Intro
From September 14 to 27, 2023, two Korean men stayed in Japan for about two weeks. This is a menu-by-menu record of the 42 foods we tried.
The ratings are subjective, but every entry is based on something we actually ate. I considered whether a place was worth seeking out in Japan, whether the food was genuinely delicious, and whether the value was good. Places that did not leave enough of an impression to rate were left out.
I also collected my five favorites separately. For more detail, see the extended Korean article.
| Menu | Place | Rating | Price | Notes | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-serve furikake rice and whisky | Anshin Oyado Shinjuku | ★★★ | Inexpensive | The standout feature is being able to choose complimentary rice and drinks for yourself, 24 hours a day. | 2023-09-14 | Map |
| ANA in-flight meal: Korean set | In flight | ★★★ | Inexpensive | Unexpectedly good. Serving a worthwhile meal on a flight under two hours is a plus in itself. | 2023-09-14 | - |
| Self-serve curry and lassi | Anshin Oyado Shinjuku | ★★★ | Inexpensive | Complimentary self-serve curry in any portion. Unlike the rice service, curry is available only at breakfast. | 2023-09-14 | Map |
| Kocha Kaden royal milk tea | 7-Eleven | ★★★ | Inexpensive | A widely available convenience-store royal milk tea with excellent value. | 2023-09-14 | Map |
| Ippudo ramen and gyoza set | Ippudo Roppongi | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | You can choose both noodle thickness and firmness. Of the bowls I tried, this delivered the most classic ramen experience. | 2023-09-15 | Map |
| Korean tasting course | Chakan Shokudo | ★★★ | Expensive | A buffet of Korean dishes and drinks, including jeon, sundae, chicken, jokbal, and pork belly. Popular with local Japanese diners and Korean residents, so booking is essential. | 2023-09-15 | Map |
| Sashimi course and sake | Takamaru Sengyoten | ★★★★ | Expensive | A broad selection of sashimi, including tuna and gizzard shad. Pairing each bite with sake is excellent, and different fish come with different soy-sauce pairings. | 2023-09-16 | Map |
| Assorted yakitori cuts | Garakutaya | ★★★★ | Moderate | A yakitori izakaya frequented mainly by local office workers. Many skewers to choose from, and genuinely delicious. | 2023-09-16 | Map |
| Hirekatsu | Tonkatsu Niimura Main Store | ★★★★ | Expensive | A well-known Shinjuku tonkatsu restaurant that also appears in the game Yakuza. Tender meat and very satisfying. | 2023-09-16 | Map |
| Soba set | Sobakiri Miyota | ★★★★ | Moderate | The wait can reach 30 minutes, but it is worthwhile. A good choice for soba near Harajuku. Extra noodles must be ordered at the beginning. | 2023-09-16 | Map |
| Gold and silver convenience-store sake | 7-Eleven | ★★★ | Moderate | Inexpensive sake with a clean taste that exceeds its price. | 2023-09-16 | Map |
| Niboshi ramen | Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Golden Gai | ★★★★ | Moderate | A distinctive, excellent broth made with dried sardines. The long daytime line in the middle of Golden Gai is probably for this shop. | 2023-09-17 | Map |
| Japanese omelet | Izakaya Donzoko | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | One of Shinjuku's long-running izakayas. The basement and ground floor feel entirely different. The omelet is simply good on its own and even better alongside the other dishes. | 2023-09-17 | Map |
| Chashu steak | Izakaya Donzoko | ★★★★ | Moderate | The pork is exceptionally tender and works beautifully with the sauce. Highly recommended. | 2023-09-17 | Map |
| Tsujihan kaisendon | Tsujihan Akasaka Ark Hills | ★★★★★ | Inexpensive | A famous seafood rice bowl with a clever course-like sequence. Save two pieces of sashimi, eat most of the bowl, then add broth and gently cook the remaining fish in the residual heat. Excellent value and a five-star experience. | 2023-09-18 | Map |
| Gogo no Kocha milk tea | Lawson Shinjuku Idaidori | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | My favorite convenience-store tea. Strongly recommended to anyone who also enjoys the distinctive Korean milk tea brand Dejawa. | 2023-09-18 | Map |
| Oyakodon, tendon, and cocktails | Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu | ★★★ | Moderate | The restaurant that inspired the Kill Bill set is large, loud, and unusually international. The food was solid rather than exceptional, but it is worth considering for the atmosphere of an unconventional Tokyo bar. | 2023-09-18 | Map |
| Mentaiko mayo udon and curry udon | Tsurutontan Roppongi | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | Outstanding value in Roppongi, served in an enormous bowl. The kiosk lacks foreign-language support, but noodle thickness and portion size are highly customizable. Add tempura to the curry udon. | 2023-09-19 | Map |
