Gosai machiyawashoku — Restaurant in Kanazawa

During the New Year holiday, I traveled to Kanazawa and discovered this restaurant with good reviews on Google Maps. Since I work in Japan and know some Japanese, I made a reservation by phone. During the call, the staff seemed to notice my limited Japanese proficiency and asked if I was a foreigner. They also informed me that only set menus were available that day and asked if I still wanted to make a reservation.

Having seen their sukiyaki set priced at 7,700 yen on Hot Pepper, which I found acceptable in terms of price and content, I decided to proceed with the reservation. Upon arriving at the restaurant, I noticed that only English set menus were provided at our table. However, the menu content differed entirely from the sukiyaki set I saw on Hot Pepper.

I asked the staff if we could order the sukiyaki set, but after checking, they informed us that we could only choose from the English menu. In the end, we ordered a 6,800 yen steak set, which you can see in the attached photos. Honestly, even in Tokyo, a city known for its high prices, 6,800 yen could easily get you a meal with better portions.

At checkout, I noticed that all Japanese customers were enjoying the sukiyaki set, while only my group and another group of foreigners were served from the English menu. If you check reviews of other nearby restaurants, you'll notice some also offer different menus for foreign guests at varying price points.

This experience was quite disappointing. If you're looking for a restaurant in Kanazawa, I hope this review helps you make a more...

An absolute gem of a restaurant with outstanding hospitality and reasonable prices - this was a stand-out experience during our 10 days in Japan. I don’t often write reviews, but this restaurant is so deserving of fabulous one! Run by a husband and wife team with the help of two friendly graduate students, my husband and I received the warmest welcome and enjoyed the best food we’ve had on our trip so far. My husband is allergic to fish and shellfish and is also vegetarian; I love fish and sushi… It’s been difficult to find a restaurant that satisfies us both, but this one nailed it. We ordered the crab gratin, vegetable tempura, corn fritters and prawn dumplings and loved them all. They have a nice selection of sake, beers and delicious plum wine, too. The menu is in both Japanese and English and the wife speaks very good English too. We liked it there so much, we returned for our second night in Kanazawa. On our second visit, I was even treated to a very generous portion of grilled nodoguro to try, plus a complimentary glass of sake and a dessert. Incredibly kind and generous 🥹. We really can’t fault this place. Go- you...

During my extended trip to Japan in August, I enjoyed dining at a remarkable restaurant that left a lasting impression. We were so captivated by our first evening there that we decided to return two days later. Seated at the counter, we had the unique opportunity to converse with the chef and his wife, who managed the service with another colleague. Watching the chef at work was a delight.

We began our meal with a sashimi platter, which was so exquisite that each piece melted in our mouths. The culinary journey continued with corn tempura and karaage served over a folded egg and concluded with a delectable dessert. Every dish was not only delicious but also of outstanding quality. The warmth and unique hospitality of the chef, his wife, and the staff made us feel right at home.

These two unforgettable evenings are etched in my memory, and I will never forget them.

Thank you so...