Tokyo Top 5 Must-Try Restaurants; and How to Secure Your Reservation

Night view of a busy Tokyo street with vibrant neon signs and people walking in Shinjuku, Japan.

Tokyo is a city that has long been known for its vibrant food scene, offering an incredible variety of dining experiences—from traditional Japanese cuisine to innovative fusion dishes.

But with so many incredible options, it can be overwhelming to decide where to go. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to some of Tokyo’s best restaurants, each offering something unique, delicious, and memorable!

Fugu Sashimi.
Kobe Beef Steak Course.

A four-time TripAdvisor award winner in Shinjuku.

There is a reason that Rokkasen is ranked 1st out of 1000 restaurants in Nishishinjuku.
 
If you’re in Shinjuku and craving delicious, high-quality BBQ, Rokkasen is the place to go. This popular yakiniku (Japanese BBQ) restaurant is famous for its top-tier wagyu beef and excellent service, offering a memorable dining experience for anyone who loves good food.
Taken from TripAdvisor.com

Excellent Customer Service

Immediately after you go in, the friendly staff explains in English about the courses. Then, they take a picture for you, which will be printed out as a souvenir after your meal!

They give you a picture in cute envelope!

Enjoy both Sukiyaki and Yakiniku in one sitting!

The restaurant offers special set menus or customizable platters that allow you to enjoy both styles of beef in one sitting.

These sets include a portion of sukiyaki to start, followed by a selection of yakiniku meats, so you can enjoy the best of both worlds without having to order separate meals.

Make a Reservation

Tsukada Nojo Shinbashi Brick Street

A Cozy Spot for Fresh, Flavorful Chicken Dishes

If you’re looking for a great place to enjoy delicious, fresh chicken dishes in Shinbashi, Tsukada Nojo Shinbashi Brick Street is the perfect choice. Known for its focus on high-quality Jidori chicken and fresh, local ingredients, this restaurant offers a farm-to-table experience that’s both tasty and healthy.

Matsuzaka Beef Shabu-Sukiyaki.

What Makes Tsukada Nojo Special?

The restaurant is all about serving the best chicken you can find. They use Jidori chicken, a special breed that’s known for its tender texture and rich flavor. This chicken is raised on small, sustainable farms, making it not only delicious but also more eco-friendly. Along with the chicken, they serve organic vegetables and other fresh ingredients that come straight from local farms.

Signature Dishes to Try

One of the highlights at Tsukada Nojo is their hot pot with Jidori chicken. The chicken is cooked in a flavorful broth with vegetables, making it a warm, comforting dish that’s perfect for any season. The chicken is soft and juicy, and the broth is rich and savory.

If you prefer something grilled, you can also enjoy Jidori chicken skewers or try a chicken rice bowl. The restaurant also serves a variety of side dishes, including seasonal vegetables, to go along with your meal.

Photo from Takeme.com
Photo from Takeme.com

Make a Reservation

Asakusa unatetsu-Honten

A Traditional Spot for Delicious Unagi in Tokyo

If you’re looking for tender, flavorful eel in Tokyo, Asakusa Unatetsu-Honten is a must-visit restaurant. Located in the historic Asakusa area, famous for its temples and traditional charm, this restaurant has been serving unagi (grilled eel) for decades, becoming a beloved spot for both locals and visitors.

What Makes Asakusa Unatetsu-Honten Special?

Asakusa Unatetsu-Honten is known for its high-quality unagi, a Japanese dish where eel is grilled over charcoal and served on a bed of rice. The restaurant has perfected the art of cooking unagi, giving it a crispy exterior and a soft, juicy interior, all while keeping the natural flavor of the eel intact.

