It's been a while since I visited Kyoto. This restaurant is located right near Karasuma Shijo subway station. Surprisingly, the interior is spacious and has a very calm atmosphere with a traditional Japanese style. This time, we had a course meal. I will only mention the dishes that left an impression. First, their specialty dish called "Mame Tofu Sui" is served. Despite its appearance, the broth is very rich and has a fluffy texture, which is quite innovative. The strong flavor makes it a great pairing with drinks. The main dish, pork shabu-shabu, is served in a pot with hot spring water and homemade crushed tofu mixed with soy milk broth. Using hot spring water is unusual. We cook the pork in the boiling pot and enjoy it with a two-tiered dipping sauce instead of ponzu. Wow, it has a very gentle flavor. It gently envelops the stomach, especially for a hangover. The staff recommended trying it with a mountain of chopped Kujo green onions. And indeed, when you eat the pork shabu-shabu with a lot of Kujo green onions, it becomes even more delicious. Just as instructed, I took a bite of the pork shabu-shabu with a mountain of Kujo green onions. Wow, it's incredibly delicious! The flavors come together beautifully. I heard that there is a green onion cutting artisan who cuts green onions all day long. There is also a fresh seven-flavor spice as a condiment. This was also surprising! It's so delicious! It adds depth to the flavor without being too spicy. I wish I could buy this and take it home. The final dish is Chinese noodles. However, I missed the timing to eat the Chinese noodles, and they became too soft. You eat the noodles by dipping them in a sesame sauce made from pork bone broth. Since I was already quite full by then, if I were to be picky, I would have preferred a light, tofu-based, dashi tea rice porridge-like dish as the finale. Overall, I was very satisfied. Recently, there have been many all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu restaurants, but this one offers deliciousness and volume in a different way, in a luxurious and calm atmosphere where you can enjoy shabu-shabu. I wish there were such restaurants in Osaka too. Thank you for the meal.

I looked up a restaurant in advance that caught my interest, but I had to give up visiting because the bus I took didn't pass by the area the night before. The next morning, after finishing sightseeing early and taking a shower back at the hotel due to the heat, I checked the restaurant again and found out that it was reservation-only. I was relieved that I didn't go there on a whim for dinner. I called to see if I could make a lunch reservation an hour before opening and got a busy signal. When I tried again, I was able to make a reservation for 12:00. I checked out of the hotel just before 11:00 and took the subway to the restaurant, arriving at 11:25. The staff member was already outside preparing to open, so I told them I arrived early and they kindly let me in. It was already hot outside, so I was very grateful. After taking off my shoes, I was escorted to a private room. It seemed like all the rooms were private. Tea was served right away, and my food order was confirmed. The young waitress who assisted me seemed inexperienced and a bit clumsy, only bringing tea and then leaving me for about 30 minutes. It was just because I arrived early, but the extra time I had was wasted. Well, at least it was cool inside. Finally, the shabu-shabu set, with a mountain of Kujo green onions (condiment) to be dipped in the sauce, arrived. I tried the meat in the tofu broth first, but the taste was not clear. When I dipped it in the sauce with plenty of Kujo green onions, the taste of the onions dominated. Adjusting the amount of onions eaten with the meat made it delicious and refreshing. The shabu-shabu meat was accompanied by tasty vegetables like winter melon, burdock, carrots, etc. I had also ordered beer, but the delicious food made me forget to drink it. I thought about ordering a second one, but decided against it. I wanted to eat more. With only two pieces of meat left, I ordered more Kujo green onions and the finishing Chinese noodles, and hot water was added to the pot. A middle-aged, efficient woman took over and served the noodles with sesame sauce. It was quite easy to eat. I continued to enjoy the meat while dipping it in the soy sauce with added Kujo green onions. When I finished eating and called the waitress for the bill, she mentioned that the dessert, shiratama, had not been served yet. Oh, right, shiratama was on the menu. I had forgotten about it. But shiratama as a dessert? The dessert that was brought was unexpectedly unique! Shiratama, a self-pressed type, with matcha flavor! It was also quite delicious. There were also small sweets and fruits on the side. I was considering going to a dessert shop afterwards, but that was no longer necessary. In the end, I ended up spending 2 hours at this restaurant, including the waiting time. However, it was delicious, I was full, and overall satisfied. I'm glad I didn't give up.

