I visited a restaurant that is about a 10-minute walk from Kita-Senju Station and rated it 3.14 out of 5. I came in for lunch and found one other customer there. The interior featured a counter and visible private rooms, with music playing in the background. I ordered the sashimi set for 2,500 yen (tax included). One positive aspect was the gentle and polite service. The miso soup seemed to be made with red miso; it was relatively mild but had a rich depth of flavor. The sashimi included grilled mackerel, grilled swordfish, bluefin tuna, cuttlefish, and possibly horse mackerel. Each piece was glistening with fat. The knife work showed attention to detail, adding an artistic touch. The small side dishes were also lightly seasoned and enjoyable. The pickles had a nice crunch and weren't soggy at all. The rice was perfectly shiny and tender. Overall, the presentation of the dishes was beautiful. While the restaurant is still relatively unknown, it doesn't just serve expensive food; the flavors justify the price, and I felt it was quite reasonable for what I received. I hope to see more from this place in the future and would like to keep it as a hidden gem. One downside is that the restaurant is slightly set back from the street, which makes it a bit tricky to find. Thank you for the meal!

It’s a bit tucked away, a place I hadn’t visited before. The shop has a calm atmosphere, and I feel a bit nervous. The sign says it’s open. Looking at the menu outside, it seems they have a lunch menu as well. Stepping in cautiously through the sliding door, I’m greeted by a woman in a kimono. I ask if lunch is available, and she confirms it is. The grilled Spanish mackerel on the menu is sold out, so they serve me the salted version instead. The rice is fluffy, shiny, and chewy. The red miso soup contains myoga ginger. The pickled cucumbers are perfectly seasoned, and the pickled radish has a hint of shiso fragrance. I also feel delighted by the gentle sweetness of the traditional Japanese sweets served on a small skewer. Now for the highlight: the Spanish mackerel. It’s tender, and the grilling is just right. Inside the shop, there’s an elegant group enjoying fried items, sashimi, and grilled set meals while sipping on sake. The chef, it seems, is from Kyoto. The woman, perhaps his wife, is from the local Adachi Ward. I’d love to come back in the evening!

While checking for lunch options in Kitasenju, I discovered a restaurant called "Hanakougen," which offers authentic Japanese cuisine. It might be a bit tricky to find since it’s tucked away down a side street off the shopping arcade, but that adds to its charm. On the day I visited, it seemed all the private rooms were fully booked, so I was seated at the counter with more customers arriving after me. The saikyo grilled fish had already run out, but the chef informed me that other grilled fish options were available. I asked, "What do you have?" and the chef began rummaging through the fish case, naming off the different types of fish. Oh, they're going to prepare and grill it fresh for me! "We also have 'sagoshi'," he mentioned. "Sagoshi...?" I must have looked puzzled because he explained, "It's the baby version of sanma." I was surprised to learn that sanma is a type of fish that grows larger over time! Without hesitation, I ordered the sagoshi. The other customers were also excitedly choosing their grilled fish options. When my grilled fish set arrived, it was simple yet charming, accompanied by three small side dishes! The quality of these small dishes was outstanding! I believe there was yuba (tofu skin), a steamed dish with shrimp fragrance, and what I think was marinated fish. Everything was so clean and delicious! As for the sagoshi, it was freshly prepared and grilled right in front of me, with no fishy smell at all—just pure umami and juiciness. It was incredibly tasty! I never expected to feel such freshness from grilled fish at lunch, so I was truly impressed! The rice was delicious too, and the red miso soup had just the right balance of flavors, with a nice umami taste. I just realized that there aren't many reviews for this place! I understand the hesitation to spread the word too much, as it might make it harder for regulars to get a spot. Overall, I had a wonderful meal today! Thank you!

