la bûche — Restaurant in Kyoto

TERRIBLE RESTAURANT. Avoid esp if you’re a tourist like us.

Since there were road constructions along the way which we couldn't have known not living here, we got lost trying to drive to the restaurant. There’s no direct way to contact them if you don't speak Japanese so we contacted the hotel to let them know we will be late. The reservation policy during booking was "If we cannot contact you within 30 minutes of your reservation time, we will have to cancel your reservation, so please be sure to contact us in advance." But since the hotel contacted them we didn't think there's going to be a problem.

On arrival, the staff insisted that we won’t be served the initial courses because we were late and missed them. They insisted that "Lunch 11:45-12:00 (all dishes start at 12:00)” in their policy already explained this. Despite their super long booking policy, longer than some of the best restaurants in the world that we've been to including Noma, this is not very clear. The chef and staff spent ages arguing with us when they could have just quickly served the courses we “missed” - and turns out they could, because when we insisted they brought out the dishes which were ready made from the fridge anyway.

I understand it was our fault we were late (and the staff kept telling us it was all our fault, great holiday getting repeatedly shamed by these guys) but given how it was not explicitly mentioned they will cut courses out if you arrive late, plus the fact that it took the chef minutes to take things out of a fridge and pouring dressing on a salad (very haphazardly too), it’s very unaccommodating and silly that it took them more effort by insisting to follow their “rules” (which once again not very clear).

End of the day, you go to a nice restaurant to have a good time and by being rigid and mean to your guests when they just sat down is probably not the way to go. The food was not bad overall, but you can tell the chef was grumpy - he glared at us then ignored us the whole time. He bid the local Japanese couple goodbye when they left but totally ghosted us when it was our turn. So petty and unprofessional. The restaurant is near the Sanzen-in temple with plenty of tourists walking by but it was just us and another local couple here for lunch. Perhaps these tourists knew better than us to...

In one word, you could describe eating at la bûche as, “complete”. The meal, the service, the complementing drink course, and the chef’s flow were similar to a complete symphony and utterly impeccable. To say that I am considering booking a return trip to Japan just to try la bûche again isn’t an exaggeration, this meal was truly that good.

Firstly, the customer service from the chef-owner’s wife gives as much warmth as the fire the food is prepared on. Kind, friendly, and generous. Too often restaurants with this level of cooking are imposingly formal and distant, but that is not the case at all here. The environment and the engagement you have being counter-side to the fire and food preparation make you feel like you’re a welcome guest in Ohara.

Secondly, the preparation and skills involved to execute the series of 8 dishes seamlessly over a wood fire is insane, and I couldn’t believe it without seeing it. The French cuisine skills that chef Syohei Mori implements are combined with the local “taste of the land” in a performance that honestly made me feel at peace. I’ve had experiences at 1-, 2-, and 3-Michelin starred restaurants and the pure taste and skill I saw at la bûche blows away every other experience I have had out of the water.

The only caution I would give is if you are extremely sensitive to smoke, don’t sit at the counter. But the smoke is actually very very light. Otherwise, I would encourage anyone and everyone to try what honestly may be the best restaurant of my life: la bûche.

P.S. get the non-alcoholic drink pairing. The chef-owner’s wife prepares it and it tied the meal together exceptionally. She is not only an excellent curator and maitre d’ but also skillful in her own right.

P.P.S, I read the one star review and that person is a joke. It CLEARLY states when you reserve that if you are late you miss out due to how the service is conducted, and all high quality restaurants operate this way. Also, as someone with virtually no Japanese fluency the chef-owner and his wife were incredibly kind and helpful to my wife and I despite us being the only...

Nestled in the charming village of Ohara, just north of Kyoto, "la bûche" offers a dining experience that transcends expectations. This extraordinary restaurant, run by a perfectly synchronized husband-and-wife team, sets the gold standard for hospitality. Their warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care for their guests create an atmosphere that feels both intimate and exceptional.

The cuisine is a masterful blend of French finesse and Japanese precision, all crafted with locally sourced ingredients. The chef, deeply connected to his hometown, infuses every dish with a profound sense of place. Each bite tells a story of dedication, skill, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Many dishes are prepared over an open fireplace, adding a unique depth of flavor and a primal authenticity to the dining experience.

What sets "la bûche" apart is its meticulous attention to detail. From the thoughtfully curated menu progression to the harmonious pairing of beverages, every aspect is perfectly calibrated. Even the tableware complements the dining experience, showcasing the care and thought behind every element. The bread, juices, and even spirits are lovingly handcrafted in-house, a testament to the hours of labor and artistry that go into creating this small universe of flavors.

We are no strangers to enjoying venison, as wild game season is a cherished tradition back home. Yet, we had never experienced Deer of this extraordinary quality—it was tender, flavorful, and truly unforgettable. And who would have thought that Badger could be so delicate and delicious?

While we’ve dined at many outstanding restaurants during our travels, "la bûche" stands out for its ability to elevate humble, local ingredients into a symphony of flavors. In our culture, we have a saying: "to eat like a god in France." After our visit, we are certain of one thing: if God were to vacation in Japan, he would come to "La Bûche" for dinner.

Thank you, thank you, thank you! This was an unforgettable experience that will linger in our hearts and taste buds for...