Tabelog ratingNiku Ryori Kanae (肉料理かなえ) is a beef kappo counter, not a yakiniku grill. A brother and sister hand-cut wagyu in front of twelve guests and serve one course of roughly twelve dishes. Each dish uses a different cut and technique: raw tongue, heart served half raw and half seared over charcoal, and a closing choice that includes birria ramen, a Mexican-style spiced beef broth with noodles.
Most reviewers single out the akami sashimi with awa-joyu (foamed soy sauce) and egg yolk, eaten like yukke, and the heart sashimi with sansho pepper. The steak sandwich with house yolk mayonnaise and the sirloin hotpot recur often. The birria ramen is repeatedly named the standout. Foreign guests praise the warm, unstuffy siblings, who work hard to explain every dish despite limited English.
Most of the criticism is about drinks, which several reviewers find overpriced. Some found the part-time floor staff less polished than the hosts. A few felt rushed at 75 to 90 minutes, although the restaurant quotes about 1 hour 50 minutes. A minority call the mix of cuisines disjointed or the creativity short of the hype. One harsh 2023 review about being rushed out and about hygiene was not echoed later.
The course price has shifted over time. Reviewers paid ¥16,500 in 2022, ¥25,000 in 2024 and ¥18,000 in 2026. One 2026 reviewer paid just over ¥20,000 with drinks, and that year reviewers paid around ¥1,000 for an umeshu on the rocks and ¥1,000 for mineral water. Typical spend is ¥15,000–19,999 at both lunch and dinner, and some bills reach ¥20,000–29,999. There is no service charge. For meat lovers, most reviewers judge it fair value for the quality and range of beef. The drinks are what push the bill up.
- Moving: the current site closes in mid-October 2026, and a new location in Gosho-minami is expected in spring 2027. Check before planning.
- Getting there: 1 minute on foot from Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae (Kyoto City Hall) Station, 6 minutes from Keihan Sanjo Station. Akaza Kiyamachi building, 1st floor, behind a red noren curtain. It is easy to miss.
- Booking: reservation only, so you cannot walk in. Seats have recently been bookable via Tabelog. The phone is hard to reach, and the restaurant asks for enquiries by Instagram DM. Arriving more than 15 minutes late counts as a cancellation.
- Format: course only, with fixed seatings where everyone starts together.
- Age restriction: children are admitted only if they can eat the adult course, and there is no children's menu. Families must contact the restaurant by Instagram DM before booking.
- Diet: vegetarians and gluten-free diners cannot be accommodated, because soy sauce is used. If you avoid raw meat or are pregnant, note it when booking and the dishes will be grilled.
- Payment: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and Diners are accepted. Electronic money and QR payments are not.
- Seats: 12 counter seats, with no seat selection in advance. There are no private rooms and no private hire.
- Smoking: there is a smoking area inside.
- Parking: none.
- Language: English is limited, but the staff are accommodating.
