Gyukatsu Motomura Ueno Branch
Tokyo
Bewertungen
So glad I was able to squeeze this in before my flight! First time trying gyukatsu, and it was delicious. There was a bit of a wait around lunch time but that’s to be expected. We waited for about 20 mins with 4 groups in front of us. The size of restaurant is pretty small which contributes to the wait time but nothing to be fussed about. The service was very warm and friendly, very foreigner friendly. Price is decent for a popular place, about $24CAD for one cutlet, meal comes with a drink as well.
Went here at 4pm before the rush/peak hour so I was the only guest for a while. Compared to other branches, this one had a more relaxed and pleasant vibe. There's also a bigger space on the other side of the room (not seen in photo) so this branch can occupy a lot of guests. Also happy that the quality and taste of the meat is consistently as great as other branches. I got the 1.5 cutlet option, photos for reference. The staff are very friendly, special shoutout to Kokone who greeted me in Filipino when she found out I am from the Philippines.
One of the best premium beef katsu experiences I’ve had in Japan. The beef was unbelievably tender — literally melting in my mouth — with rich juicy flavor and beautiful marbling in every bite. Crispy on the outside, buttery and flavorful on the inside. Pairing it with a cold beer made the whole experience even better. Absolutely worth the queue, and thankfully the wait wasn’t too bad — only around 10–20 minutes. Definitely a place I’d come back to
The evening began with the sizzle of stone and the promise of indulgence. 1.5 beef cutlets (195g) arrived rare, cloaked in a golden crust—an invitation to sear each slice to my rhythm. The beef, tender and yielding, met the crisp edge of batter, a harmony of texture and flavor. Tororo flowed like earth’s quiet stream, softening rice with its gentle touch. Mentaiko struck sharp and briny, a fiery counterpoint to the beef’s richness. Between bites, a draft beer washed the palate clean, bright and celebratory. The space was compact, the ritual intimate—each diner tending their own flame. And in that small room, the meal became more than sustenance: a layered symphony of tenderness, spice, and refreshment, leaving me full, content, and quietly elated.
Arrived at outlet at around 1:30pm and there's a long line waiting. The gentleman ahead of me said he had been standing in line for 30mins & it hadn't moved. He was told he needed to wait for about an hour. We decided to join the line. A staff came down the stairs taking our orders but did not ask for payment. So you can still walk away if you change your mind. Restaurant is spread on 2 floors levels 2 and 3 with no lift access. My husband couldn't really walk well, they assigned us seats on the 3rd floor but we requested a change to 2nd floor and they obliged. We got our seats after waiting 45mins. Food was served fast thereafter. Menu is simple, differentiated by 3 sizes of meat, with drinks (alcohol or nonalcoholic) or not drinks. Even if you did not order a drink, there's a flask of tea you can drink for free. You can request a free rice refill. Staff explained what each item on your tray is and how it should be eaten (like the fish roe & yam paste).You're given a personal grill to cook your beef to your preference. The beef is well marbled, tender and very delicious. Not quite melt in your mouth but really good. You do not feel hurried to finish even though there's an unending line waiting down the stairs. We ordered 1.5 portion sizes each and it was satisfying and filling. Well worth the wait.
