The staff's customer service was very polite. The taste was also very refined and delicious. It was a restaurant I would definitely like to visit again.

11th floor of Kyoto Isetan. The interior of the eel restaurant is open and doesn't feel like a typical eel place. There are semi-private rooms and table seating, making it suitable for casual dining. We were guided to a neatly partitioned semi-private room with sliding doors. Infection control partitions were also installed at each table. The staff seemed to recognize us as tourists and recommended the "Hitohaneju" set. ☆Hitsumabushi (eel over rice) set ¥4950☆Hitsumabushi with one whole eel ¥5060☆Eel roll ¥1490Ordered 3 dishes. It was convenient that we could choose the amount of rice. The impact of the eel was impressive. It was overflowing on a rectangular plate, with crispy skin and fluffy meat, very delicious. The sauce was moderately sweet. It was the first time I saw a whole eel without being cut. Perhaps they leave it uncut to retain the flavor without it escaping from the cut edges. The set included side dishes, liver sashimi, and pickles. The liver sashimi was also large. The Hitsumabushi had 3 ways to enjoy it, making us feel like we got a good deal. The staff's service was good, and they kindly removed the partition in front of us. It was a bit awkward to talk with the partitions, so it was appreciated. We quietly enjoyed our meal. It was my first time trying the Hitohaneju in a clean and welcoming restaurant. Thank you for the meal.

I recommend making a reservation on Tabelog as there is always a long line during the consecutive holidays. Perhaps due to the hot summer weather, the eel was slightly smaller this time. However, the flavor was satisfying and I felt like I would like to visit again. Last time, I was disappointed because the grilling was not enough, but this time it passed the test with a powerful taste when it arrived.

We ordered hitsumabushi, eel tempura, and yuba to share between two people. We asked for a normal amount of rice, but even splitting it in half, we still got really full. For those with small appetites, it might be tough to finish even with less rice! The hitsumabushi had crispy eel and was really delicious. The tempura was juicy with a nice amount of fat, even more so than conger eel tempura. It was also very tasty. Eating eel after a long time got us really excited.

I was smoothly guided to my table because I had made a reservation. There was a long wait on Friday night, so making a reservation was a good idea. The eel was tender and crispy, with a satisfying aroma. Some places lack this crispy texture, but this one was just right. I would definitely come back again.

Located on the 11th floor of Kyoto Isetan, the access from the station is excellent. It's a great place for a lunch meeting or a little luxury. With private rooms available, it's suitable for business meals. The eel is grilled to perfection, with a crispy skin that whets the appetite. I ordered the Hitsumabushi (eel on rice) and was completely satisfied with the taste and portion size. I also ordered a little alcohol, but was disappointed by the small amount of shochu soda.

This restaurant is located in Aichi Prefecture, and also has branches in Tokyo. We visited this restaurant in Kyoto at the last minute, as we didn't have time to make a reservation and it was the choice of our companion. In the end, it was a great choice, and I would give the eel dish a rating of about 4 points. We ordered the famous "Grilled Eel One Piece Set" (with side dishes such as small bowl, liver dish, pickles). In addition, we also ordered eel rolls, sashimi, and our companion ordered the grilled eel. The eel is grilled without steaming, using strong charcoal heat to create a crispy and fragrant surface, with a fluffy texture inside. The eel skin was also crispy, adding to the deliciousness of the grilled eel. The sauce is a rich sauce that has been continuously added since the establishment, packed with the umami of the eel's fat. The one-piece set was satisfying in terms of both volume and taste. This type of grilled eel is not easy to find in Tokyo, so I plan to visit the branch in Tokyo in the future.

