Second time at KIEN. Managed to get a reservation miraculously on the day by phone. Had two rounds of drinks. Ordered a la carte and the beer was great. The pork-wrapped burdock was delicious. The grilled eggplant in broth was also tasty, wish I had ordered more. The fig and walnut salad was a unique dish, more like a main course than a dessert. The assorted sashimi was top-notch, especially the kelp-marinated ones. Grated wasabi was served right in front of us. Tried the eel with scrambled egg and it was delicious. The grilled fish head was also very tasty. Ordered a dry sake and it was excellent, with a wide selection of sake available. The staff mentioned they have a course menu starting from 6000 yen, will try that next time. Overall, a truly delicious restaurant. I raised my rating by 0.5 to 5 stars. If I were a Michelin judge, I would give it three stars!

You can enjoy delicious Japanese cuisine and sake in the alleys of Uji. The restaurant has been open for about a year and offers well-crafted dishes with beautiful presentation and delicious flavors. Sitting at the counter, you can enjoy one dish at a time while sipping on highball and sake (Black Dragon and Furosen). The dishes include appetizer eel sushi, simmered pumpkin, sweet potato, and shrimp, fig and white miso salad, grilled eggplant with ginger and myoga, seared wagyu sushi, sashimi platter with sea bream, amberjack, swordtip squid, and tuna, freshly made dashimaki tamago, eel clay pot rice, and white miso soup with gelato for dessert. The food is skillfully prepared and delicious, leaving you satisfied and looking forward to a return visit.

A restaurant run by a skilled chef who has trained at renowned Kyoto restaurants such as "Kikunoi" and the family-owned "Okamoto" in Uji. The restaurant, named "Naka Uji Yorin," is located in a stylish area with a lovely traditional Japanese exterior. The interior is spacious and tranquil. Lunch starts from 2000 yen, while dinner ranges from 6000 yen for à la carte dishes, offering high-quality authentic Japanese cuisine at a reasonable price. Try the Unagi Tama Juu (Unagi and Egg Bento) for 2000 yen, which includes a variety of meticulously prepared appetizers and a beautifully presented bento box filled with eel, egg, mushrooms, myoga, and ikura. Enjoy the visual and taste experience at the live counter – a must-visit for delicious Japanese cuisine in Uji!

[Visit on May 17, 2022] - Unatama-don Set: 2000 yen - Appetizer, small dish, appetizer, red miso soup, pickles - Seafood Don Set: 2400 yen - Appetizer, small dish, appetizer, red miso soup, pickles (dessert) - Special Warabi Mochi: 500 yen - Kinako Ice Cream: 300 yen - Strawberry Sorbet: 300 yen Wajun KIEN (Unatama-don Set) 0774-24-5030 32 Myoraku, Uji, Uji City, Kyoto Prefecture, Yorin Nishitou 1st floor https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2607/A260701/26037645/

Opened in May this year in Uji, which is known for its many famous spots such as the World Heritage Site Byodoin, the historic Uji green tea shop, and the Genji Monogatari Museum. This casual Japanese cuisine restaurant offers lunch options like eel and egg rice bowl, seafood rice bowl, and sake, while in the evening, you can enjoy a variety of small dishes and sake without any pretense. The owner was inspired to open the restaurant after seeing an image on their phone before the opening. The owner honed their skills at the renowned Kyoto cuisine restaurant Okamoto in Uji and the famous restaurant Minoyoshi, where their parents also worked. The restaurant has a calm atmosphere with a counter and two tables, and the lunch menu includes options like eel and egg rice bowl and seafood rice bowl with additional items like rolled omelet, rice, and dessert. I ordered the eel and egg rice bowl which was beautifully presented with appetizers, side dishes, red miso soup, and pickles. The eel and rolled omelet were the highlights, complemented by ingredients like salmon roe, green soybeans, burdock root, and lotus root. The balance of flavors and seasonings was just right. The eel was steamed and charcoal-grilled in the Kanto style, while the rolled omelet had a gentle flavor with a rich dashi taste. The special bracken rice cake I added was a nice touch to complete the meal. The owner, a man, was reserved but friendly when I asked questions, and the woman who served us was elegant and polite. The lunch service involved cutting and plating pre-cooked ingredients, but the quality of the appetizers and the eel and egg rice bowl left a lasting impression on me. The restaurant is also known for its seasonal dishes and sake in the evening, offering a lively and enjoyable dining experience. Located near the World Heritage Site Byodoin and Ujigami Shrine, as well as the Genji Monogatari Museum and other attractions, the restaurant benefits from a scenic and culturally rich environment. It is within walking distance from JR Uji Station and Keihan Uji Station, and walk-ins without reservations are welcome for both lunch and dinner. The young couple who run the restaurant are shining brightly with their casual approach to traditional Japanese cuisine. I recommend this restaurant to locals and travelers who appreciate seasonal dishes, sake, and charcoal-grilled eel.