Sen

Lunch at Sen was the best kaiseki meal I’ve had in Kyoto. We had the set and it came to ¥49,000 for two. It’s not inexpensive, but the quality and care justify the spend. Every dish, from the opening soup to the final dessert, was so beautifully executed and displayed. Fish is clearly the kitchen’s strength. The eel main, served with taro and ginkgo, was especially memorable: rich, earthy, and perfectly balanced with a touch of sauce. Maguro and pacific saury sashimi was a surprise too. No overwork at all, pure flavours! The overall pacing was good, allowing each dish to land without rush. It’s a place for those who appreciate subtlety, seasonal ingredients, and the kind of cooking that speaks softly but lingers. Worth seeking out if you’re in Kyoto and looking for something refined. The restaurant is tucked on a quiet street just a short walk from Gojo Station. While a discreet entrance gives little away, it’s not difficult to find.

The most fitting word to summarize our experience on this first food-related day in Kyoto is…..’ over-stuffed ‘!! Yup! Our restaurant’s super-hospitable chef/owner went berserk and offered us…..way, way, way, way too much food! Our evening Kaiseki meal was at SEN, a popular and relatively new Michelin 1* that offers this traditional feast with a contemporary touch! Our meal happened to coincide with the timely arrival of some priced special delicacies - Pike Conger Eel as well as the annual Matsutake Mushroom season. As such, these rarities were used as our meal’s major star ingredients. In addition, the inclusion of some live local spiny lobsters and pristine Kajiya Wagyu beef from Tanegashima resulted in a surcharge over and above the original ‘on-line‘ reservation pricing! For the next three hours, our feast featured a never ending parade of dishes. Featuring tip-top ingredients, they were meticulously and simply cooked to bring out their natural inherent taste and characteristics. The end products, artistically and gorgeously presented. Most taste profiles of the initial few delicate and dainty dishes were on the light and subtle side. But then came the heavy artillery of the Conger Eel and Wagyu Beef!.....huge portions and prepared in multiple ways! Particularly enjoyable (at least for the first few pieces) were the open-fire (partial use of hay!) broiled preparation, performed at the open kitchen in front of the patrons. Every plate delivery pertaining to these super-rich proteins was followed with an invitation to us by the server to order seconds and even third helpings!!.....no brown bag allowed though! Ha! Overall, for a pseudo-novice to the Kaiseki scene like my wife, the experience was an eye-opener. The refined and exquisite, umami laden flavour profile of most dishes was perfect for her palate! As for me, a person who prefers deeper, complex and more ‘macho‘ flavour food, I am looking forward more to the Yakiniku and other meals lined up on our itinerary down the road! BTW, that half bottle of artisan Japanese tea at CAD 50 must be the most expensive non-Chinese tea I have tasted. Next time, I'll remember to inquire about the price before ordering?!!:D

Food is fresh and meticulously prepared down to its presentation which followed a theme of boys day, a holiday celebrated in the month of my visit. The host was friendly and welcoming in spite of the fact that I was a foreigner who spoke no Japanese. This was an overall wonderful experience that was well worth the money.

Our dinner at Sen was one of the best culinary experiences I've ever had and I don't say that lightly. I've been to more than 100 Michelin-starred restaurants in many different countries and Sen would easily be one of the top few. . The entire restaurant consists of and 8-seat counter. It's a 2-1/2 hour "experience" that starts with the staff bringing out the live fish before preparation and it's interesting to watch the careful work required to plate some of the dishes. Presentation and taste were phenomenal, portions were generous and the sake pairing was an excellent value. The chef and staff were extremely friendly and helpful throughout. There are really nice and genuine people. Everything has English translations, so no issues whatsoever. Try to visit Sen before they get star #2, because it's bound to happen.

Our first kaiseki experience. We came for lunch service and were impressed by each dish brought out. The level of service was at a high standard and we felt very welcomed despite being foreigners. Highly recommend Sen if you are looking to experience Kaiseki as a visitor to Japan.

By far the best kaiseki we had and best meal in Kyoto. Fine quality, luxurious ingredients. You can taste and feel alot of attention and detail in the food served. Staff was warm and welcoming - we were served by a very hospitable mandarin-speaking staff. Simply awesome and unforgettable culinary experience.

We were so looking forward to eating here. Unfortunately the whole experience was disappointing. Firstly, if they put you in the private room, refuse it. They forget about you and there is no atmosphere no music no service. It’s a bit like a sensory deprivation chamber. Secondly, the food was mainly broths of all kinds and boiled fish. It all looked very pretty but if you like dry tasteless fish you have come to the right place! Lastly, the waitresses were sweet and kind but poorly trained. They forgot to bring the sake before the dish (we opted for the sake tasting) and didn’t clear our dirty plates before bringing new ones. We certainly won’t be back.

SEN is a magical dining and cultural experience. The attention to detail in each dish, its presentation and collection is spectacular. We are so glad we went - our departure with the farewell from the SEN team will never be forgotten.