SEN

The most fitting word to summarize our experience on this first food-related day in Kyoto is…..’ over-stuffed ‘!! Yup! Our restaurant’s super-hospitable chef/owner went berserk and offered us…..way, way, way, way too much food! Our evening Kaiseki meal happened to coincide with the timely arrival o...f some priced special delicacies - Pike Conger Eel as well as the annual Matsutake Mushroom season. As such, these rarities were used as our meal’s major star ingredients. In addition, the inclusion of some live local spiny lobsters and pristine Kajiya Wagyu beef from Tanegashima resulted in a hefty surcharge over and above our original ‘on-line‘ reservation payment. For the next three hours, our feast featured a never ending parade of dishes. Featuring tip-top ingredients, they were meticulously and simply cooked to bring out their natural inherent taste and characteristics. The end products, artistically and gorgeously presented. Most taste profiles of the initial few delicate and dainty dishes were on the light and subtle side. But then came the heavy artillery of the Conger Eel and Wagyu Beef!.....huge portions and prepared in multiple ways! Particularly enjoyable (at least for the first few pieces) were the open-fire (partial use of hay!) broiled preparation, performed at the open kitchen in front of the patrons. Every plate delivery pertaining to these super-rich proteins was followed with an invitation to us by the server to order seconds and even third helpings!!.....no brown bag allowed though! Ha! Overall, for a pseudo-novice to the Kaiseki scene like my wife, the experience was an eye-opener. The refined and exquisite, umami laden flavour profile of most dishes was perfect for her palate! As for me, a person who prefers deeper, complex and more ‘macho‘ flavour food, I am looking forward more to the Yakiniku and other meals lined up on our itinerary down the road! BTW, that half bottle of artisan Japanese tea at CAD 50 must be the most expensive non-Chinese tea I have tasted. Next time, I'll remember to inquire abut the price before ordering?!!

Visited October 2025

We arrived 20 mins late due to emergency doctor's appointment. We even showed our receipt from the doctor with timestamp to show we were not deliberately being late. The restaurant already sold the table to someone else, took our deposit, and refused any refund. Totally unprofessional and unethica...l. Store manager promised to return our deposit before asking us to leave. The next morning, we got informed by the hotel (which helped us to make the reservation) that the restaurant crossed their own promise and refused to refund our deposit. A restaurant run by petty thief. Avoid at all cost!! There are many other alternatives in Kyoto

Visited March 2025

This was such a special experience for us when we visited Sen in Kyoto. I wanted to experience a kaiseki in Kyoto and saw this newer restaurant with one Michelin star, I’m so glad we made the decision to try it! Unfortunately many Japanese establishments in Japan will not take foreign reservations... so I did have to book this through a private concierge service, please keep that in mind. The flavors, ingredients, and plating were all so delicate and interesting! Every plate was thoughtful, and the plates themselves had their own history. The servers explained the dishes to us in English, which we appreciated, and we never felt judged or out of place being foreign visitors. (This unfortunately did happen to us in another restaurant in Osaka which moved our table away from the local Japanese patrons) See the attached photos and menu for this amazing experience!

Visited March 2024

I don’t even know how to describe this meal - it was exceptional, and made for such an amazing evening. The food was beyond, the service was gracious, and the intimate space made for a great experience. If you’re in Kyoto, definitely go here.

Visited June 2023