In the back alleys of Gion, Kyoto, the red lanterns illuminate the traditional townhouses, unchanged no matter when you visit. This is the legendary meat kaiseki restaurant, "Yassan." Many celebrities have featured it on television as an unforgettable dining experience, including Kimutaku, who has visited multiple times. Even if I were a celebrity, I would recommend "Yassan." ▼ Information ▼ C———————————— - Established in 1948 in Teramachi Rokkaku, moved to Gion in 1968, where the second generation solidified the meat kaiseki concept. - The retro scenery of Gion's traditional townhouses is charming. - A renowned establishment frequented by prominent celebrities. ▼ Recommended Highlights ▼ C———————————— - The signature dish is the beef tail stew, simmered with a secret sauce passed down since the restaurant's inception, and it comes highly recommended. - Other offerings include sashimi, grilled, and stewed dishes, all of which are exquisite. - Sashimi can be customized, and omakase options are available. ▼ Meal Contents ▼ C———————————— - Appetizer: Cucumber - Sashimi: Tongue - Sashimi: Heart - Sashimi: Lean meat (thigh) - Blanched: Mino (with ponzu or plum paste) - Grilled: Tongue - Side: Green Salad - Grilled: Shinshin with special sauce made from wood leaves - Stew: Beef tail stew - Extra: 4 bowls of white rice ———————————— ▼ Review ▼ C———————————— This is a wonderful establishment where you can come without a reservation whenever you want to eat. It tends to get crowded on weekends, so I decided to visit a bit later on a weekday. Fortunately, I was able to find a spot for two as some guests were leaving. Being quite hungry, I started with the sashimi. There is a menu written on the lantern near the entrance, but no one seems to notice it, so I went with the omakase flow. First, I ordered a shochu highball. Should I go with barley or sweet potato? Hmm, sweet potato it is. I poured some shochu into a glass and added a bit to an ice-filled glass. I adjusted the carbonation myself and toasted. 《Tongue Sashimi》 The meat is served on a plate with a sweet sauce. I topped it generously with green onions and added some mustard. The tongue is cut into slightly thin strips. With each bite, I experienced a rich, melting texture, and the high-quality fat and flavor of the tongue left me impressed. The green onions complemented the meat perfectly, making it a delightful combination. 《Heart Sashimi》 After finishing, I placed the empty plate on the counter. The next dish served was the heart sashimi. Unlike the tongue, this was cut a bit thicker. I enjoyed it with plenty of green onions. The meat was incredibly tender and melted in my mouth. I savored the delicious flavor of the heart. 《Lean Meat》 Next up was the lean meat, cut from the thigh. I dipped it in egg yolk before enjoying it. The moment it entered my mouth, I could tell the quality of the lean meat. The umami and flavor were exquisite. 《Blanched Mino: Ponzu/Plum Paste》 I encountered the most delicious mino I’ve ever had—thick, juicy, and incredibly tasty. Perhaps because I don’t usually eat mino, I had overlooked it. I chose ponzu while my wife opted for plum paste, and we shared. Both were so delicious that I couldn’t choose a favorite. 《Grilled Tongue & Green Salad & Rice》 The grilled items were served with garlic and sauce. The grilling was perfect, and the combination of garlic and sauce was outstanding. I wanted to eat it with rice, so I ordered some. I couldn’t stop. The green salad they brought out was also delicious, especially with the added tang from the dressing. 《Shinshin》 The "shinshin," which was added to the menu in the last couple of years, comes from the center of the rear leg of the cow. It’s one of my favorite cuts. The finely textured meat had a refreshing taste that was best enjoyed at the perfect grilling level. I dipped it in the special sauce made with wood leaves along with shredded green onions. The refreshing accent of the wood leaves left my wife, our neighbor, and me in awe of the shinshin's incredible flavor. 《Beef Tail Stew + Potatoes》 The beef tail stew is the essence of Yassan. You can choose side ingredients like konjac or potatoes. The thick stew, enriched with the beef fat that has been accumulated over the years, offers an ultimate flavor experience. The bone-in tail meat coated in that fat and sauce made me go back for three bowls of rice. I look forward to my next visit! Thank you for the meal! m(_ _)m ———————————— ▪️ Location: 5-minute walk from "Gion Shijo" on the Keihan Main Line ▪️ Entry Time: 19:40 ▪️ Duration: Approximately 100 minutes ▪️ Situation: Almost full ▪️ Number of Visitors: Two (my wife and I) ▪️ Service: Both the owner and her son were wonderful. ▪️ Atmosphere: The first floor features a long counter in a retro meat dining bar adorned with many gourds. ▪️ Cost Performance: Good ▪️ Rating at the Time of Visit: 4.12