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    Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto

    4.6 (41 reviews)
    Ultra High-EndJapanese
    Closed 5:00 am - 11:00 pm

    Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto Photos

    Business Info

    KAISEKI YU-ZEN HASHIMOTO ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Quiet
    Intimate
    Classy
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto

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    Tilla T.

    Fresh ingredient, beautiful and tasteful dishes. The staffs are very nice. The food are small portion but good enough to make you full. Very happy to enjoy the kaiseki in a quiet environment.

    the interior of a restaurant
    Jenn W.

    The eight-course meal ($350 per person) began with an onjyaku-zen (amuse bouche) consisting of three hearty soups designed to warm-up the stomach. Hashimoto's saikyo miso soup wasn't overly salty but rather rich in umami made with white miso, topped with a braised carrot, and a pea-sized amount of mustard to add an expected spice against the broth. Meanwhile, the nutty flavour that burst through the cube of goma (sesame) tofu was incredible, almost bordering bitter if it weren't balanced out by the thick savoury soup. If anything, I could have done without wasabi on the tofu as the sesame taste was already so pungent. Of all three bowls, my favourite was also the simplest and what Hashimoto calls "seasoned rice". It's like a thick congee studded with cubes of sweet soft squash and topped with slivers of salty dried kelp (?). The bowl was lovely and comforting and had us wanting another taste of it to end the meal. Paper thin slices of tennen madai (line caught sea bream) was featured in the sashimi course, so delicate that it's like eating flower petals made of fish. Around the plate were three agar jellies flavoured with ginger, carrot, and seaweed, as well as a washer-sized daikon filled with thinly julienned pickled vegetables. It's a much lighter dish following the onjyaku-zen and really showcases the knife skills of Chef Masaki Hashimoto. Diners are asked to refrain from wearing strong scents to ensure they're able to enjoy the sensory experience of the food. The yuzu aroma that escapes from the owan-mono was so refreshing, although at first whiff, it leaves me wondering if a citrusy soup is something I'd enjoy. Hashimoto didn't disappoint, balancing the yuzu in a savoury consommé and pairing it with a host of rich flavours: a silky chawanmushi (egg custard), a thick chewy rice cake, and a soft braised daikon. The slice of amadai (tile fish) was cooked perfectly and I loved that the fish's scales were deep fried to form a crunchy garnish on top. The yaki-mono (grilled course) featured a host of ingredients that were in-season during the autumn in Japan. Generally, I only have persimmons raw, yet somehow the fruit tastes so good baked, releasing more of its sweet flavours with chewy pieces of mochi included to soak up some of its juices. The fruit was so inventive that the grilled shima-aji (stripe jack) almost seemed secondary; I found the fish a tad overcooked and in need of a stronger glaze to make it stand out. This is a long review, find the rest on Gastroworld.

    Davis L.

    The moment you walk in someone is there to greet you and guide you to your table. The ambiance makes you feel like you're walking into a different world you escape the real world and enter an amazing experience. The service is was on point! The servers answer all your questions and they were both knowledgeable about the whole menu and the same questions and gave great recommendations. We asked about the sake selection and they gave us exact description of each selection they had.The food comes out course by course and they gave an explanation of each dish. They prepare each dish to perfection! They way the plate it was delicately placed! Everything tasted amazing. They use season ingredients for each dish. I would highly recommend this place to anyone! Thanks you Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto

    This was one of the best experiences I've had at a restaurant to date. From the staff to the secluded dining space to the food to the conversations discussing Japan I highly recommend anyone thinking of going to this restaurant to book it immediately.

    1/3 private dining rooms per night
    Vivian W.

    Toronto MUST VISIT Michelin starred traditional Kaiseki cuisine spot First and foremost congratulations Kei, Chef Hashimoto and the rest of the Hashimoto family on earning your Michelin star. So well deserved! This is the REAL deal guys- the closest to authentic Kaiseki cuisine you can get in Toronto. We reserved for dinner to celebrate our anniversary. Kei and Chef Hashimoto prepared such a sweet card for us and even wrote in traditional brush pen our names and a congratulatory message in Japanese. From the moment we arrived, to the moment we left, everything was flawless. Attention to detail, presentation, hospitality, flavours & quality of each ingredient were best in class. There are also only 3 private tables per night so we were really able to enjoy and take our time. Our dinner lasted about 5 hours for 8 courses! Dinner can last as long or as short as you want but we really savored every moment and every detail Each course was a surprise to us like a "trust the chef" concept. The menu changes seasonally with ingredients sourced during those peak months. We loved Kei's patient and informative description of each course and besides conversing with each other we loved hearing from Kei about his favourites, and experiences. Some notable dishes that I enjoyed the most was of course the JA5 wagyu, hot soba noodles, raw sea bream from Fukuoka and the prized Shizuoka musk melon. A special night like this doesn't come at a small price tag- it most likely will set you back about $1k (including a bottle of sake). But we find ourselves comparing all of our future experiences to Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto...almost like the golden standard. If you're looking for an authentic and culturally immersive dining experience in Toronto, this is it

    Menu for the evening and first course.
    Wilson L.

