Noma Kyoto - Overpriced & Disappointing

Noma Copenhagen served the most amazing meal I have ever experienced, so I went into their Kyoto Pop-up with high hopes.
Sadly I have to say, this was the most disappointing and overpriced meal of my life. If it were a quarter of the price, I would still find it over priced when considering the overall flavour and experience. And, importantly, the quality of food you can get all over Japan for 10% of this bill.
I sincerely regret this meal.

[@borisgetman9222]

$925 is a pretty reasonable price for a dinner prepared by Gordon Ramsey, served by Tom Cruise and shared with the Emperor Naruhito.

[@JamRock_Jr.]

This I have to agree 💯

[@JamRock_Jr.]

I've never been to Noma but judging from the plating and presentation I know it's somewhat lousy. I can't fathom how they serve the rockfish dish beside a rock cuz as a chef I'd never serve anything not edible beside food on a plate like that rockfish dish. It's utter disaster and embarrassing. It could have been played better. All I see they just wanna elevate it but being to extreme and losing thr real effect thus the customer himself wasn't impressed with the food there.

[@KensAlpaca]

Had a bad feeling soon as the first host/server/waiter/lecturer spoke. I'm relieved you managed to enjoy the experience. Hope more vids are on their way. 7/11 review incoming...

[@jeremyepstein7977]

Same, guy sounded like he should stay in the back of house

[@Bragglord]

Totally agree, he sounded like he'd just woken from a nap to do a job he didn't care about.

[@GCLU]

Welcome back.

[@shohunsuresh6651]

welcome back matt, you look amazing and happy to see you doing well in your photography career

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

Cheers mate

[@adamg.manning6088]

I can see it now; In five to ten years, when Noma is dead and buried, or Redzepi is infrequently trotting out a pop-up for the 1%, we will be looking back on it as a brilliant flash in the pan: Completely unsustainable, rife with exploitation, extra pressure, and ego. There are no doubt elements of genius at play at Noma, but all that is for nought if you fail to put up simply delicious food for the Guest.

[@ohmyshou1der]

The return of the king! I have to say your video about Noma Copenhagen was wonderful and I see why this was a massive letdown in comparison.

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

Sorry it's been so long since I uploaded! My main channel takes a lot of my time - check it out! kzbin.info

[@IanWilkinson]

It's good to see you've got your appetite back :)

[@jwp3803]

good to see you back!!

[@jayfelix_]

Welcome back Matt!! It’s a shame you weren’t able to enjoy yourself as much as you should have been able to. I have to admit though, I thought I was looking at my recommended feed instead of my subscriptions for a moment. Missed your vids man! Glad to see you’re doing well and enjoying life! Wish I could say that I hope you’ll keep uploading on a regular basis, but after that price tag I won’t push my luck. 😅

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

haha thanks Jay. Dont worry, that price tag was a one off and very unlikely to be repeated. I live in Hong Kong which has amazing food. I will try to upload more often.

[@themrgumbatron]

The Noma Australian residency a few years ago was one of the most memorable meals i've had. Whilst Kyoto is one of my favourite places in the world and I was really hoping to secure a booking too but it seems like I got lucky sitting this one out. I hope their next one is outstanding, appreciate the honest review.

[@jeanlucbergman479]

Honestly, the meal to me looks fantastic and extremely interesting. However from what I see the price tag and the relatively small number of courses is the main problem. A few extra standout courses and a few hundred less dollars (without the bullshit charges for cocktails after the deposit) and I'd consider this remarkable. One other thing I've noticed is that Anders and Kaitlin some prominent Copenhagen food bloggers received 2-3 extra courses and embellishments like caviar with the swordfish, something in my opinion that ought to be provided to every single guest at this price point not a select few.

[@rubencontreras9570]

$950 per person! Thank you for an honest review.

