Kinmata — Restaurant in Kyoto

My Japanese wife and I recently visited Kinmata for the first time for the kaiseki lunch course at 6000 yen per person (reservation) after being given a leaflet by someone I know who works part-time there in the accommodation area (to be honest - although this was not known by the owners in advance). It is a small national heritage building which has been in this location since 1801 and run by the same family (currently the 8th generation). We ate in the counter area which was a setting with a mix of modern and traditional aspects and where we could talk to the chefs and see them preparing food. There was only one other couple eating at the counter. Winter is not a busy period, it seems, so we could enjoy a relaxing meal and interact easily with all the staff. Cherry blossom season is much busier, of course.

We started with a nicely-presented array of 4 small dishes including duck, tofu, seasonal vegetables and so on which we complemented with sparkling wine (extra charge). I can’t recall the exact order or all we ate, but we also had red sea bream sashimi, a mild broth with minced scallop, grilled fish and another nice dish which included tofu skin prepared in a way I have not experienced before. I drank a glass of Chardonnay and my wife continued with a half bottle of Spumante (all extra charge). We finished off with rice and pickles and a traditional Japanese dessert.

It was a lovely, traditional kaiseki meal - a series of small, different seasonal dishes freshly prepared and each interesting in its own way and presentation with typically subtle flavours and textures plus the right amount to not feel bloated (for us) - this style of cuisine is not designed for big eaters, anyway.

The 8th-generation son and chef explained some of the dishes in English when he was available at the counter while another chef explained others in Japanese (as well as explaining about aspects of the knives he used). We had a nice conversation with the son in English about Kinmata and about holding on to tradition while also moving with the times. His father (head chef and owner) also came to the counter and chatted to us in Japanese. It was interesting to hear about Kinmata and we were also lucky enough to look around and learn more about the building style and the garden from the son in English. As we left, we also had the opportunity to meet and briefly chat to the owner’s wife.

Overall, irrespective of the fact I know someone who works as a part-time staff there, the traditional kaiseki was very nice (an understanding of what a kaiseki meal entails helps and related information is easily found online). To experience more of the heritage-listed building’s ambience, ask to eat in that area rather then the more contemporary counter, but obviously expect less interaction with the chefs and less opportunity to watch their food preparation. If you prefer the latter, ask to sit at the counter, obviously. Engagement with the chefs added to our experience but this came about by us being open and inquiring about the food, the family history and the building to which they readily responded, so I recommend taking this approach; otherwise, your privacy is respected in a Japanese way and you will be left to quietly enjoy your meal by yourself.

It is up to each person in how they wish to experience Kinmata kaiseki and accomodation and how they make the most of visiting a small family-run business (traditional yet with a slight contemporary edge) which has a very long history in a unique building listed as a national heritage. For my wife and I, it turned out to be both a food and a cultural experience we...

Written by a Chef & foodie.

I read all of your very good reviews about getting told stories and explained what you got served and so on. I didn’t got nothing at all of that. I got left in a empty room with other tables and a waitress who came and serve the courses. That’s it!

I had some hope before this dinner, and I went so disappointed. I’ve spent 2w in Japan so far, and have 4 left and this was my worst meal at all. So far.

First when I arrived I meet a nice lady who smiled and showed me the options, 4 to 9 courses menu. I love tasting menus. But she said to me, “order very fast”, “fast?” I was alone in the building.

But I choose 6 courses, I got in a empty room alone, that’s fine. I got 5 small items served on a plate, nothing about what it was. I had no idea what i ate? Without my own skills, but that was guesses.

They serve plate after plate and nothing about what I ate or any story and I paid 7000 Yen.

Miso soup = Tasteless

Other dishes = without my own knowledge i shouldnt know what i had paid 7000 yen for.

Dessert = Maybe the best piece of pineapple I’ve eaten. And then I’ve worked abroad and been nearly all over the world.

Waitress = She smiled and took my shopping bags when I was sitting to eat.

Totally, this was the worst meal in Japan so far. Not my experience, maybe yours.

But it was fun to get a try of...

This is a review of the restaurant. I made a dinner reservation after seeing the 4.5 Google rating and glowing reviews. I’ve been to many kaiseki restaurants, and despite my hopes, the food and experience were underwhelming. I was in the private room upstairs (with a very “old” odor), and no one came to even give me a menu, let alone take an order for drinks for 15 minutes until I called out to the staff downstairs. Even then, they came to give me the menu, but didn’t follow up to take an order. Once the rest of my party arrived, the dining service was fine. Our main server was very nice and spoke decent English.

The food was mediocre. There were multiple dishes using hamo (conger eel), which I know is a delicacy, but I prefer more variety in a kaiseki course. The first dish started with hamo with ice cream in a cup, but the combination didn’t taste great. The soup (with hamo), sashimi, and tempura were okay but nothing spectacular. Dessert as well.

On the way out as I was paying the bill, they mixed it up with someone else’s and had to cancel and re-charge my credit card.

The location is quite convenient, as it’s located right next to Nishiki market.

TLDR: The restaurant doesn’t live up to the 4.5 rating with underwhelming food...