Honke Tankuma Honten — Restaurant in Kyoto

On the recommendation of the Ritz Carlton, where we were staying, we decided to visit this restaurant. The owner warmly greeted us during our meal, creating a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere. With a rich history dating back to 1926, this restaurant holds a special place in the culinary landscape. The involvement of both the father and son in meal preparation adds a genuine family touch to the dining experience.

One of the standout features of this restaurant is the small Japanese garden situated in the center, providing a serene and picturesque backdrop for the private rooms. It adds a delightful touch to the overall ambiance, enhancing the dining experience.

We opted for the 9-course set priced at 27,000 yen, which offered a diverse selection of Japanese dishes. We were seated in a private room. The set encompassed appetizers, sashimi, tempura, soup, and grilled and cold stew, providing a truly comprehensive culinary journey.

Among the appetizers, the roasted ginkgo nuts stood out as particularly impressive. They were delightfully crunchy and salty, offering a unique twist on the traditional ginkgo nut.

The sashimi, in particular, was outstanding, with each piece masterfully cut to enhance the flavors and textures of the fish. For example, the eel sashimi showcased the freshness of the fish, which contained numerous small bones. However, the meat was meticulously sliced into small, boneless pieces, allowing us to enjoy the dish without any inconvenience. The sea bass, while fresh, had a slight chewiness to it. The chef's skillful cross-cutting technique maintained the integrity of each slice.

Another highlight was the deep-fried tile fish, featuring a crispy skin and perfectly cooked, tender meat inside. It was a true testament to the chef's skill and attention to detail.

Overall, our experience at this restaurant was truly delightful. The warm welcome from the owner, the rich history, and the exquisite dishes made it a memorable dining occasion. We wholeheartedly recommend this establishment to anyone seeking an authentic and flavorful Japanese...

My partner and I (Americans in their mid 30’s) had an amazing and unforgettable meal here. We got standard fish/seafood meal and did the Sake wine pairing. The owners came out and met with us before the meal started and gave us a brief history of the restaurant. The meal took 2 hours from start to finish. We also had a private tea ceremony room. The staff were very friendly and attentive. They were so appreciative and grateful to host us and you could tell they took a lot of pride in their foods history and culture. We have had a lot of fine dining experiences and eaten at several Michelin restaurants- we will always remember this one as one of our best experiences. After the meal, I looked up the Google reviews and was surprised to read some of the lower star ratings. I can only shake my head and wonder why those people even try venturing beyond McDonalds. If you cannot appreciate the subtlety and delicacy of Japanese food, don’t eat at Japanese restaurants. Every dish was superb and unique- I consider them very flavorful in their own way but obviously very different from European or American cuisine. If you are interested in Japanese food which is lighter and more subtle in flavor and appreciate their culture, this is the place for you. After the meal the server showed us the back deck area and took photos of us. Then the owners came back out and showed us one of the paintings they had which is apparently a famous painting. We also took a photo with them. I included all my photos so you should have a good sense of whether this is something you are into or not, especially when considering the...

This is a traditional Kaisei Japanese restaurant. The food was very good and the service excellent. This restaurant is around 100 years old and is still owned by the same family. Our reservation was made by the concierge of our hotel several months ago. when we arrived in Kyoto and on the day of our reservation, I noticed from some guest photos that most of the seating is on the floor with the legs crossed. Since I have had orthopedic surgery on her hip and knee, I was certain I could not maintain that posture throughout the meal. The restaurant owners were gracious to make arrangements for us to sit in an ordinary chair at a small table in a private room. After we were promptly seated, the wife of the owner came in and introduced herself and visited with us in a most pleasant way for four or five minutes. Our waiter spoke English moderately well, and he supplemented his communication by using Google translate in an imaginative way to explain each dish to us after the meal. They had nice offerings of sake and Wine, The owner of the restaurant came in and visited with us at the end of our meal for about five minutes and showed me many of the awards in mementos that their restaurant had accumulated over the years. And it will be other people. His son was the chef tonight. overall, this was a once in a...