Maruko: Butcher-Run Sukiyaki and Wagyu

For over a century, Maruko (本格肉料理 丸小) has operated as both a butcher and a restaurant, giving it direct access to exceptionally high-quality beef. The specialty is classic Japanese beef preparations like sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and steak, distinguished by the large, beautifully marbled cuts of wagyu that are cooked by attentive staff right at your table.

Guests consistently praise the quality and tenderness of the meat, often described as melting in the mouth. The sukiyaki, particularly the 松 (Matsu) set, and chateaubriand steaks are frequently highlighted. The restaurant is also lauded for its excellent value at lunchtime, with dishes like the black-wagyu hitsumabushi (grilled beef over rice) and hamburg steak drawing long-time fans. The thoughtful inclusion of seasonal vegetables and refillable rice and miso soup adds to the appeal.

A few visitors note that the reservation process can be particular, sometimes requiring you to choose your menu in advance. Service can occasionally be inconsistent, and popular lunch items like the hamburg steak are known to sell out, so it's best to arrive early. Dinner is a more formal affair, with a typical spend of ¥10,000–¥15,000 per person. Lunch is much more accessible, with most spending between ¥2,000 and ¥2,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥3,900 for a sukiyaki lunch set, while dinner courses for sukiyaki or chateaubriand were around ¥11,000–¥12,000. The popular black-wagyu hamburg lunch is around ¥2,000–¥2,500.

• Reservations: Booking is recommended, especially for dinner. Some courses and special cuts must be ordered in advance.
• Getting There: The restaurant is a short walk from Shinsakae Machi Station on the Higashiyama Line.
• Payment: Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), electronic money, and QR code payments (PayPay, au PAY) are accepted.
• Service Charge: A 10% service charge is applied to the bill.
• Seating: The restaurant has table seating, a teppanyaki counter, and several private rooms suitable for groups of two to over thirty people.
• Children: Children of all ages are welcome.
• Language: An English menu is available.