Tokyo Station Gyukatsu – “Motomura Gyukatsu Yaesu Branch”

October 19, 2023 902 Views

Arriving at Tokyo Station and exploring the surroundings, it was time for dinner on the fourth day of my Japan trip. Considering the yet-to-be-tasted renowned Japanese dishes, the thought of having “Gyukatsu” crossed my mind. Since I was at Tokyo Station, I decided to search for “Tokyo Station Gyukatsu,” and surprisingly, I found a restaurant not far from the station selling Gyukatsu.

“Motomura Gyukatsu – Found Near Tokyo Station”

The chosen destination this time was “Motomura Gyukatsu,” a restaurant known for its popularity among Koreans. Searching its location on Google Maps, I found it relatively easy to locate. In terms of Tokyo Station’s orientation, it’s on the east side. However, the entrance is in a slightly secluded alley, making it a bit challenging to find.

Upon reaching Motomura Gyukatsu, I noticed many customers waiting in a long line at the entrance. Most of the patrons in line were Koreans, possibly drawn to this place after reading similar reviews online.

“Operated as a Franchise Store – Motomura Gyukatsu”

Motomura Gyukatsu operates as a franchise, so it’s not necessary to visit this specific location for Gyukatsu. You can visit any nearby Motomura Gyukatsu, as they all offer the same menu.

While waiting in line, I had the opportunity to check the menu through a display. There were various options, and the most affordable menu was around 1,300 yen, approximately 13,000 won. I opted for the Toro Toro set, which cost around 1,400 yen, equivalent to about 14,000 won.

“Cooking Meat on a Personal Grill”

The restaurant was relatively small, accommodating about 10 people at once, making it a cozy space. Fortunately, while waiting, a seat became available, allowing me to have my meal. Interestingly, a personal grill was provided.

Once seated, the Gyukatsu set arrived with the meat slightly undercooked. The unique part was that a personal grill was provided at each table. You could place the partially cooked meat on the individual grill and cook it to your liking.

Initially, I absentmindedly ate two pieces of meat without using the grill, but after realizing, I started using the grill to cook the meat. The restaurant owner probably wasn’t surprised, considering that communication could be a challenge in such situations.

While grilling the meat, there might be instances where the solid fuel gets depleted or the grill becomes too burnt to cook the meat properly. In such cases, notifying the staff results in a prompt replacement, so there’s no need to worry. Even if you’re not proficient in Japanese, gestures and pointing should suffice for communication.

“Free Refill of Rice – Totoro Side Dish”

Among the side dishes served is a food item called “Totoro,” made by grinding mara. According to the enjoyable eating guide, you are supposed to put this on rice and eat it together. Moreover, rice can be refilled free of charge once, so feel free to request a refill if you find yourself running out.

Personally, this was my first experience with Gyukatsu in Japan, and it tasted better than expected. The system of using a personal grill to cook the meat was impressive, adding a fun element to the dining experience.

“Japan Tokyo, Tokyo Station Motomura Gyukatsu”