Koryu

The food was absolutely amazing, and the service was warm and attentive throughout. To top it all off, the chef personally saw us off at the door and even took a photo with us — it truly made the entire experience feel special and unforgettable. If there could be an English menu available, it would make the dining experience even more complete for international guests. But overall, everything was exceptional — a meal to remember!

Located in Chuo Ward, Osaka City, Koryu is a refined culinary destination just a 10-minute walk from either Kitahama Station or Sakaisuji-Honmachi Station on the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji Line. With only around 15 seats at the counter, the restaurant offers an intimate, serene setting—perfect for those seeking a thoughtful and immersive dining experience. From the moment you arrive, you're met with elegance and subtle beauty, including a striking “dripping water sculpture” at the entrance that sets the tone for what’s to come. The interior is tastefully designed, filled with a quiet luxury that complements the artistry of the food. Koryu specializes in Japanese kaiseki cuisine, using locally sourced ingredients to create dishes that are both deeply rooted in tradition and full of refined innovation. Each plate is served with meticulous attention to detail—not just in flavor, but also in the carefully selected tableware that enhances the visual and sensory experience. The meal flows like a narrative, with every course capturing the essence of Japanese cuisine. The chefs’ techniques are precise yet soulful, and their commitment to ingredient quality truly shines through. It's no surprise Koryu has been awarded two Michelin stars—an honor that reflects both its culinary excellence and its commitment to hospitality. Service is graceful and warm, and the calm ambiance makes you feel as if time has slowed down for just a moment. Whether you're enjoying a delicate sashimi course or a deeply flavorful seasonal dish, the experience is immersive and unforgettable.

Perfect expression of the ingredients throughout the whole course experience. More options on the wine list would be much nicer! Do make reservation since only 12 seats available.

It may be because Michelin starred restaurants in Japan can solely rely on their local clientele that they do not really see the need to market themselves or ensure that at least one person in their team can speak decent English. Overall, as a foreigner, the experience was a bit of a letdown and not worth the price paid. - (this point isn’t really 100% the restaurant’s fault) We booked the reservation via My Concierge Japan which told us we had to be there at 5.45pm sharp. In the end, the restaurant was not ready and the staff simply shoo-ed us out and we were left waiting in the wintry cold for 15 minutes. - The head chef only communicates with Japanese diners. He does not even spare a glance at the foreign diners. I understand if he is shy/uncomfortable speaking English, but to not even greet each group or just say a simple hello is a little off putting for me. The only time I heard him speak to us was when we were leaving and he walked us to the door and bowed goodbye. - When the sous chefs served each dish, the explanations in English were barely comprehensible. They mumble out each explanations softly and barely make any eye contact with speaking. When you try to clarify, the chefs just clamp up and look so nervous that it makes you feel bad for even asking! This really impacted the dining experience because half the time, I wasn’t sure what I was eating and the menu being in full Japanese did not help. - Again, maybe they do not need foreigners to keep their business afloat but it really makes me wonder how they attained two stars when the level of service and attention to detail is so different between locals and foreigners. - The only positive thing I can say is that each ingredient was seasonal and fresh, and that every dish was plated beautifully.

Disappointing Experience – Not Worthy of Two Michelin Stars From the moment we were seated, the experience was off. No one explained what to expect, leaving us unsure of the flow of the meal. What followed was an evening of frustration—each course took an excruciating 20-30 minutes to arrive, dragging the meal into a long, tedious ordeal. The wine list was shockingly limited for a fine dining restaurant, with only six red wines available. To make matters worse, they ran out of the one we actually wanted. In a two-star Michelin establishment, this is unacceptable. The ambiance didn’t help either. The small room we were in had a heater blasting non-stop, making it unbearably warm. We had to ask for the door to be opened just to get some relief. The decor? A single dead flower in the room—hardly the level of thoughtfulness you’d expect from a restaurant of this supposed caliber. The food was mediocre at best. A few courses were decent, but nothing was memorable or worth the excessive wait. Certainly not the level of creativity or refinement one would expect at this price point. To top it all off, we had a button in our room that was supposedly there to summon staff, but it didn’t work—yet another detail overlooked in what was already a disappointing evening. I honestly have no idea how this place earned two Michelin stars. The experience was off from start to finish. If you’re expecting a refined, seamless fine dining experience, look elsewhere. I would not recommend this restaurant.

Best meal we’ve had in Japan, and actually for a long time! I don’t know how but we ended up the only 2 on the counter, the chefs table! 2 Michelin stars well earned, from the moment you slide the entrance gate open the tone is set. Gorgeous interiors, the most amazing selection of plate ware used, one of the dishes I was served a course on was 150 years old. The second chef told me this after I’d expressed interested in the beautiful crockery, so sweet! The food was really fantastic, the ingredients were explained to us in English with the backup of some photos. I will say some Japanese ingredients are very different to a what a western palette might be used to, so bear that in mind, but honestly isn’t trying out authentic Japanese cuisine of the highest standard what we’re here to do? Yes! So bed in and enjoy the fantastic service, respectful culture and zen surroundings. How lucky we feel, what an amazing evening. Thank you so much Koryu!

We went there during our Japan trip while staying in Osaka on Thursday, November 13th and had a truly wonderful and exotic experience. The team was very kind and helped us with the menu, speaking fluent English. We were the only foreigners that night, but we felt completely comfortable and welcomed. The food was outstanding. We had some of the best ingredients, such as live blue lobsters and crabs, and the dishes were very traditional and authentically Japanese. If you enjoy trying new, exotic and delicious dishes, this is the perfect place for you. The chef was also incredibly kind and thoughtful. He greeted us on our way out and looked after us throughout the evening – for example, he even took care of my girlfriend’s bag at the beginning. It was truly a highlight of our trip. Arigatou gozaimasu (ありがとうございました)!

This was a severe disappointment. To start, two of the items on the menu were fried and were too hot to serve. One of which was the first dish served, so I started the night with a burnt tongue. The staff uses AirPods and tablets to show you pictures of the fish being served which comes off incredibly tacky at this level. From what I could see, all the dishes seemed to be prepared by the sous chef as well while the head chef is only there to supervise. Besides the burnt tongue, most of the other dishes were good but I couldn’t really tell you because my taste buds weren’t 100% there.