Friday 18:30. It was mentioned that without a reservation made on the same day, you will generally be refused. Sweating. Appetizer: Aged Amberjack Sashimi - 1500 yen. Softshell Turtle Hot Pot - 1000 yen. Softshell Turtle Porridge - 1000 yen. Hamo Cutlet and Addictive Cucumber - around 350 yen. 2 bottled beers, total 7100 yen. This was my first time trying softshell turtle hot pot, and at this price, it's not something you can eat regularly. It definitely has a unique taste, but the broth is delicious! The hot pot is on the smaller side, so I recommend ordering it first and enjoying it like a soup! (Note: The porridge is a separate order). I apologize for posting this. They seem to be avoiding media exposure and taking it easy, and the dishes were all prepared by the owner, so it must be tough for them. However, the landlady assured me that I didn't have much influence, so no need to worry. Haha.

After watching a certain TV program, I made a reservation and visited the restaurant. It was fully booked, but everyone there was watching the same TV program (laughs). Nevertheless, all the dishes were delicious. Yellowtail sashimi, deep-fried icefish, softshell turtle hotpot, tempura of spring vegetables, softshell turtle broth roll, softshell turtle porridge. We also had 4 servings of hot sake. The staff at the restaurant were very kind and the atmosphere was great. The other customers were also charming people. It was a wonderful time with great food and conversation. Thank you for the meal.

This time, I visited the restaurant that was introduced in the YouTube video "Kyoto Megane TAXI" where Mr. Matsumoto said, "Take me to the best restaurant, taxi driver." I called the restaurant in advance to confirm if I could go there without a reservation, and they said it was okay if I arrived after 7 pm. I took the train and arrived in Gion at 6:45 pm. I waited at the nearby Seven-Eleven until 7 pm and then entered the restaurant. The restaurant had a cozy interior with a counter seat near the entrance. I was the only customer at that time. I got permission to take photos of the interior and the menu, and then I ordered some drinks and dishes. I ordered a draft beer to start, and for food, I ordered the recommended Marunabe (round hot pot) and the Dashimaki (rolled omelet with soft-shelled turtle broth). I also ordered the Hirezake (sake with grilled fins) later. The appetizer was Hirezake, which was a nice touch. The Marunabe was a signature dish that was surprisingly affordable and delicious. The Dashimaki had a lot of broth and was very flavorful. I couldn't resist ordering the Hirezake to go with it. I also ordered the homemade Karasumi (salted mullet roe), which was a high-quality dish. The Buri Daikon (yellowtail simmered with radish) was another tasty dish that paired well with sake. For the final dishes, I ordered the Sapporo Men (Sapporo noodles) and the Sapporo Meshi (Sapporo rice). The Sapporo Men was a unique dish with Sapporo broth, egg, scallions, and grated ginger. The owner kindly instructed me to save some broth for the Sapporo Meshi. It was a satisfying end to the meal, with a playful twist of having rice after noodles. Considering the quality and quantity of food I had in Gion, the bill of 8,000 yen was very reasonable. The atmosphere was great, and the cost performance was excellent. It was a fantastic dining experience at a reliable and affordable restaurant.

Facing the front of the Seven-Eleven store on Nishikikoji-dori Street in Gion Shijo, there is a restaurant located underground. It is a counter-only restaurant surrounding the kitchen, and smoking is allowed, which is rare nowadays. When I asked what the recommended "marunabe" was, they kindly explained that it is a hot pot made with soft-shelled turtle, without making fun of me. First, you can choose a side dish. I had the grilled hamo fish roe, simmered eggplant, potato salad, and grilled hamo fish roe. The grilled hamo fish roe was amazing! Sweet and delicious! It was cooked with a fish called "Ojisan." I ended up ordering seconds of the hamo fish roe. I asked if they offer takeout, but unfortunately, they do not. My colleague who came with me said the hamo fish roe was the best. The dashimaki tamago (rolled omelette) was also really good. It had a gentle dashi flavor that was just perfect. Then, the highlight arrived - the soft-shelled turtle hot pot. It was my first time trying it, and it was delicious. Light and tasty. But more than the hot pot itself, the soft-shelled turtle noodles made with the same broth were amazing. It was like a risotto noodle with an egg on top, and had a very gentle flavor. You can order just the noodles without the hot pot, so I recommend trying it. Recently, I've been avoiding alcohol because it makes me feel unwell, but I couldn't resist ordering a frozen lemon sour that looked so delicious. It contained a whole lemon and was strong, probably because they used good quality alcohol or maybe it was the effect of the soft-shelled turtle hot pot, but I had no issues with my health, which made me happy. I ended up having multiple drinks. It cost around 5000 yen per person. On my way out, they showed me a real soft-shelled turtle. I wouldn't recommend this place to those who are sensitive to cigarette smoke, but the father who cooks and the mother who serves are both wonderful people, and I might become a regular customer.

I finally had the chance to visit the restaurant that caught my attention on TV. The interior was cozy, with just a counter that created a nice atmosphere. The owner greeted me with a smile as soon as I entered, and the chef also came out of the kitchen to welcome me. The food was delicious, like a step above an izakaya but not quite a high-end restaurant. They had various creative dishes using the traditional hot pot, which was really enjoyable. The attention to detail in the other dishes showcased the skill of the chef. Since I visited alone, I ended up chatting with other customers and had a fun evening. The delicious food and friendly atmosphere created by the staff made the experience enjoyable. I am grateful to the restaurant. It seems they change their recommended dishes according to the season, so I would like to visit again. Thank you very much.

Everything was delicious! I will visit again! Thank you very much!

After watching Kabuki at the Minami-za theater, I visited around 4pm! It's great to find a place where I can relax with a beer and a small dish from this time onwards.

★The best restaurant recommended by taxi drivers★ The owner trained in famous kaiseki cuisine in Gion, serving delicious food at affordable prices! ★1000 yen for snapping turtle hot pot★ ★Finish with snapping turtle noodles (mixed noodles)★