Kyotogotengo Review: Best Gyukatsu Near Kyoto's Nishiki Market
Discover Kyotogotengo, a must-try gyukatsu spot in Kyoto's vibrant Kawaramachi district. Perfect after exploring Nishiki Market, this restaurant offers incredible wagyu dishes!
Loading...
Discover Kyotogotengo, a must-try gyukatsu spot in Kyoto's vibrant Kawaramachi district. Perfect after exploring Nishiki Market, this restaurant offers incredible wagyu dishes!
Kyoto Kawaramachi's Culinary Gem:
Gyukatsu at Kyoto Gotengo, Nishiki Market
Text/Photos ©Haibubu
Did you know that Gyukatsu is one of those must-try dishes when you visit Kyoto, Japan?
It's no surprise then that the area around Kawaramachi, the heart of Kyoto, is absolutely brimming with Gyukatsu specialty restaurants.
Today, I'm excited to introduce you to one of those Gyukatsu hotspots where I had an incredibly delicious meal: Kyoto Gotengo!
Wagyu Sukiyaki Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma 和牛 すき焼き 京都五天五 烏丸 | |
Opening Hours | 11:00~23:00 |
Closed | None |
Location | 日本 〒604-8142 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nishiuoyacho, 605 ＳＴビル B1F 5-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station and Karasuma Station Located at the western end of Nishiki Market (ST Building B1F) |
Price Range | Sukiyaki from ¥5,500 Gyukatsu from ¥2,090 |
Reservation Method | Available via Google Maps or Tabelog |
Special Features | Staff available who speak Korean and English. A rare restaurant that serves Sorachi 1984 beer. |
📍 Wagyu Sukiyaki Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma
日本 〒604-8142 Kyoto, Nakagyo Ward, Nishiuoyachō, ６０５ ＳＴビル B1F
Kyoto Gotengo operates from 11 AM for lunch until 11 PM, and its convenient 5-minute walk from both Kawaramachi Station and Karasuma Station makes it an excellent choice for anyone exploring downtown Kyoto.
Plus, being located at the western end of Nishiki Market, it’s the perfect spot to visit after a stroll through the market.
Beyond Gyukatsu, the menu also features other beef specialties like Wagyu Hitsumabushi and Sukiyaki, all offered at great value for money.
Reservations can be made via Google Maps or Tabelog, and since it’s a popular spot, we highly recommend booking in advance.
I discovered it while searching Google Maps for the best Gyukatsu spots near Kawaramachi, and its high rating of 4.8 stars and numerous positive reviews definitely convinced me to visit.
Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma is located on the first basement floor of the building behind the Daimaru Department Store.
You can find the entrance to Gotengo by going down the stairs on the lower left from the ground floor entrance of the building, as shown in the picture.
To the right of the entrance, there’s a large shoe locker where you can leave your shoes before stepping inside.
The restaurant has staff who can assist you in basic Korean or English, so you don't need to worry if you don't speak Japanese.
The restaurant's interior exuded a luxurious yet distinctly Japanese ambiance.
Near the entrance, there are counter seats with a view of the kitchen, and further inside, you'll find table seating.
What's more, behind the counter seats, there are private room-style tables available.
With curtains providing privacy, it seemed like a perfect spot for a quiet meal.
Since we made a reservation in advance, we were guided to a private room-style table, and they promptly prepared warm hand towels for us.
Next up, let's take a quick look at Kyoto Gotengo's menu.
📌Kyoto Gotengo Menu
Wagyu Sukiyaki Courses
1. Premium (22000 yen)
2. Special (12000 yen)
3. Standard (8000 yen)
4. Regular (5000 yen)
À la carte Sukiyaki Sets
1. Wagyu Sirloin (2 slices) (4400 yen)
2. Kobe Beef Kurashita (2 slices) (7700 yen)
3. Kobe Beef Rib Roast & Sirloin (1 slice each) (13200 yen)
Wagyu Hitsumabushi (3850 yen)
Wagyu Gyukatsu (from 2090 yen)
Shimofuri Gyukatsu (from 2530 yen)
Sirloin Gyukatsu (from 3300 yen)
Sorachi 1984 Draft Beer (880 yen)
Their menu spans a delightful range, from Sukiyaki courses and à la carte options
to Wagyu Hitsumabushi and three kinds of Gyukatsu,
offering a fantastic variety of beef dishes.
Beyond food, their beverage selection is also diverse, featuring everything from Nihonshu (sake) to Chuhai.
However, a unique point is that they only offer Sorachi as their draft beer.
This certainly stands out!
I ordered two Shimofuri (marbled) Gyukatsu sets
and two glasses of Sorachi draft beer.
After placing my order, the Sorachi draft beer arrived first.
Sorachi beer is known for its smooth finish
and its refreshing hop aroma.
It truly cleanses the palate, which is why I personally think
it pairs wonderfully with rich beef dishes.
What's more, not many restaurants serve Sorachi, so
I was genuinely thrilled to stumble upon it here!
As I savored my beer and waited a little,
a tray full of Gyukatsu arrived.
Unlike typical Gyukatsu restaurants, a large ceramic pot
came along with it, and I was so curious about the full setup!
