Kakan

One diner who came with a friend for a slightly indulgent lunch called the sautéed scallops “excellent”. They chose the all-you-can-order menu, picked out the dishes they most wanted, and rounded off the meal with three desserts.

For a lunch built around choosing dishes one by one, the selectable lunch is another option. It begins with an assortment of five appetisers and shark’s fin soup, followed by two dishes chosen from a list, then Chinese sticky rice or fried rice with mixed ingredients, and items such as almond tofu. The choices include sweet-and-sour pork with black vinegar, bang bang chicken and sautéed scallops, so you can combine dishes with contrasting flavours. One diner’s standout sweet-and-sour pork came in a thick, braised-pork-belly-like piece that was so tender it fell apart in the mouth. The regular selectable lunch is described as allowing diners to choose two dishes, making it possible to opt for a set course one day and a meal tailored to personal preferences another.

Those coming for a signature dish might choose the braised whole Yoshikiri shark’s fin. One diner described it as tender yet substantial, with seasoning that was neither too strong nor too mild. Another lunch guest recalled a course that included braised shark’s fin and steamed dumplings with shark’s fin, saying it was easy to eat because the spices were not overpowering.

Kakan is a Cantonese restaurant on the 2th floor of Kyoto Brighton Hotel. A diner who visited for dinner with family remembered cooking that brought out the ingredients’ flavours and textures, along with gentle, stock-rich seasoning. They paired the meal with champagne and white wine, enjoying chilled sparkling wine and Sauvignon Blanc. The range of choices comes into its own when you want to plan the whole table, drinks included.

For dessert, options include classics such as almond tofu and mango pudding, as well as tapioca coconut milk. One visitor praised the mango pudding for its smooth texture and restrained sweetness. Chinese tea is also available, making a cup of tea alongside something sweet a fitting way to end the meal.