Kyoto, Japan｜Kikunoi Honten

One of the meals of a lifetime. Absolutely incredible from the moment we stepped onto the premises. The hosts showed a whole different level of respect and politeness. I can't really do the food justice with any description. A perfect menu after a hot summer day in Kyoto with beautifully presented dishes that were perfectly executed. A truly memorable evening and one I wish I could experience again.

really excellent dining experience, the private room with a view of the gorgeous garden really dials the experience up a notch. flavours are clean and light, highlighting the quality and the freshness ingredients themselves. the stand out dish was the hassun and the grilled ayu. have also seen some other bad reviews comparing this with other 2 or 3 Michelin star restaurants, which in my opinion is missing the point a little. you're not going to get the same punchy, explosive, and experimental flavours as you do from restaurants from the western hemisphere, which is exactly the point of an establishment like this. come here with the right (but not lower) expectations and you will leave feeling totally satisfied.

it was our first time to experience a 3-star Michelin restaurant. It was worth the travel since every single food they served was mind-blowing. Our kimono-dressed server, Makoto-san, was exceptionally welcoming from the moment we arrived up until we left and the private room was so spacious, it can easily fit 20 people. The garden view was a nice touch too.