Tabelog ratingKitsune (きつね) elevates sukiyaki from a simple hot pot to a theatrical event. Located in the Shikazarukitsune Building in Nara, the restaurant focuses on a multi-course experience centered around premium Yamato beef. Unlike traditional sukiyaki where ingredients are simmered together, here each slice of beef is cooked for you at the table by attentive staff, then presented with a specific pairing. This thoughtful progression allows diners to appreciate the quality of the meat in new ways.
Guests consistently praise this unique sukiyaki format, particularly the three-stage dipping method which includes different egg preparations, one with seven-flavor shichimi spice. The meal begins with a series of creative appetizers, such as shūmai dumplings and seasonal vegetable plates, and concludes with popular desserts like sake ice cream. The final course of rice mixed with the remaining seasoned egg is a frequently mentioned highlight. Service is a strong point, with many reviewers noting that staff, some of whom speak English, take the time to explain each dish and its ingredients.
The experience comes at a price, which guests note is in the special-occasion range. A lunch sukiyaki course was recently reported at ¥7,700, while full dinner courses like the 'Kitsune' menu cost around ¥15,950 to ¥17,650 per person. Typical dinner spending falls between ¥10,000 and ¥14,999. While a few diners found some flavor combinations 'eccentric' or were unused to the raw egg dip, the overwhelming consensus is that Kitsune offers excellent value for the quality of ingredients, meticulous service, and memorable experience.
- Reservations: Booking in advance is essential and can be done online. For groups of five or more, you must call the restaurant directly.
- Getting There: The restaurant is a 7-minute walk from Kintetsu Nara Station.
- Seating: The dining room offers spacious tables, with one private room (for up to 8 people) and two semi-private rooms (for up to 4) available by phone request.
- Children: Children of all ages are welcome, and the restaurant is stroller-accessible.
- Payment: Major credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, AMEX), transportation IC cards (like Suica), and various QR code payment systems are all accepted.
- Service: English-speaking staff are often available to assist international visitors.
- Dress Code: There is no specific dress code.
- Parking: The restaurant does not have its own parking, but paid public parking is available nearby.
