Yamasaki — Restaurant in Otsu

The first thing you notice about this funky little restaurant when pulling up outside is that you hardly notice it. The green noren curtain with the faint characters 割烹 山さき (Kappo Yamasaki) is the only indication, but the humble exterior belies the powerful culinary magic within.

Mr Yamasaki, the self-taught namesake chef, is not only a magnificent artiste de cuisine, but also a treasure trove of knowledge about the local area. He is intensely proud of Otsu, which was, after all, once the imperial capital of Japan long before Kyoto.

Any description I could write of the wonderful dishes he served me and my lovely companion M. would be so full of superlatives like “best” and “freshest” and “most delicious” that it would put my credibility at risk, so I will simply post photos, and let you, dear reader, imagine.

It turns out that I was the first non-Japanese patron he had ever served, and he says he would love to have more foreign guests, but is concerned about communication and explanations. His English is fine, but if you have ever attempted to explain Japanese dishes to people who are unfamiliar with Japanese language or culture, you will understand the problem.

In any case, I hope you will experience Kappo Yamasaki. I am confident you will be just as...

大津石山の隠れ家的なお店 ご主人は修行経験はないそうだが、センスの良さやバラエティの豊富さはピ...

穏やかな店主で落ち着いて食事ができます...