Pontocho Yasohachi

Small restaurant on Pontocho. Tight space and not too modern but clean. Waiters were quick, not much English and none of the super polite Japanese approach. But still efficient. I would recommend for casual yakitiri meal.

Visited June 2025

A restaurant full of locals tells you a lot about a place - this small place in Pontocho is testament to that. The service is just ok, but the food is very tasty - had the chicken gizzards, gristle and hearts all of which tasted amazing. The deep fried dumpling in chicken skin was fantastic and th...e char sui pork was spot on. I was told to try the plum wine with ice and Sosa water - who knew it could taste so good - sort of like aperol spritz (ended up having a few of them). Would definitely go back.

Visited December 2019

Staff are really rude. This is the first place in Japan, I have felt unwelcomed. They do not treat costumers with respect. Also the place is not hygenic. Avoid if you can.

Visited April 2019

There is always, for me, a tinge of concern about dining in areas with a very high tourist count. This part of Kyoto, however, still has much to recommend it. The sight of a restaurant full of locals consuming enthusiastically is the finest indicator af a great eatery. It can be a little intimidatin...g, but entry with a smile, an open heart and a little spoken Japanese usually ensures a meal. We dined here as a group twice. The specialty is Chicken, all of it. The beer is cold and the boss is a giant of a man who initially seems a little wary but warms quickly to cheerfully easy going. The pickled veg is fresh and crisp. The chicken skin wrapped gyoza was very crisp and delicious, the mixed skewers of yakitori, was the best way to try a range of chicken dishes. Every one a pleasure, from the thigh to the delicate spheres of minced flesh with herbs. There were, of course, more adventurous chicken skewerfuls to sample: Gizzards (crunchy-chewy) tasty. Hearts (soft and meaty) delicious. "Bottoms" (very soft and unctious) ok. We normally make delicious stock from these items, but they chargrill nicely too. "Try everything except incest and country dancing!" ( attributed to Thomas Beecham) About £30 a head all in. Great, no-nonsense, real Japanese cuisine.... Go...

Visited October 2018

The way they prepare food is not sanitary. The chef who cooks Yakitori behind the glass has no gloves and sneezes sometimes. They made us leave when we complained about it.

Visited May 2018