Ginza is the glitzy face of Tokyo with gorgeous buildings like the Ginza Mitsukoshi and Wako Department Store’s Hattori clock tower built by the founder of Seiko. Iconic upscale shopping is one reason why Ginza attracts such an large crowd, but after dining at Kakiyasu this week, I’m convinced Ginza also has phenomenal food hidden in its many glamorous buildings. Kakiyasu 柿安 is a 140 years old traditional Japanese restaurant, renowned for its sukiyaki (すき焼き). If you love sweet and savory together, sukiyaki is the ultimate hot pot of comfort food–especially since Kakiyasu uses the highest grade of Matsusaka Beef (black haired Japanese wagyu).

With my cousin Joseph in town this weekend, I thought a traditional Japanese meal in an iconic Tokyo area should not be missed. Although Joseph could easily enjoy a ramen burger and an ice cold ginger ale for lunch, when in Tokyo do as classy Tokyoites do right?

Kakiyasu’s entrance on the 7th floor of Ginza g Cube building

Specialising in sukiyaki, Kakiyasu offers great lunch sets that should not be missed

Simplistic hallway with multiple private rooms–some of them traditional Japanese seiza (kneeling) style

Kakiyasu’s Japanese zen decor–minimal but lovely

Deciding to order not just the sukiyaki hot pot, but the entire Kakiyasu Gozen set (柿安御膳) was a delicious decision! Included in the set was the sukiyaki and an entire lunch affair with rice, sashimi, picked vegetables, and a variety of other seafood. At 3,800 yen, it really is a gorgeous fine-dining opportunity in the heart of Ginza.

The 3 tier Kakiyasu Gozen 柿安御膳 set before it was spread out

Voila! The Kakiyasu Gozen set (柿安御膳) was a colorful 3 tier affair of high quality Japanese cuisine

The first set was a delicate sashimi set with tsukemono (picked vegetables) and a chawanmushi (steamed egg)

The main set included an amazing variety of food ranging from fried anago to scallops and sweet potato

Deliciously steamed rice with an extra touch of fresh salmon roe

A Japanese wineberry wrapped in a flower–everything about this reminded me of the effort Japanese chefs put into these multi-course sets

And the king of the meal: sukiyaki! Just look at the gorgeous marbling of that Matsusaka beef!

The complete sukiyaki gozen set–with a raw egg ready for dipping! Although Joseph chose not to eat it, the sukiyaki with the raw egg coats everything with an extra layer of deliciousness

The boiling sukiyaki hot pot with slices of thinly sliced tender beef–yes, it was definitely that type of ‘melt in your mouth delicious’!

Jelly-like noodles made out of konnyaku, a perfect addition to soak up the delicious soy, mirin, and sugar broth of the sukiyaki

And finally, freshly brewed green tea with a ‘grape’ dessert set: grapefruit jelly with a dash of cream, goji berry, and grape.

Maybe it’s because I had good company (thanks Joseph for entertaining me with silly jokes and fantastic stories!), but Kakiyasu was by far the most delicious authentic Japanese meal I’ve had in Tokyo thus far. If you like sukiyaki, or would like to try this classic Japanese dish, you’ll love the Kakiyasu Gozen set. It really was a glamorous lunch affair–pair it with some umeshu (plum wine) like us, and I’d like to think we’re getting a glimpse of Ginza’s dining glamor 140 years ago.

love,
eatprayjade x.

Kakiyasu 柿安
Address // 7-9-15 GINZA gCUBE 7F, Chuo, Tokyo
Phone // 03-3289-3771
Website // http://www.kakiyasuhonten.co.jp/brand/1kakiyasu/index.html