I made a reservation and visited the restaurant. There was a welcome sake along with the first appetizer. I'm not a fan of sake, so I didn't really need it, haha. The dishes were all very small in portion size. Also, there wasn't much of a smoked flavor, which was disappointing. This place might be more for enjoying sake than the food. The service wasn't very polite, and there were a few ordering mistakes, so I probably won't go back.

A shop where you can enjoy smoked snacks and a wonderful variety of Japanese sake. The "Instant Smoked Series" that comes out as a complimentary dish is visually appealing and the classic smoked soft-boiled egg is a must-try. The best part is being able to enjoy the pride of all prefectures' Japanese sake without any worries. The cheerful staff and pleasant service are also notable.

I visited the restaurant around 8:00 PM on Thursday. I called 5 minutes before arriving to check for availability. The restaurant is not very spacious, but it doesn't feel cramped. They have a decent selection of Japanese sake, although some rare ones may be sold out. The smoked dishes were all delicious. It's recommended to visit for a casual drink and enjoy the sake rather than having a full meal.

I visited on a regular night. It was around the time for the second visit, so the restaurant was about half full. Most of the customers were inbound tourists. I had several types of sake, appetizers, and sea bream sashimi. I was impressed by the variety of sake available! The appetizers, sashimi, and sake were all delicious. It's rare to have the opportunity to try sake from all over Japan, especially from Kyushu. I only tried two types of sake this time, so I would like to visit again next time.

I used it for the first time. There are so many types of sake available. You can try sake from all over Japan. The servings are generous and satisfying. It may be because it's smoked, but it takes quite a while for the food to arrive. I thought it would be even better if there were more quick menu options.

This place is just so stylish. It's a fashionable izakaya that's perfect for a date without being too high-end. The smoked dishes were visually and aromatically delicious. They offer sake tasting sets, making it a perfect spot for those who love sake.

Daughter and son-in-law helped with work, had dinner in Koya-cho, and headed towards the hotel. On the way, the daughter suddenly exclaimed, "Yamamoto is here!" What, what? Yesterday at Takasen on Sanjo Street, during the staff appreciation party, Yamamoto and Tadazake were drinking, and Yamamoto liked it. They were talking about it at the soba restaurant. Oh, a Japanese sake bar? Grilled? Smoked? Then, a young staff member caught their eye. Drink? Sure! The daughter and son-in-law walked ahead, calling out and waving goodbye to the shop they pointed at. They chuckled, saying, "They're leaving too early to go back to the hotel." They lined up at the counter with the young staff member and asked the shop for recommendations. Shinsei sake is available. One cup for 3,000 yen. That's fine. They won't drink much since they have work the next day. They had a small cup of today's sake and sea urchin with smoked cheese and grilled firefly squid. It was delicious. They grilled it on a small brazier and ate it. They could still drink more, but thinking about the next day, they stopped at one cup. They can come here alone too. The portion sizes are small, and the prices are reasonable. There are over 80 types of sake available. Great for a pre-drink or a nightcap!

In Kyoto's Kawaramachi, there is a smoked bar with a wide variety of Japanese sake, making it the perfect place for sake lovers. I visited this place for the first time and ordered the following course: 3,500 yen course + 1,500 yen all-you-can-drink. Here is what I had: - "Instant Smoked" Carpaccio of fresh fish with smoked aroma that even transfers to the vegetables, making it delicious. - Today's assorted sashimi plate with mackerel, blowfish, and squid, served with smoked soy sauce and salt for two different flavors. - Seasonal smoked five-item assortment including mentaiko, edamame, fish cake, cheese, and corn, enhancing the taste of the sake. - Today's exotic five-item assortment, perfect for sake pairing. - Today's instant smoked grilled dish with a chicken skewer that was quite filling and a bit challenging to eat. - Three-item assortment grilled on a charcoal brazier with salmon belly, firefly squid, and stingray fin, perfect for sake pairing. - Thick-cut bacon (additional) for 700 yen, because I really wanted to try the smoked bacon and it was incredibly delicious. I don't remember much after ordering sake here, but I think I had fish head stew and ochazuke based on the photos. It was delicious and fun, and I highly recommend this place to those who love smoked food, sake, and Japanese sake. The staff was also nice, making it a top recommendation for drinking in Kyoto. ✌️

