I got off at the east exit of Katsura Station and found this place tucked away down a small alley. I've visited a few times without a reservation, but today I made an early reservation. The private rooms were already booked, and there were reservation cards even at the counter, showing that it's a popular spot. I recommend it for those who want to enjoy delicious meat in small portions. It was really tasty. Thank you for the meal.

Hidden gem located in a narrow alley near the east exit of Katsura Station. The cozy interior has about 10 seats at the counter and one table. Orders are placed by writing on a piece of paper. Everything from skewers to small dishes is delicious, with Sanakaku being a particularly recommended dish.

I was invited by a friend to this shop in front of Katsura Station. We made a reservation and when we arrived, we saw many people being turned away because it was so popular. The yakitori and kushikatsu were delicious. Everything we tried was tasty. The portions were small, so it was good for trying a variety of dishes. The atmosphere was great for enjoying good food and drinks near the station. The sirloin steak was particularly good, showing that this shop really cares about their skewers. I would like to go back again.

I had heard from an acquaintance that this restaurant was good, so I wanted to go there. I was having drinks with another person in Kyobashi during the day when my acquaintance contacted me saying, "We're drinking with 4 people in Umeda." We met up and ended up drinking with a total of 6 people. Then, two regular customers who had made a reservation for us joined us here. The food was indeed delicious no matter what we ordered, and the service was pleasant. We were having a lively time at the counter with 4 people, but when a private room became available, I informed the 4 people from Umeda who were on their way home. They moved to the private room, and we ended up with a total of 8 people having a great time. When I apologized for being noisy on our way out, they kindly said, "It's okay because it's a private room." I would like to visit again and enjoy a quiet meal. P.S. The background music is always by Southern All Stars.

Daruma-san is located near Katsura Station, along a waterway. You can enjoy yakitori, kushikatsu, and raw Omi beef. It is recommended to make a reservation in advance, but judging from the menu composition, it is clear that this restaurant is popular. Being able to eat yakitori and raw chicken liver is not surprising at Daruma-san.

Today, I had Omi beef! I aimed for the "Sankaku" cut. Last time, I hesitated because of the price, but this time I decided to go for it. The menu item is called "Sankaku no aburi," but the "aburi" (seared) part is more of a light touch, it's mostly raw. It comes with a slightly sweet sauce and wasabi. When I tried it, it melted in my mouth and the sweetness of the fat spread throughout. I savored the aftertaste while enjoying my drink, which in my case was beer. It was really delicious. I wish there was a bit more or it was a bit cheaper. Next time, I'll try the menu item with sea urchin on top. Thank you for the meal.

Located right by the east exit of Katsura Station, there is a red lantern in a narrow alley next to a waterway. I knew it was a restaurant specializing in skewers and grilled skewers, but I had never visited before. The main seating is at the counter with around 10 seats, and there is also a table in the back. I ordered a beer and looked at the menu. Skewers, grilled skewers, and side dishes... the prices were on the higher side, with some items clearly being expensive! The skewers and grilled skewers are typically served in sets of two. I wanted to try a variety of items, so I ordered a set of 5 assorted skewers. Quail eggs, eggplants, pork, green peppers, and meatballs - 5 skewers in total. When comparing the individual prices, there was no discount for ordering the set. As I sipped on my beer, the freshly fried skewers were brought to me. The skewers were on the smaller side, adding to the feeling of being a bit overpriced. I dipped them in sauce and took a bite. Delicious! I don't have the knowledge to explain what makes them delicious, but among all the fried foods I've tried, these definitely rank among the best. It must be due to the quality of the ingredients and the skill of the chef. After finishing a large beer, I ordered another one and also ordered the "Simmered Beef Tendon and Tongue," which is a stew. The high quality of the skewers raised my expectations. The stew did not disappoint - it was fantastic. I enjoyed two large beers along with 5 skewers and the stew. The two people next to me ordered the "Triangle" and "Tongue," which are categorized as "Carefully Selected Traditional Masterpieces" on the menu. They must be regulars here. I had expected a typical izakaya based on the appearance of the restaurant, but the food was of an impressive quality, the service was polite and elegant, with a traditional Japanese touch. Considering the content, the prices are definitely not high. I would like to try the "Carefully Selected Traditional Masterpieces" from the beginning next time.