[@salmonito2]

Hey check out the review of Anders & Kaitlin of this place. They seem to have had some dishes that you were not served. For instance there was generous amount of black caviar on their sword fish that you did not have. If in fact there is such a significant difference in how they serve people (clients vs PR type of bloggers) then it is worth to write them a review, or make another video. Video in question: Noma Kyoto - $1000 Japan Pop-up by René Redzepi by Anders & Kaitlin.

[@zampao2000]

hmmm(

[@trashsnapple4183]

Anders and Kaitlin are friends of chef, they got special treatment

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

yeah, i am sure its different when you are invited instead of paying, hosted by the chef instead of overlooked, and ... not actually paying for the meal....

[@Bragglord]

​@@trashsnapple4183yeah, Anders and Kaitlin are massive Danish flag flyers on the culinary scene.

[@stevecvntnikoslawyer4181]

So happy to see you back! Great video as always

[@blimy01maynard30]

I don't know this channel but it must have been a long time since this guy aged 15 years from the intro to the beginning of the video.

[@genewaddlerandomstuff2122]

I'm glad that there were positive aspects to the experience. I hope it was a happy anniversary anyway. 🙂

[@Tungchu92]

Glad to see you back. Hope to see more Seafood!

[@DivinePonies]

Never had a fancy dinner like that but I really don't see the point when restaurants are trying to be elitist for the sake of elitism. They talk about these old ways and tradition and then they serve food on some stupid rock or a tree bark with random flower on the side that bring absolutely nothing of value to the food itself... like, what the actual fuck? If you wanna make something traditional then make it traditional. And serve it with traditional forks or whatever, don't make the whole story how someone's grandma carried these forks through trenches and passed down through uncle's sister to hide it from alien invasion. I get that they need to 'create' some sort of added value to be able to justify the price, but it's really cringe what they do with simple food.

[@604josh]

The King is back! Love the uploads.

[@user-zb3wy3bz4t]

This is actually embarrassing that they are making a stab at utilizing japanese ingredients and cooking techniques in such a sloppy way. Just off the top of my head, they keep using Sansho leaves that are a bit bigger than what japanese would consider usable. Plating seems rough and garish and heavy on sauces, which is sort of against the simplicity of these traditions. And as you point out, Mottainai! Perhaps they should have stuck to nordic cuisine, then at least japanese clientele could enjoy something they don't already have a better version of!

[@createdezign1840]

I would have asked for a cheese burger to go.

[@KK-bc8gt]

The $300ish for tea and juice was a serious rip off. They should have accommodated to your needs.

[@maxpower755]

Damn! That is some damage! Glad to see you back with another video. Come back soon.

[@MakersTeleMark]

What a bummer to make this a comeback video. But thanks for taking 2 for the team.

[@nathanhaas3891]

Finallllllyyy 🎉🎉🎉🎉 thank you so much. My food dreams and prayers have been answered by the food gods

[@JuanDiaz-tf4di]

keep fuckin posting. my favorite food review channel. do whatever it takes to pump the vids out

[@HonkiePonkie14]

This is by far the shittiest visit on your channel. Glad to have you back, dude. Was coincidentally on your main last week to see if you were still alive.

[@Luncheon23]

Very nice to see you back! It's been a long time!

[@Frodokeuh]

holy crap how can this video slipped under my radar for 2 weeks? 😆 welcome back dude 😉 (after watching whole video) i like your honest thoughts about the meal and not turn into the movie the menu 😂

[@silviosca137]

i really love your channel, and i m happy to see you again, greetings from the Italy

[@Lucy00111]

I always wonder about these super expensive dishes that are SO small and have all these flowers and microgreens on top of them. These dishes you showed did not look appetizing, especially that boiling soup dish. It was almost like someone trying to make a joke out of fine dining dishes.

[@TilmanBaumann]

I knew EXACTLY what was happening when you filmed the outro at the Combini. Onigiri for the win!

