Matsukiya Honten

Matsukiya Honten is the main store of one of Otsu's long-established Omi beef houses, distinguished from many competitors by serving the beef two ways: cooked in a traditional sukiyaki course and raw as yukhoe, a Korean-influenced preparation of thinly sliced beef dressed with sesame oil and egg yolk. The sukiyaki remains the signature order, simmered tableside with the marbled Omi beef the house is known for, while the yukhoe gives diners a chance to taste the meat's texture and fat quality without cooking, and the steak lunch set provides a faster, lighter option at midday. The dining room occupies a traditional building in central Otsu, with a mix of table and semi-private seating that leans formal without being stiff, suited to a proper sit-down meal rather than a quick stop. Matsukiya does not emphasize a large wine list; sake and shochu selections are the more natural pairing with both the cooked and raw beef dishes on offer. Reservations are recommended for dinner, when the sukiyaki course requires more preparation time and the restaurant tends to fill with both tourists and Otsu regulars; the lunch steak set is more accessible without advance booking. First-time visitors unsure about raw beef should note that yukhoe is prepared with hygiene standards specific to trusted, high-turnover establishments like this one, and it is worth asking staff about the day's preparation if unfamiliar with the dish. The restaurant's century-plus history in the Omi beef trade is part of its draw for visitors seeking a traditional, rather than modern grill-style, introduction to the region's beef culture.