Kohaku

for the first night of our asiatrip we decided to visit kohaku for the first time. we enjoyed the wonderful and friendly service provided and of course the perfect dishes. highly recommended.

Visited July 2018

We enjoyed an 11 course amazing meal here with some local friends. Each dish was explained by the waitresses who are all dressed in traditional clothing. The chef came out to speak with us on a couple of occasions. The menu was dominated by seafood and this was a real eating experience. Not cheap, ...but well worth it if you are looking for a special meal.

Visited February 2018

My wife and I ate at Kohaku for dinner in December for our anniversary. In our lifetime we have been blessed to be able to eat at some of the best restaurants in the world, and Kohaku is right up there with the very best. The food was fantastic. The meal had 11 courses, all of which were at minimum... very good, with the signature dishes like the Conger Eel Steamed Rice (Anago Gohan) and the Snow Crab Dumpling utterly unforgettable. Chef Koji also uses ingredients less common in Japanese cooking like truffles and cheese to good use in his dishes. The ingredients used are of the highest quality with a good balance of flavours in all the dishes. The menu is fixed, with choice of drinks such as wine and sake. In all, for 2 people with 1 non-alcoholic drink and 1 small sake, we paid ~52,000 yen. Service-wise the staff was very attentive, and those that served us all could speak English reasonably well. Chef Koji himself also comes out to explain the Anago Gohan, and would pack the remainder for you if you are unable to finish (it is quite a big bowl, and is the last course before dessert). Despite attaining the lofty 3-star Michelin title, with a very fancy decor, the place is also casual - there were a group of businessmen having a meal behind us and they were in good spirit (and voice). The only drawback is that it is very very hard to book the restaurant. We made a reservation through our hotel 1 month in advance, and even then it was a 9pm seating. Most of these top restaurants don't take reservations direct from foreigners, so you either have to do it through your hotel, through only reservation portals (like Voyagin) or through a local who speaks Japanese. However, it would be well worth the trouble. In sum, this was probably one of the best, if not the best, meal of our lives!

Visited December 2017

We decided on this alternative restaurant after our attempt at Ishikawa was turn down. This is the sister's company of Ishikawa and the chef was a disciple of Ishikawa ( besides Len - a total of 3 restaurants in the same neigbourhood). We have eaten at Ishikawa twice before. We made reservations t...hru the hotel Concierge but only manage a 9.30pm slot. As usual, the 2nd round sitting always starts late since the earlier guests may linger on and this has happen to us. You will get agitated since it's very late 9.30pm for dinner and you were told to be punctual at the restaurant but then again, you have to wait for your table even if it's after 9.30pm. After ushering to our table, we were given both the English and Japanese degustation menu. But upon closer look, the names on our English menu was someone else and we had to tell the service staff and they had to change the English menu. Not something to expect from such an establishment. During dinner service, my wife found a small piece of fish bone in one of the dishes and we inform the staff. Though an apology was offer but the damage was done. During the night there was a group of 7 local diners from the first dinner service making quite a rowdy noise after their meal. Overall, at the same price points - would prefer Ishikawa because the ambience is much calmer, quieter in such fine dining joints. Kohaku was noisy since the common sitting areas (sits about 20 people) are common and extremely close to each other and you have no privacy except for a low moveable partition. Both have exceptional service and food since Master and student share the same principles. Again, for the same price (20,000y or more) the choice is yours, either served by the master (original degustation menu) or the disciple (duplicate degustation menu). All the above restaurants are located at Lidabashi station ( area full of restaurants and drinking joints). Walk towards Royal Host direction and make a left turn after craft beer server land to an alley/road and Kohaku is located there. Ishikawa is located about another 100m down the road after Royal Host pass the MUFG bank and near the Buddhist temple.

Visited April 2017

Manage to get a reservation thru Voyagin as this restn doesn't have a direct reservation platform for overseas guests. We only manage to secure a 9.30pm reservation & selected ¥19,000 per person menu. The restaurant is located off the main road. A simple yet beautifully done restaurant which even lo...ok into the detail of their entrance. The food were well balance & flavorful. They printed an English menu for us. Love every single dish from the first course to dessert! Staff were very friendly. Definitely worth the money for a 3 Michelin Stars Restaurant!

Visited March 2017