When you want to enjoy yakiniku in Kyoto, this is the spot. The wagyu served at Kyou Yakiniku Kikyou is carefully sourced by the head chef and owner, who, with decades of experience under his belt, can pick out the softest cuts just by looking at them! Naturally, all meat is from the highest-ranked A4 and A5 cows from across Japan.

This ranking system consists of two parts, a letter and a number. The letter, which runs from A to C, indicates how much meat was taken from the cow, with A being the most. The number indicates the quality of the meat, with 1 being poor and 5 being excellent. The meat at Kyou Yakiniku is always 4 or 5, so you know you’re getting the good stuff!

Kyou Yakiniku also uses the meat of 22 to 32-month-old female calves, which are renowned for being soft and supple. The fat's melting point is low and will begin to change as soon as you put it in your mouth!

The meat is sourced from Japanese Blacks ranking 4 or higher born and raised in places like the celebrated Miyazaki Prefecture. They also pride themselves on their rich and juicy Kobe Takami beef, whose ancestry hails from the Tajima region, the birthplace of wagyu itself.

In order to preserve the unique characteristics, each piece is delicately hand-cut for every order.

They also provide a delightful tare sauce to complement your meat!

If you're unsure of what to order, 'The Daily 7 Tasting Assortment' (2,550 yen + tax), is your best bet. With rare cuts aplenty, the meat is prepared from the day's most premium selection. This set highlights the differences in flavor and texture between cuts, making it an ideal starting point for wagyu first-timers!

Their most famous dish is the 'Kikyou Oroshi' (1,150 yen + tax). Prepared shabu-shabu style, each piece is thinly sliced and passed through a flame. After being seared, the meat is seasoned with grated Japanese radish, spring onion, and ponzu sauce, giving it an extra kick of flavor!

Kikyou's secret wine-based tare sauce is an extra highlight. In addition to the pouring and dipping tare, the 'arai tare' (pictured) is used to wash away excess fat or sauce to bring your meat to its purest state. Try all three to see which one is best!

Their menu is equally comprehensive, boasting tenderloin, sirloin, and other thicker cuts of beef.

The restaurant provides both casual and friendly counter seats along with private booths to cater for large parties

Being just a 2-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station on the Karasuma Line of the Kyoto City Subway, its location is convenient for travelers hankering for yakiniku in Kyoto. The restaurant is on the 1st floor of an eye-catching brick building, making it a breeze to find. In addition to the counter seats, tables and tatami rooms are also available, making it great for parties.

English menus are available along with English-speaking staff.

Current Anti-COVID-19 Measures:
Store, facilities, and equipment are thoroughly disinfected, sanitized, and cleaned after each customer. Staff wear masks, wash hands, sanitize, and gargle. Disinfectant spray is provided. Store is well-ventilated. Store capacity is limited. Seating is spaced further apart. Coin trays are in use. Partition boards between seats have been installed.

Kyou Yakiniku Nishiki is renowned for delicately drawing out the rich savory flavors found in high-quality beef. They pride themselves on providing unique cuts, such as tongue and skirt steak, of which only a little can be sourced from each cow. Their meat comes from all across Japan, particularly from Kyushu and the ever-popular Kobe. As they're willing to do whatever it takes to get the best meat for yakiniku in Kyoto, you're guaranteed to find premium cuts on any given day!

They also offer tasting courses boasting a huge range of different cuts!

Their tasting course (4,500-yen tax-included) is packed with various cuts, allowing customers to get their fill from an impressive range! For an extra 1,780 yen (tax-included) you can attach an all-you-can-drink plan, making it a great set for parties.

If tenderloin steak is more your thing, the 'Nishiki Course' (pictured) boasts a satisfying assortment! (6,500 yen tax-included).

The specially-selected tenderloin steak in the course (pictured at the back), comes from a part of the cow that is small and generally doesn't exercise, making the meat extremely soft and fat-free. This kind of ultra-quality rare meat is best enjoyed with simple salt and tare sauce. The other parts of the set include roast beef, chuck rib, sirloin steak, along with a healthy tofu salad and Korean yukhoe dish, making it a very well-balanced set sure to satisfy!

