Senmonten is a japanese gyoza restaurant in Gion, Kyoto.
A Gion counter on Hanamikoji that sells one item: pan-fried gyoza orders, paired with cold Asahi. Wood-finished room, cash only. Priced at ¥.
Signature dishes: Yaki-gyoza, Beer
Must order: 30-piece gyoza order with a draft beer
Tip: Cash only and no reservations. Counter seats are limited, queue forms by 18:30.
Address: Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto 605-0085, Japan
Katsukura's Kyoto Station basement outlet, perched in Porta's depachika. Born in Kyoto in 1992, this chain runs ground-sesame sauce and free-flow cabbage.
Signature: Pork loin katsu, Black-pork katsu
Order: Premium loin katsu set with sesame sauce ground tableside
Tip: Walk-in only; expect a 20-minute queue at peak lunch in Porta basement.
The Kyoto Station tower outlet of the Hiro yakiniku family, five minutes from the platforms. Japanese black wagyu, family-style charcoal grills, 200 seats.
Signature: Wagyu loin, Tongue salt
Order: Black wagyu sirloin set with tongue salt for two
Tip: Reservations needed for parties of 4+ on weekends. Open until 23:00 daily.
A yakitori counter on Teramachi in Kyoto using Omi-jidori and Kyoto-duck. Signature tsukune comes with a yolk-bath dip, all grilled over binchotan.
Signature: Tsukune with yolk, Omi-jidori skewers
Order: Six-skewer assortment with tsukune and yolk dip
Tip: Reservations open online 30 days ahead, dinner-only counter seats six.
A binchotan-grill yakitori counter near Karasuma in Kyoto. Specialises in rare cuts: furisode shoulder, sankaku-nankotsu cartilage and chicken hotpot sets.
Signature: Furisode shoulder skewer, Sankaku nankotsu
Order: Rare-cut omakase skewer flight
Tip: Two-hour all-you-can-drink option after 21:00. Reserve a counter seat to see the bird.
A vegetable-led counter on Kiyamachi in Kyoto, the chef-owner running his own farm in north Kyoto. Morning-picked Kyo-yasai, charcoal-grilled and lacquered.
Signature: Grilled Kyoto vegetables, Daily-farm plate
Order: Tableside grilled-vegetable course with sashimi
Tip: Reservations open one month ahead. Counter eats nine, dinner only.
Kawamichiya's adjacent Kosho-an counter in Kyoto, a renovated 110-year machiya. Cleaner soba menu than the Sohonke parent, faster-paced lunch trade.
Signature: Tempura soba, Kamonanban duck soba
Order: Kamonanban duck soba with smoked-yuzu broth
Tip: Open lunch 11:00-15:00 and dinner 17:00-21:00. No reservations.
