01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
At Ryuuen, charcoal-grilled kalbi is at the heart of a menu that offers different ways to eat at lunchtime and in the evening. The yakiniku lunch set pairs kalbi with rice, soup, kimchi, namul and salad. A weekday lunchtime diner praised the fragrant charcoal-grilled beef kalbi, which went well with rice, and noted that the meal also included salad and namul. The set is built around grilling your own meat; those wanting a little more can opt for a larger meat portion or add another dish. Another diner mentioned having coffee afterwards, making this a set to consider if you want a well-rounded lunch.
Some diners have ordered from the evening menu even at lunchtime, reporting that they enjoyed the premium loin and premium salted tongue. They found these cuts different in character from the lunch kalbi, so the casual set and a meal built around choosing and grilling your preferred cuts offer distinct experiences. In the evening, there is also the option of comparing wagyu premium kalbi with wagyu extra-premium kalbi. One diner described the premium kalbi as a chance to savour the fat and fine fibres of the meat, while the extra-premium cut is about its rich, savoury fat. They suggested starting with the premium kalbi and finishing with the extra-premium. A diner also reported that two dipping sauces are available, one sweet and one spicy, and used them at different points in the meal. Trying different sauces as well as cuts can add variety to a yakiniku meal.
For a lunch centred on dishes other than grilled meat, the kalbi udon set comes with a small serving of rice and kimchi. The yukgaejang soup set includes rice, Korean seaweed and kimchi, while the bibimbap set is served with soup and kimchi. These are options for a meal focused on prepared dishes rather than gathering around the charcoal grill.
Ryuuen, in Asakusa 5-chome, is listed as serving lunch and dinner, with reservations available. Decide whether you are in the mood for a charcoal-grilled lunch set or evening cuts such as premium or extra-premium kalbi before you go.