  • Charcoal-Grilled Unagi: The eel is grilled over hot charcoal, which gives it a smoky, rich flavor that enhances the sweetness of the eel.
  • Secret Sauce: The unagi is glazed with a sweet, savory tare sauce, which adds depth and richness to each bite.
  • Fresh Ingredients: The eel used at Unatetsu is always fresh and carefully selected to ensure the highest quality.
Picture from Takeme.com
Picture from Takeme.com

What to Expect on the Menu

At Asakusa Unatetsu-Honten, you can enjoy a variety of unagi dishes, including:

  • Unadon: A bowl of rice topped with grilled unagi and served with the signature tare sauce.
  • Unajyu: Similar to unadon but served in a rectangular lacquered box (jubako), which adds a more traditional touch to the meal.
  • Grilled Unagi: You can also order the unagi as a standalone dish, often accompanied by rice, miso soup, and pickles.

Make a Reservation

Koshitsu Washoku Higashiyama

Traditional Japanese Dining at Tokyo Station Square

If you’re looking for a place to enjoy authentic Japanese washoku (traditional Japanese cuisine) in a stylish setting, Koshitsu Washoku Higashiyama at Tokyo Station Square is a fantastic choice. This restaurant offers a refined yet welcoming dining experience, perfect for both casual meals and special occasions

Picture from Takeme.com
Picture from Takeme.com

What Makes Koshitsu Washoku Higashiyama Special?

Koshitsu Washoku Higashiyama focuses on serving traditional Japanese dishes using seasonal, high-quality ingredients. From sushi and tempura to kaiseki (multi-course meals), you can enjoy a wide variety of authentic dishes, all carefully prepared by skilled chefs.

The restaurant’s name, “Koshitsu,” means private or elegant, which reflects the atmosphere. It combines the warmth of traditional Japanese dining with a modern twist, making it a perfect place for both locals and visitors who want to experience the richness of Japanese food in a comfortable, sophisticated setting.

What to Expect on the Menu

At Koshitsu Washoku Higashiyama, you can expect a beautifully crafted menu with dishes like:

  • Sushi: Fresh, expertly prepared with the finest fish.
  • Tempura: Crispy and light, made with seasonal vegetables and seafood.
  • Kaiseki: A set of small, seasonal dishes, offering a well-balanced taste of Japan’s culinary traditions.
  • Grilled fish and simmered dishes that highlight delicate flavors and high-quality ingredients.

Everything is prepared with an emphasis on freshness and balance, giving you a taste of authentic Japanese cuisine at its best.

Make a Reservation

Wagyu Steak Wakuni

A Must-Visit for Steak Lovers in Tokyo

If you’re a fan of high-quality steak, especially Wagyu beef, then Wagyu Steak Wakuni in Tokyo is the perfect place for you. This restaurant specializes in serving premium Wagyu steak with an emphasis on the natural flavors of the meat, giving you an unforgettable dining experience.

What Makes Wagyu Steak Wakuni Special?

Wagyu Steak Wakuni is known for its exceptional Wagyu beef, which is famous worldwide for its rich marbling, tender texture, and melt-in-your-mouth flavor. The restaurant offers a variety of Wagyu cuts, including ribeye, sirloin, and tenderloin, all carefully cooked to perfection.

  • Wagyu Beef: This beef is prized for its high marbling, which makes it incredibly juicy and flavorful. The fat in Wagyu beef melts at a lower temperature, giving the meat a buttery texture.
  • Expert Cooking: The chefs at Wakuni are skilled at grilling the Wagyu to just the right level of doneness, ensuring that every bite is tender and full of flavor.
  • Simplicity and Focus: The restaurant keeps the focus on the beef itself, serving it with simple sides like grilled vegetables, rice, and a salad to let the steak shine.
Picture from Takeme.com
Picture from Takeme.com

What to Expect on the Menu

At Wagyu Steak Wakuni, you’ll find a variety of Wagyu steaks to choose from, including:

  • Ribeye: A rich, flavorful cut with plenty of marbling.
  • Sirloin: A leaner cut that’s still incredibly tender.
  • Tenderloin: The most tender cut of Wagyu, perfect for those who want a melt-in-your-mouth experience.

You can also enjoy side dishes like grilled vegetables and salads, as well as rice or bread to complement your steak. They also offer sauces like soy-based teriyaki sauce or a light sea salt to bring out the best in the meat.

Make a Reservation

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