Tabelog ratingChef Yuji Shiroguchi's intimate 8-seat counter restaurant, Shiro (しろ), is a personal expression of modern European cooking through a Japanese lens. The focus is a single tasting menu that draws heavily on seasonal ingredients from Kyoto and high-quality seafood from the chef's home region of Shimane. The experience is personal and direct, with the chef himself serving guests across the counter.
Guests consistently praise the creative flow of the 11- to 12-course meal. The signature dish, a large piece of anago (conger eel) fritto wrapped in prosciutto, is a highlight in nearly every review. Other frequently lauded dishes include delicate cold pastas with ingredients like firefly squid (hotaru-ika), and seasonal plates such as white asparagus with a poached egg. The excellent tea and wine pairings are also singled out as a key part of the experience.
A few reviewers note that the latter half of the course can feel less impactful than the beginning, or that some sauces are a bit assertive. The small, focused setting can feel intense for some diners.
The tasting menu is typically priced around ¥18,000 to ¥20,000; reviewers have recently paid ¥19,800 for the course alone. With the addition of a wine or tea pairing, the total cost often comes to around ¥29,000 to ¥30,000 per person. For a destination tasting of this standard, diners widely consider it very good value.
- Reservations: Booking is essential and can be difficult to secure; seats should be reserved well in advance. All guests are served the same course, which starts at a set time, so punctuality is important.
- Getting There: Shiro is on the 2nd floor of the IDO building in Nakagyo, a 3-minute walk from Karasuma Oike Station.
- Seating: The restaurant has just 8 counter seats, offering a direct view of the kitchen.
- Payment: Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex) are accepted. Electronic money and QR code payments are not. A 10% service charge is added to the bill.
- Age Restriction: Guests must be 13 years of age or older.
- Dress Code: Smart casual is appropriate; extremely casual wear is not permitted. Guests are asked to refrain from wearing strong perfumes.
- Service: English-speaking staff and explanations are often available, making it accessible for international visitors.
