郷和-SATOWA- — Restaurant in Kyoto

Update 1/7/2025:

2 months ago, thanks to my buddy Suki Lee's recommendation. We came to Satowa 鄉和, Kyoto for an Omakase dinner. We were so impressed, felt that it was one of the best meal we ever had, we decided to take our kids to come to Kyoto just for this place. We didn't disappoint. As impressive as last time. Especially the unagi don. Just listen to the video. I never had unagi prepared so perfectly and I went around the world for unagi including the legendary unagi restaurants in Japan. Satowa is bar none the best!

It's truly a gem

My friend who went to many Michelin stars restaurants around the world came here and told me it's the best meal she ever had. So we figured we will try.

The culinary experience to us is a Michelin one star level.

It's omakase and it's like a fusion version of Kaiseki. I'm going to make the review short so you can experience the menu yourself.

Amazing details in preparing the various courses. The flavor was perfect. The attention to the details of presentation, such as how to cover the soup, and presenting the food. It was the best unagi don I ever had. The crunchiness is unimaginable how he can grilled it so perfectly. I've many unagi in Japan even the most famous (and expensive) and this is way better. Simply diamond in the rough. The rice is specially mixed with a sauce that was so extraordinary delectable.

We are fortunate that we will be returning to Kyoto and I want to come back for at least...

Probably the best food I’ve had, I was there with family and we were mind blown. We had the menu which is made on every 3rd week of the month, the balance of the meal, pairing of ingredients, dish display, it was all perfect. We’ve been to 50+ Michelin guide restaurants some of them 3 star, the menu at SATOWA is the most complete - every dish had immense flavour & finesse, even the best restaurant I’ve been at (especially 3 star Michelin) had some dishes with flaws. The Unagi with rice and Wagyu Beef were especially tasty. Not to mention, this guy is cooking ALONE, he is doing everything himself 🤯 - I am just in shock how talented he is, for sure he needs more recognition. If you even go to Kyoto make sure to pass by this place, it’s going to be an experience with no regrets! Keep up the good work Chef, you’ve made our Kyoto trip ever more memorable with your...

I enjoyed a fantastic grilled eel lunch crafted by Chef Ueda. The setting of the kitchen/dining area, along with Chef Ueda's meticulous attention to every aspect of the meal preparation, and the flavor of the dish, all culminated in a flawless dining experience.

I've had my fair share of grilled eel dishes across Japan and I can say, without a doubt, that this was the tastiest one I've had. The rich taste from the eel itself combined nicely with the subtle yet flavorful sauce that didn't overpower the taste of the eel itself.

I hope that the next time I return I'll still be able to secure a seat for myself and my partner as Chef Ueda's business...