Restaurants in Japan

It was clear the chef was totally used to running the whole place by himself. I loved how the seasonality showed in everything from the plates to his fun explanations of the food. With a quiet vibe and a lovely view outside, it was just a great place to sit back and enjoy good conversation with the chef and my companion.

Such a great location for a date night in Kyoto. The atmosphere was quiet and cozy, and the chef was super friendly. They’re also very English-friendly, so we had no trouble at all. We got to enjoy some amazing Kyoto cuisine in such a relaxed setting.

First time trying a full-course kaiseki dinner, and wow, it was totally worth it! I was skeptical about kaiseki at first, but my worry was proved completely unfounded. Every dish was delicious and beautifully presented. We dined throughout the course without any worry, since the chef took really great care of us during the meal. Out of all the dishes, my favorites were the Hamo Clear Soup and the Sea Bream Takikomi Gohan. They were so delicious that I decided to get another serving of the rice (gohan). The chef and staff were friendly, accommodating, the service was also impeccable, moreover the 5th-floor view of the Kamo River was beautiful. Definitely recommended even for first-timer! 😁

The kaiseki course experience was a wholesome one. From how the ingredients were selected, prepared, and then presented to us, everything was totally beautiful and captured the essence of Japanese cuisine. The meals themselves were all of high quality and taste. Everything was so fresh and how they were cooked really highlighted the taste of the ingredients, not heavily seasoned and kept the balance of the flavor. Watching the cooking process live really elevated the meal experience. Tucked away inside a building in the Pontocho alley, it was a perfect meal to have during your stay in Kyoto. A night you won’t be able to forget!

The food is so amazing. Very high quality and you can see how much passion the chef puts into the menu and the attention to detail and plating was magnificent. I got to try various arrangements and I really enjoyed the chefs calm and friendly manner. Highly recommend

Had such a lovely dinner at Mitaki Teppanyaki! I tried the Suiren Course and really enjoyed the whole experience. Everything was beautifully presented, and the ingredients were fresh and delicious. The chef was also really friendly and made the experience even more enjoyable. And… I tried wasabi for the first time and it’s not as bad as I thought! The atmosphere was elegant but still comfortable, and it felt like a really nice place for a date night or special dinner. Definitely a memorable teppanyaki experience, and I’d love to come back again!

Such a unique dining experience at Saime! 🌿✨ Saime serves cuisine inspired by the Jomon period, an ancient era of Japan, with ingredients slowly cooked and roasted in earthenware. As a vegetarian, I was genuinely surprised by how much I enjoyed the meal. Even something as simple as roasted pumpkin and bell peppers tasted incredibly flavourful. And their miso paste… SO good! 😂 I basically ended up slathering it onto everything. My absolute favourite part was the warabi mochi at the end, paired with their basil herbal tea — such a beautiful and comforting way to finish the meal. What also stood out to me was how naturally vegetarian-friendly the cuisine is. With the Jain festival period going on right now, I immediately thought about how wonderful this place could be for people following Jain dietary preferences as well. Finding Japanese food that can be adapted to be Jain-friendly is incredibly rare, so this felt really special.

I really enjoyed dinner at Saime Restaurant. Not only was the food amazing, but the whole atmosphere was wonderful. It’s a small venue with only eight seats, and it feels like something between a restaurant and a museum. The earthenware plates make you experience the flavors differently, and trying the vegetables separately before the main dish opens up a whole new layer of tastes. I really enjoy how simplicity is mixed with sophistication in this place, and I would love to recommend it not only to vegetarians, but to anyone who wants to enjoy healthy cuisine.

Welcome to dining. That is: Welcome to Saime. Vegan, slow-food apostles, and allergy sufferers alike, your sanctuary is here! I highly recommend Saime to any and all who are looking for a dining experience that harkens back to a simpler age. Being Jomon-era inspired, the earthenware slow-cooked vegetables can either speak for themselves, or be enjoyed with salt or miso. We tried the vegan set, which was prepared without the use of any oils, but they also have sets that include fish and meat, as well. The vegetables themselves are primarily grown and picked by the staff, and the tea and dessert were also made by hand from scratch. It will be readily apparent to any discerning visitor that there is intentionality packed into each dish, from the taste, to the presentation, to the environment. Please do yourself a favor, and book an evening at Saime.

We very much enjoyed our experience at SAIME! The host is very kind and walks you through each course’s featured ingredient and the cooking process. Each dish is crafted with the utmost care and time! While the dishes are simple, they pack a powerful flavor profile that harmoniously fits the miso and salt given to you as condiments. This experience is not only allergy and vegan friendly, but it’s also a journey into the seasonal flavors of Japan. You’ll find yourself in awe of how good veggies can taste and have your curiosity peaked on how to inspire deeper, richer tastes from local ingredients. Eating from earthenware pots with minimal utensils will leave you feeling more connected with your food. I highly recommend this restaurant for those with food restrictions or those who want to rekindle their relationship with food.

Hands down this is the best meal we’ve had in Tokyo so far! And in general across my travels all over the world this is the best beef I’ve ever tasted in my life! More than the food the staff has been so entertaining and so hospitable that it’s an experience without trying!

The meat and the service of Arisa was perfect