Kyoto, Japan｜Nijo

Best. Teppanyaki. Ever! The food here is just so mouthwatering, that even if you go there with a full stomach, you’ll end up ordering almost everything on the menu! Their assorted vegetables and garlic rice are out of this world (and obviously the garlic chips!). I’m literally speechless.

I went to Teppanyaki Nijo for lunch, located in the basement of ANA Crowne Plaza in front of Nijo Castle, Kyoto. I've been to this restaurant several times, but this is my first review. Currently, ANA Hotels are operating at reduced hours in the morning, perhaps due to the influence of the coronavirus. In the past, Chinese food, Teppanyaki, and buffets were the go-to options for hotel meals, but since the coronavirus, it seems like hotels are gradually changing their direction. In such a situation, the ANA Hotel in Kyoto is probably the one that sticks to the old-fashioned style. Although it cannot be compared to Hotel The Mitsui Kyoto, which opened next door, there is an overwhelming difference in the spaciousness and openness of the restaurant, even for just Teppanyaki. But the reason why I choose ANA is because it is a restaurant where you can feel the charm of traditional teppanyaki, which is gradually disappearing. When I visited, elderly customers were enjoying Teppanyaki. Now, since it was lunch time, I decided to have something light, but looking at the menu I was curious about the options. You can also choose mapo tofu from Sichuan Cuisine Shujiang, a Chinese restaurant next door, to finish your meal. I can't help it. What I ordered was ●Seafood and steak lunch (Mibu) ・Domestic beef fillet 100g (¥6,655) ・Kentaro Chen Mapo Tofu (additional ¥900) (Tax included) The contents of the meal Appetizers start with grilled Spanish mackerel, grilled fresh fish and vegetables, sautéed spinach, fillet, mapo tofu, rice, red soup stock, mango mousse, and hot coffee. That's enough content. There is no excessive production such as flambé. But this is fine. I was able to enjoy a leisurely afternoon for about two hours. Other than ANA, if I were to consider a long-established hotel, it would be Brighton Hotel. Brighton is also my favorite hotel. Teppanyaki like this is a precious thing. If you want performance, there are many other options. I think this is a store that you should visit with that feeling. Teppanyaki is something I would like to visit again. Thank you for the meal.

The food was prepared right in front of us, and we enjoyed it with our eyes, noses, and ears.