when i first planned the trip, this was one of the places i had earmarked, but seeing reviews about long queues made me rethink. “i don’t have to go,” i said to myself. “i don’t need to try this tasty and tender beef cutlet that’s making waves among locals and tourists. i’ll try something else instead.”

well, well, well. look at where i found myself queueing up at 11.45 am on a weekday. “i’ll be smart,” i said. “i’ll go a few (several, fine, 45) minutes after they open. it’s a weekday, so there should be fewer people.”

well. other people were smarter. i waited in line for roughly 20 minutes. note that the line for this place is several steps across the entrance door. there is another restaurant next to it, and the queue for this place cannot block its neighbor’s entrance. this can make it relatively easy for brazen folks to bypass the queue and line up at the door so watch out for those. the staff can resolve things quickly if that happens.

it’s a small restaurant down the basement of a shared building. the staircase is narrow and some people come with their luggage, so be prepared for a tight squeeze. the inside is fairly compact and the staff follow a system that makes good use of the limited space. you place your order while in line, so by the time you’re seated, your food is ready within minutes. there is a stone grill already heated and your condiments are within easy reach. i recommend the yellow sauce (i forget the name but not the taste: yummy). if you need more, just ask (i requested more wasabi - the tang of the yellow sauce and the heat of the wasabi went really well with the juicy beef). you pay at the end of the meal, the cashier is by the door. again, very efficient system.

is it worth the hype? customer service was fast and friendly. the food was delicious and priced well. a single 130-gram order with an oolong tea (an order comes with three sides already) was about 2600 yen. alcohol drinks (beer or highball) cost a little more. note that you pay less than 2000 yen if you skip the optional drink. there is a small cup of tea that is already available at the start of the meal. i should’ve skipped the extra oolong; i would’ve been ok with the free tea and water.

yeah, but is it worth the hype? only if the queue is short. it’s a case of “it’s not you, it’s me.” while the food was delicious and i definitely recommend it, i don’t think any place is worth a wait that’s over 30 minutes.