Despite being underground, the spacious setting creates a relaxed atmosphere. The welcoming staff, mostly young, are friendly. The dishes cover the strong pork flavor with soy milk, yuba, tofu, and vegetables, making them not too heavy. The course menu planning may be a bit awkward at times, but overall it's satisfactory. It's suitable for parties, so it can get noisy, especially when there are children present. It's rare to find a hot pot dish that even children can enjoy, which showcases their skill. Overall, it's decent.

Star Shokudo is a long-established Western-style restaurant in Kyoto that I love. I recently found out that they have opened a Japanese restaurant as well, so I decided to visit. As I descended the stairs, I was greeted by an impressive curtain and entrance. The restaurant itself seems to be a long-standing establishment. Upon entering, I was amazed to find a Japanese garden! The serene and beautiful garden made me forget that I was actually underground. The spacious and relaxing atmosphere was truly enchanting. We were guided to a private room with a round table for two, where we ordered the "Hoshitori Kaiseki" course for 5000 yen. The meal began with the "Meibutsu Tofu Sui," a unique dish featuring a rich and creamy soup made from special soy milk and Biwako yuba. It was a delightful and elegant start to the meal. The seasonal appetizer platter was a work of art, with six beautifully arranged dishes that showcased the delicate flavors of Japanese cuisine. The assorted sashimi plate featured fresh and tender slices of fish that melted in your mouth. The smoked turban shell and marinated scallop with plum were also excellent, with a hint of smokiness that added depth to the flavors. The main dish, Kagoshima pork tofu hot pot, was a generous portion of premium pork slices and Kyoto green onions. The meat was succulent and flavorful, and the broth was incredibly delicious. It was a truly satisfying and indulgent dish. The meal concluded with a serving of Tsukemen noodles in pork bone sesame sauce, which had a refreshing and tangy flavor. The sesame sauce complemented the noodles perfectly, making it a delightful end to the meal. Overall, the dining experience at Star Shokudo's Japanese restaurant was exceptional, with impeccable service, a serene ambiance, and delicious food that showcased the best of Japanese cuisine.

On this day, I went to "Tora-taro" near Karasuma Station for a dinner meeting with colleagues. As I descended underground, a Japanese garden spread out before me, resembling a high-class inn. Each private room had a sunken hearth, perfect for a dinner gathering. The attentive staff in each room provided detailed explanations of the dishes. We ordered the popular "Hoshi-Tora Course" for 5000 yen. The first dish, a specialty of the house, was a rich tofu dish made with premium soy milk and tender yuba. The broth was flavorful and comforting. Next came a variety of appetizers, followed by a sashimi platter featuring fresh and carefully prepared seafood. The highlight was the shabu-shabu style dish with Kaga daikon, cucumber, lettuce, and other vegetables, paired with Kagoshima pork. The pork was tender and delicious, especially when dipped in the special soy milk broth. We also enjoyed the endless servings of Kyoto leeks, which paired perfectly with the meat. Lastly, we indulged in a buffet-style soba noodle dish, accompanied by a selection of desserts. The experience was delightful, and I left the restaurant feeling satisfied and grateful for the delicious meal.

I attended a golf competition after-party. It was a course with all-you-can-drink for 6000 yen. The appetizer, soy milk soup, pork shabu-shabu, noodles, and dessert were served. I was not satisfied with the quantity and quality. The all-you-can-drink service was not well managed by just one staff member, so we couldn't drink much. I was surprised by how delicious the chili oil was.

It was a banquet with like-minded friends. The tatami room was spacious and comfortable. Shabu-shabu with soy milk is healthy. The pea sprouts have a bit of a strong taste, so they may not be to everyone's liking. The pork is tender. You can eat plenty of green onions, which seems good for your health.

