(Grateful to visit that famous restaurant, Part 2/2)After leaving the first restaurant, Kanekoya at Tamachi Station, I walked towards the next place in Shirokane!Just a few years ago, this was the route I took daily for my commute. Walking about 30 minutes from Tamachi Station, along with "Zetto 2323", I arrived at a hidden gem in a residential area, Japan's most difficult-to-book "Yakiniku restaurant".This is my visit to "Sumiyaki Kinryusan"."Zetto 2323" frequently visits this restaurant, and the owner kindly invited him, which led to my invitation as well, as there was one spot available for a reservation for four.It's just a few seconds from my previous workplace, less than a minute's walk from the premises.However, when I asked my superiors at work, they said, "Reservations are over six months in advance, and you can't book without a prior acquaintance!" This place is notoriously hard to visit!There are even rumors about buying and selling reservation spots online...It's the closest restaurant to my previous workplace, yet the hardest to visit. Thanks to Zetto, I was able to make this visit. I am truly grateful. m(_ _)mI arrived at 17:50 on a Sunday, with a reservation at 18:00, arriving a bit early. Then, from across the street, the master couple of Zetto's acquaintance arrived at the restaurant.After greeting them, I entered the restaurant, which has three table seats and a small sunken area, with a very compact space that can barely accommodate 20 people!I entrusted the menu to the master and his wife, who kindly invited me, without even looking at it.【Today's Menu】- Sapporo Lager Aka boshi large bottle: JPY 1,000 x 2- Oolong Highball: ? x ?- Premium Salted Tongue: JPY 5,500- Outside Skirt: JPY 4,500 x 2- Salted Liver: JPY 2,000- Assorted Kimchi: JPY 1,200- Special Loin: JPY 4,000- Korean Perilla Leaves: JPY 1,000- Medium Kalbi: JPY 3,000- Japchae: ? x ?- Mentaiko Pasta Salad: ? x ?- Half Cold Noodles: ? x 4The restaurant does not serve draft beer, so we shared two large bottles of Sapporo Lager Aka boshi among four people, raising a toast to express our gratitude for being able to visit.I asked the master couple to take a photo together, handing them the "Juman Gokumanju" I brought as a gift, and also gave some to the restaurant's mother.After finishing the greetings, I set up my paper apron!【Premium Salted Tongue】The first dish was visually stunning! Instead of the usual round slices, it was presented in flat slices. I occasionally see this, but it’s definitely a high-end restaurant.As I was taking photos, the master, who is also a restaurant owner, quickly moved the plate closer and started grilling the meat!Now, I will enjoy the tongue grilled by the master.As I took a bite, I was amazed by the thickness of the tongue! It was bursting with flavor in my mouth—absolutely the best!The texture was not crunchy but tender, which was a first for me with tongue!The lemon juice added a salty touch, enhancing the flavor! Such thoughtful details truly reflect a renowned restaurant.【Outside Skirt】The outside skirt had a beautiful marbled pattern, reminiscent of a cantaloupe! I had never seen such marbling in outside skirt before!And of course, it was thick meat as well!The master took care of grilling throughout the evening, and I felt a bit guilty for making him do all the work. He has been coming to this restaurant for many years and has grilled the meat here for decades!I dipped it in the sauce and enjoyed it, and the thick outside skirt was incredibly tender!What surprised me was the sauce! It was a light, translucent sauce with a gentle sweetness, not overpowering the meat's flavor, just a hint of soy sauce. Like the lemon juice, it felt like a hallmark of a great restaurant.I ended up ordering another plate of this later!【Salted Liver】Among the orders, liver was also chosen! It’s one of my personal favorites.》》Inner Voice《《The meat I just had was from another dimension, and I have high expectations for the beef liver from a Yakiniku restaurant that can source such quality!The grilled liver was enjoyed with lemon juice.This liver was sweet—so sweet! Could it be the effect of the salt in the lemon juice? I’ve never experienced liver this sweet in my life.And of course, there was no tendon at all, it was so sweet it felt like I might faint!【Assorted Kimchi】The kimchi platter included napa cabbage kimchi, kaktugi, and cucumber kimchi.Among them, the kaktugi was slightly dried before preparation, and the texture of the radish was very pleasant.The flavor was well-balanced with sweetness and spiciness, with just a hint of acidity!【Special Loin】The loin that arrived looked like it had just snowed, with a marbling that gave that impression!Dipping it in the sauce, I took a bite...The volume was incredible in my mouth, and with every chew, the fat burst forth! I thought loin was supposed to be lean meat, but this special loin was incredibly marbled—amazing! It was delicious and, of course, very tender!