I must admit, my expectations were low in terms of location and appearance, but I was pleasantly surprised. The food was incredibly delicious. They offer a great selection of fresh meat, and their original sauce complements the meat perfectly. They don't focus much on the dishes or decor, but rather on the taste of the food. Their tempura technique is particularly noteworthy. They may not use special ingredients, but the thickness of the batter and the crispiness are a result of skill. It is incredibly delicious. It's a quiet place where you can sit at the counter, enjoy your meal, and leave quietly. I can confidently say that this is the best restaurant in the area.

It was always crowded and I couldn't make a reservation, but this time I was able to visit because I went late. It had been a long time since I last visited, but the food was still delicious. I would like to visit again.

This is my second visit. I often have trouble getting a table, but I thought maybe I could go on Monday at 6 o'clock without a reservation, and I was right! The cost performance here is really great. It's hard to find raw meat at this price! Grilled dishes, deep-fried skewers, Omi beef, horse sashimi... There are so many things I love, and I am completely satisfied and full. Eating delicious food makes me feel happy. Thank you for the meal.

As expected, the taste here is consistently excellent! The sirloin and tongue are the best! My girlfriend said the highball was very easy to drink.

Be careful as the delicious atmosphere and pleasant smell might stick to you!

Hidden gem restaurant!

I had been wanting to visit this restaurant for a while! I was indecisive about what to eat, but decided to call and they said they had availability! Made a reservation and headed there, even though it was quite far from the city. The location was a bit tricky to find, but I used the map on Tabelog and found it. Everything I ordered was delicious! The skewers were a bit small, but there was a variety of grilled chicken and meat dishes to enjoy. The staff was very friendly. I will definitely come back again. Thank you for the meal.

I heard there was a delicious and affordable restaurant, so I decided to make a same-day reservation and visit immediately. It was during the Gion Festival in Kyoto, with temperatures near 40 degrees and crowds of people everywhere. I finished my work in Kawaramachi and Gion early and headed out. I wanted to have ice-cold beer and skewers! I visited the restaurant right after it opened in the evening. It's about a 3-minute walk from Keage Station. The restaurant is a bit small with a counter and one semi-private table. It has a traditional atmosphere, with the master and the grill chef adding to the ambiance. I arrived after 5 pm and all the reserved seats were already taken. I was glad I made a reservation. By around 7 pm, almost all the seats were filled. There were a few types of beer available, and I chose Asahi in a medium bottle that day. I ordered the seared Sanakaku first. It wasn't raw, but it had a nice fatty flavor. The sauce was sweet, making it taste like eating a rare steak. One plate was enough for one person. Next, I ordered the recommended Toro liver skewer. It was generously drizzled with sesame oil, and you could add grated garlic to your liking. It had no unpleasant smell and was delicious with just sesame oil and salt, but also tasty with garlic. I also ordered eggplant, pork cutlet, and pickled ginger skewers. The fine breadcrumbs made them crispy and juicy, not greasy at all. I could have eaten as many as I wanted, especially the eggplant. It was cut in half and lightly breaded, so it wasn't heavy, a great choice for women. This hidden gem izakaya is perfect for both casual drinks and hearty meals. I might end up visiting many times. I'll definitely go back. Thank you for the meal.

Even though I thought that even the most knowledgeable food reviewers might not know about this place, one of the restaurants that yama-log, whom I have been following for a long time, recently visited, reignited my interest in this place that I had been consistently turned down from (lol). By the way, it has nothing to do with the popular kushikatsu restaurant in Osaka. Categorized as a kushikatsu and yakitori place, the main selling point here is the Omi beef. Based on the advice I received from yama-log that it's normal to focus on meat, I charged in aiming for the meat. On my third attempt, I finally entered the restaurant. Therefore, it's advisable to make a reservation just to be safe. First, I tried the raw meat dishes. - Beef tongue sashimi (950 yen): It's moist and delicious. Served with mustard and sesame oil. Usually beef tongue sashimi is eaten with soy sauce, so it was interesting to have it served this way. If the flavor was a bit richer, it would have been perfect. There is also a seared version available. - Triangle-cut beef sashimi (980 yen): The marbled part is served with a sweet sauce. It's delicious when eaten at room temperature when the fat starts to melt. While I didn't think it was an outstanding meat, the unique sweetness and aroma of Japanese beef were amazing. - Horse liver sashimi (960 yen): If you like raw meat, this is a must-try. It's been a while since I've eaten raw liver, but this one is closer to beef liver. It doesn't have a strong taste, but it's definitely closer to beef liver than pork or chicken liver. - Assorted horse meat (900 yen): This includes marbled parts and a vertical cut, both served with a sweet and savory sauce. It's delicious. There are probably higher-quality options available, but for 900 yen, the quality and quantity are satisfactory. I also tried some Omi beef skewers. - Beef tongue salt (380 yen) - Sirloin steak salt (550 yen) - Harami (skirt steak) with sauce (480 yen) - Beef tripe salt (350 yen): They are a bit pricey, but probably necessary to cover costs. Adding garlic on top makes it even tastier. You can order one skewer at a time, so ordering the sirloin makes you feel like you've had a steak as well. - Kushikatsu: I also tried the kushikatsu, oyster, and shrimp. The batter is light, similar to what you find in Kyoto. The ingredients are decent, and the light sauce (double dipping is not prohibited) is delicious. However, it's not outstanding. I didn't try the yakitori at all. In conclusion, as per the advice of my esteemed reviewer, if you want to fully enjoy the meat, this place is quite satisfying. If you were to eat this quality of raw meat at a yakiniku restaurant, it would be much more expensive, probably triple the price, with a smaller portion. Thank you for the meal~