After the staff brought over both servings for two people,
they set up the table exactly as you see in the photos.
The spread was so generous that it practically filled
our four-person table!
First up, a small dish held some miso soup.
It had a wonderfully savory and deep flavor,
and just one sip immediately awakened my appetite!
For the Gyukatsu, three different sauces were provided:
wasabi, salt, and Tonkatsu sauce.
This meant I could dip and enjoy it exactly how I liked!
The large ceramic pot held freshly cooked rice,
and we could serve ourselves from it with a spatula.
The amount of rice was incredibly generous, almost like two bowls!
It definitely made me feel like they were incredibly generous with their servings.
Finally, the star of the show: the Gyukatsu!
It was a generous size, appearing to be around 150g,
and was accompanied by a refreshing cabbage salad.
The Gyukatsu is thinly and crisply fried on the outside,
but the inside comes out perfectly rare.
So, on the hot stone grill provided,
you can cook it to your preferred doneness.
The first time I picked up a piece of gyukatsu,
the marbling throughout the meat was truly stunning.
Living up to its name 'shimofuri' (meaning 'frost-fall'),
it reminded me of frost delicately settled on the meat.
We picked up each piece one by one and grilled it on the hot stone.
The sizzling sound as the meat cooked was incredibly satisfying.
Since it's a cut with rich marbling,
I decided to cook mine a little longer.
After that, I tried dipping it in soy sauce with wasabi, salt, and even tonkatsu sauce,
one by one.
Since the meat is quite rich, dipping it in salt really maximized its umami flavor,
making it delicious. And when dipped in tonkatsu sauce,
the first taste was sweet, followed by a savory beef aroma,
allowing me to enjoy it deliciously from start to finish.
Personally, I found that adding a little wasabi and then dipping it in tonkatsu sauce
created the best balance,
cutting through any richness perfectly.
Because the meat itself has such beautiful marbling,
Gyukatsu also pairs wonderfully with rice.
The rice grains were perfectly fluffy yet sticky,
and with every bite, the savory fat from the meat
coated the rice grains and spread throughout my mouth – it was truly divine!
After a truly satisfying meal,
we paid the bill and stopped by the restroom.
What a thoughtful touch – they had generously stocked mouthwash
in the restroom!
After enjoying a delicious and filling meal, we could even freshen up our mouths
for a perfectly clean finish to our dining experience.
Today, I shared my review of Kyoto Gotengo, a fantastic restaurant near Kawaramachi Station that we visited during our Kyoto trip.
We decided to visit after seeing its high Google ratings,
and honestly, I felt it absolutely deserved such high praise
because it was truly that delicious.
The outside was crispy, while the meat inside was tender,
and with every bite, the juicy, umami flavor filled my mouth –
you could really taste the high quality of the meat itself.
We originally just popped in for some Gyukatsu,
but as evening approached, customers kept pouring in,
proving it's already a well-known culinary gem.
If you're looking for high-quality Gyukatsu in downtown Kyoto,
or perhaps craving sukiyaki made with excellent beef,
I believe Gotengo is a choice you won't regret!
Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma is located about a 5-minute walk from both Kawaramachi Station and Karasuma Station. You'll find it on the first basement floor of the ST Building, at the western end of Nishiki Market, behind the Daimaru department store.
Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma operates from 11 AM to 11 PM and has no regular closing days. We recommend making a reservation in advance via Google Maps or Tabelog.
At Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma, you can enjoy three types of Gyukatsu: Wagyu Gyukatsu (from ~$13), Shimofuri Gyukatsu (from ~$16), and Sirloin Gyukatsu (from ~$21). In addition to these, we offer a variety of other beef dishes, such as Wagyu Hitsumabushi and Sukiyaki.
Yes, Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma is one of the rare restaurants that serves Sorachi 1984 draft beer. You can order Sorachi 1984 draft beer for ~$5.
Yes, some staff members at Kyoto Gotengo Karasuma can communicate in basic Korean or English, so you can enjoy your meal without worrying if you don't speak Japanese. Additionally, the restaurant offers private room-style table seating.
Discover more travel stories curated around the same theme.
Make your 2026 Kyoto trip unforgettable with a kimono rental! Learn how to book, compare prices, and snag the most beautiful designs near Kiyomizu-dera.
Searching for a kid-friendly spot in Kyoto? Niku Shokudo offers generous portions of their famous King Kong Rice in a lively, authentic setting. Discover this local favorite!
Discover Hokuto Kyoto, an affordable sukiyaki lunch spot near Nishiki Market. Enjoy an authentic individual hot pot set for around ~$8, perfect for solo diners or groups.
Discover Malebranche, a Kyoto Takashimaya department store dessert shop where locals line up for exquisite cream sandwiches. Their classic fresh cream sando boasts a rich, clean milky flavor. Perfect for hotel treats, but popular items sell out fast in the evenings.
Unwind at Sway Coffee Roastery, a serene spot discovered on the walk from Kiyomizu-dera to Yasaka Shrine. Enjoy a crisp espresso and charming Kyoto alley views from the second floor. Remember your card – it's cashless!
Planning a day trip from Osaka? Discover Kyoto's iconic landmarks like Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji, and Fushimi Inari on a hassle-free bus tour. Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
