Miyakoyasai Kamo Kyōto-ekimae — Restaurant in Kyoto

Normally I wouldn’t write a bad review based on one person’s behavior, but the humiliation and embarrassment I’d experienced along with my friends were simply unspeakable.

I am half Japanese who was raised and been living in the States for 30+ years, until recently moved back to Kyoto 3 years ago. I understand my Japanese wasn’t perfect, nonetheless it was just not right to leave your customer in a helpless and embarrassed situation.

Here’s the story...

On December 20th, we visit the restaurant around 5:30pm. Because we were a group of 8 adults and 3 children, it was logical for me to communicate with the staff if seatings was available. The staff told me we may have to seat separately into 3-4–4. (This was my understanding, but apparently it was not).

We sat down at the two tables next to the windows and three counter seats, which was pointed by the staff. After we sat ourselves down we start taking our meals for at least an hour without any problems. Approximately after one hour the same staff came to me and said, “My apology, but one of the table you sat was reserved so you need to clear out the table”.

With shock, I replied politely “I see, so where could we sit now? It’s very difficult to fit 11 people in two tables!”

The staff answered impolitely, “I’ve told you at the beginning that tonight is full and one of your table was reserved by others!” Then she just turned around and went back to the kitchen, letting me stood there helpless and humiliated.

You never led us to our table. You did it with your fingers pointing.

You never said anything during the first hour we were eating. If we need sat at the wrong table shouldn’t you be letting us know instantly?

You let your customer stood there not knowing where to go or what to do. When we tried to squeeze ourselves to another table no staff would lend a hand to help us move.

Recent years Kyoto received over many foreign travelers, and yes some cultural differences may bring inconvenience to local people. But it’s just not right to treat your customer this way, Japanese or foreigners.

I’ve been dining at this chained veggie restaurant for 3 years, mostly Karasuma branch ( better service) . I feel sorry for my friends experience by...

This is a buffet style restaurant with vegan and vegetarian options. It is located approximately 15 minutes west of Kyoto Station and above a Ministop supermarket. We had reserved a table on line for dinner but not sure if it was necessary, as the restaurant was virtually empty when we arrived. It may get busy later in the evening. It is a situated in a bit of an off pitch location but we were in search of a restaurant which catered for both a vegetarian and meat eater. We were sceptical at first because of its location and the greeting by quite a surly waitress/chef. We also had to pay for dinner upfront into a vending machine which she had to explain to us. Basically there are two separate payments. One is for the hot dish with a vegan option, which is cooked over a candle. The second payment is for the buffet food where you have an option with or without drinks. You can eat and drink as much as you like. We thought it ended up being a pricy meal for what we ate. Personally I didn't like the taste of the vegan hot dish but my husband enjoyed his meat hot pot. The options at the buffet table was quite varied with cards indicating whether each dish contained meat, fish and other ingredients. I found this quite useful. Overall we found the meal satisfactory, a bit costly but a...

This little spot had a wonderful selection of understated vegetables - braised, salads, pickled, cold, hot. There is a karaage station where you deep fry your own chicken, an udon station where you cook however much you want, a raw salad bar, and cooked veg section. Miso soup, rice, Japanese curry, and two stews were also on offer when we visited on a weekday afternoon. The two of us added one sukiyaki set which could have fed 3 - it was a big portion! All this cost 3700 as we added drinks to our set, and a sukiyaki.

Everything tasted wonderful and for me, felt like a new approach to veges. I loved it and wished I could have tried everything on offer but had eaten my fill.

When we arrived at opening at 11am, there were two other groups waiting to be seated, and by 1130 the place had filled up. Only one guy working front and back of house, but everything was set up efficiently, self return plates and bowls. Hope he doesn't feel too overwhelmed. Definitely recommend this spot, if I had more time would...