If you’re looking for budget-friendly yet delicious yakiniku during your Kyoto trip or as a daily eat, this article is for you. Kyoto, a city where tradition meets the contemporary, is home to numerous restaurants offering mouthwatering yakiniku at surprisingly reasonable prices. Here, we introduce three standout options, each with its own unique charm, to make your Kyoto dining experience both affordable and unforgettable.
Yakiniku Nonki
(Source.1:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260603/26001038/)
Located in Yamashina Ward, “Yakiniku Nonki” is a long-standing establishment that has been serving delicious yakiniku since 1971. The restaurant specializes in A4 and A5 grade Japanese black wagyu beef, offered at prices that make it accessible for everyone. With a variety of lunch and dinner sets, as well as all-you-can-eat options, it’s perfect for families and groups.
One of their standout dishes is the “Beef Clear Soup”, made with premium cuts of wagyu such as Omi and Yamagata beef. This flavorful broth forms the base of their popular “Meat Sui Ramen Set”. Other favorites include the lunch-exclusive “Meat Sui Lunch” and the “Nonki Steak”, both of which highlight the natural umami of high-quality beef. For those who enjoy a casual dining atmosphere, the self-serve beer and highball drink plan adds a fun and laid-back vibe to the experience.
The restaurant is conveniently located a 5-minute walk from Higashino Station on the Tozai Subway Line and 13 minutes from JR Yamashina Station. With parking available for up to six vehicles, it’s easily accessible by car from Kyoto and nearby Shiga Prefecture.
(Source.2:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260603/26001038/)
(Source.3:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260603/26001038/)
Yakiniku & Firewood Cuisine Karasuma Rock Kyoto
(Source.1:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26038989/)
In Shimogyo Ward along Karasuma Street, “Karasuma Rock” stands out for its unique firewood cooking method. Situated in a three-story white building, it’s marked by a noren (shop curtain) with the phrase, “Sake and Yakiniku”. The chic yet casual interior is suitable for a wide range of occasions, from casual after-work drinks to family dinners, birthdays, and anniversaries.
The restaurant prides itself on firewood cooking, which imparts a smoky aroma and rich flavor to the dishes. Highlights include Japanese black wagyu beef, “Tambajiwai Chicken”, and locally raised “Takumi Kyojidori” from Kyoto’s Miyama area. For those looking beyond yakiniku, their chicken salt ramen and other dishes offer delightful alternatives.
“Karasuma Rock” is conveniently located just a 2-minute walk from Gojo Station on the Karasuma Subway Line. It’s also within walking distance of Kyoto Station and Karasuma Station. Guests can enjoy a front-seat view of the cooking process from the counter seats, where the firewood flames add a touch of drama to the dining experience.
(Source.2:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26038989/)
(Source.3:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260201/26038989/)
Kyoto Minami
(Source.1:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26030521/)
“Kyoto Minami”, located in Nakagyo Ward, is an excellent spot for enjoying unlimited yakiniku and shabu-shabu at budget-friendly prices. With all-you-can-eat plans, this restaurant is particularly popular among students and younger groups. Their yakiniku menu includes a variety of flavorful options, such as “Otokomae Kalbi with Aged Sauce”, beef short ribs, pork loin, and chicken thighs, all complemented by house-blended salt and soy sauces.
For shabu-shabu lovers, “Kyoto Minami” offers a range of soup bases, including a kelp broth and a spicy Korean-style hot pot. Alongside pork and chicken, an array of ingredients ensures a satisfying dining experience. The restaurant features sunken-floor kotatsu seating and open tables with views of the nightscape, making it an ideal choice for dates, girls’ nights, or larger gatherings. With a capacity to seat up to 80 guests for parties, it’s also a convenient option for group events.
The location is just a 6-minute walk from Kawaramachi Station on the Hankyu Line and 5 minutes from Kyoto City Hall Station on the Tozai Subway Line. Parking is available nearby, making it accessible for those arriving by car.
(Source.2:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26030521/)
(Source.3:https://tabelog.com/kyoto/A2601/A260301/26030521/)
Conclusion
The three restaurants introduced here — Yakiniku Nonki, Karasuma Rock, and Kyoto Minami — each offer a distinct yakiniku experience that combines quality and affordability. Nonki delivers a welcoming, homey atmosphere with its traditional offerings, Karasuma Rock impresses with its firewood-cooked dishes, and Minami entices with its all-you-can-eat plans.
Elevate your Kyoto trip with a visit to one of these fantastic yakiniku spots. Enjoy premium cuisine without breaking the bank, and create unforgettable memories as you savor the culinary delights this historic city has to offer!