Just a 4 to 5-minute walk from JR Kitasenju Station’s west exit... This is an authentic Kyoto cuisine restaurant that opened in September 2023. My visit was prompted by the glowing review from a local reviewer, "Harami Kushi," whose recommendations I often rely on. It piqued my interest because there aren’t many places like it in Kitasenju. On the last day of a slightly early summer vacation I had taken at the end of July, I decided to relax locally before getting back to work, with my family’s approval. I finally made my way to this restaurant that I had been curious about. I entered the restaurant a little before 1 PM on a weekday. Although the lunch rush had passed, there was one customer at the counter, so I was seated at the end. The staff consisted of a man in his 30s, likely the owner, and two assistants who handled both cooking and service. They were attired in traditional chefs' clothing, looking very professional. Despite it being a weekday, it seemed there were several reservations in the private rooms at the back; it appeared that reservations would be recommended for larger groups. **Order Details:** - Hanakōgen set meal (3,500 yen) - Draft beer (750 yen) Since I had walked in the sweltering heat, a beer was a must. It seemed to be the Kirin Hartland brand, and the glass was nicely chilled, helping me to cool down. The food menu is a bit pricier, but I decided to go for the limited 10 servings of the signature set meal. After sipping my beer while waiting for about 5 minutes, a luxurious wooden tray appeared. Opening the lid revealed the day's hachisu (appetizer platter). As usual, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves, but it was visually stunning, truly representing the essence of Kyoto cuisine. This featured spinach seasoned with sesame, shrimp with sashimi konjac, and sesame tofu, all of which not only looked beautiful but also tasted exceptional. I was very much looking forward to the main course. Just as I finished the appetizers, the main set arrived. Again, the details can be seen in the pictures, but it included sashimi, tempura, grilled sea bass with miso, rice, clear soup, pickles, and a small side dish – all very luxurious. With the exquisite presentation, I had a dilemma about where to start. I decided to start with the sashimi, which included sea bream, tuna, and scallops. The quality of the fish was high, and the knife skills were impressive, showcasing beautifully arranged garnishes. The tempura featured shrimp, eggplant, shiitake mushrooms, and bell peppers, cooked to perfection with seasonal ingredients. The grilled fish was a display of culinary skill, with its seasoning and cooking done to absolute perfection – it could easily be enjoyed with just a bowl of rice. This alone indicated the restaurant's high level of quality. As my beer ran out, I ordered a Uji matcha highball (700 yen), and each dish was exceptional enough to enjoy as snacks. The rice and clear soup were also of very high quality. Finally, I enjoyed a dessert of fresh yatsuhashi (a type of rice cake) and matcha, wrapping up a thoroughly satisfying lunch. Having finally visited my long-desired restaurant, I can say it exceeded my expectations and was a fantastic meal. This city has many long-standing good restaurants, but I hadn’t found one that offers such authentic Kyoto cuisine until now. The restaurant’s interior is well-designed, making it suitable for various occasions such as business meetings, dates, or events. While it's a bit pricey for regular dining, I would love to return in line with the seasons. They also seem to offer a la carte options for dinner, which would be great for a casual gathering as well. In any case, I’m genuinely pleased that a new gem has opened in my hometown. Thank you for the wonderful meal! Lastly, I’d like to express my gratitude to Harami Kushi for introducing me to this remarkable place. Thank you!

I discovered a wonderful restaurant in Kitasenju. It's not a large place, but that's part of its charm. The chefs and staff cater to customers' needs, creating dishes with exceptional flavor and beautiful presentation, paying attention to details like where to place personal belongings in the private rooms. They truly value a heartfelt connection with their guests, which I deeply appreciated. This time, I made a reservation for a private room at Hanakougen for the first time. I also booked their limited lunch menu, Hanakougen set, which is only available to ten customers a day. The private room was incredibly clean and comfortable, a beautiful space I would love to visit again. I apologize if my vocabulary is lacking when describing the dishes, but here goes. The first course, a variety of small dishes, was beautifully arranged in a wooden box, and the flavors of both seafood and mountain delicacies were evident and delightful. Next, the main dishes served included tempura, sashimi, rice, and miso soup. I was thrilled to have the seasonal kogomi, which was my first taste of it this year, and I really enjoyed the texture of the tempura batter. The tempura was so good that I wished I could have had it freshly fried right in front of me at the counter; it was at a level that rivaled even dedicated tempura restaurants. The sashimi was also of a high standard. The freshness of the fish was clear, and it seemed that the chef was exceptionally skilled with the knife, resulting in a superb texture and bite. The grilled yellowtail was thick, with a slightly strong salty flavor, crispy on the outside, and tender on the inside—clearly a carefully prepared dish. I also encountered a delicious miso soup that I hadn’t tasted in a while, and the red miso perfectly complemented the meal, which was a pleasant surprise. I was so absorbed in enjoying each dish that I completely forgot to eat the rice, finishing my meal with the leftover side dishes! For dessert, I enjoyed a seasonal strawberry yokan and a bowl of matcha, which made me feel a wonderful connection to Kyoto. Even after settling the bill and leaving, they kindly escorted me out, reinforcing their commitment to heartfelt service. Since I learned that there's an opportunity to discuss various dishes, I now strongly desire to return in the evening to enjoy drinks. As I walked out feeling good, I was taken aback by the realization that I was still in Kitasenju!

