15 Best Sukiyaki in Kyoto (2026): Historic Gems to High-Value Spots

Located on Teramachi-dori near Shijo, Sukiyaki Kimura has been in business since Showa 7 (1932). Famous for its friendly prices and high-quality sukiyaki, this long-established restaurant sits in the Teramachi shopping area just a short walk from Hankyu Kawaramachi Station. The restaurant keeps a traditional Japanese seating style on the lower floors, offers comfortable dining space on the second floor, and has banquet rooms on the third floor that can accommodate up to 100 people.

The restaurant’s signature is its premium sukiyaki sets using domestic kuroge wagyu and fine beef. The meat is tender with well-distributed marbling that melts as soon as it hits the pan. The menu includes loin sukiyaki and regular sukiyaki, both made from high-quality domestic beef; the difference is the cut, with the loin offering a richer mouthfeel. For lunch (12:00–14:00, except Sundays and national holidays) they offer great-value lunch sets that include rice, side dishes and sukiyaki—perfectly portioned so you feel satisfied without overspending. Guests cook the meat themselves in the iron pot, seasoning it with the restaurant’s classic sweet soy-based sauce made from sugar and soy, then top it with a fresh Kyoto egg for a delightful sweet-and-savory bite. Accompaniments such as mitsuba, tofu, and mushrooms soak up the sauce and pair beautifully with the beef, showing off the subtle balance of Kyoto-style cooking.

The restaurant keeps its traditional shoe-check service (staff manage shoe racks), so you’ll be asked to remove your shoes at the entrance — all part of the old-school Japanese experience. Service is warm and attentive, with staff happy to give step-by-step cooking tips so first-time sukiyaki eaters can relax and enjoy. Sake lovers are in luck: the restaurant offers a selection of local sakes like Banmasamune and seasonal brews, which pair perfectly with the rich sukiyaki flavors.