Japanese Restaurant KINTARO — Restaurant in Distrito de Cusco

I wanted to write about my experience here. I want to specifically mention the waiter Patrick who was the one who greeted us at the door, when we asked how long we would have to wait as a 3, he said 30-40 minutes and we were happy to wait. We were a bit confused as when we saw a 4 person table open up he didn’t go to greet us and when I asked he said it was already reserved. Three minutes later 2 couples had come and both had told me they had no reservation, and then he went ahead and split the same table to accommodate for both of them. When I asked why he told me they had reservations which is probably the most distasteful part as I’ve never been flat out lied to at a restaurant. He then continued to seat all other customers before us, again none with reservations. I have honestly never experienced service like this before, not in Peru and definitely not back home and I hope the restaurant takes this really seriously as based on the reviews, service is not exactly very good here and is likely to hold future customers from coming here as it’s not the standard of service expected by anyone. He then tried to say it’s because they have nothing vegan or vegetarian (their menu says otherwise) to offer and I explained that firstly not all of our party was vegan, secondly we had a chance to look at the menu and was happy with the options, thirdly if that was the case why did he keep us waiting at the door for 25 mins to get a table and ended up saying there are no tables for 3? We then asked a different waitress and she seated us straight away. Honestly I’m not sure how the restaurant allows this service, this gentleman should not be working in hospitality, the way he was behaving showed discreet signs of discrimination and I will be following up by calling the restaurant to ensure his behaviour is investigated. Clearly either he doesn’t know his menu which has so many vegetarian/vegan options or he’s just plainly a horrible man. I am only giving the two stars because of the wonderful service from the waitress who explained the entire menu to my two friends and was just overall really wonderful. Her name was Frori and she is absolutely amazing and she offered a discount and was super sympathetic. Honestly she’s a queen! I’m adding a photo of the menu that made us chuckle! Once again if you come here as for Frori for the ultimate...

In the heart of Cusco, where ancient Incan pathways converge with the rhythm of modern life, lies a culinary gem that transports you straight to the streets of Tokyo. Kintaro Japanese Restaurant, perched on the second floor of 334 Plateros Street, is a testament to authenticity and excellence in Japanese cuisine.

From the moment you ascend the stairs, you’re greeted by a minimalist yet captivating decor—high ceilings, simple wooden furnishings, and traditional Japanese lanterns casting a warm glow. The ambiance is both serene and inviting, a perfect prelude to the culinary journey ahead.

The menu is a visual and gastronomic delight. Each page showcases vibrant images of meticulously crafted dishes, making the selection process both a feast for the eyes and a tantalizing preview of what’s to come. The offerings range from light vegetable tempura on rice to noodle soup with slices of chicken, each dish promising a symphony of flavors.

Service at Kintaro is nothing short of impeccable. Upon being seated, guests are presented with a warm, wet towel to cleanse their hands, followed by a complimentary house tea—a gesture that speaks volumes of their commitment to hospitality. The staff, particularly my waiter Axl are attentive and knowledgeable, are eager to guide you through the menu, offering insights into the various dishes and traditions.

But the pièce de résistance is, undoubtedly, the sushi. Peru is renowned for its fresh seafood, yet finding sushi that rivals what you can find in New York, LA, or Tokyo can be a challenge in South America. Kintaro rises to this challenge. Each piece of sushi is a testament to precision and passion, delivering flavors that are both authentic and transcendent.

In a city where culinary traditions are rich and varied, Kintaro Japanese Restaurant stands out as a beacon for those seeking an unparalleled Japanese dining experience. It’s not just a meal; it’s a journey—a harmonious blend of culture, flavor, and...

What I ordered: chasu pork ramen. Traditional Cheesecake: oh my god… 🔥

Context: An hour before they close on Christmas Eve. I also had Ramen right before this at Cusco Sushi bar (I restaurant hop like they’re cafés), since they’re right next to each other

Quality: Broth: excellent. It’s a lighter roasted onion based umami feel. Very Very rich flavor, thin mouthfeel (no gelatin). I like it. 10/10 Egg: properly soft boiled. 9/10 Chausu: overcooked. Dry… dryer than overcooked chicken breast, no clue how they manages to dehydrate it that dry. fail Ground pork: interesting addition, generous amount. Gives it a Chinese style flavor. I liked it. 10/10 Garnish, naruto: stale and dry 0/10 Garnish, sweet corn: excellent. properly cooked, buttery Noodles: thin wheat flour, mush (no chew) - not a fan

Cuzco sushibar has better noodles and chausu, but I love Kintaro’s richer broth and garnish. If they could only work together they would fix each other’s weaknesses.

their cheesecake == It was a deconstructed cheesecake, and it was incredible. For those of you not familiar with the term “deconstructed”, it means they separated out the components. In this case they separated out the cheesecake from each one of its toppings, and each part was incredible and perfectly textured and flavored. The tart sauce on the plates, the indulgent whipped butter cream, the perfectly tart gooseberries - each stood out.

My server Rodrigo was excellent 👌

Would I get again? Yes.

I also love the overall french cafe vibe of this restaurant. Would love to come back for coffee ☕️ great date...