Is Gyukatsu Motomura Worth the Try for Travelers? Honest Review 2025

Are you planning a trip to Japan? Or are you already in Japan and want to try something delicious from Japanese cuisine? If yes, Gyukatsu Motomura is the place where you will try unique Japanese deep-fried beef cutlets or gyukatsu.

Japanese culture and foods are amazing in its own beauty but nothing beats gyukatsu. Not only must-try food restaurant chain for foodies but also for those who flock to Japan for leisure, travel or other purpose.

Let’s talk about this restaurant’s specialties, menu, uniqueness and other things you want to know about it.

What is Gyukatsu Motomura?

Motomura Gyukatsu is basically a famous Japanese restaurant chain famous for its deep-fried beef cutlets. The unique fact about this restaurant is customers grill their own gyukatsu on small and hot stone plates to their desired level of doneness.

Also, they offer variety of sides like rice, cabbage, miso soup, and pickled vegetables. This chain is not only located in a single place in fact, there are multiple locations in Tokyo and other major cities in Japan. Here, reservations are normally accepted for groups of minimum 3 or more.

Gyukatsu Motomura Reviews

Read all reviews here: Gyukatsu Motomura Shibuya

First Impressions: Ambience, Service, and Queue

Motomura is located in different parts of Japan & Tokyo. Moreover, there are few outlets in Philippines. In Japan, specific locations include Shibuya, Harajuku, Ebisu, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro, and Ueno etc.

You can’t expect luxury dining here because seating is limited and you may need to wait for 1 hour or more.

To enjoy amazing food or delicious food, you have to wait for some time, it’s mandatory. For example, if you arrive in evening, you have to wait for maximum of 1 hour as a seating time.

Gyukatsu Popular Locations & Average Wait Times

Exact Addresses of Famous Spots

Gyukatsu Motomura Osaka: 3-3-1 Sugata Bldg B1F, Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture.

Gyukatsu Motomura Tokyo: 1-25-3 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo B2F WaMall Seibu Shinjuku Station Building.

Gyukatsu Motomura Shinjuku: B2F, 1 Chome-25-3 WaMall Kabukicho, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0021, Japan.

Gyukatsu Motomura Shibuya: Japan, 〒150-0002 Tokyo, Shibuya, 3 Chome−18−10 大野ビル2号館 B1F.

Pro-Tip: Go during off-peak hours i.e., before noon or after 8:30 PM to avoid the rush.

Gyukatsu Motomura Menu

Despite the fame of this famous restaurant, they keep things simple in terms of food quality & service. Beef cutlet is their main course and you will choose between 130g or 260g portions, and each set includes:

• A sizzling hot stone grill
• Miso soup
• Pickled vegetables
• Grated yam (tororo)
• Rice (with optional barley)
• Sauces (wasabi soy sauce, horseradish, and salt)

What makes it different how special the cooking process is. It’s totally up to you which taste you want to try. The flavor is exceptional in the form of additional flavors like garlicky flavors, bold flavors, beefy flavors and steak-like flavor.

The beef is tender, juicy with crunchy panko crust. There are different kinds of dipping sauce like:

• Shoyu sauce
• Seasame dipping sauce
• Horseradish sauce

Gyukatsu Motomura Price & Set Menu (Approximate)

Payments could be done via credit cards like Suica or Pasmo and cash but not all the branches aceept credit cards, so it is good to bring some cash with you.

The Experience: More Than Just a Meal

Their delicious food or quality dishes don’t set them apart but the interactive experience foodies get after visiting them.

The moment you enter in restaurant to the moment you taste your last piece of beef; the whole process feels special and engaging. This is something that you really want to share with others.

Plus, the portion sizes are ideal for travelers who want something filling but not overly heavy.

What Travelers Should Be Aware Of?

No doubt the meal is delicious but it’s our duty to tell you few downsides too.

Long Wait Times: You are expected to wait for longer times especially at famous locations like Shibuya or Shinjuku.

Limited Seating: Seating is limited so you should be aware of especially when you are in group.

Not Vegetarian-Friendly: The menu is centered around beef, with few alternatives.

Minimal English Support: Because of potential language barriers, you may ask staff to guide you with signs.

Little Bit Smell of Grease: You may leave smelling a bit like fried food, don’t wear your best clothes!

Is it Worth it or Not?

If you are one who is a foodie and want to try something unique and different, the answer is a resounding yes. This place not only delivers good food but also provides special dining experience.

But if you are in hurry and can’t wait for longer times, you can skip this restaurant and go for any other Japanese shop or restaurant.

Pros

• Unique self-cook dining experience
• Affordable pricing for high-quality beef
• Delicious and satisfying flavors
• Great for solo travelers or couples
• Easy to find in major cities

Cons

• Long wait times during peak hours
• Small dining space
• Not ideal for vegetarians or picky eaters
• Cash preferred, limited card acceptance
• You’ll likely crave it again and again

Gyukatsu Motomura Reservation Requirements

To book your seat at Motomura, you need to follow these guidelines formulated by restaurant.

• For seat selection, they do not accommodate your request.
• Bookings should be made for 3 or more adults. Reservations for less than 3 are not accepted.
• You need to arrive at your desired reservation time. in case if you don’t arrive within 15 minutes, your booking will be cancelled.
• Customers have to make reservations for those who are 6 years or older. So, at the time of booking, consider them too.
• Bookings can only be made online and reservations over phone will not be considered.
• Before making your booking, check reservation details carefully. A cancellation charges of 50% on the day before and 100% on the day will be charged.
• 600 yen per person will be charged for seat fees.

Final Words!

Gyukatsu Motomura is definitely worth the try for both travelers and foodies. Japanese cuisine is something that almost every traveler wants to taste once in a lifetime so there’s no better way than trying this restaurant’s food this time.

It doesn’t matter whether you are food lover or not, vegetarian or non-vegetarian, this is all about tasting unique flavors with sauces. Just don’t forget to bring cash, arrive early, and bring your appetite, you will want every last bite.

Frequently Asked Questions