I was quite hungry at lunchtime, so I made a reservation and went to the restaurant. As soon as I entered the shop, it was very beautiful and had a very nice atmosphere. I was guided to a private room. The staff were very friendly and kind, and they explained the course menu in a nice way. I ordered a 4000 yen course and I was very satisfied. It was much better than I expected. The appetizer was delicious, and the main dish was tofu hot pot. The meat used was Kagoshima pork, which was surprisingly delicious. It was really tasty when eaten with Kujo green onions. I was surprised by the variety of desserts that came out at the end. Each dish was of high quality and I was impressed. I would like to make a reservation and go again when I visit Kyoto.

This was my third visit to this restaurant. This time, we had a banquet course, but I'm not sure how much it cost. The appetizer sashimi was delicately arranged, and although the fish was not from Kyoto, it still had a Kyoto-like feel to it! The pork shabu-shabu had a lot of fatty belly meat, but when dipped in tofu, the fat melted away. Adding a lot of Kujo negi (green onion) to the dipping sauce made it refreshing. The chicken meatballs were also delicious, not as amazing as the Nachi Falls, but still very tasty! The fact that the Kujo negi was all-you-can-eat was a nice touch! The matcha pudding at the end was perfect with its balance of bitterness, sweetness, and smooth texture. Overall, the Kyoto-style tofu pork shabu-shabu course was excellent! I had a great time!

A soy milk shabu-shabu restaurant located very close to Shijo-Karasuma. I visited for Sunday lunch and used a coupon from Ikkyu, which made it a good deal. The restaurant is in the basement but has a spacious atmosphere. The private rooms have an open style, so conversations can be easily heard. The dishes include appetizers and sashimi, giving it more of a izakaya feel. The pork shabu-shabu is done in tofu soy milk that has been soaked in hot spring water. The meat is served per person and is thinly sliced but quite generous in portion. The standout feature of this restaurant is the abundance of Kujo green onions! They go very well with the pork, and my personal favorite was dipping the green onions in soy milk and quickly cooking them - it was delicious. As a green onion lover, it was a blissful experience. The ramen at the end is all-you-can-eat, but the overall portion is quite large, so just the noodles alone can fill you up. Thank you for the meal! ＼(^o^)／

Let's have soy milk shabu-shabu for lunch, I'll make a reservation then, as there's been a lot of inbound demand lately. The choice I made was a shabu-shabu meal in a private room. We started with yuba, persimmon and cheese sandwich, nama-fu dengaku, and ginkgo tofu to experience the Kyoto vibe before moving on to the main course. The soy milk, including tofu, has a unique scent that is easy to eat. The tofu is homemade. Even if you don't like soy milk, you can enjoy it. The pork is flavorful and lean. The heaps of Kujo green onions were irresistible, I kept wrapping and eating them, feeling so happy. I also enjoyed the wasabi greens, pea shoots, burdock, turnips, and other vegetables. The finishing touch was Chinese noodles in a rich pork bone-based soup, which was a bit surprising after the mild soy milk. For dessert, I had matcha and agar jelly while leisurely chatting after lunch. This place is great for a relaxed meal with plenty of time.

Just a short walk from Shijo Station, you'll find a lovely Japanese garden underground. The private rooms allow you to relax and enjoy your time. We had the course menu, which was full of seasonal flavors. The Kyoto Tanba pork for the main dish in the tofu hot pot was light yet flavorful. The soba noodles and matcha jelly for dessert really brought out the Kyoto vibe. The only downside was the lack of creativity in the alcohol selection. It would be nice to see more variety in glassware and options. The highball didn't seem worth the price. If they paid more attention to the drinks, the value of the restaurant would increase. The service was polite and hospitable.

Established in 1921, this historic Western-style restaurant ventured into Japanese cuisine for the first time in 2010. The restaurant is a part of the renowned Star Shokudo group, known for its numerous steak houses and Kirin Beer City outlets in Kyoto. Located right next to Shijo Station, the restaurant offers a cozy atmosphere with private rooms overlooking a garden, suitable for various occasions like business meetings, dates, or ceremonies. The lunch menu offers five different courses, including a full course with soy milk pork shabu-shabu, a mini course without sashimi, a soy milk pork shabu-shabu only option, a yuba shabu set, and a cold pork shabu set. The reviewer ordered Kirin beer, cassis orange, and the soy milk pork shabu-shabu course. The meal started with a signature appetizer called "Mamefu Sui," followed by unlimited servings of Kyoto green onions. The pork was thinly sliced and cooked in alkaline hot spring water to make fresh soy milk, served with various Kyoto vegetables. The meal ended with a sesame sauce ramen, featuring homemade chili oil. The reviewer praised the quality of the food, the attentive service, and the affordable prices. Overall, they had a satisfying experience at Tora-taro restaurant.