If you want to indulge in Nishiki's legendary tongue meat, opt for the 'Tsuzure Course,' which includes thickly-sliced tongue and tenderloin (5,000 yen tax-included).

Another must-try is the 'Nishiki Yaki,' a slice of sirloin steak seared and coated in egg and enjoyed sukiyaki style! (1 slice 1,280 yen + tax). It's perfect with a bowl of their delicious rice, which is sourced from a 5-star rice master!

The restaurant is perfect for large groups!

The interior consists of comfortable 'horigotatsu' Japanese-style seating arrangements and regular tables. They can accommodate up to 50 people, so don't hesitate to book for a massive tour or work group!

This Kyoto yakiniku restaurant is a 5-minute walk from Kami-katsura Station on the Hankyu-Arashiyama Line. Only 1 stop away from Katsura Station, where you can change to the Arashiyama Line and JR Kyoto Line, it's the ideal location for busy travelers!

Current anti-COVID-19 measures:
Store, facilities, and equipment are thoroughly disinfected, sanitized, and cleaned after each customer. Staff wear masks, wash hands, sanitize, and gargle. Disinfectant spray is provided. Store is well-ventilated. Coin trays are in use. Partition boards between seats have been installed. Customers are required to wear masks.

Boasting an impressive 60 years of history and ample butcher expertise, Yakiniku MARUTOMI specializes in purchasing entire cows carefully selected by the owner's keen eye.

The meat here is all level 4 or 5 and has a Beef Marbling Score of 7 out of 12. Most of it is Saga-gyu, Miyagi-gyu, or Shikoku Saburo-gyu, and is delicately prepared in-store to perfectly accentuate its softness and draw out the flavor.

Complemented by an extensive wine and sake list, along with sides of fresh seasonal vegetables and local rice, MARUTOMI provides a high-class dining experience.

Their courses all use the highest quality meat

The 'Marutomi Assortment for Two' (3,800 yen + tax) presents all the day's best pieces on a single plate for a very reasonable price. Each piece has a distinct taste and texture, allowing customers to learn the differences while chowing down. The staff will provide recommendations and assistance on how to cook your meat, so you don't have to worry about spoiling it!

If you've got a big appetite, the 'MARUTOMI Course' (5,800 yen + tax) should satisfy! A steak tartare, tenderloin, two kinds of tongue, six different cuts from a Japanese Black, and more provide a fresh, thick, and juicy range all vividly displayed in an artistic platter. Sides of kimchi, namul, salad, and a dessert allow plenty of breaks from meat for a well-rounded, nutritious meal of yakiniku in Kyoto.

The party menu is also a big hit, particularly on social media, with an eye-catching 'meat cake' plus two other dishes set for 3,800 yen (+ tax). A great anniversary or birthday party idea!

A Refreshingly Modern Take on Japanese Architecture with Glorious Kyoto Views!

The restaurant's blend of wood and concrete flawlessly combines Kyoto aesthetic with a polished western look.

The wide windows let in ample natural sunlight, filling the room with a refreshing atmosphere. Along with counter seats, there is Japanese-style seating next to the windows offering stunning panoramas of the Kyoto nightscape after dark!

Being right near Kyoto-Kawaramachi Station, you can pop in for a bite without disrupting your sightseeing itinerary! English menus are available, so don't hesitate to ask!

Current anti-COVID-19 measures:
Store, facilities, and equipment are thoroughly disinfected, sanitized, and cleaned after each customer. Staff wear masks, wash hands, sanitize, and gargle. Disinfectant spray is provided. Store is well-ventilated. Store capacity is limited. Seating is spaced further apart. Coin trays are in use. Partition boards between seats have been installed.

There are various types of Wagyu beef that can be eaten depending on the shop, and various recommended cuts. Please enjoy tasty yakiniku in Kyoto during your next visit!

Text by: Efeel