I wanted to drink sake even when I came to Kyoto. I was recommended a sake bar where I could drink alone. It's a stylish place with a few empty seats at the counter, making it easy for solo customers. They have a wide selection of sake on the menu. I decided to try the Ine Mankai Akamai Sake made from ancient rice, priced at ¥1000 for a glass or ¥1300 for a serving. It had a rich color and flavor like ancient rice. For the appetizer, you could choose from two options, and I chose one that seemed to be made with sea bream. It was served in a smoky container, creating a theatrical effect with cherry wood chips for smoking. They seem to smoke everything with cherry wood chips, as there are various items available, but I opted for the chef's choice of three items. It included duck liver and mentaiko, if I remember correctly. I also had a nostalgic yellow pickled daikon called Iburi Gakko, which reminded me of the famous Akita Iburi Gakko. I was recommended some sake to compare, including Kamikura, Shichiyō, and Yu-yu. Shichiyō was a limited edition sake with a bubbly texture and umami flavor.

I made a reservation here for a light meal after lunch to try out some food while walking around. The restaurant is located very close to Shijo Kawaramachi, so it's easy to access. The bustling atmosphere inside was lively and very nice. They have a great selection of sake that any sake lover would enjoy, along with a variety of appetizers. As a fan of smoked foods, I was in heaven with all the delicious options! Watching the food being seared right in front of me got me really excited! I reserved the 2500 yen set this time. The set included: Appetizer, "Instant Smoked" Fresh fish carpaccio, Today's sashimi three varieties, Seasonal smoked five varieties, Today's delicacies five varieties, Today's instant smoked three varieties seared on a charcoal brazier, Today's dashi tea pickles or hojicha ice cream. All of this for the price was amazing! And to top it off, the dessert we ordered separately was also smoked. It was fantastic! Although I wasn't very hungry this time, I definitely want to come back here as the first stop next time. Thank you for the wonderful meal!

Wednesday at 6:00 pm, no prior reservations. This place has a nice atmosphere, perfect for an adult date! The restaurant specializes in smoked dishes and sake. The interior is stylish, and the menu is easy to read. They even use nice chopsticks, creating a great atmosphere. We could choose from two types of appetizers, so we tried one of each. The presentation of the smoked dishes, with the smoke trapped inside the lid and released when opened, was very elegant! And for just 500 yen, we also got a sake as an aperitif, which was a great deal! - (Appetizer) Flounder and Sea Urchin ¥500 - (Appetizer) Amberjack and Salmon Roe ¥500 - Halibut Yukhoe (Korean-style raw beef dish) ¥900 - White Fish with Sake Lees Dressing ¥650 - Fresh Fish Tartare ¥750 - Assorted Smoked Dishes (5 types) ¥1500 - Bottled Beer (choose from 3 types) ¥600 x2 - Oolong Highball ¥500 Totaling just under ¥7000, everything was delicious! The smoked dishes were the highlight, with a subtle, elegant smoky aroma and just the right amount of saltiness. Looking at the menu, I think the second round of drinks would have been better. We stayed for about an hour, and I was surprised that not many customers came in. They must all be at the second place! Next time, I want to go to the second spot and leisurely enjoy delicious snacks with sake! But, it's a secret that we couldn't get into any of the second round places we tried to go to after leaving...haha

I'm not really a fan of sake, but I decided to give it a try. There were a lot of young people there, which seemed surprising for a sake place. However, the food and sake were not like typical old-fashioned ones, so it made sense. The sake was also refreshing, so it was good! But I think I prefer wine.