    This is a special place to dine. The service, ambiance, food and presentation were outstanding. It was quite a ways from downtown Toronto but worth going out.

    Michelle C.

    Going to Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto Restaurant is like going back to Japan. You can get the true authentic Kaiseki experience and the interior of the restaurant is impeccable. The experience is artistic, perfected and well serviced. The food was not only delicious, but beautiful as well. They only use the most premium and fresh ingredients for their guests and you can tell through tasting their food. The sequence in which the food was served was well thought out and the pairings of the vegetables with the meats were compatible and enhancing. You can definitely tell how much love and care the chef has placed into the food, presentation and experience. I most definitely agree with their Michelin star and it is 100% worth the price for this unique experience in Toronto. Thank you to the staffs at Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto Restaurant for making my birthday so memorable and magical.

    Course 1: Sesami tofu(?), flavored rice with eel, white miso soup.
    Eleanor Y. W.

    TLDR: Pricey but very beautiful experience! Not full 5 star because of ...small portion. I was quite torn between 4 and 5 stars here. The first time I heard of Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto was when I just moved to Toronto 8 years ago. My reaction upon seeing the price was apparently "Nope, I'm not going to eat there. Who's going to pay $300 plus tax and tip for just a Japanese meal? Wouldn't this be enough to have a Michelin 3 star meal in real Tokyo?" The latter half of the statement is probably still true. The price is enough for a top tier dinner but nah, 2021 is not a year for worry-free international travel. So let's give the local Japanese restaurant a try and see if it could make up for a missed travel to Japan. Upon entering I was amazed by the beautiful interior - we were escorted through a narrow, dim corridor with splendid Japanese style decor to finally arrive our own individual room for just me and my husband. The path itself was an experience almost - it's like we were teleported to Japan. The room was very quiet, there was background music playing but volume was very low, somehow we found ourselves conversing in lower voices too, another subtle thing that felt like Japan. Food is no doubt authentic. I wouldn't have been able to tell if I was in Japan or in Toronto from tasting the food alone - the cooking method and presentation were both traditional and beautiful. Flavor wise I personally liked it better than many fusion menus, possibly because I'm from Asia and started eating the more traditional Japanese food to begin with :P There were 8 courses in total but at the end I didn't feel stuffed, not even close. The portion of food was small, which I thought was a nature of Kaiseki dinner. It didn't mean to stuff one's stomach. Its origin was small seasonal food to enjoy before tea ceremony, after all. Speaking of tea ceremony, there was originally a tea ceremony at the end of the meal. But because of the COVID the ceremony was cancelled. That's to say our experience was strictly speaking, incomplete this time. One more thing to note - this restaurant is run by just the Hashimoto family. The chef Hashimoto prepares every single dish presented to us - this is truly impressive.

    a close up of a plate of food
    Stelth N.

    Truly a phenomenal, once-in-a-lifetime experience - soon to turn to once-every-week experience! Serious foodie and photographer here - went to Kaiseki with several people for a special occasion and was blown away on every expectation. The quality of food, mature simplicity - yet wonderful complexity, presentation, attention to detail, private room setting, cleanliness, serene music, and overall experience was second to none. Would come back here in a heartbeat and absolutely recommend to all serious diners for an incredible experience. Thank you, Kei & Masaki Hashimoto and the Hashimoto Team for a beautiful time. Bravo.

    Made a reservation for my bf's birthday celebration and it was our very first time dining at Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto. It is truly an experience that we will never forget! Just taking the first steps into the restaurant brings you to a whole new experience (if you haven't been to Japan like myself!). The atmosphere and decor was absolutely exquisite. From start to finish, we were just absolutely amazed at how the food was prepared and presented to us. Kei was extremely welcoming and we thoroughly loved how he explained everything to us. The food was truly impeccable, each and every savory bite. Everything was just so fresh and hits every single taste buds. I'd definitely recommend if you haven't tried it before. Photos taken by Kei and sent to us after our delicious dinner!

