Hyoki Shabu-shabu Ginza Main Store — Restaurant in Tokyo

TLDR: Over-priced, bordering on rip-off territory. Food was basic and mediocre, portions are tiny, decor is old and tired, nothing that comes close to justifying the USD 100 to 150 per person price. Inexcusably overbearing reservation demands.

First time I’ve experienced such ridiculous reservation demand. Firstly, they required a Japanese person. Then they asked for his identification and details. Then they even insisted him sign a document/contract and demanded him to use his hanko (personal seal used in Japanese legal documents)!

This should have been a red flag but we wanted to have a nice meal with extended family and didn’t want to make a fuss.

Besides, Tokyo is known for for its good food and great restaurants. What can go wrong?

Well, upon arrival at a decidedly un-fancy part of Ginza, we thought we stumbled upon a quaint old gem of a restaurant. But instead it is just old, and tired, and musty. It’s Showa-era retro, but not in a good way.

We were ushered into a private tatami room. It was plain but not in a minimalist zen way. It was just old and indifferently decorated. It was also hot and stuffy because the heater turned up to sauna-like levels. I’ve also seen another review mentioning the air conditioning.

Failing on such basic details, we realised we were not in for a fine dining experience. Perhaps the food will be worth the US 150 per person…

Alas, the food itself was no better than the generic department store basement fare. The ingredients and the presentation were dull and basic. And the portions were miserly, as if the boss forgot to give the chef sufficient grocery money. The oden bowl from the corner konbini looks like bountiful harvest in comparison. One lonely mushroom, a few miserable pieces of cabbage and even fewer pieces of greens. Sparse strands of konyaku, some beef so thin it must have been sliced by nano-technology lasers… and one malnourishedly tiny crab claw… The supposedly special dashi and ponzu dipping sauces were just that… ‘supposedly special’ Waited in vain for a dish , or something, anything, that makes this meal worth even one third the price.

Two of our family are vegetarians but the (equally expensive) vegan course is inexplicably lacking in greens. Literally only a few pieces of leafy green vegetables. The bulk of the course is mochi and mochi-adjacent chunks. Giving them the benefit of doubt, mayhaps they’ve misheard us and thought ‘mochi-tarian’ instead of vegetarian.

They finish off the shabu shabu with noodles. But it also comes in a few sparse strands. Barely a mouthful, in all honesty.

Clearly they are going for an extreme ascetic theme. In every way except price.

On the bright side, the waitstaff is very friendly and speaks English. Anyway, they are not to blame.

Despite the food being totally forgettable, I will try not to forget the name of this restaurant. It is apparently a Tokyo-wide chain.

I have to make sure I don’t accidentally eat at...

First off, this family-friendly restaurant really saved my day!

This morning, I took my 3-year-old to the renowned HAKUHINKAN TOY PARK. We spent an hour getting there and another 2.5 hours immersed in racing cars and train sets. I completely lost track of my son's snack time until it hit 1:30 pm. Suddenly, I found myself on a mission to appease a hungry toddler in a matter of minutes(and still wanna him have a balanced/healthy diet). Thankfully, I chose Kyoto Hyoki at that moment.

Even though the menu displayed outside was foreigner-friendly, featuring Japanese, Chinese, and English, I felt a bit nervous as we walked in due to the upscale ambiance. However, my worry melted away when we were warmly greeted by the hostess, who set the tone for a truly memorable dining experience.

We were invited to a private room with a table for 4 and happily found they offer kids dining set including a leak proof cup, bowl, plate, fork, spoon and chopsticks. There was also plenty of legroom under the table, which was a huge plus for anyone not accustomed to the traditional Japanese sitting style.

Just 3 minutes after I selected the course, fish, pork and beef, the appetizers arrived along with our drinks. My kid settled comfortably and immediately enjoyed the delicious dishes!

The highlight of the experience is undoubtedly the shabu-shabu itself. The quality of the ingredients is top-notch, featuring a selection of sashimi (which was pre-boiled for my little one as I asked before), tender meats and vibrant vegetables. The broth is perfectly seasoned, allowing the flavors of the ingredients to shine through. It's a joy to cook your meal right at the table, and the interactive aspect makes dining here a fun experience for families.

Our waiter, Toki, was both attentive and well-informed, consistently prepared to offer suggestions and make sure we had everything we needed. Honestly, it was the first time this year that I could truly and fully enjoy my meal without worrying about my energetic boy, thanks to Toki.

Don't forget to try their dipping sauces, which perfectly complement the shabu shabu and enhance the overall flavor. The desserts are light yet satisfying, ideal for both adults and kids.

Overall, highly recommend for all kinds of travelers! I can't wait to visit again the next time...

One of the top meals I’ve had in my life. It starts by taking your shoes off and a staff member putting them in a locker and giving you the key. Then you’re just in your socks with everyone else and are taken to your private room! My wife and i made a reservation and were sat in a private room (with a door that was closed the whole meal apart from staff coming in to bring food/drink etc).

We ordered a full course meal which started with appetizers before moving to the main dish (dashi-shabu) which was SO FUN. It’s just very interactive to cook the meal yourself while socializing with your friends. The staff were so helpful in helping us understand how to do it. There was even an English menu explaining how to do it!

I will forever recommend this place to anyone I know...