2026/10/05
If you are visiting Japan and looking for a local food experience, yakiniku is one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Japanese beef.
Yakiniku means “grilled meat.” It is often described as Japanese-style barbecue, but the experience is a little different from barbecue in many other countries.
At a yakiniku restaurant, small pieces of meat are brought to your table, and you grill them yourself over a tabletop grill.
You Grill the Meat Yourself
At Yakinikuya Romanpop in Kyoto, guests grill the meat themselves at the table.
This is an important part of the yakiniku experience.
You can decide how long to cook each piece, enjoy different cuts one by one, and eat the meat immediately while it is hot and freshly grilled.
Different cuts of beef have different textures, levels of fat, and flavors, so grilling each piece yourself makes the meal more interactive.
What Kind of Beef Can You Try?
Yakiniku is a good way to enjoy many different cuts of beef in one meal.
At Romanpop, you can try cuts such as:
- Hanging Tender Steak
- Wagyu Lean Cut
- Wagyu Steak
- Beef Tongue
- Beef Cheek
- Ribeye
- Beef offal
Some cuts are lean and meaty, while others are softer and richer.
If you are not sure what to order, our AI Menu Guide can help explain the different cuts, flavors, textures, and recommended ways to enjoy them.
Yakiniku in Kyoto
Kyoto also has its own local yakiniku culture.
One example is arai-dare, a light dipping sauce used after the meat has been grilled.
After cooking the meat, you can dip it into arai-dare before eating. It helps soften the heat of freshly grilled meat and gives the meat a lighter finish.
We will introduce more about Kyoto-style arai-dare in another article.
Enjoy Yakiniku at Your Own Pace
One of the best things about yakiniku is that there is no single correct way to enjoy it.
You can choose lean beef, richly marbled Wagyu, beef tongue, or more traditional Japanese cuts.
You can grill one piece at a time, compare different textures, and find your favorite.
At Yakinikuya Romanpop, we want guests to enjoy not only the meat, but also the experience of Japanese yakiniku culture in Kyoto.
If this is your first time eating yakiniku, please feel free to ask our staff or use our AI Menu Guide to help you choose.
Yakinikuya Romanpop
Kyoto, Japan