Tabelog ratingMOT (モット) is the Kyoto outpost of a celebrated Tokyo chef, offering a highly personal dining experience at a six-seat counter. The concept is a creative Thai omakase, where the chef reinterprets regional Thai dishes using the best of Japan's seasonal produce. The menu rotates to explore different Thai regions, from the curries of Chiang Mai to southern seafood preparations.
Guests consistently praise the chef's creativity and technical skill. The open kitchen provides a theatrical backdrop to a meal that successfully marries recognisable Thai flavours with high-quality local ingredients like Biwa trout, horsehair crab, and Ezo venison. The signature Ezo-venison massaman curry spring roll with chocolate sauce is a frequent highlight, as are the medicinal chicken soup and the morning service's steamed buns (hanamaki). The wine and tea pairings are also noted as being expertly chosen.
The restaurant's intimate scale means seats are very limited. Some reviewers also note that the entrance, a green door in a small lane, can be difficult to find. A few found the portions for the morning and lunch sets to be on the smaller side.
Reviewers report the dinner omakase costs around ¥16,500, with drink pairings adding about ¥8,800. A shorter lunch course is around ¥9,900, while morning sets with soup and steamed buns cost about ¥1,200–¥1,650. For diners focused on culinary innovation, reviewers agree that MOT offers excellent value, justifying its price with high-quality ingredients and unique, well-executed dishes.
- Reservations: Essential. Bookings are required for lunch and dinner, typically via online services like TableCheck or OMAKASE. Morning service may accept walk-ins, but seats are extremely limited and fill quickly.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 2-minute walk from Exit 1 of Kuramaguchi Station on the Karasuma Line. The entrance is a distinctive green iron door down a small private road, which can be easy to miss.
- Payment: Cashless payments only. Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners) and transportation IC cards (like Suica) are accepted. QR code payments are not.
- Seating: All seating is at a single 6-person counter.
- Parking: No dedicated parking is available, but paid parking lots are located nearby.
- Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
