Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka Review (2026): Gyukatsu Near Kiyomizu-dera

Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside,

Served with a variety of sauces,

A must-try Gyukatsu spot in Kyoto:

Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka.

When exploring Kyoto, a visit to Kiyomizu-dera Temple is a must. And after soaking in the ancient beauty, you'll definitely work up an appetite! Today, I'm excited to share my experience at a fantastic Gyukatsu restaurant perfect for lunch near Kiyomizu-dera: "Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka."

Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka: Quick Info

​

Opening Hours

Mon-Sun 10:00 AM - 7:00 PM​

Tel: +81 75-551-5366

Additional Info

Card payments accepted, suitable for solo diners​

​

🐂 We recommend Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka if you're looking for:

✔︎ Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside gyukatsu

✔︎ A place to enjoy gyukatsu with a variety of sauces for different flavors

✔︎ A great lunch spot while sightseeing around Kyoto's Kiyomizu-dera Temple

My Nara and Kyoto bus tour allotted us about 170-180 minutes (roughly 2 hours 50 minutes to 3 hours) for lunch and exploring Kiyomizu-dera. While that might sound generous, Kiyomizu-dera is one of Kyoto's most popular attractions, meaning it gets incredibly crowded. I almost felt like we could spend the entire time just waiting in line for a restaurant! If you plan to have lunch near Kiyomizu-dera, it's wise to decide where you want to eat in advance and, if possible, arrive right when they open. This strategy can save you a lot of precious sightseeing time. So, I headed straight to Kyoto Katsugyu, which I had researched beforehand.

As soon as we stepped off the bus, we joined the queue. As expected for a popular Kiyomizu-dera restaurant, there was a designated waiting line, and we simply followed it.

While waiting, you can check out the menu displayed outside the restaurant. However,

once it's your turn to enter, each table has a menu that's easy to read, so there's no real need to study it extensively beforehand. Fortunately, even with a wait at Kyoto Katsugyu, we didn't have to stand for too long—I think we were seated within 30 minutes.

Seating is typically assigned wherever a spot opens up. In our case, my parents and I were seated in a row at a communal table, which meant sitting alongside other diners. It's a common setup in popular Japanese restaurants, so don't be surprised!

Good news for solo travelers: there are also individual counter seats, so you can enjoy your meal comfortably without feeling out of place.

On the table, you'll find various sauces to accompany your gyukatsu, along with instructions on how to best enjoy it. Don't worry if you don't read Japanese; there are English explanations and helpful pictures, making it easy to understand the different dipping options.

I ordered the Sirloin Gyukatsu Set. For reference, the Sirloin Gyukatsu Set was approximately ~$17 for a medium (M) and ~$20 for a large (L), including tax (prices as of June 2026). The set came with a fantastic array of dipping sauces: curry sauce, soy sauce, salt, a special gyukatsu sauce, and a soft-boiled egg. This variety allowed us to customize each bite to our liking, which was a real treat!

The accompanying miso soup was also delicious!

Why I Chose Gyukatsu for My Parents' Lunch

When researching Kiyomizu-dera restaurants, I found a diverse range of options, including udon, soba, sushi, and unadon (eel rice bowl). While I was personally drawn to gyukatsu because I love it, the main reason I chose it for my parents was the unique experience.

Gyukatsu comes with a mini personal grill, allowing you to cook each piece of beef to your preferred doneness. While gyukatsu is becoming more accessible in the US, I hadn't had the chance to introduce my parents to this interactive dining style yet. This Kyoto trip felt like the perfect opportunity to let them experience it!

Once cooked to your liking, it's delicious with the warm white rice served alongside.

And with all those sauces, you'll find a new favorite with every bite. Personally, I found pairing it with the soft-boiled egg to be unique and incredibly tasty—I highly recommend trying it! Another top recommendation is the curry sauce. I was initially skeptical if curry would complement gyukatsu, but it surprisingly tasted even better than the dedicated gyukatsu sauce or plain salt! Honestly, all the sauces provided were excellent, so make sure to try each one.

A quick note: the Coke was served in a rather small glass, almost like a mini beer mug. However, my travel companions mentioned that the beer paired exceptionally well with the gyukatsu.

When I visited, it was summer, so we didn't need coat hangers. But with the weather getting chillier now, a jacket is a must! Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka thoughtfully provides coat hangers near the dining tables, which is a nice touch for keeping your outerwear tidy while you enjoy your meal.

✔︎ Kiyomizu-dera Gyukatsu Restaurant: Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka Review

Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka is an excellent gyukatsu restaurant perfect for a satisfying lunch while sightseeing at Kiyomizu-dera. You get the fun of grilling your gyukatsu to your desired doneness and the pleasure of trying it with various delicious sauces. However, Kiyomizu-dera is a major tourist spot, so be prepared for potentially long waiting times. If you can manage to visit right at opening or find a short queue, I highly recommend Kyoto Katsugyu Kiyomizu Gojozaka for a delicious and hearty gyukatsu experience!