On a certain day in July, I received an invitation from Menjiro at Mairebi in Kitasenri, and we embarked on a mini expedition to Kyoto. After leaving Yagi-Kojiro TAKA, we made our way to Kazuya in Sanjo for our long-awaited fourth stop of the day. We stopped by Yata Jizo Son to pray for a boost in liver function (?), and then headed to Kazuya, a smoked food and ponzu sake restaurant. The restaurant was chosen by my beer-loving friend Menjiro, for my love of Japanese sake. We were seated at a cozy table meant for couples, with two older gentlemen sitting at the small table in a 90-degree configuration. To my surprise, the sake was served along with the appetizer, as a special treat! The appetizer was smoked amberjack. The sake we had was a Short K Special Junmai Namazume made from Gohyakumangoku rice, unfiltered and unpasteurized, from Kyoto, priced at 1,000 yen. This was to be the last drink of the day, and it was a good choice. It had a solid umami flavor typical of a namazume sake, with a good balance of acidity, and was delicious. The food we ordered included smoked oyster oil-marinated for 900 yen, and smoked herring for 250 yen. I'm usually not a fan of raw oysters, but these were surprisingly good. The level of smoking was just right, making it a perfect companion for the ponzu sake. The portions were small and elegant, making it more suitable for a quick stop rather than a full meal. Even though it was our fourth stop, we only had one drink here. Next time, we should at least make it to the second stop before calling it a night. Shall we head back to Osaka now? Wait, one more place to go!? Thank you for the meal.

Today, I will enjoy some smoked dishes at "Kunin Kazuya," a smoked food shop located along Minami Kurumaya Street between Kiyamachi Street and Kawaramachi Street. It's a cozy place with a dimly lit atmosphere, perfect for a weekend visit. I will be sitting at the counter. The starter is a daily smoked dish, today it's smoked sea bream sashimi. It comes with a small cup of sake, enveloped in white smoke. I will also try a recommended sake tasting set with iburi-gakko. They always have around 100 types of sake available, making it a great place to enjoy a variety of sake from all over Japan.

The third stop on our Kansai expedition was here. It was about a 1-meter taxi ride from the hotel, but we could have walked if it weren't for the rain. The Kawaramachi and Sanjo areas are lined with intriguing sake shops that make you want to conquer them all someday. Starting with the appetizers, the smoked salmon and ikura dome was a fresh yet flavorful delicacy. We ordered a variety of dishes, but here are some highlights: - Grilled salmon with a mini charcoal grill: The cute mini grill allows you to leisurely grill the salmon yourself, resulting in a hot and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with sake. - Smoked salmon pastrami: This dish combines the freshness of salmon with a spicy kick from pepper, enhanced by the smokiness of pastrami. - Fish tartare with miso: The miso enhances the flavor and sweetness of the fish, making it easy to eat and a perfect match for sake. It's been a while since I've found an izakaya with such high-quality dishes. The Kawaramachi area truly lives up to its reputation, and I look forward to my next food adventure here. Thank you for the delicious meal. Grilled salmon with a mini charcoal grill ¥700 Smoked salmon pastrami ¥500 Fish tartare with miso ¥750 Instant smoked grilled thick-cut bacon ¥700 Various types of sake

Recommended for those who love smoked food. Personally, I was surprised by the wide variety of sake available, but what stood out the most was the sake that paired well with the smoked dishes. The restaurant is always bustling with people, but on this day, there were fewer customers and we were able to enjoy a leisurely meal. From appetizers to main dishes, there is a wide variety of smoked dishes to enjoy. Be sure to try them all.

I went to a smoked food restaurant in search of dishes that pair well with delicious sake. The menu was filled with dishes infused with smoky flavors, and they were not only tasty but also visually appealing. Each dish had a strong smoked taste, and I thoroughly enjoyed them. I sat at the counter and was able to leisurely enjoy my meal.

Today, we had a year-end party with 9 close colleagues from work. It was also a celebration, so we chose a restaurant that seemed to have a good selection of the guest of honor's favorite Japanese sake. It's a place where you can enjoy Japanese sake and smoked dishes. As a starter, a small cup of Japanese sake is served. We toasted with that first. The starter was smoked salmon roe rolled in yellowtail sashimi. When you open the lid, a faint smoke drifts out. It's a great way to start off the meal. I also ordered a draft beer because I was craving it. It was a dream come true. Each of us ordered what we wanted to eat. We ordered smoked potato salad, radish with two types of miso beautifully decorated, duck prosciutto, smoked cheese with bacon, teriyaki chicken steak, thick-cut bacon, smoked oil-soaked oysters, and steamed egg custard with kelp, among other dishes. Most of the dishes were smoked. We also had a lot of Japanese sake. We had sake from Akita, Yamagata, and my favorite, New Sake NO6 Christmas bottle X type from Shinsei. The NO6 was a rare find, especially the Christmas limited edition bottle. It had a refreshing, slightly carbonated taste. We had various other types of sake, but I forgot the names. For dessert, there was Baumkuchen and cheesecake, also smoked. The female waitstaff in the restaurant provided great service, answering our questions in their own words rather than just following a manual. It was a good impression. One of our group members dozed off at one point, and the male owner or manager immediately said, "Sleeping is not allowed here!" in a fairly stern manner. When you go drinking here, it's best to not be tired and not drink too much to avoid falling asleep. Thank you for the meal.

