Dining Yamaboshi — Restaurant in Hakone

Restaurant Review: Dining Yamaboshi

I recently had the pleasure of dining at "Dining Yamaboshi" in Hakone, and I must say it was a delightful experience. This charming restaurant is a hidden gem, offering a truly authentic dining experience that captures the essence of traditional Japanese cuisine.

As soon as we entered the restaurant, we were warmly greeted by an older couple who served as the hosts. Their genuine sweetness and welcoming nature immediately made us feel at ease. It was evident that they took great pride in their establishment and were passionate about providing a memorable dining experience for their guests.

The restaurant itself was housed in a beautiful, old building that exuded a sense of history and tradition. The interior was designed in a traditional style, with low tables and cushions for seating. While sitting on the floor may not be everyone's cup of tea, it added to the overall authenticity of the experience and allowed us to fully immerse ourselves in Japanese culture.

Now, let's talk about the star of the show—the food. I opted for the chicken rice set, and I must say it was an absolute delight for my taste buds. The chicken was tender and succulent, cooked to perfection with just the right balance of flavors. The accompanying rice was fluffy and fragrant, and the portion size was generous.

The attention to detail and the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients was evident in every bite. Each component of the meal was carefully prepared and beautifully presented. It was clear that the chefs at Dining Yamaboshi were masters of their craft, committed to delivering an authentic and delicious dining experience.

In addition to the fantastic food, the service was impeccable. The hosts went above and beyond to ensure that we had a pleasant time. They patiently explained each dish, sharing their knowledge and passion for Japanese cuisine. Their genuine warmth and hospitality added an extra layer of charm to the entire dining experience.

Overall, Dining Yamaboshi exceeded my expectations in every way. From the delicious and authentic food to the sweet and welcoming hosts, this restaurant provided an unforgettable dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting Hakone or seeking an authentic taste of Japan. Just be prepared to sit on the floor and savor every moment of this unique...

Dining Yamaboshi was an unplanned stop when we got off the bus from Shinjuku. The almost 3-hr grueling ride left us famished when we got to Hakone so randomly clicking on this place on Google Maps was definitely a relief.

The staff in this dainty restaurant are all very attentive and spoke good English. They most probably get a lot of foreign tourists in the area and thought to make it a much more comfortable experience for them by learning and speaking English. That, to me, is great hospitality. Although I can speak Japanese, I spoke in English (so did S/O) since our waitress initiated the convo in English 😊

S/O and I got the hamburg steak set and we both gasped almost in unison when the food was served to us. The whole thing was massive! Delicious and homey, too. Come in starving, you'll be more than satisfied with their offerings.

Next time we're back in Hakone, we'll definitely pop in for some noms. 10/10 will recommend this...

It's about 1km from the Venetian Glass museum, a very unassuming place the was recommended to us by someone. Typical Japanese restaurant which looked like it was the living room on somebody's house and could seat about 12 people. We sat on the floor with cushions (as you do in Japan) and ordered our meal from a very limited range (I tried the seafood set with swordfish). And it was delicious! Everything cooked to perfection and our server (the old, very cute Japanese lady) managed to speak to us in her broken English (they did have an English menu iirc). The hot apple parfait was also excellent. 10/10...