It is known for its rich beef flavor, tender texture, and satisfying meaty taste.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, we use sagari, a cut known in English as hanging tender or hanger steak, for our Harami Steak.

What Is Harami?

In Japanese yakiniku, harami refers to a cut from around the diaphragm area.

It has a deep beef flavor and a texture that is tender but still pleasantly meaty.

Compared with heavily marbled beef, harami is often easier to enjoy because it has plenty of flavor without feeling too rich.

Why We Use Sagari

At Yakiniku Romanpop, our Harami Steak is made with sagari.

Sagari is known for its strong beef flavor and good balance between tenderness and texture.

We like this cut because it allows guests to enjoy the natural taste of the meat without relying too much on fat.

Thick-Cut for More Flavor

We serve our Harami Steak in a thick cut.

This helps keep the meat juicy inside while allowing the outside to develop a flavorful grilled surface.

Because the pieces are thicker, you can enjoy both the texture and the rich beef taste more clearly.

How to Grill Harami

Place the meat on the grill and cook both sides until the surface is nicely browned.

Because harami is thick-cut, take your time and grill it evenly.

Once cooked, enjoy it with your preferred seasoning or dipping sauce.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, guests grill the meat themselves at the table, so you can cook each piece the way you like.

A Good Choice for Meat Lovers

Harami is a good choice for guests who want a rich, meaty flavor without the heaviness of highly marbled beef.

It is especially popular with people who enjoy leaner cuts but still want a satisfying beef taste.

If you are trying Japanese yakiniku for the first time, Harami Steak is one of the easiest cuts to enjoy.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, our thick-cut sagari is one of the dishes we recommend for guests who want to experience the natural flavor of beef.

Yakiniku Romanpop
Kyoto, Japan

After spending the day visiting another city, many travelers return to Kyoto in the evening and start looking for dinner later than usual.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, guests are welcome to enjoy yakiniku after 9 PM.

We are open until 11:00 PM, with last orders at 10:30 PM.

A Good Dinner Option After a Day Trip

A full day of sightseeing can make it difficult to plan dinner early.

You may return to Kyoto after visiting places such as Nara, Osaka, or other nearby destinations and still want to enjoy a proper meal before the day ends.

Yakiniku works well for this kind of evening because you can choose what you want to eat and grill each piece at your own pace.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, guests grill the meat themselves at the table.

Enjoy Wagyu and Different Beef Cuts

Our menu includes Wagyu and a variety of beef cuts, including lean, tender, and richly flavored options.

You can enjoy each cut one by one and compare the differences in texture and flavor.

For guests who prefer lighter meat, lean cuts are available.

For those who want something richer, marbled beef and other flavorful cuts are also available.

Walk-Ins Are Welcome

If your sightseeing schedule changes during the day, it may be difficult to know exactly what time you will return to Kyoto.

Walk-in guests are welcome at Yakiniku Romanpop, subject to table availability.

This makes it easier to stop by for dinner even when your travel schedule is flexible.

Experience Kyoto-Style Yakiniku

A late dinner can also be another opportunity to experience Kyoto’s local food culture.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, you can enjoy arai-dare, a light dipping sauce used after grilling.

Unlike a heavy, sweet sauce, arai-dare complements the natural flavor of the meat and gives freshly grilled beef a lighter finish.

Planning a Late Dinner in Kyoto?

If you return to Kyoto after a day trip and are looking for dinner after 9 PM, Yakiniku Romanpop is open until 11 PM.

Open until: 11:00 PM
Last order: 10:30 PM
Walk-ins welcome, subject to availability

After a full day of exploring, relax at the table, grill your own meat, and finish the day with Japanese-style yakiniku in Kyoto.

Yakiniku Romanpop
Kyoto, Japan

After exploring temples, traditional streets, and seasonal events such as the Jidai Matsuri, another way to experience Kyoto is through its local food culture.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, you can enjoy Japanese-style barbecue with Wagyu, different beef cuts, and tabletop grilling.

A Different Side of Kyoto

Yakiniku is often described as Japanese BBQ, but the experience is different from many barbecue styles around the world.

At Romanpop, guests grill the meat themselves at the table and enjoy each cut at their own pace.

Different cuts have different textures, levels of fat, and flavors, so grilling the meat yourself makes the meal more interactive.

New to yakiniku? Read our guide to Japanese-style BBQ.

Wagyu and Different Beef Cuts
 

Our menu includes Wagyu and a variety of beef cuts, from lean and meaty to rich and tender.

Guests can compare different cuts and find the style they enjoy most.

For first-time visitors to yakiniku, this is also a fun way to learn about Japanese beef culture.

Kyoto-Style Arai-dare

Kyoto also has its own yakiniku traditions.

One example is arai-dare, a light dipping sauce used after grilling.
Learn more about Kyoto-style arai-dare here.

Unlike a thick, sweet sauce, arai-dare is designed to complement the natural flavor of the meat rather than cover it.

It also helps cool freshly grilled meat slightly before eating.

Enjoy Yakiniku After Sightseeing

After spending the day discovering Kyoto’s history and traditions, yakiniku can be a relaxed and enjoyable way to finish the day.

At Yakiniku Romanpop, you can experience Wagyu, tabletop grilling, and Kyoto-style arai-dare in one meal.

Enjoy another side of Kyoto through its yakiniku culture.

Yakiniku Romanpop
Kyoto, Japan

In Kyoto, however, there is another style of enjoying yakiniku called arai-dare.

Arai-dare is a light dipping sauce used after the meat has been grilled. Instead of covering the flavor of the meat, it is meant to complement it and let the natural taste of the beef stand out.

What Does “Arai” Mean?

The word “arai” means to gently wash.

After grilling the meat, you briefly dip it into the sauce before eating.

The idea is not to soak the meat in a heavy sauce, but to lightly coat it.

This creates a cleaner finish and makes it easier to enjoy the natural flavor and texture of each cut.

Why Use Arai-dare?

Freshly grilled meat can be very hot.

Dipping it briefly into arai-dare helps cool it slightly and gives the meat a lighter, more refreshing taste.

This is especially useful when enjoying several different cuts of beef, because the sauce does not overpower the individual flavors.

At Romanpop, we believe good meat already has good flavor.

Arai-dare is not used to hide that flavor. It is used to bring it out.

A Kyoto-style Yakiniku Experience

Arai-dare is part of Kyoto’s unique yakiniku culture.

It is different from the thick, sweet sauces that many people associate with Japanese barbecue.

For visitors, it is also a simple way to experience a local style of yakiniku that is closely connected to Kyoto.

At Yakinikuya Romanpop, guests grill the meat themselves at the table and can enjoy arai-dare after grilling.

How to Enjoy It

Grill the meat to your preferred doneness.

Then dip it briefly into the arai-dare.

You do not need a lot of sauce.

The goal is simple:

Less sauce, more meat.

This way, you can enjoy the texture, aroma, and natural flavor of the beef more clearly.

At Romanpop, we want guests to enjoy yakiniku not only as a meal, but also as part of Kyoto’s food culture.

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