We had been to RyuGin in their original location years ago and decided to come dine at their new location recently. The restaurant is spacious and beautiful. It has a stunning view of the area near the palace. While we did have an enjoyable dining experience overall, we were disappointed with the food. There were some outstanding courses, namely the shark fin soup, uni and wagyu beef. However, there were a few misses. The cold tofu had an unpleasant gummy texture and little tofu taste. I couldn't finish it. Stonefish was used in a couple of different preparations, sashimi and cooked. Sashimi was sliced too thick which made it hard to chew since the texture of the fish itself was stringy and crunchy. The cooked version wasn't any better and both tasted so bland. The tea pairing that we had was quite nice. We very much enjoyed the variety of teas that were served. Service was good but wish the staff would smile more. They were very solemn during the service. Overall, a good experience but had higher expectations of the food.
4.0Amber C· 3 months ago
This place a a nightmare for anyone hoping to celebrate a special occasion The worst Michelin-starred restaurant I’ve ever been to. The food honestly didn’t deserve even a single star, and here’s why: 1. We had duck breast as a main course. While eating it, I bit into an extremely long, tough tendon that I almost choked on. It was impossible to chew, and I ended up having to spit the entire mouthful out. 2. The grilled eel over rice was full of bones. 3. The food wasn’t creative at all. One dish was a small fried fish, and another was simply the same kind of fish in a larger size — no imagination, no thought. What a joke Nothing about the meal felt crafted with care or refinement. The day before, we had dined at another 3-Michelin-star restaurant, so the contrast was painfully obvious. On top of that, it was extremely expensive and not remotely worth the price. The service was also poor — when we arrived, we had to go find a staff member ourselves, and we had to flag someone down just to get our drinks refilled. For a place with this reputation and this price tag, the experience was a genuine letdown. If you’re hoping to celebrate something special, look elsewhere.
2.0Sunatda Thum· 2 months ago
RyuGin’s three-star Michelin status was completely undeserved in our experience. The food was unimpressive, some dishes outright cold, and the service was rigid. At $2,500, we expected far more. They refused a spoon for soup, insisted we use chopsticks, and then offered us used chopsticks as a souvenir, denying us a fresh set. Worse, after enforcing their dress code with a $5 shirt, they harassed us for days, calling our hotel to retrieve it. For such an expensive meal, this was absurd. Hospitality and flexibility were nowhere to be found.
1.0Mason Song· 5 months ago
The second time is still the charm. Well thought through menu that showcases the finest ingredients from all over Japan. The staff still remembered us and seated at the same table after 1 year passed. Will certainly come back for the 3rd time.
5.0Wittapon Jawjit· 9 months ago