Wagyu Steak Hafuu Honten — Restaurant in Kyoto

We recently had the pleasure of dining at Hafuu, a renowned restaurant located in the beautiful city of Kyoto, Japan. Known for its exquisite Japanese cuisine and warm ambiance, Hafuu truly delivered an exceptional dining experience.

For our appetizer, we decided to indulge in the Seafood salad. The moment it arrived at our table, we were captivated by its vibrant presentation. The salad featured a delightful medley of fresh seafood, including succulent shrimp, tender octopus, and delicate slices of sashimi. Each bite was a burst of flavors, complemented by a well-balanced dressing that enhanced the natural sweetness of the seafood. It was a fantastic start to our meal and left us eagerly anticipating what was to come.

For the main course, we opted for two different dishes. The first was the Hafuu Special Wagyu Beef Cutlet sandwich. The moment it arrived, we were greeted by a mouthwatering aroma that instantly heightened our anticipation. The sandwich was a true masterpiece. The Wagyu beef cutlet was perfectly cooked to a juicy medium-rare, showcasing the exceptional quality and tenderness of the meat. The crust was delightfully crispy, providing a satisfying contrast of textures. Each bite was a symphony of savory goodness, leaving us craving for more.

As for the second main course, we indulged in the Premium Wagyu Sirloin steak. This dish exemplified the culinary mastery of Hafuu's chefs. The marbling of the Wagyu beef was a sight to behold, promising a melt-in-your-mouth experience. True to its reputation, the steak was extraordinarily tender and exceptionally flavorful. Cooked to perfection, it showcased a beautiful caramelized crust on the outside, while remaining succulent and juicy on the inside. The accompanying sauces provided the perfect balance to the rich flavors of the steak. It was a true indulgence and a testament to the restaurant's commitment to quality.

Throughout our dining experience at Hafuu, the service was impeccable. The staff was attentive, friendly, and knowledgeable, providing helpful recommendations and ensuring that we felt welcomed and well-cared-for. The atmosphere of the restaurant was elegant and inviting, with tasteful decor and a relaxed ambiance that enhanced our overall enjoyment.

In conclusion, Hafuu in Kyoto, Japan, is a culinary gem that exceeded our expectations in every way. From the tantalizing Seafood salad to the exceptional Hafuu Special Wagyu Beef Cutlet sandwich and the unforgettable Premium Wagyu Sirloin steak, every dish was a testament to the restaurant's dedication to quality and craftsmanship. Combined with impeccable service and a charming atmosphere, Hafuu offers an unforgettable dining experience that will delight even the most discerning of palates. It is a must-visit destination for anyone seeking a truly remarkable dining...

We were required to pre-select a set menu before making a reservation, which was frustrating—especially since other diners seemed able to order à la carte dishes that looked far more appealing.

The starter soup was average, and the bread was overly hard. However, the main course was a highlight—the meat was cooked beautifully, and the mustard sauce it came with was absolutely delicious.

Dessert was a letdown. We weren't offered any choice and were simply served ice cream with a bit of chocolate, which felt like an afterthought rather than a properly curated part of the meal.

Unfortunately, the overall experience felt impersonal. Instead of feeling like welcomed guests, we often felt like a bit of an inconvenience to the staff. The atmosphere was lacking, and to make matters worse, our table was positioned right in front of the dishwasher. Watching staff loudly clean and load dishes while we were eating really took away from what should have been a refined dining experience. It felt cheap and out of place in an otherwise elegant setting.

If you do go, try to request a table in the centre of the room, away from the ends of the counter.

While the meat and sauce were excellent, we left disappointed by the limited menu options, lacklustre dessert, poor atmosphere, and the distracting view of staff doing cleanup during service. A redesign of the front-of-house layout could really elevate the experience—watching food being prepared is one thing, but no one wants to dine in front of a dishwasher station.

They cleared our plates we walked to the desk at the front, we weren’t greeted, we asked to pay and quietly left....

My boyfriend and I went to Hafuu Honten in May 2018 and had a so-so experience. He ordered the regular set meal, and I got the Hafuu set meal (slightly less meat but perfectly reasonable in size). The meat was very very good (my b/f preferred the sirloin, while I preferred the filet). I can't say that it wasn't delicious, but it certainly was not the best meal we've ever eaten, and I can say honestly that it wasn't even the best beef we ate in Japan (we had much better in Kanazawa and near Takayama with Hida beef). The service was good, but the prices were very high (we paid at least $50 more for this meal per person than we did at several other fine dining establishments with equivalent beef cuts). I think this is all because this restaurant caters exclusively to Western tourists. Every single person at the bar seating area (and in the back) was either American, Australian, or Israeli based on the conversations we could hear. We literally saw at least 4-5 people we'd seen at temples earlier that day (and were hoping to never see again). Of course, we were tourists too, and there is some comfort in Japan in having English speaking servers and menus, but the fact there was not even ONE Japanese person eating there gave me serious pause. Overall, you won't be disappointed with your meal, but I'd encourage you to try Japanese beef outside of heavily touristed Kyoto. It seemed over-priced, and I felt like I was sitting in a restaurant in Sydney or New York rather than in Japan....