Shizen Muku An (召膳 無苦庵) Tanabe

I had been curious about this highly-rated restaurant for a while, and finally had the chance to visit during the peak of summer.As mentioned in other reviews, there is a prior communication with the owner before your visit.At first, it might seem a bit cumbersome, but on this day, I received a message with photos saying they had fresh crab available.Considering the price, it felt nice to prepare and look forward to enjoying such a thoughtfully curated meal.When I visited, I had the place to myself.The locals mentioned that the price range makes it hard for them to come often.Interestingly, the owner is not from the area either.I couldn't help but think that having familiar faces is important for securing local ingredients, but it was clear that the owner puts great care into selecting the best produce.We started with appetizers, beautifully presented on the plate.I also enjoyed some local sake from Wakayama.The owner seemed to particularly like the brand "Soichi," which was quite educational for me.The Sawagani crab had large claws, and just roasting it brought out its natural sweetness, with firm, flavorful meat packed inside.For the finale, we had crab rice cooked in a clay pot, which I enjoyed with crab miso, making sure to savor every bit of the whole crab.It was a bit unfortunate that my visit coincided with a holiday surcharge of 20%, but the drink prices were relatively reasonable, and it seemed like the charge was only added to the course price.Considering the enjoyable pre-visit communication and the unique, delicious ingredients, I felt that the pricing was quite fair, especially if the charge was minimal.The owner seems to be genuinely passionate about providing the best experience for customers, which is why they primarily accept cash payments.While booking through Pocket Concierge incurs a small fee, I was able to use my registered credit card. Less

I travel across the country seeking delicious food, focusing on Tabelog Award-winning restaurants, renowned establishments, and Michelin-starred spots. I use this as a record of the places I've visited, so my comments will be brief. I am grateful for my daily meals. It was a great meal.◆Awards◆ Tabelog Bronze Award 2026 Tabelog Japanese Cuisine WEST Top 100 Restaurants 2025 ◆Crowd Level◆ I made a reservation before visiting.◆Parking◆ Available in front of the restaurant.◆Duration of Stay◆ Approximately 3 hours.◆Cuisine◆ Lunch course.◆Comments◆ This restaurant offers a full-order system. When you make a reservation, you can communicate your preferences, budget, and desired dishes, and they will create a course tailored to you.They adjust the portion sizes and cooking methods to suit your needs, providing exceptional service. You can enjoy rare ingredients that can only be found in Wakayama, such as wild sweetfish and wild eel.I also had a great time chatting with the staff. Although the location is far, the more I visit, the more it feels like a place that suits my tastes.＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝ • Scores are primarily determined by the taste of the dishes within each cuisine category. • Points may be added or deducted based on cost performance, service, and ambiance. • Facilities such as accommodations, roadside stations, and golf courses are evaluated on a 0.5-point scale for the entire facility. For detailed evaluation criteria, please refer to my profile.＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝I appreciate all the "likes," "follows," and "saves" from everyone. Thank you for reading until the end. I hope this helps you in choosing a restaurant. Less

This Japanese restaurant is located near Kii Tanabe Station in Wakayama.When you make a reservation, the owner will ask you several questions, and based on your answers, they will create a customized menu for you. The hospitality here is simply outstanding. On this occasion, I ordered the natural eel.The interior has a traditional Japanese atmosphere that is very comfortable. The owner is friendly, allowing for a relaxed dining experience.The grilled natural eel and eel salad were shockingly delicious. Additionally, the sashimi of sweetfish and the eel were also incredibly tasty. I was disappointed that I couldn't guess the flavor of the sorbet dessert, but it was very delicious nonetheless.The Japanese sake is from Wakayama. I tried the Saika Masakazu for the first time, and the special limited edition was rich yet elegant and absolutely delightful.I plan to visit again in winter. This restaurant is definitely worth a special trip. Less

The head chef of Shizen Muku An is Mr. Rieki Kumoi.(Instagram: @sizen.mukuan)*Reservations can be made through Tabelog, phone, Pocket Concierge, or Ikkyu Restaurant.This is a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience that focuses on local ingredients from Kinan, while also being flexible to guests' requests regarding ingredients and cooking methods.It’s about a 1-hour drive from Wakayama City.There is parking available for about three cars in front of the restaurant.'Menu'【Appetizer】【Zori Shrimp Sashimi】【Iwakiyoshi Pork Grilled over Charcoal】【Eel Stew Soup】【Hachiku in Pouch with Steamed Sweet Sea Bream】【New Onion Pudding】【Yamabuki Burdock Rice】【Tama Angel】~A few thoughts~As someone from Wakayama Prefecture, I was surprised to be served ingredients I had never tried before.They were not only rare but also cooked to perfection.What stood out to me was the Iwakiyoshi pork.It was rich in umami and sweetness while remaining light.Also, it was my first time trying eel, which was cooked slowly at a low temperature, making it fluffy, tender, and incredibly delicious.Next time, I plan to make various requests.It was a great meal! Less