3298S
Established over 200 years ago, this long-standing chicken cuisine restaurant is so renowned that its store is designated as a registered tangible cultural property. It is known for being visited by Sakamoto Ryoma for its sukiyaki, and even taxi drivers are familiar with the name of this famous establishment. Located just a 2-3 minute walk south from Shijo-dori on Kiyamachi-dori, it has received one Michelin star and a high rating of 3.73 on Tabelog (as of October 27, 2021).
We opted for the sukiyaki course (¥13,000) with additional items like matsutake mushrooms (¥4,300) and grilled chicken thigh (¥2,200?). We also ordered two oolong teas (¥550 each). The total bill came to just under ¥20,000. We enjoyed our meal feeling the pleasant breeze by the riverside. Depending on the season, it might get quite sweaty dining in this setting.
The meal started with an appetizer (yuba, candied sweet potatoes, edamame, toko bushi, nagaimo, and conger eel nanban-zuke) followed by chicken liver stew and grilled chicken thigh (salt/ichimi/red wine sauce). The sukiyaki (with chicken leg meat, breast meat, chrysanthemum greens, Chinese cabbage, shiitake mushrooms, tofu, yuba, and grilled rice cakes) was a full-service experience, where you just have to sit and wait for the ingredients to be cooked in the luxurious chicken bone broth. The broth was rich and collagenous, with a recommended initial soup of quail eggs mixed with the sukiyaki broth and seasoned with salt. The flavors of the ingredients layered beautifully in the soup, and the yuba soaked in the broth was particularly delicious.
The grilled chicken and additional grilled chicken thigh (including heart) were also excellent. The egg used in the porridge at the end was tasty as well. The matsutake mushrooms (from China) could be prepared as grilled or tempura, but we decided to add them to the sukiyaki. Although it may not be necessary to use domestic matsutake for this dish, adding them provided a unique touch.
The service was impeccable, starting with a three-fingered greeting and a dedicated attendant even for solo diners. It's important to note that the prices for additional items may not be clearly indicated, so guests may be surprised by the final bill. It's recommended to confirm the prices with the attendant or communicate your budget during the reservation.