On May 21st (Sunday), I had lunch at the 4th generation Kikukawa Kyoto Station Porta store located on the 11th floor of Kyoto Station Building. This restaurant is run by a 90-year-old eel wholesaler with a long history. You can see them grilling the eels from outside the restaurant. Since it was past 3:30 pm, the restaurant was relatively empty, and I requested a seat near the window. By the way, it's nice to take the elevator up to the 11th floor of Isetan, but on sunny days, I recommend taking the open escalator outside. While sipping tea, I carefully looked at the menu. While waiting for the eel to be grilled, I started with this dish. Eel with Sansho Pepper for 1,680 yen. The eel was moist and packed with flavor, not steamed but cooked just right. When combined with the softened grains of Sansho pepper, it becomes a delicious appetizer that you can eat endlessly. And when I finished eating, the main dish arrived. Grilled Eel One-piece Set for 4,950 yen. As the name suggests, the Grilled Eel One-piece Set has a whole eel sitting on top of rice in a special container. This time, I was looking for the Kansai-style grilled eel, and it was exactly as I expected. The surface was slightly crispy with a bit of char, just the way I like it. I enjoyed eating it with the table sauce, spicy powder Sansho pepper, and mild grain Sansho pepper. Inside the liver-sucking dish, there was a large piece of liver as expected. The side dishes and pickles were also delicious. While searching for a restaurant this time, I was surprised to find that there are more restaurants in Kyoto with Kanto-style grilling, but I was able to enjoy a delicious Western-style grilled eel as I had hoped.

The atmosphere inside the restaurant is nice, and the view is great, so it feels good on sunny days. The eel is crispy and goes well with the hitsumabushi. It's not overcooked and crunchy, but just right in terms of cooking.

Second visit. I think this place offers the most stable eel in Kyoto Station. This time I ordered hitsumabushi. The cute mini bowls make hitsumabushi easy to enjoy and visually appealing. The amount of eel is a bit pricey for 3/4 of a tail? Well, considering it's in Kyoto Station and aimed at inbound tourists, it's understandable! The mill's sansho pepper is wonderful. Thank you for the meal!

I visited this restaurant in Kyoto as part of my trip to attend an event at Nijo Castle organized by Amex. I decided to have a late lunch to prepare for the dinner event, and I was pleasantly surprised by the visual presentation of the eel dish. The eel was thick and the taste was amazing, reminding me of Kansai-style eel dishes. Although I don't usually eat rice, I opted for a normal amount this time to keep me full until dinner, and I was impressed by how delicious the rice was too. It was a similar level of shock to when I tried "Unagi no Mituru" in Kagoshima. If I have the chance to visit Kyoto again, I will definitely revisit this restaurant. It is located in a station building, and I didn't have high expectations when I visited, but I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you for the meal.

I went to this restaurant because I could make a reservation, the view seemed nice, and it was a new discovery. The place was crowded due to its location, but I had made a reservation and arrived on time. However, someone who arrived late, 30 minutes after me, was seated before me. They were quite rude in their manner of seating guests and asked me to wait outside. My husband, who had already been taken to a private room, saw me and we entered the restaurant without being guided. The staff tried to explain how to eat the eel dish, but their wording was a bit off-putting. It would have been better to ask if we were familiar with the recommended way to eat it. I later realized that the eel might be from China, as it was not specified where it was sourced from. Despite the minor issues, the presentation and taste of the food were good, considering the location. Overall, the service felt like it followed a manual and lacked a personal touch. The staff apologized later, but it still felt like a chain restaurant experience. The food was decent, but I preferred the taste of eel dishes at other restaurants.

I entered the restaurant which used to be an old-fashioned Japanese-style restaurant but had turned into an eel restaurant. There were some private rooms available, which provided a calm dining experience even in the bustling Kyoto Station. I ordered their specialty, the whole grilled eel. It was served in a long dish that made quite an impression. I prefer my eel to be firm and fragrant, and the not-too-sweet sauce complemented the flavor and aroma of the eel nicely. It was great to be able to enjoy both leaf pepper and seed pepper, which was a unique and delightful touch. Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience.

On a holiday at 11:00 am, I tried to choose a lunch spot in Kyoto Station Building, but the notable restaurants had long lines. Knowing the prices were high, I decided to enter an empty eel restaurant. I ordered the grilled eel, one serving for 4,950 yen, and it was served in about 20 minutes. I was unsure whether to view it positively as being well grilled or negatively due to the burnt skin. Ignoring the cost, the eel was very delicious. It was nice to have two different types of sansho (Japanese pepper) for added flavor. The staff, likely part-time workers, were doing their best, but they never checked if I wanted a refill of tea during the 40-minute stay. Thank you for the meal.

