Gyū-an Ginza — Restaurant in Tokyo

We decided to go to Gyu-an in Ginza to tried kobe beef, we had read carefully the reviews as the price of this type of beef is quite expensive 20,000yen (200€) We were there 1h before closing during the lunch and it was quite disapointing: they have most of the menu already sold out, they were serving us the food to hurry us as they were about to close, you have to take off your shoes and they give you a plastic bag that you have to return once you leave the restaurant and they keep it to give to another clients... the quality of the beef is good, the portion depends on what you want and the salad, rice and miso soup are below average... I think a restaurant of 200€ per dinner should have more quality on all the food they serve not only in the beef, they can’t hurry you to finish your food and use the same plastic bags for many clients I don’t think it is something normal...

Después de haber leido muchas reviews decidimos venir a este restaurante en Ginza. No sería justo decir que la calidad del kobe era mala porque no fue así, pero los acompañamientos (arroz, sopa de miso y la ensalada eran justitos tirando a malos) Cuando llegamos, 1h antes del cierre de comidas (ojo que cierran a las 14:15!) nos metieron prisa todo el rato para comer y poder cerrar a su hora, tuvimos que quitarnos los zapatos y reutilizaban las bolsas con otros clientes un detalle que me parece lo peor después de cobrar 200€ por mesa si son dos...

I was pretty hesitant about this place when reading the reviews, so I'm going to try to lay out the details so that you know what to expect:

the restaurant is located in a basement and has a very traditional Japanese decor you must take off your shoes and put them in a plastic bag (provided) before you are seated the lunch menu is very affordable (1080 for wagyu, 1700 for a double portion of steak). Both of those options come with soup and rice, and the steak comes with salad, as well. I'm not a meat expert, but I thought the meal was delicious. A few very fatty pieces that made me gag, but the rest was some of the better steak meat I've had. I heard they put their non-choice meat on the lunch menu... who cares. It's $10 for a very good meal. each meal comes with roasted rice tea you can get your meat with one of three sauces: butter, garlic, or something else (couldn't understand). The garlic was excellent. the service was splendid. No one spoke anywhere near perfect English, but the staff was very courteous and tried their best the lunch goes until 2:15, and at 2:15 they kick everyone out. We got these at 1:40 and had no trouble getting through our meal without rushing

Overall, I would highly recommend going, especially if you want to try Japanese steak in a Japanese environment without...

Very disappointing. As soon as we walked in someone started screaming “shoe back” repeatedly. While others in the same spot were standing with their shoes on. I have never been so lost and confused and mostly yelled at...finally another lady came running and gave us a plastic bag to keep our shoes. My husband later explained she was screaming “shoe bag”. Now to the food. They only take cash no credit card. Despite sitting on the ground, with quintessential bamboo flooring and insufficient lighting this might for some seem authentic unfortunately the food did not live up to the expectation. The service was basic. They didn’t speak much of English so not the most tourist friendly and they don’t care much either as this place is catered to Japanese salary man. Also, the entire time one lady kept on coming back screaming ‘rice free’ and ‘free tea’. If I am paying over $200 per person for food, I think can afford to pay for rice without someone yearling it. I have been to other cities in Japan from Osaka, to Kyoto, to tiny little towns close to Nara this was the worse behavior I have ever experienced. If you want better service and food mainly Kobe try Kobe Plasir Ginza really good service and no one screams at you. I am just sad as I was looking forward to this place and just simply...