Umamiya — Restaurant in Takayama

We came early on a Tuesday to make it easier to find a seat. We're so glad we visited! We were very warmly welcomed, service was stellar, and the food we got was all fantastic...and superbly priced. We got beef curry over rice, a local and very flavorful chicken plate, and ramen which had the best Japanese char siu I've ever tasted. We rounded it off with edamame and their tomato / cucumber salad dressed simply with a little olive oil--I would have been very proud to have harvested those tomatoes from my garden.

The interior is certainly simple, but anything fancier wouldn't have matched the rest of the vibe. Although our host / server spoke very good English, the night we were there our fellow patrons generally did not look like tourists. We're only here a few days, but it's likely...

In TAKAYAMA, in the evening there are not a lot of places open. We found this restaurant on a whim. The food was amazing, it tasted like a home cooked meal at a fantastic price point. The miso and pork was like a warm hug. Yakitori skewers were divine. Both my husband and I got a curry, pork and beef, respectively. Both were incredible and hit the spot. Locally sourced ingredients and beautiful service.

When we arrived it was empty, as a westerner this is not usually something one looks for in a restaurant but I strongly encourage you to push that aside and go in! Being the only customer made it a really special experience. The older gentleman cooking and serving was fantastic and so sweet.

Will be returning to both TAKAYAMA and this beautiful little restaurant in...

Great atmosphere and hospitality and delicious food. I first ordered the drink and side dish set A, which is a beer accompanied by two small pieces of grilled Hida beef and a bigger piece of tofu, both absolutely delicious. I then ordered rice and tukemono steak. This dish is absolutely dominated by the heavy taste of pickled vegetables (comparable to kimchi) and the flavor of fish, and even though of a bigger size, probably best eaten as a snack alongside an alcoholic drink. So maybe best to share it with someone. (As a main dish, I wouldn't recommend it, but that's basically stated in the menu.) On another visit, I ordered the middle sized beef yakitori and a Frankfurt sausage. Also Totoro (grated yam), which is not on the normal menu, but I saw it on a...