Sushi Saito
Saito is a top-quality sushi restaurant with a warm vibe that serves omakase (the chef changes the menu daily). They use the freshest, highest quality ingredients to create traditional edomae-style sushi. The venue is tiny, so enquire well in advance.
ARK Hills South Tower 1F, 1-4-5 Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Kyubey
Renowned Kyubey sushi restaurant has been serving traditional edomae-style sushi since 1935 and is known as a ‘mecca for sushi lovers’. Reservations are required and can be made by phone.
7-6, Ginza 8-chome, Chuo-ku, 104-0061, Tokyo, Japan
Sukiyabashi Jiro
Chef Jiro Ono has been serving his world-famous sushi for over 50 years including to the likes of Katy Perry and Barack Obama. Its fabled reputation as the best sushi restaurant in the world means it is difficult to get in, so make enquiries early.
Tsukamoto Sogyo Building, B1F, 4-2-15 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Tonkatsu Maisen Aoyama
Tonkatsu Maisen is a popular tonkatsu (pork cutlet) restaurant with several locations throughout Tokyo. They serve a variety of tonkatsu dishes made from premium pork, including the popular katsu curry.
4-8-5 Jingumae, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Soba Sasuga
Soba Sasuga is a small soba noodle shop in the Kagurazaka district. They serve handmade soba noodles made from buckwheat flour, along with a variety of side dishes.
Chuo City, Ginza, 2 Chome-13-6, Tokyo, Japan.
Kanda
Chef Hiroyuki Kanda’s eponymous 3 Michelin-starred establishment serves incredible, sublime meals on crockery handmade for the restaurant.
Toranomon Hills Residential Tower, 1-1-1 Atago, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0002, Japan.
nihonryori-kanda.com/restaurant
Narisawa
Narisawa is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Tokyo that specializes in “innovative Satoyama cuisine”. Chef Yoshihiro Narisawa combines traditional Japanese ingredients and techniques with modern cooking methods to create unique and memorable dishes. Reservations are required and can be made online.
Minami Ayoyama 2-6-15, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Gonpachi Nishiazabu
Famous after being featured in the film Kill Bill, Gonpachi is a popular izakaya (Japanese-style pub). They serve traditional Japanese dishes, including sushi, tempura, and yakitori. Reservations are recommended and can be made online.
1-13-11 Nishiazabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo, Japan.
Five of the best ramen eating experiences in Tokyo
Ichiran
Ichiran is a popular ramen restaurant chain with multiple locations throughout Tokyo. They specialise in tonkotsu ramen, which is a rich and creamy pork-based broth. You can customise your ramen by choosing the strength of broth, level of spiciness, and the amount of garlic. Private booths allow customers to focus on their meal.
Menya Musashi
Menya Musashi is a well-known chain. Their signature dish is the tsukemen, which is a dipping ramen served with a separate bowl of broth. The noodles are thick and chewy, and the broth is made with a blend of soy sauce and tonkotsu broth. Samurai motifs abound, in reference to the restaurant’s name, inspired by the swordsman Miyamoto Musashi.
Afuri
This popular ramen chain specialises in yuzu-shio ramen, a light, refreshing broth made with chicken and seafood stock and flavoured with yuzu, a Japanese citrus. Toppings include chashu pork, bamboo shoots, and a soft-boiled egg. The restaurant also offers other types of ramen, such as a spicy miso ramen and a vegetarian ramen.
Kagari
Kagari is a small and cosy ramen shop located in the Ginza neighbourhood. They specialize in tori-paitan ramen, which is a creamy and rich chicken-based broth. The noodles are thin and wavy, and the toppings include chashu pork, a soft-boiled egg, and seasonal vegetables. The restaurant also offers a vegetarian ramen made with soy milk.
Nakiryu
Nakiryu is a Michelin-starred ramen shop in the Otsuka neighbourhood. They specialise in tantanmen, a spicy Sichuan-
style ramen. The broth is made with pork and chicken stock, and the noodles are thin and curly. Toppings include ground pork, green onions, and Sichuan pepper. A vegetarian tantanmen is made with soy meat.
Five of the best department store restaurants & cafes in Tokyo
Ladurée Isetan Shinjuku Store
Ladurée is a popular French bakery/café inside the Isetan Shinjuku department store. The menu features delicious desserts, including their signature macarons, as well as savoury dishes. Elegant French décor, with chandeliers and marble tables.
Lumine 2, 1F, 3-chome-38-2 Shinjuku, Shinjuku City, Tokyo 160-0022.
Tempura Shinjuku Tsunahachi
The Shinjuku Takashimaya department store boasts several restaurants but if you’re a fan of tempura, this one is for you. A tempura restaurant established in Shinjuku in 1924, meals are prepared in front of you according to traditional methods passed on since the restaurant’s early days.
5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo.
Nenrinya Daimaru Tokyo Store
Nenrinya is a traditional Japanese confectionery and café located on the 9th floor of the Daimaru Tokyo department store. The menu features sweets like mochi and dorayaki, as well as drinks and light meals. The interior is traditional Japanese, with tatami mats and shoji screens.
1-9-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, 100-6710.
Le Jardin de Tweed Ginza Chanel Building
Le Jardin de Tweed is a sophisticated café and restaurant inside the Ginza Mitsukoshi department store. Enjoy French-inspired dishes, including pastries, sandwiches, and salads. The interior features a floral motif and soft lighting.
3 Chome-5-3 Ginza, Chuo City, Tokyo, 104-0061.
T’s Tantan Tokyo Department Store
T’s Tantan is a popular vegan ramen restaurant located inside the Tokyu Department Store in Shibuya. The menu features a variety of vegan ramen dishes, as well as side dishes such as gyoza and tofu nuggets. The interior is bright and modern, with a minimalist design.
2-24-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 150-0002, Japan.
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