One of Nihonryori RyuGin's signature dishes. The pigeon is grilled quickly over blazing straw, creating a charred exterior while the meat stays rare and tender inside. Chef Yamamoto sources specific heritage pigeons and cooks them with extraordinary restraint — just salt and fire. The gamey flavor and tender texture are a brilliant example in Japanese simplicity.
Tips from diners
This dish alone justifies the three Michelin stars. Prepare your palate for the intensity and delicate cooking.
In winter months, Chef Yamamoto builds an entire omakase around fugu (blowfish). This includes tessa (paper-thin raw fugu sliced with precision), grilled fugu, fugu liver, and fugu roe. The course demonstrates the seasonal depth of Japanese kaiseki — using an ingredient across multiple preparations to showcase its range. The poison-sac removal is done by licensed fugu chefs.
Tips from diners
Available only in winter months when fugu is in season. The complete fugu menu is a rare experience not available year-round.
A seasonal course showcasing both Sanuki Wagyu (from Kagawa prefecture) and wild matsutake mushroom when both are at their peak in autumn. The beef is grilled or briefly seared to preserve its marbling. The matsutake's earthiness and aroma complement the rich beef. This is kaiseki at its most ingredient-focused.
Tips from diners
Available September through November. This is the peak matsutake season and the most aromatic.
Chef Seiji Yamamoto opened Nihonryori RyuGin in Roppongi in 2003 and earned three Michelin stars by 2012. In 2018, the restaurant relocated to the 7th floor of Tokyo Midtown Hibiya — a space three times larger. The menu remains fixed and reflects the season deeply. Signature dishes include straw-grilled pigeon, sashimi platters, and Sanuki Wagyu with matsutake mushroom. Each course tells a story rooted in Japanese ingredients and tradition.
Book well in advance through the restaurant's website or hotel concierge. Michelin 3-star tables are competitive. Japanese phone number recommended for booking.
Located in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, easily accessible from Hibiya Station. The restaurant is on the 7th floor with city views. Allow extra time to find the entrance.
Dinner only. Two seatings: 5:00pm and 8:00pm. The earlier seating is easier to book. Closed Sundays, Tuesdays, and some holidays.
Only one fixed menu per evening — no à la carte ordering. The menu changes daily based on market availability and the season.
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