01 / ABOUT THE PLACE
About this place
Right from the start, Gottsu sets an interactive tone with an otoshi starter that diners grill themselves over a compact shichirin charcoal brazier on the table. Warming items like fish cakes over the gentle embers and taking in the toasted aroma over a first drink builds an easy anticipation for the robata cooking to follow.
The main draw here is the warayaki, flash-seared in towering straw flames. Bonito tataki finished over the roaring fire takes on a distinct smoky aroma that deepens the fish's natural richness. The seafood lineup also includes straw-grilled mackerel served with sesame oil and straw-grilled sea bream, pairing blistered aromatics with moist, tender flesh, which can be enjoyed alongside thick-cut sashimi platters.
The daily menu slips feature plenty of enticing small plates, from freshly fried Nagasaki horse mackerel and pike conger tempura to sweet Oi Kintoki sweet potato with honey butter, giving each course a pleasing shift in texture. Lingering over a three-item platter of stingray fin and firefly squid toasted over the tabletop grill while sipping a freshly squeezed Tokushima sudachi sour or a seasonal local sake makes for a thoroughly relaxed evening.
In addition to counter seating that offers an up-close view of the bustling open kitchen, the restaurant features comfortable tables and raised koagari seating, making it equally welcoming for solo diners and casual group gatherings. Situated just a short walk from Hankyu Katsura Station, it is an easy stop, though booking ahead is advisable for the busy evening hours.