It was a beautiful, spacious, and pleasant atmosphere in the shop. The staff were also very friendly. The shabu-shabu with soy milk was rich yet refreshing, and I enjoyed it with plenty of vegetables. It was delicious.

My rating is 3.5 [Food 3.5 | Service 3.0 | Atmosphere 3.5 | Value for money 3.4 | Drinks 3.5]. I attended a gathering and used this place for the party. It seems to be a favorite of the organizer, as we come here almost every time. The tofu milk hot pot is fairly tasty, but the other dishes seem lacking in effort. Also, this time the staff seemed understaffed and lacked motivation, so even though it was an all-you-can-drink party, they were slow to take orders and bring drinks. It was a bit frustrating for us. Despite that, the party itself was very enjoyable, so it was a bit disappointing.

I had pork shabu-shabu for lunch. The ingredients and condiments were excellent, and the meat was prepared well to bring out its delicious flavor. The atmosphere of the restaurant was also nice, and being able to dine in a private room was a big plus. However, the menu prices are a bit high, so I would like to visit again on a special occasion.

Kyoto Expedition Part 3 My partner and I visited Torataro, a tofu milk shabu-shabu restaurant located near Shijo Station in Kyoto for work. We arrived earlier than our reservation time, so we decided to have tea at a nearby cafe, Cafe de Crie Uzumasa Koji Store, to pass the time before visiting the restaurant. After exiting from the fifth exit of Shijo Station and heading east on the road, we arrived at Torataro in just a minute. However, for a moment, we couldn't find the restaurant, but then we saw a staircase leading underground, and we safely arrived at the restaurant. The interior of the restaurant was elegant and had a calm Japanese atmosphere, with even a Japanese garden inside despite being underground. The presence of such a gorgeous garden would require a lot of money not only to create but also to maintain, so the management skills must be impressive. We had reserved a private room, and upon entering, we found that the table setting was already done. The seasonal menu for January included dishes such as tofu milk shabu-shabu, seasonal sashimi, buri shabu-shabu, and more. The dishes were beautifully presented and delicious, showcasing the high level of the restaurant. The tofu milk shabu-shabu was the highlight of the meal, featuring tender pork from Tamba Kogen and Iberico pork meatballs, along with a variety of vegetables and Kyoto's famous Kujo negi (green onions) for unlimited refills. The food was not only delicious but also beautifully arranged, making the dining experience truly enjoyable. Overall, the experience at Torataro was fantastic, with each dish showcasing the chef's skill and creativity. The combination of flavors and textures in each dish was impressive, and the ambiance of the restaurant added to the overall dining experience. I would highly recommend visiting Torataro for a unique and delicious tofu milk shabu-shabu experience in Kyoto.

Before the coronavirus, I used to visit this restaurant multiple times, totaling over 10 visits. Due to the pandemic, I have been avoiding eating out and hot pot dishes, so I decided to revisit after the situation improved. However, it felt like a completely different place. The manager may be the same, but the quality of the staff, possibly part-time or new employees, was terrible. The staff used to provide detailed explanations about the ingredients, but now there was no introduction to the food. I remember that green onions and extra noodles for the ramen were unlimited, but there was no announcement about it. When I asked if they still offered it, the response was simply, "Yes." The ramen was also served without any care, and the staff quickly left the room. This restaurant used to be a great place for entertaining due to its location, price, taste, and excellent service, but now it is no longer usable.

I went for lunch. It was a 3000 yen course, but I was full and satisfied. It was very delicious, so I would like to use it again.

The taste, atmosphere, cost-performance, and customer service were all excellent. I want to take someone special there. The green onions were delicious~

It was very delicious. I think I'm hooked on soy milk shabu-shabu! I will definitely go back!