GYUKATSU Kyoto Katsugyu DiverCity Tokyo Plaza — Restaurant in Tokyo

I ate here for a late lunch September 22, 2023. It was my second day into my three week trip and I decided to try here because I was at the mall to see the Unicorn Gundam statue.

The entrees weren't bad, but it wasn't anything special and overpriced is what I can confidently say after dining at many restaurants all over Japan over three weeks. There actually a dispute because my server put in my order wrong. I ordered two Katsu's and a matcha beer. I noticed on my bill there was something extra, for ¥660 I think, that I didn't order and since kanji is my weakest set I didn't really recognize anything except matcha.

It turns out the server put in matcha ice cream instead of beer. When I said I was done the server asked another server who didn't take my order to talk to me. She showed me a Google Translate saying, "Can I bring you ice cream now." So I said yes, not to be rude, thinking it was part of the meal or it was like some Asian places near me in California that will give you a dessert or Yakult after your meal for free. Turns out, that was what the mystery charge. I clearly pointed to the beer but she somehow saw ice cream.

A manager or someone from the back came out, he typed something into Google Translate but assumed I was Chinese. I told him I was American and he says in English, "Why did you eat?" I was confused, then he said, "Why did you eat the ice cream?" That's when I understood what was going on. The staff seemed to know it was a mistake because they were talking to each other and laughing about it before he came out. Since I ate it, I paid, my total bill was over ¥7000 so I'm not trying to pull a scam on them. I genuinely had no idea what was going on. If you need it more than me even though your staff made a mistake, whatever.

The funny thing is, I really would've still given the place three stars if it was any other item than the ice cream. It was like a scoop of matcha with a scoop of red bean and a little waffle cookie. I like all those things but it does not work together. I only ate it all not to be rude because I thought it was a part of all the meal I ordered. They should really serve the ice cream and maybe the waffle...

I can't stop raving about this place! From the moment I walked in, the warm and inviting atmosphere made me feel right at home. The highlight, of course, was the gyukatsu – it was nothing short of extraordinary. The beef was perfectly tender, lightly breaded, and fried to golden perfection. It was served with a sizzling hot stone plate, allowing you to cook it to your preferred level of doneness. The flavor was rich and savory, with each bite being an absolute delight.

The sides were equally impressive – the rice was fluffy, and the miso soup was the perfect balance of flavors. They even offered a selection of dipping sauces that complemented the gyukatsu beautifully.

The service was impeccable. Our server was friendly, knowledgeable, and provided great recommendations on how to best enjoy the dish. Every detail was thoughtfully considered, making the experience top-notch.

If you're a fan of beef or just love unique Japanese dishes, this is a place you can't miss. I'll definitely be coming...

We came on a weekday around late lunchtime, and the restaurant was packed! We waited a few minutes for some spots along the bar to open up before being seated. The staff were courteous and we were able to communicate and order without issue despite the language barrier.

I ordered the beef sirloin set (~3600 yen) and was a bit disappointed. It tasted good, but I couldn’t taste a difference in meat quality that would justify the higher price. Other members of my party ordered the cheaper base sets, and were perfectly satisfied with their selections.

The amount of food provided is also on the lower end - we found we were not full after finishing our meals.

Otherwise, this is lovely beef katsu. They provide a small stove to cook each slice to your desired doneness, which accommodated the whole spectrum of preferences across my party, and many interesting sauces and toppings to try.

Overall I would like to come back to try more of the available sets, and would recommend this...