[@welshtoro3256]

Excellent and fair review. I have to confess that I'm not the least bit surprised by your conclusions. You could eat sensational Japanese food for a fraction of the price. I'm so glad that I've got this kind of dining experience out of my system. I'd go so far as to say it's a rip-off. Charging you for the drinks and mocktail sums it up. I take some of these occasions on the chin for the sense of adventure and experience but they don't deliver on value. Good, even very good, but I can enjoy that and more in great restaurants in Japan or my more familiar hunting ground, Spain, and a substantially smaller bill.

[@mrkringlan]

Lovely to have you back, this is the content I subscribed for... Cheers!

[@justanothercomment4701]

Oh, new upload after so long. Welcome back!

[@Bragglord]

I have to be honest, while parts of the experience looked good, this looks mad underwhelming. Props to you for giving an honest review of the experience, especially calling them out on the overly complicated techniques for lesser results. The idea that this is actually more expensive than Noma is bizarre.

[@DitchDr101]

Hope all is well. Happy to see the postings again!

[@2534will]

Woohoo looking good Matt , would love to visit japan one day

[@Papa5murf1]

OMG forget the video, i'm just happy to see you back 😁

[@hilohahoma4107]

Noma once meant something regarding cutting edge cuisine, now it's just a mimic. I mean on a basic level perfectly cooked rice should be a no brainer.

[@protestanimalsaslead]

This is the definition of a menu made by chefs for chefs. Missed your videos!

[@bloodlove93]

more like the definition of pointless pretentiousness everything rare,fancy,special techniques etc etc....all for bland,boring,non satisfying food,only "special" thing is you can brag about eating xyz ingredients to other pompous and pretentious pricks.

[@Amphibax]

Just from watching your video it feels like if seen some two or even one star restaurant with a better menu. Not even saying anything abound value for money. Still pretty nice seeing a new video

[@JamRock_Jr.]

As a chef myself whenever you serve someone never ever put something thats not edible on the plate with food besides the plate itself. So for the rockfish dish to be presented beside a rock is utter disaster. Embarrassing

[@BubbaBearsFriend]

It's 'Art', so the story and the 'rarity' is most important.😮 Thanks for takiing us along. Also seems snobbish for them to set prices in Euros when they're in Japan.

[@dannyritz1]

Need to eat some more seafood platters brother , hope your healthy and happy , god bless

[@herczeus9341]

It's awesome that your back Matt!

[@antonioarellano1350]

Please continue making videos, I love your style so much

[@ebush279]

Amazing new vid thanks for sharing, im sad to see this as ive always loved how Noma looks. But Matt your looking great now my man.

[@marywang6426]

The appetizer starter course was the best. I also didn’t enjoy the leaf and pollen haha

[@femsplaining_]

been a while but glad to see ur back!

[@neffdog564]

Yes!!! He’s back!!

[@tommentink9356]

Good to have you back!

[@sloggy]

Welcome Back!! Thoughtful and thorough review as always…. Wondering how transformative and necessary wine is to really enjoy the Noma experience…

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

Might take the edge off the bill….

[@kurtisgillen7658]

I'm so glad ur back. Love ur vlogs

[@kimono38]

This guy come back one year later just to trash a restaurant. Welcome back :)

[@KiteRebell]

WELCOME BACK SIR!!

[@trueseeker262]

Miss you Matt! Worth waiting for just to see you!

[@davidmatke248]

Great to see you back!!

[@sorinsrn5442]

Im happy to see you back buddy!!!

[@karls2426]

Sorry the experience wasn't that good, Thank You so much for being the victim, it Helps the rest of Us.

[@venom5809]

As soon as I heard that guy talk I knew it was going to be disappointing. lol

[@TheBigcowie]

Ate the best seafood platter i have ever had at ”Buhres veranda” in Kivik, Sweden, the other day. Thought of you!

[@gilesfone]

So nice to see you again.

[@thomasmarvoloriddle3539]

These are the type of people that inspires dark comedies like 'the menu'

[@yungyetti1679]

Finally a post

[@lateblossom]

Definitely not worth it. Not if you walk away hungry. The POINT of food is to satisfy you, not just impress you. And the ideal is to satisfy AND impress you.