Shop data Shop name: Kusugoto Kazuya Location: 1F Nagayoshi Building, 276 Kitakurayacho, Nishi-iru, Kawaramachi-dori Sanjo-sagaru, Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto Access: 5 minutes walk from Sanjo Keihan and Kawaramachi stations Phone number: 050-5590-2412 Regular holiday: Second Sunday Tabelog page: https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26026729/ Mach's Review (lol) Taste: [3] Surprising combination of sake and smoked food Atmosphere: [4] Stylish interior recommended for dates Price: [3] Reasonable prices! Customer service: [4] Polite service Location: [4] A bit hard to find, near Kawaramachi BAL Today's recommended meal from Mach! Today's shop is the smoked food bar "Kusugoto Kazuya" located between Sanjo Keihan and Kawaramachi stations! Visited for the second party of a work drinking party. Since it's a popular shop, the organizer made a reservation in advance for our visit! Recommended for dates! Calm atmosphere! The interior of the shop has a calm atmosphere using indirect lighting. About half of the customers were couples on dates and the other half were drinking party guests. There are counter seats and table seats! We were a group of 6, so we chose a table seat! A rare combination! Sake and smoked food marriage! Kusugoto Kazuya is a shop that suggests pairing sake with smoked food, which is rare nationwide! I was skeptical because I always associated smoked food with whiskey or wine, but this was a surprisingly good combination! There are many recommendations for sake and more posted in the shop! It makes you want to drink! Assorted appetizers for 500 yen. The trendy appetizer where smoke comes out when you open the lid! The subtle smoky aroma spreads in your mouth, creating a nice feeling. And you can choose from 2 types! - Thai and sea urchin I chose Thai and sea urchin! The firm texture of Thai and the rich sea urchin balance each other perfectly. Wasabi does a great job! The aroma complements the sake! - Bonito and salmon roe Bonito and salmon roe also looked delicious! Cherry tomatoes for 200 yen. The cherry tomatoes are seasoned with smoked olive oil and pepper! The refreshing cherry tomatoes wrapped in aroma...! They managed to achieve a smoked flavor without directly smoking the tomatoes! Black edamame for 500 yen. Smoked black edamame for the first time! I enjoyed the crispy black edamame with smoked salt and mayonnaise! This is so addicting! Cold-smoked spicy cod roe for 700 yen. The spicy cod roe is cold-smoked! Yuzu pepper is a nice accent. A dish to nibble on and crave sake! Instant smoked grilled cloud and kelp for 900 yen. Lastly, a dish of instant smoked cloud and kelp grilled together. When you break the crispy kelp and eat it with the creamy cloud, the contrast between the salty crispy kelp and the rich cloud is enjoyable! Other menu items. They have a wide variety of smoked foods! We didn't eat much this day because it was our second stop, so I want to eat more next time! Tabelog reviewer page: http://tabelog.com/rvwr/mach/ Blog: http://mach-no-osusume.com Old blog: http://osusume-gohan-mach.blog.so-net.ne.jp/ Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/osusume.gohan.mach I'm on Instagram too! #Mach's recommended meal.

The stylish exterior features a glass facade with cedar balls hanging, set against a backdrop of wood. The restaurant is conveniently located just a few minutes' walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station, Keihan Sanjo Station, and Kyoto City Hall Subway Station. I met up with a friend who had just returned from overseas work and was tired of Tokyo, and we stopped by this place as our second stop. We sat at the counter table made of cypress wood. Opening the palm-sized glass case, we were greeted with the aroma of smoked dishes, which we enjoyed with delicious Japanese sake. We ordered various dishes and my friend shared her worries, although I can't remember the details now. But what I do remember is that it was a stylish and delicious experience! *It seems that they also offer takeout services due to the COVID-19 situation.