【Summary】The restaurant is located about a 4-minute walk from Kitakoshigaya Station. It is a Japanese cuisine establishment that focuses on seafood and vegetables from Ine Town in Kyoto, run by a chef originally from Kyoto. While the dinner menu features authentic Japanese course meals, I took advantage of their reasonably priced lunch this time. Even so, the quality was exceptional. With options like hors d'oeuvres, sashimi, grilled fish, and tempura, every dish reflects proper Japanese culinary techniques and is incredibly delicious (^_^) Even though Kitakoshigaya has many dining options, genuine Japanese restaurants with a strong focus on quality are surprisingly few. In that sense, this place is quite precious. ----------------------------------------- I found this restaurant on Instagram. It seems to have opened in September 2023, but I hadn't noticed it for six months (^_^;) The restaurant is located on the first floor of a building that is around 60 years old and was originally a warehouse. It's quite tucked away, making it hard to find. Inside, there are 6 seats at a spacious counter and private rooms. The decor is clean and elegant, typical of a Japanese restaurant (^_^) The chefs include the owner from Kyoto's Arashiyama and another staff member, both working efficiently in the kitchen, embodying the essence of Japanese culinary professionals. The background music is quiet guitar, which enhances the elegant atmosphere of the restaurant. The lunch menu features three options: the Hanakougen Gozen for 3,500 yen, the Sashimi Gozen for 2,500 yen, and the Grilled Saba with Miso Gozen for 1,600 yen, all inclusive of tax. The ingredients are primarily sourced from Ine Town in northern Kyoto. This time, I decided to try the Hanakougen Gozen (^_^) ・Hanakougen Gozen 3,500 yen has a limited availability of 10 servings, but it was still available when I visited. The meal includes appetizers and a drink and dessert at the end. First up is the hors d'oeuvres, presented respectfully in a wooden box. It included black and white sesame tofu, grilled mackerel pressed sushi, and lily root dumpling. The black and white sesame tofu is visually striking and exceptional in taste. It’s delicious (^_^) The grilled mackerel pressed sushi comes with a yuzu-flavored rapeseed salad, enhancing the sushi's flavor. The mackerel has a strong flavor typical of blue fish in early spring, which surprised me at first; I thought it was horse mackerel. The lily root dumpling had a delightful chewy texture, garnished with a lily petal, beautifully contrasting the white and soft pink colors. Next comes the main meal. The Gozen features a luxurious, beautifully presented arrangement of sashimi, tempura, grilled fish, and small dishes (^_^) The sashimi uses fish from Ine Town in Kyoto, including horse mackerel, karei (flatfish), and black sea bream. I was astonished by the taste of the horse mackerel; it was much richer and deeper in color than I expected. The black sea bream was tender, and the karei had a delicate flavor, accompanied by rich liver. Even the garnishes were impressive, showcasing the skillful knife work of the chef. The tempura included five types: bamboo shoots, eggplant, butterbur, shrimp, and fresh wheat gluten. The fresh wheat gluten gives a touch of Kyoto sophistication (^_^) This tempura had a light, fluffy batter that melted delicately in my mouth. Both the ingredients and the frying techniques were outstanding. The grilled fish was mackerel, with a crispy and fragrant skin. The seasoning, typical of the Kansai region, involved ponzu sauce, which complemented the savory flavor of the mackerel perfectly. Simple yet delicious. The small dish contained a refreshing simmer of enoki, shimeji, and maitake mushrooms with Arima sansho (Japanese pepper) from Hyogo Prefecture (^_^) This dish was so delicious that I wished I could take some home. It paired excellently with the rice. I genuinely hope they commercialize it (T_T) Finally, there's dessert and a drink. You can choose between coffee or Uji matcha, so I opted for the matcha. The dessert was homemade yatsuhashi (a type of sweet). I was thoroughly satisfied with the Gozen, and there was no gap in quality right until the dessert, which added a delightful touch (^_^) ----------------------------------------- 【In Closing】Having visited several Japanese restaurants in Kyoto, I can say this one offers a taste, performance, and atmosphere that is quintessentially Kyoto. I was surprised to find such a high-caliber Japanese dining experience in Kitakoshigaya. I was extremely satisfied (^_^) The total bill for today was 3,500 yen. Thank you for the meal!

I always enjoy whatever I eat! I'm also having fun with the chef's talks! 😊😂