KOTOBUKI （Y.N.S.C Ltd） — Restaurant in Yamagata

Unique restaurant with a warm camp vibe specializing in beef / sukiyaki. Reservations are recommended for dine-in, there's a take-out beef bowl as well.

The restaurant is run by a sweet couple who will do explain the sukiyaki coming process as well as keep your drinks topped up (we'd heard the husband was an ex-national snowboard team member - respect + sugoi 💪🏽).

There are various beef cuts available as set menus, 150g meat and tons of veg. We ordered 2 sets which covered all 3 cuts if beef, a beef sashimi (3 pcs) and tried the local sake.

The beef sashimi arrived first and was flavored with salt (shio), generous size and delicious with sake imo.

The set included a tray of appetizers which had more beef 😋 and pickles. The egg was well cooked, my wife and I both commented with the same sentiment after having a bite ( - could be good as a tamago sando for lunch?)

Next came the sukiyaki, the female owner helped to grease and fry the beef (we requested 2 rounds of frying which she happily obliged). Fresh (raw) eggs are provided to dip the beef in, cooking it down and providing some texture + flavor (standard sukiyaki fare). We asked for rice and soup to be served with the fried beef, normally it comes at the hot pot section but I love having a bite of rice to soak up the beef and egg juices. After that we went into nabe mode and veg was coming in sukiyaki sauce + water, with the rest of the beef cooked as we went (cooked by ourselves at this point).

Sukiyaki cooked in the above way is Kansai style according to my wife, I'll took her word for it 🤷🏽‍♂️ because anyways it was all delish.

Wife and I met another phone from Hong Kong, we had a nice convo about snowboarding/travel life in Japan. We all loved Niseko, but agreed that Zao was much less crowded, with excellent snow quality.

For drinks there were ~four Yamagata Sake varieties available, Otokoyama and three others. One of them was harder to find and tasted sweet and refreshing. I moved onto draft beer after two sakes.

I left with a full belly and a mild buzz, ready for a good night's rest and loaded with energy for snowboarding the next day.

-1 star for atmosphere due to lack of a washroom

Thank you and hope to visit...

The menu is largely beef based. However, the lady host was happy and willing to make special arrangements for those with dietary restrictions; but with prior arrangements & early booking.

The venue has limited space, and the restaurant is managed by a husband and wife. Therefore, reservations will ensure better planning and service from them.

The unconventional dinner setting was unforgettable, cosy and beautiful. Food and the quality was excellent; there was plenty to eat!

The modest hosts were very hospitable and attentive. Ever so happy to chat with you should you wish to.

Overall, our dinner was spectacular!...

A family-run glamping-style luxury Sukiyaki restaurant that has quickly become one of my all-time favourites. The quality of the meat is outstanding, and they offer a full service, including a tutorial on how to properly enjoy the meal, all provided by the locals who run the place, adding to the homely atmosphere. The owners, a couple who were former snowboarding athletes, ensure lively conversations filled with unique stories from Zao. With only two tables available, booking in advance...