    Paul H.

    Overall, I had a great experience at this establishment. The service was outstanding & you can taste the care that they put into each dish. Definitely a place to take someone to show how much you appreciate & value them. As the restaurant only takes a limited number of guest per night, we had to request a reservation online. Once arriving to the restaurant, we were greeted by the host who brought us to our table in separated rooms. The individual rooms is perfect as it makes the experience more private & intimate. The host was very informative and knowledgeable of their products. Each course was explained in detail, I think, in part, to really let you appreciate their attention to your Kaiseki experience. At the end of the meal, the chef will come & thank you for visiting. I think this really adds to the overall experience, as they really make you feel immersed in the whole culture. They will take a picture of the dinner party & send you pictures of your the meal in a thank you email. In conclusion, very happy with the meal & Kaiseki experience. Not your every day kind of meal at its price point. But a definite winner if you want to celebrate.

    Ke F.

    It's very nice experience. So polite. After meal, we will have matcha ceremony. Chef also will come to see u and take photo for u. Food taste really good. Especially the sashimi. I love the sashimi.

    Tiff L.

    I am confident when I say this place is hands down the most authentic Kaiseki cuisine I've ever been to in Toronto (thus far). The experience takes you back to Japan - from the moment you walk in, the intricate decor and personable service, it felt like they were trying to take you through a journey. The assistant Manager, Kei, was a pleasure to talk to. He was friendly and extremely knowledgeable about every question we asked him. The entire restaurant only had 3 tables and they keep it that way to ensure you have a proper Kaiseki experience in peace and quiet. It was our 7 year anniversary celebration and the on on the table was a personal note written and stamped by the chef. They really pay attention to details when you make the reservations, which are recommended a week in advance. I won't go into detail about the dishes, but $200 per person for the 6-course lunch was well worth it. The quality of all ingredients are top-notch and the effort spent on each dish can be seen in small details like how they tie bean sprouts into a knot, the exquisite plating. Every course was served like it was a piece of art. The miso soup may be my favorite - it does not sink to the bottom like other places, but instead carries a creamy texture and the dab of mustard went surprisingly well with the soup. We had tea ($6) to go with our meal and you are able to get up to 2 refills. The main course was duck breast porridge w/ poached quail egg. We were offered seconds in case we weren't full before dessert was served. The lunch sessions do not come with the tea ceremony, so if you'll have to come during dinner to see it. On our way out, Kei took photos of us by the front door, which would be emailed to us along with photos of our meal today. Since it was Valentine's Day, we each received a fresh rose! The chef came out to say goodbye, walks us all the way out the door and bowed outside in -20 weather! I wanted to usher them back inside because it was freezing, but the Hashimoto family won't let you leave without making you feel like a true VIP. I will definitely be back!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto

    You will not be disappointed as you are transported to dining Kaiseki style in Kyoto by Chef Hashimoto and Mr Kei.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

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    Gyubee Japanese Grill - Dundas

    Gyubee Japanese Grill - Dundas

    4.2
    (350 reviews)
    8.9 km
    $$$

    Affordable and great dishes. All staffs are kind and thoughtful…read more But the noise in the restaurant is echoing a bit.

    We have enjoyed both Japanese and Korean bbq places around the world and loved our experience at…read moreGyubee. There's no reservation system but they do have a waitlist on Yelp which gets you in line (highly recommended). First to know is you can't pay with credit card here--there's an ATM in the front of the restaurant. As far as the restaurant goes, it was fantastic from start to finish. Our table of 4 was seated and serviced by 1 main staff member, Lydia, who talked us through the whole menu and ordering system, recommended some great starts and then kept us frequently updated all throughout dinner. She checked up on us along with her assistants who were also bringing items and servicing the table. The food quality was excellent with juicy and flavorful cuts of beef along with the shrimp, pork, veggies, side dishes/ponchon, and rice--it kept coming consistently. Grill changes were frequent as well. The atmosphere is lively and there are a lot of servers so you aren't trying get someone's attention all the time. But it doesn't feel too cramped at the same time. As it is AYCE, everyone in our group left full of course and enjoyed each course. I liked the almond tofu at the end! ----TL;DR---- Pros: great selection of meats, quality was top notch, huge portions of course as it is AYCE, service was prompt and all staff were really friendly. Cons: no reservations so need to be on a waitlist. The no credit card system is a bit of an inconvenience. Bottom Line: we loved it--definitely would go back again and enjoy more of their selections! You have to try them if you like meat and AYCE!

