Dining

Yasaka ๐Ÿ‘˜

Posted by markhadland on
Two chefs in white uniforms and hats are preparing dishes at a countertop with a city view at night.

Located in the beautiful Park Hyatt hotel in the Kiyomizu-dera district of Kyoto, Yasaka overlooks the iconic Yasaka pagoda, also known as the Hลkan-ji Temple. The Park Hyatt seamlessly blends in with the natural surroundings. Built into a hillside, the bar and restaurant command the best view of the pagoda in all of Kyoto. Yasaka is a French-influenced teppanyaki restaurant, and I believe the perfect combination for this experience with the pagoda framed with a prescenium of glass and steel.

A large cherry blossom arrangement in a dark ceramic pot, with delicate pink flowers, creating intricate shadows on the floor in a softly lit interior.
I love Japanese asthetics of nature harmonized with design
View of a modern restaurant interior with chefs preparing food, overlooking a cityscape at night.

A peek into the dining room.

View from a modern bar at dusk, showcasing two bartenders in motion and a city skyline with a pagoda in the background.

Pre-dinner drinks at the bar.

A stylish bar counter with illuminated shelves displaying various liquors and glassware, overlooking a city skyline featuring a pagoda in the distance, set during twilight.

We chatted with the bar staff, learning of their impressive selection of local Japanese spirits, especially the KI NO BI Kyoto Dry Gin, which features a unique blend of Japanese botanicals like yuzu, hinoki wood, and gyokuro tea, and is made using a base spirit of rice and water from the Fushimi region.  This became my favorite for gin & tonics.

Menu for an Omakase course featuring various dishes including Yasaka Pancake, Hokkaido Scallop, Japanese Wagyu, and a dessert of Chocolate and Orange.
A menu featuring a multi-course degustation with dishes including Yasaka pancake, white asparagus, signature bouillabaisse, Japanese Wagyu, ochazuke or cheese selection, and strawberry mille-feuille.
A degustation menu featuring various dishes including Amuse Bouche, Yasaka Pancake with Sea Urchin, Shrimp, and Caviar, White Asparagus with Hollandaise, Japanese Wagyu with Wasabi and Vanilla, and a dessert of Chocolate and Orange with Grand Marnier, displayed on a decorative plate.

A sampling of the menus presented for the evening.

A selection of gourmet seafood delicacies arranged in small brown dishes, including a jar of caviar, shrimp, and other seafood spreads, placed on a dark stone surface.
Treasures from the sea
Two small appetizers on a light green plate, featuring a piece of toast topped with a spread and garnished with a leaf, and a triangular piece of pastry also garnished.
An artistic dish featuring greens and microgreens arranged elegantly on a textured white plate.
A chef in a white uniform and hat is preparing dishes in a dimly lit restaurant, plating small portions on green plates.
Amuse bouche
A chef in a white uniform and hat prepares sushi on a counter with several plates of sushi in front, overlooking a cityscape at night featuring a pagoda.
A plated gourmet dish featuring grilled fish, accompanied by creamy sauce, black sauce, and garnished with edible flowers and leafy greens.
A gourmet dish featuring a fluffy bun topped with cream, smoked salmon, sea urchin, and black caviar garnished with a sprig of green.
The famed and delicious Yasaka pancake.
Two chefs in white uniforms and hats plating dishes in a restaurant kitchen with a view of the city at night.
A chef in a white uniform and hat is preparing food on a teppanyaki grill, with two small pots of sauce and neatly arranged pieces of meat and vegetables.
A chef in a white coat and tall hat prepares dishes at a restaurant kitchen, plating seafood on blue and white patterned plates while another chef works in the background.
Preparing the bouillabaisse
A close-up of a bowl containing seafood and greens in a rich orange broth, alongside a slice of toasted bread on a wooden table.
Two pieces of raw beef on a decorative green plate, with a wavy design, set on a wooden table in a restaurant setting.
Raw beef steak pieces placed on a grill.
A small copper pan with bubbling oil containing diced food, placed on a steel cooking surface next to various pieces of cooked fish and yellow vegetables.
Hokkaido Scallop, Pork Trotter, and Bamboo Shoot
A chef in a white uniform and hat cooking on a teppanyaki grill, with a city skyline visible through a large window in the background.
Best teppanyaki ever
A chef in white attire and a hat uses a blowtorch to sear a piece of meat on a hot grill, while various sauces and utensils are arranged on the counter.
Wagyu Beef
A small green ceramic dish containing wasabi and salt on a wooden surface.
A small, decorative dish containing a green herb sauce with a spoon resting beside it on a wooden table.
A golden-brown pastry loaf garnished with fresh herbs, including rosemary and thyme, placed on a wooden cutting board.
Pate en Croute
A slice of terrine served on a decorative plate with arugula and a garnish of edible flowers.
A decorative plate featuring a slice of terrine accompanied by greens and mustard seeds.
Two chefs in white uniforms and hats tasting wine in a restaurant with a city view and a pagoda at night.
Cheers
A gourmet dish featuring a creamy base topped with sliced seafood, caviar, and green garnish, served on a white plate.
Yasaka Pancake Sea Urchin, Shrimp, Caviar

A chef in a white uniform and a chef's hat prepares a dish at a teppanyaki grill, with a view of a city skyline in the background.
A plate of grilled white fish served with charred vegetables and a pink sauce.
White Asparagus Squid and Hollandaise
A beautifully plated dish featuring grilled fish slices with vibrant garnishes, including edible flowers and green leaves, served on a creamy sauce.
A bowl of seafood stew featuring mussels, fish, and fresh greens in a rich, orange broth, placed on a wooden table.
Signature Bouillabaisse
A beautifully cooked piece of fish garnished with herbs, served in a small, elegant metal dish with a golden handle.
A dessert in a clear glass bowl featuring a dark-colored mousse topped with a small heart-shaped strawberry and microgreens, served on a white plate.
A beautifully arranged plate featuring slices of beef, including marbled and lean cuts, accompanied by asparagus spears and roasted vegetables, on a decorative green plate with dipping sauce and wasabi on the side.
Japanese Wagyu Wasabi and Vanilla
Chef in a white uniform and hat carefully piping chocolate onto pastry bases in a kitchen setting.
Chocolate and Orange Grand Mariner
A small pan with two flaming orange slices on a cooking surface, with a city skyline visible through a window in the background.
A dessert featuring a round pastry topped with sliced strawberries, a dollop of cream, a crispy chip, and a small scoop of sorbet, served on a decorative white plate with a drizzle of fruit sauce.
Nighttime view of a traditional pagoda silhouetted against a city skyline, with buildings illuminated by streetlights.
A serene night scene featuring cherry blossom trees in bloom, alongside a gently flowing canal and traditional buildings illuminated by soft light.

Yasaka is such a culinary treasure. I have dined there twice on my trips to Kyoto and constantly crave the Yaska pancake. Next time, I hope to stay at the Park Hyatt.

A close-up of a gourmet pancake topped with caviar, shrimp, and green garnishes, served on a white plate.
A collage of various gourmet dishes presented at Yasaka, showcasing an artistic arrangement of ingredients, including seafood, meats, desserts, and garnishes.

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