appetizer, soup, sushi, udon, and dessert were somewhat lacking in sophistication, with a somewhat childish menu. I think I would prefer a course that focuses solely on tempura. The impressive customer service, with the staff engaging in conversation and seeing us off until the end, made it a memorable dining experience.

While walking around Omiya for about 2 hours, I found a sign for a restaurant I had been wanting to try. I made a reservation through Tabelog and was able to get a spot on the same day. The restaurant had a counter with about 8 seats and a couple of tatami rooms in the back. I opted for the 4000 yen omakase course, which was a great choice. They had a wide variety of drinks available as well. Before the skewers arrived, I told them what I didn't like to eat. Sure enough, those items were not included in the dishes that came out. I had my companion try them instead, which was quite funny. The owner was very polite and had a good sense of humor. I'll definitely come back if I have the chance.

Today, I was served a wooden carved sake cup. The thin rim of the cup highlights the craftsmanship of the artisan. It's like the Riedel of glassware. The delicious sake tastes even better in this cup. The course isn't just a series of fried dishes, but includes carefully crafted palate cleansers. A variety of meticulously selected ingredients are presented one after another, keeping things interesting. And for dessert, there was a surprising twist with curry udon. Thank you for the feast! ♪

I went to dinner with my family at a restaurant located in a hard-to-find alley, but I heard that it is always quite busy with customers so I decided to give it a try. It's a creative kushikatsu place, using a variety of seasonal ingredients to create innovative kushikatsu dishes that convey the owner's passion. While there are many cheap kushikatsu places around, this place is not cheap, but if you want to have a slightly luxurious meal once in a while, it's great to do so in a hidden gem-like setting. I gave this rating based on my second visit, as I found my experience during my first visit to be better.

In February 2016, I visited a restaurant for the first time near Shijo-Omiya Station. The restaurant is located in a residential area down a narrow alley, not easily noticeable from the main street. Despite not having a reservation, the friendly chef warmly welcomed me. The cozy space had a clean and pleasant atmosphere with a counter seating for 8 and two tables at the back. The menu offered only two options of "Omakase Course" - a 20-course meal for 3500 yen or a 24-course meal for 4000 yen. I opted for the 20-course meal. The dishes included various appetizers, seafood, meat, cheese, and even a mini curry udon at the end. The creativity in the presentation of the skewers was impressive, and the changing seasonal menu added an element of excitement. The combination of skewers and a wide selection of sake made the dining experience even more enjoyable. It was a hidden gem in the alley, and I look forward to visiting again with fellow sake enthusiasts.

In December 2015, after a year, I revisited a restaurant where the owner dressed up as Santa Claus, adding a playful touch to the experience. We enjoyed a special Christmas menu priced at 4500 yen, featuring a variety of delicious skewers. From fresh abalone to fried chicken, mini curry bread, cream gratin, crab meat, and butter-wrapped wagyu beef, each skewer offered a delightful surprise. The Christmas dinner was truly a happy and fulfilling experience, with classic mini curry udon to warm up, followed by sweet strawberry and chocolate skewers, and homemade ice cream mochi for dessert. We even added a foie gras skewer to our meal, making it a wonderful Christmas feast. The warm smiles of the owner and his wife, along with the happiness on my companion's face, made it a memorable night. I had been wanting to revisit this restaurant since April, and finally, in December, my wish came true. The cozy ambiance of the restaurant and the warm welcome from the owner made the experience even more enjoyable. The omakase skewer course was full of surprises, with unique sauces and toppings enhancing each skewer. The focus on quality ingredients, including seasonal fish, meat, and vegetables, paired perfectly with the selection of sake and other beverages. The night ended with a heartwarming farewell from the owner, leaving me feeling content and looking forward to my next visit.

<April 2014 Revisit> I visited Kyoto in spring. It seems that Hirao-san will celebrate his 10th anniversary at the end of March. To run a business for 10 years in this location, during this economic downturn, is truly remarkable. Seeing the flowers celebrating the 10th anniversary, which seemed to be given to regular customers, it is clear how much this restaurant is loved. This time, I tried the "Spring Special Course" for 4500 yen, which is a special course for the 10th anniversary. The course comes with one drink, so I started with a beer. The first dish was a pink sauce of live sea bream and raw octopus. The visual appeal of this dish is very spring-like and uplifting. The fresh sea bream and tender octopus, combined with the sour cherry blossom-colored sauce, create a spring sensation in the mouth. One amazing thing about Hirao-san's restaurant is how they grab your attention with the first dish, making you excited about what skewers will come next. The course was filled with skewers that were perfect for spring. Some of the memorable ones were: - Bamboo shoot: Bamboo shoots are a spring delicacy, and Hirao-san's bamboo shoot skewers are marinated, then flavored with wood buds and sansho pepper before being fried to a crispy texture. It has a mature flavor that pairs well with sake. - Pork fillet wrapped in butter: Pork fillet wrapped in butter, with a crispy golden coat that oozes butter and meat juices. The butter is not just any butter, but flavored with parsley and garlic. The aroma of garlic, parsley, and butter combine in the mouth, creating a rich and balanced flavor. The balance of garlic, parsley, and butter with the light pork fillet is exquisite. This is a specialty of the restaurant. The pork fillet skewer can be enjoyed even with a 4000 yen course, so be sure to try it. The hot broth curry udon, a familiar dish, filled me up, and I finished with dessert, thoroughly enjoying Hirao-san's "sakura" flavors. Hirao-san always serves seasonal skewers with an extra touch, making it worth coming to the outskirts of Shijo-Omiya in Kyoto. Thank you for the meal. <January 2012 Revisit> I visited Kyoto in the cold winter. This time, I ordered the 4000 yen course. The course included: 2 appetizers, 18 skewers, 2 small dishes, a bite-sized rice dish, and homemade dessert (24 items in total). Hirao-san always serves exciting skewers. The first two appetizers were "Raw scallop and salmon roe sandwich and Awaji raw octopus with plum sauce". The combinations of these two dishes are lovely and make you happy just by hearing the menu. The sweet and chewy scallop and the popping salmon roe, as well as the fresh octopus from Awaji, with its juicy and fresh taste. Just the appetizers alone make you want to drink beer! Then, the skewers are served one by one. This time, the skewers were accompanied by three condiments. I didn't notice it last time, but the salt was a sansho pepper-scented salt. The best way to enjoy this salt is to dip the cabbage provided with it. The sweetness of the cabbage enhances the aroma of the sansho pepper, giving a refreshing taste in the mouth. Each skewer I tried this time showed the effort put into it. Some that stood out were: - Beef and burdock roll: A skewer of hachiman-maki (burdock roll) deep-fried. I had this last year around the same time, but this time, the sauce had a playful twist. I think it was a sesame and white miso sauce? This unexpected combination was exquisite. Even with the same menu as last year, they change it up and present it in a different way. - Oyster: Large juicy oysters with tartar sauce! Freshly fried, crispy thin coating enveloping the juicy oysters...oh, so happy!!