【Medium Kalbi】The contrast of red and white was visually striking, with a "pink" appearance.Dipping it in the sauce, I took a bite...Wow, I could feel the sweetness again! And of course, it was so tender, it disappeared in my mouth instantly. The meat was incredibly delicious!【Korean Perilla Leaves】The soft medium kalbi paired with Korean perilla leaves, with a sweet and slightly spicy miso to wrap it up—I took a bite and thought, "Miso! This is delicious!"【Japchae】I wasn’t sure if we ordered this or not!? The wife of the master and the restaurant's mother seemed to be good friends, so it appeared we received it as a gift!? After all the meat, this dish was a comforting addition.【Mentaiko Pasta Salad】This also appeared suddenly, like the japchae, with a slightly saucy mayonnaise flavor, and the popping texture of the mentaiko was a great accent.【Cold Noodles】This is a menu item that Zetto, who has visited Kinryusan several times, highly praises!It was served in a half portion, but the menu didn’t specify the size of the half!? Perhaps it was due to my relationship with the master, or maybe because we were an even number?As I slurped the soup, I found...The flavor of soy sauce and dashi, with a hint of chili and pepper aroma—this soup was delicious! It was a flavor I had never tasted before.The noodles had a firm texture, almost rubbery, and were delicious! And the cucumber garnish had a subtle sweetness, which added a different flavor!While enjoying the cold noodles, I chatted with the wife and the restaurant's mother, who mentioned she loves somen noodles! 【Highlight of the Visit】◎ Liver! Of course, all the meats were excellent, but this liver was the sweetest I’ve ever experienced in my life!【Postscript】⚫︎ Tabelog score at the time of visit: 4.33⚫︎ THE TABEROGA AWARD Bronze 2022-2026⚫︎ Yakiniku TOKYO Top 100 Restaurants 2021-2025- I paid in cash this time.- I noticed they changed the grill for each type of meat, which is part of what makes delicious Yakiniku!- While I was taking photos, the master grilled meat for everyone! As expected from a restaurant owner!? I felt really guilty. I saw him putting the right amount of meat for each person on the grill.- The master's wife, who lives nearby, is a "Shiroganeze"—a very elegant person, with incredible attention to detail! She even reminded the master, "Aren't you going to grill it yet? I haven’t taken my photo!"- I was busy taking photos and notes, and with the master grilling for us, I hardly had time to drink! I didn’t even have time to take pictures of the menu!- This fast-paced meal lasted about an hour!? Nonetheless, it was a very precious experience.- I hardly looked at the menu book this time!? I couldn’t think about what I wanted to eat, which was a bit disappointing.- After stepping outside, I saw the master and his wife chatting for a bit. At that moment, the restaurant staff said, "Next time!" while handing me a business card with the date for my next visit written on it. (I also thought about making a reservation for my next visit, but I didn’t have the luxury of time.)- Unbeknownst to me, the wife smoothly settled the bill. I wondered how much it was!? It seemed like a shared expense for the meal. I truly apologize, thank you for the meal!- On the way back, I discussed with Zetto and bought a pack of cigarettes for the master, entrusting it to the regular, Zetto.- After about 11 years of visiting Shirokane without ever stopping by, I was transferred to a business office in Saitama—a restaurant that was close yet far away. Of course, I have visited the neighboring restaurants many times.- This restaurant doesn’t appear in the media, but previously, "Watanabe from Unjash" introduced Kinryusan on "The Best Restaurant in Life".- On this day, when I searched Tabelog using a map of Japan for "Yakiniku", it was the fifth restaurant listed! It’s the fifth best Yakiniku restaurant in Japan. And at the top was "Raimon" in Akasaka, which is the restaurant run by Kinryusan's daughter and her husband. By the way, the "Stamina-en" I visited recently was ranked seventh nationwide that day.- A small, historic restaurant in a residential area of the city, with excellent meat, flavor, and attention to detail!【Visit Date】Late May 2026【My Rating】Overall: 4.4Taste: 5Service: 4Atmosphere: 3.5Cost Performance: 4Drinks: 3.5【Personal Rating Outside Tabelog Standards】Likelihood of Returning: 5Accessibility: 3Companion Rating: 4.5Thank you for the delicious food. It was a great meal. I wonder if I will be able to visit again next time!? And once again, I walked for 30 minutes to Tamachi Station and took the train home.