01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Jars of fruit-infused spirits lined across the counter immediately draw the eye at Beppinya, making an infused highball or sour an effortless first order. Drinks built around the sharp citrus of sudachi or the punch of fresh ginger keep excessive sweetness at bay, pairing smoothly with whatever arrives first. From an assorted sashimi plate featuring cuts like tuna and yellowtail to fatty Pacific bluefin cheek seasoned liver-sashimi-style with sesame oil and salt, the seafood selection naturally opens the door to Nara's Harushika or selections from Kyoto sake breweries.
The breadth of the menu stands out, moving easily between classic Japanese drinking snacks and playful original creations. Warming choices include Japanese Black beef slow-cooked until moist and tender, pan-fried gyoza packed with aromatic Kujo scallions, and creamy croquettes binding shrimp with soft taro. Diners can also grill Japanese Black ribeye to their liking on tabletop hot plates, or sample Kyoto touches like spring rolls of crisp nama-fu wheat gluten and melted cheese, making it rewarding to assemble an evening from varied small plates.
When it comes time to close out the meal, substantial comforts take over, including roast beef ramen steeped in rich chicken broth and stone-roasted kimchi-natto fried rice served sizzling with fragrant crisped edges. With counter seats complemented by standard tables and sunken kotatsu seating, Beppinya accommodates solo visits after work just as comfortably as easygoing group dinners.