I visited an eel restaurant in Kyoto Porta, which I initially thought had an open space feel, but it turned out to have depth to the store, and this time I was guided to a private room. The eel was large in size, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside, very delicious. We also ordered eel rolls, which were very filling. While the surrounding stores cater more towards younger customers, this restaurant is more suited for adults.

Chinese-made, the tail end was slightly burnt but within an acceptable range and received good feedback. The broth was delicious and satisfaction was high. The clear soup with yuzu peel was fragrant and well-balanced. There were two types of sansho pepper, which felt unusual, but the difference was not significant, so one was sufficient, although the mill style was good. The sauce may vary in preference, but I personally liked the light and refreshing taste.

The eel rice bowl with a whole eel on top was delicious, with a sauce that wasn't too sweet and no unnecessary fat, making it light and truly exquisite. The soup with eel liver was also delicious. Recommended for those who want to indulge in a luxurious eel meal with just one piece at Kyoto Station.

I visited the restaurant for lunch without a reservation on a regular day. I managed to get a table, but it's better to make a reservation to be sure. I ordered the specialty dish called "one eel" on the menu. The deciding factor was that everyone at the table next to me was eating it. Just like when I had Thai food, I always end up being influenced by what people at the neighboring table are eating. The one eel dish arrived after a while. It came in a large bowl with a whole eel placed on top, making quite an impression. I had never seen anything like it before. Using a ladle, I scooped the eel into the rice bowl. The eel was tender, and the skin was crispy and fragrant, blending with the fluffy meat in a delicious way. The sauce was just right, not too sweet or too spicy, which I liked. The amount of sauce was enough for me, but there was extra sauce on the table. There were two types of sansho pepper, one of which was ground on the spot. The aroma was wonderful, and it helped to refresh the palate after the heavy eel. There are differences in how eel is prepared and cooked between Kansai and Kanto regions, and I prefer the slow-cooked style of Kansai. Of course, the Kanto style is also delicious. What a luxurious experience!

As expected from an established restaurant, the atmosphere was very elegant. The staff provided excellent guidance from the entrance to explaining the dishes. I chose the "Grilled eel Hitsu-mabushi set with one drink free" menu through a reservation on Tabelog. There were plenty of drink options to choose from. The eel was tender and the flavor was enhanced by the sauce and sansho pepper. They also explained how to eat Hitsu-mabushi, so I was able to enjoy the eel in various ways. The restaurant is located inside Kyoto Station building, offering a great view of Kyoto Station and excellent access to transportation.

The freshly grilled eel was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. This restaurant, originally from Nagoya, has opened a branch in the western area. The hitsumabushi, where you pour broth over the eel, was also delicious. It took a bit of time as they prepare the eel after you order, but the freshly grilled eel was quite tasty!

While wandering around a train station building in Kyoto trying to decide on dinner, I caught a whiff of eel and couldn't resist. I thought it might not be anything special since it was in a train station building, but there was only one group waiting in line, so I figured it might be better than the other options. The restaurant informed us that they cook the eel after taking orders, so we would have to wait a bit. My partner ordered the grilled eel set meal (4950 yen including tax) and I chose the eel over rice bowl (5060 yen including tax). We waited with some beer and sake, and the sake was a bit sweet for my taste. The grilled eel arrived first, with crispy skin and just the right amount of fat - delicious! The sake surprisingly paired well with it. Then the eel over rice bowl arrived, and it also went perfectly with the sake. We enjoyed our meal and finished it in no time. The freshly ground real sansho pepper as a condiment was a nice touch and added a bold flavor to the meal.

This is a revisit. Just like last time, the half white-grilled and half broiled eel was really delicious, so I visited again. I ordered two different types with my companion and asked, "Could you please serve them half and half since we want to share?" However, this time I was told, "We will do it this time, but we cannot do it in the future." Even though last time the staff said, "We will serve it half and half." And they even said something like, "That's our way." It's understandable if it's the restaurant's policy, but it leaves a bit of a bad feeling. Also, we weren't offered a refill of tea during the meal. It's a shame about the service despite the delicious food. March 2022 -> I wanted to try both the white-grilled and the regular eel, so my companion and I ordered two types and had them divided. The white-grilled eel with ginger was amazing!