01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Just a short walk from JR Tanbaguchi Station, midday dining at Sanmaru revolves around its signature chicken karaage set. Generous pieces of chicken arrive crisp and piping hot, boasting a savory, robust seasoning designed to complement bowl after bowl of rice. It is a hearty, dependable meal that reliably fuels the surrounding neighborhood through the workday.
A Midday Roster Ranging from Obanzai to Ginger Pork
The lunch menu extends well past fried chicken. Depending on the day's mood, guests can opt for an obanzai set accompanied by assorted traditional side dishes, a pork shogayaki set cooked with leeks in a sauce balanced away from overt sweetness, an udon set, or a fresh seafood rice bowl. Daily specials—such as stuffed lotus root cutlets or savory umaki eel rolled in omelet—keep the lineup engaging for regular visitors.
Evening Gatherings with Daily Fresh Fish and Small Plates
Come evening, Sanmaru shifts into izakaya mode, listing seasonal catches and a wide spread of à la carte dishes on the chalkboard. Offerings span raw and cooked fish—including octopus sashimi chunks (tako butsu), seasonal sashimi, and grilled selections—alongside classic drinking companions like freshly rolled dashimaki tamago, simmered beef tendon, and sake-steamed clams. A well-chosen roster of regional sake and shochu, including local Kyoto favorite Matsumoto and Hyogo's Kasumitsuru, encourages lingering over good food and drink.
Seating includes a lively counter facing the open kitchen as well as raised tatami sections, making the room just as fitting for solo diners dropping in for a quick bite as for informal gatherings of friends or coworkers. From a filling daytime set meal to an easygoing drink after work, Sanmaru delivers homestyle Japanese cooking in a comfortable, down-to-earth atmosphere.
