Tabelog ratingHonjin occupies what was once a family teppanyaki steakhouse in suburban Ichinomiya, about 30 minutes from Nagoya. The chef trained at Joël Robuchon and Nabeno-Ism. He now cooks French tasting menus at an open counter and finishes the beef, and a flambéed baked-ice-cream dessert, on the old griddle. Fish comes from Kazama, a specialist in ikejime, a slaughter method that keeps fish in peak condition. The meal closes on a distinctly local note with garlic rice, a grilled rice ball finished with broth, and kishimen, Nagoya's flat noodles. You may take all three.
Recent reviews almost all praise the meat cookery, above all the pigeon, the duck and the Shimomura beef fillet. Diners also single out a tuile shaped like Aichi prefecture, caviar served in its tin, focaccia baked to order with local rapeseed oil, and a roll of eel, foie gras and nori. Wine and sake by the glass draw compliments. Staff announce the flambé so you can film it.
Most of the criticism is older. Reviews from 2019 to 2023 describe brusque, even haughty front-of-house service, and one diner was turned away at noon for arriving without a booking. A few recent guests found the sauces heavy or the garlic rice very salty, and some called the meal pleasant rather than memorable.
In 2025–2026, reviewers paid around ¥9,900 for the lunch course and ¥16,500 for the chef's course, roughly ¥22,000 with wine. The teppan dinner omakase came to ¥33,000, plus ¥10,000 for wine pairing. Swapping in beef cost an extra ¥800, and a draft beer ¥880. Expect to spend about ¥8,000–10,000 at lunch and ¥15,000–20,000 at dinner, and more with drinks or the teppan course.
Reviewers repeatedly call the ¥16,500 course cheap for its quality and number of courses. Courses at around ¥5,000 also exist, but they are reserved for Ichinomiya residents and cannot be booked by visitors.
- Getting there: 7 minutes' walk straight west from JR Owari-Ichinomiya Station; 698 m from Nishi Ichinomiya Station.
- Booking: reservation only, so walk-ins are not accepted. Book through the website or by phone (0586-43-4129). Online booking covers the French counter only; the teppan counter can be booked online or by phone. Reservations open three months ahead. Mention allergies when booking.
- Cancellation: 100% charge on the day and 50% the day before. Groups of 5 or more must change or cancel at least a week ahead.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, AMEX and Diners are accepted, as is PayPay. Other electronic money is not accepted.
- Seating: 25 seats, including counter seating. There are no private rooms, but the whole restaurant can be hired for up to 20 people.
- Facilities: non-smoking, wheelchair accessible, parking for 15 cars.
- Drinks: a sommelier is on hand, and BYO is permitted.
- Language: no reviews mention an English menu.