I reacted to the keyword "Omi beef" and ended up here at the restaurant in front of Katsura Station (East Exit). The interior has counter seats lined up side by side, as well as table seats. The atmosphere is casual like a popular yakitori restaurant. The main dishes are skewers, skewered cutlets, and raw or seared beef and horse meat. What we had: - Triangular seared beef (Omi beef) - Assorted skewered cutlets (eggplant, green onion, quail, beef cutlet, meatball) - Assorted skewers (liver, green onion, grilled chicken skewer, skin) - Sirloin skewer - Simmered beef tendon and tongue (580 yen) I had some resistance to eating raw horse meat, so I opted for beef. I asked the staff about the beef cut of the day. You can choose between sirloin, triangular, etc., and whether you want it raw or seared. The triangular seared beef is seared on the surface, leaving the meat almost raw. It had a good texture and flavor, with a nice umami from the skewer. The skewers and skewered cutlets were as expected, satisfying enough. It seems best to order individual horse or beef items. This is a place where you can easily stop by when you feel like having some meat. Such restaurants are actually quite rare, don't you think?

I used to not like kushikatsu and never found a place that stood out to me. However, a friend recommended a hidden gem in Katsura, and ever since then, I've been hooked on this place. It's a local favorite, always bustling with regular customers of all ages, so it's not the type of trendy place that gets a lot of reviews on food websites. Despite being near the station, it's a bit hard to find, and the building doesn't have a modern or appealing exterior. It's located in a narrow alley next to a water channel, with a single-story concrete building that looks rather plain. Without the lanterns hanging outside, you wouldn't even realize it's a restaurant. Once you muster up the courage to open the door, you'll find a narrow, long counter with about 10 seats welcoming you. On my first visit, the seats were nearly all taken by what seemed like regulars. As soon as I opened the door, all the older gentlemen turned to look at me, and I instinctively said, "I'm sorry," almost closing the door again. Both the atmosphere and the customers give the place a unique vibe. But it's not dirty by any means. Once you get used to it, the atmosphere adds to the experience and makes the food even more enjoyable. Inside, there's also a semi-private table at the back. Most kushikatsu costs 110-130 yen per skewer, while yakitori costs around 140 yen per skewer. Both require a minimum order of two skewers, so be aware of that. They also offer premium items like Omi beef sashimi or grilled skewers, which are a bit pricier but definitely worth it in terms of quality and taste. My favorites are the lotus root, shiitake mushroom, onion, and eggplant kushikatsu. The Omi beef tongue, chicken gizzards, chicken tail, and chicken cartilage yakitori are also delicious. The lotus root is thick, crispy on the outside, soft and sweet inside, and goes perfectly with salt. I always end up ordering multiple skewers of it. The shiitake mushroom has a generous amount of batter on the underside, allowing you to savor the natural flavor of the mushroom. It tastes great with both salt and sauce. The mini onion has a unique curry seasoning that's well-balanced and complements both the batter and sauce. The eggplant, like the shiitake, has batter on one side, making it visually appealing and tasty. As for the yakitori... the list goes on, but each skewer is delicious and worth recommending. For drinks, I highly recommend their homemade red shiso juice! It's also great mixed with alcohol. The staff, consisting of three people, may not be the friendliest, but they are skilled and efficient, which is satisfying to watch. The restaurant tends to be less crowded shortly after opening, so that's a recommended time to visit.