    Photos
    Miso Soup , Miso steak , Garlic Beef Brisket, Miso Brisket
    Miso Soup , Miso steak , Garlic Beef Brisket, Miso Brisket
    I go almost once a week, its sooooo good! Service is always great
    I go almost once a week, its sooooo good! Service is always great
    Beef Menu Dec 2024

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    Beef Menu Dec 2024
    Hana Don

    Hana Don

    4.2
    (60 reviews)
    8.8 km

    Having been to the other Hana Don location in North York multiple times, I was delighted when they…read moreopened a new location in downtown. It's my go-to spot to get my don fix - I love the wide variety of dons (rice bowls) that they offer with various fish and seafood combinations. There are also unique appetizers in the menu, such as Purple Yam Croquettes, Crab Crackers, Braised Bamboo Shoots with Shirasu (immature whitebait fish), and Takowasa (marinated raw octopus pieces, to be eaten with or wrapped in nori / seaweed). Although the dons are the main highlight of their menu (hence the restaurant name), they also offer traditional sushi, sashimi, sushi rolls and sets (similar to other Japanese sushi restaurants). Miso Aburi Scallops were very flavourful - nicely torched, giving the scallops a nice grill / char taste. They came with red and green seaweed, and a bit of fish roe. Large Premium Hana Don contained a good amount of fish and seafood, including a whole abalone, uni, shrimp in the shell, aburi salmon, ikura (salmon roe), salmon sashimi, tuna sashimi, yellowtail sashimi, other various fish sashimi, tamago (egg), and a few slices of cucumber on a generous bed of rice. I liked that the rice was a mix of white rice and some type of dark-coloured grains. Unatama Don came with a big piece of unagi and tamago (egg) that were both excellent. The sashimi were all fresh. Okonomiyaki was disappointing but it was sort of expected... for only $9, it was about 99% just flour pan-fried in a patty, without any substantial fillings (unlike real okonomiyaki, which usually contains protein / seafood, cabbage, eggs, and other ingredients). Location is super convenient near Bay & Dundas, ambiance is very casual, and service is quick.

    First time trying this place and I was very pleased with the service. We went pretty late and they…read moremanaged to accommodate us. What I really liked was that they had 3 options of warm water - Hot, Warm, and room temperature. Instinctively I knew this place cared about the clients digestive health. Though I'm sure if you asked for ice water, they would accommodate (my friend asked for no sauces in her maki roll). The fishes were plated very pretty and because it's sushi of course it tasted good. But I was surprised at the level of wasabi that was plated. Cleared up my sinuses for 30 seconds. The establishment is very clean and bright and a great place to head to if you're in a rush.

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    Hana Don
    Hana Don
    Hana Don

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    KINKA IZAKAYA ORIGINAL

    KINKA IZAKAYA ORIGINAL

    4.1
    (1.9k reviews)
    8.1 km
    $$

    Amazing food,especially loved the Japanese chicken and Tokyo fries.They were able to seat us right…read moreaway without reservations,even though they were very busy.

    My friend has been here before and has really liked it. Not too busy so we got seats pretty easily…read more The atmosphere nice and the service is good. We got a bunch of dishes to share and overall liked most things but some things (like the oyster) unfortunately didn't hit as well. Wagyu - thin slices but very tender and very flavorful with the cheese - surprised by how well the flavor combo worked out. Tofu - easily one of my fave agedashi tofu. Huge tofu slices with very chewy outer texture, a bit gelatinous . Really went well with the sauce and toppings Carbonara - nice chewy texture to the udon, not too soft and not too firm. The sauce was nice and creamy. Not as truffley as I thought it would be, wish it was a little more but it was still pretty good Oyster - least favorite of all the dishes we got today. It was a bit sour and the cheese felt like it didn't really help the flavor profile of the oysters. It was super oily from the cheese, felt like it was drowning in cheese/oil flavor Cod - it looks good but something is lacking, maybe in taste? Feel like maybe the marinade did not penetrate enough. The texture is still nice and soft , with a crisp skin . Also was a bit too oily for our liking, compared to other miso cod we have had. It was also a relatively smaller piece of cod. Overall, the appetizers were really good! The oyster and cod were a bit disappointing. Would come back for the carbonara and the other appetizers mentioned though!

    Photos
    Sake bomb!
    Sake bomb!
    Grilled Cod
    Grilled Cod
    Karaage

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    Karaage

    Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto - japanese - Updated July 2026

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