[@thaivo5281]

Welcome back!!

[@Randy-vw6jr]

Holy fk seeing the bill was made wow how overpriced and ridiculous that place is. How is that even allowed to happen and is the Demand that high for it to justify it?

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

They were completely sold out with wait list.

[@alexandervat5862]

welcome back:-)

[@SamMcDonald83]

Good to see you back but wish it was better circumstances. I mean that cost a grand? That's so not worth it. Even the presentation looked a bit rough to me in parts...

[@jeremyepstein7977]

Immediate click! Glad you're back ☺️

[@ronnieip3407]

welcome back. i was worried that you had stopped posting. what a rip off meal!

[@l95027]

do you plan to only eat at high end restaurants, or will you film some more low key areas?

[@tonycarpaccio9550]

It seems they have big problems with their "pop ups". I always remember the food poisoning at their popup in Claridge's.

[@GMC2001]

😅Glad you’re back!

[@zedhead87]

Looking more like a super villian than ever! 👍🏻

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

🤷‍♂️

[@horsehelp4you]

He looks like the food critic from Ratatouille.

[@Leafshockeyftw]

He has returneth

[@2BXD]

Nice a new upload

[@yuka-youtube]

i am very very sorry for this. let me apologize on behalf of kyoto and japan. i can visually tell so many flaws in these dishes. macha is not really made hot. and presentations in general are not really great either. if this is kyoto Kaiseki, they cant charge more than 200 bucks by these...

[@gotto510]

日本料理は京都が一番です。　値段も高いですが雰囲気は最高　本当の日本料理です

[@myramyr1983]

Love ur tatitude legit and professional no bull..and u know ur food i started seeing u

[@conniebrownlow4873]

I've wondering what happened to you. I love watching your videos 🎉.

[@nespressoman]

Welcome back, I have missed your reviews. It’s always sad when the food is not good and overpriced for what it is. Hope you complained.

[@NirjaShresthaPradhan]

Welcome back

[@poisonhand8078]

Innovative does not mean sustainable.

[@agneslin319]

May I know how much was the meal?

[@susanborkenhagen58]

Rene is the classic "Emporer has no clothes" BS. Conspicuous consumption and a cult of elite snobs. The film The Menu was inspired by this nonsense. Not paying his staff while mentally and physically abusing them while he charges these prices is a crime. He is not a real chef, he is a pseudo chef with good PR.

[@starcarter6592]

I somewhat to agree with your assessment that whilst the intention is beautiful.. masterful chefs moving to a different destination attempting their skills to create new fusions. But poor research and execution will nullify all effort burst all these bubbles. Kyoto, being one of the best food destinations in the world will be high bar to match for a restless team despite the credential. I hope you had a chance to visit other good destination in kyoto to make the trip worth!

[@brendansamuels8028]

Sounds like you would’ve preferred a handful of yakitori sticks down on the main drag 😅

[@MrNepatriotsfan12]

I feel like based off your review you’re using the cost of the dish to weigh out to worth, as opposed to rating and describing the dish for what it is

[@fayaazalibhai4665]

Damn he's become old

[@crimsonfancy]

Noma maybe assumed too much. Maybe stretched too far lately. 🤷🏻‍♂ edit: thank you for your diplomatic report

[@lyngbyhas]

Wouldn't have expected arrogance to taste good tbh

[@threemothers]

O dear!! Noma has done it all and they’re lost for ideas. Smdh

[@veo16]

I really missed this snarky guy completely destroying everyone's favorite kaiseki meals. One of the places featured on this channel even closed down recently - Tomoe in NYC. No one will say it's because of these reviews. But we know better than to mess with World's Best Seafood.

[@JoyJoy-cr5us]

When did you stop drinking?

[@worldsbestseafood4784]

2 years ago

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Danish retirement pot topped up for the foreseeable...😮.

[@christianhowarth4333]

You look great, mate.

[@tamninja]

The meal looks sad

[@hempseedaddict]

7-11 for the win! 😂😂😂