Kyoto, Japan｜Chikazen

This was my favorite dinning experience in Kyoto! We found it by accident since it was close to the kyomachiya we were staying in. We found it on the second to last night but I really really wish we found it earlier. I think it’s mostly locals and a lot of salary people. I’m pretty sure we were the only tourists haha. We initially sat at the bar - the menu is in Japanese on the wall and we were having a hard time google translating it. We wanted sukiyaki. But otherwise, we just asked our server to bring us things he likes and it was 100% the correct decision. The meal was so so good! At the end of our first dinner, we also met the chief (who speaks English really well). We thanked him and made an reservation for the next day. The next dinner was also super delicious and basically was an omakase. We budgeted out a rough price and the chief brought out his creations. Everything was so good - from the sukiyaki, to tempura, to grilled fish and sashimi. I’ll let the photos speak for itself. The atmosphere (there was a courtyard with a koi pond and lantern) and the service were amazing. It really was amazing hospitality, especially considering we didn’t speak Japanese (which we were embarrassed by). The prices were super reasonable too. I would come here every week if I lived in Kyoto. I wish I could thank the staff more verbally, but I hope I got the point across by bowing a lot. Finding it: I think the noren has changed a bit compared to the other google review pic. It’s the first building to the right of the parking lot if you stand facing the parking lot. There is a bar section on the right and a line of private rooms on the left but it’s the same restaurant.

This was outstanding. I've been invited to this restaurant and every dish they served was incredible. Main course was Sukiyaki with a beef deserving the description "shimofuri niku" = beef that looks like snow fell on it But every other course like tempura, soup, eel, mixed small things, ... was also excellent. Really nice atmosphere and garden, fast and very polite service. Together with a great sake this was one of my best dinners I've ever had.

I liked the atmosphere of this restaurant. Food was also good.