| Seafood ramen and pork rice | Ramen Kai | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | A counter-style ramen shop with an excellent combination of seafood broth, handmade noodles, and chashu. Order with cash at the machine; newer 500-yen coins may not work. The pork rice can be too much alongside a fully loaded ramen. | 2023-09-20 | Map |
| Cacao cold brew | Dandelion Chocolate | ★★★★ | Moderate | Known for high-quality chocolate, with a casual cafe atmosphere mixed with quiet Tokyo restraint. I did not try the chocolate, but the cold brew was very good. | 2023-09-20 | Map |
| Duck and yuzu ramen | Menya Jojo | ★★★★★ | Moderate | Duck and yuzu are the stars. Vegetables remove the heaviness of the duck, the price is reasonable, and noodle thickness can be chosen. Try the house sauces as well. Expect a short wait and order from the Japanese ticket machine using the numbered English menu. | 2023-09-21 | Map |
| Hirekatsu and rosu-katsu sets | Tonkatsu Maruya | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | A basement restaurant in the Yurakucho Building. The tonkatsu is remarkably good for the low price. Friendly staff make ordering manageable without much English or Korean. Enjoy it with salt, sauce, and mustard. | 2023-09-21 | Map |
| Drip coffee and pancakes | Tully's Coffee | ★★★ | Moderate | A dependable Japanese cafe chain. The pancakes were better than expected, and power outlets plus work-friendly seating make it useful for working on a laptop. | 2023-09-21 | Map |
| Waffle and drip coffee | Square Cafe | ★★ | Inexpensive | An older chain cafe in a Coffee Bean-like position. The food was ordinary, but it works for early-morning laptop time. No power outlets. | 2023-09-22 | Map |
| Seafood monjayaki | Tsukishima Monja Okoge Shibuya | ★★★ | Moderate | A popular place for Tokyo's signature monjayaki and reportedly walk-in only. Staff cook the chosen ingredients on the griddle, then you scrape off small pieces. Review the many combinations before arriving; tables have a two-hour limit. | 2023-09-22 | Map |
| Pork tendon and soba set | Soba Roppongi | ★★★ | Moderate | A reasonable choice for soba and tempura with quiet music in Roppongi. Signature dishes exceed ¥2,000, but good sets are available in the mid-¥1,000 range. The soba noodles were especially good. | 2023-09-22 | Map |
| Udon with tempura or tendon | Ginza Satoyosuke | ★★★★★ | Moderate | A udon shop with more than a century of history. The chewy noodles and dipping broth are superb, and extra noodles can be added after the meal arrives. Gift sets of noodles and broth are also available. Highly recommended. | 2023-09-23 | Map |
| Hirekatsu and rosu-katsu | Sugita Tonkatsu | ★★★★★ | Expensive | A long-running family restaurant where counter seats overlook the kitchen. The tonkatsu justified its high price and was excellent with only a little salt. A bowl-of-rice kind of flavor. | 2023-09-23 | Map |
| Assorted yakitori and drinks | Sandaime Torimero Yurakucho | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | An izakaya chain with extraordinary value, especially for beer and highballs at roughly half the usual price. Not the finest cooking, but an extremely satisfying night for the cost. | 2023-09-23 | Map |
| Souffle pudding | FamilyMart | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | A playful dessert with souffle on top and pudding underneath. Delicious and inexpensive. | 2023-09-23 | Map |
| Drip coffee | Salad Day Coffee | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | An atmospheric hand-drip cafe that appears to be run by one owner. Very affordable for the craft and setting, with excellent coffee. | 2023-09-23 | Map |
| Coffee cocktail | Kabuki | ★★★★★ | Expensive | A very quiet two-story cafe near Kuramae. Drinks cost roughly ¥800-2,000, photography is prohibited, and guests may be reminded to lower their voices. Those rules protect an old-world atmosphere and exceptional handmade coffee. The Kohaku no Joou cocktail is superb. | 2023-09-24 | Map |
| Hamburg steak, omurice, and katsu sandwich | Yoshikami | ★★★★ | Moderate | A historic yoshoku restaurant. All three dishes were good, but the rich, distinctive hamburg-steak sauce stood out. Three dishes were too much for two people; next time I would order two plus soup. | 2023-09-24 | Map |
| Japanese home-style set | Yuwaeru Main Store | ★★★★ | Moderate | Choose the rice portion, number of sides, and main dish cafeteria-style. Recommended for a balanced Japanese meal at a fair price, though the wait can reach 40 minutes. Pantry goods, kitchen tools, wine, and sake are sold afterward. | 2023-09-24 | Map |
| Flying-fish broth ramen | Yakiago Shio Ramen Takahashi | ★★★ | Inexpensive | A stable, classic bowl available even around 4 a.m. The flying-fish broth is flavorful without becoming tiring. | 2023-09-25 | Map |
| Assorted yakitori | Toridokoro | ★★★★ | Moderate | A skewer-focused izakaya near Shinjuku Station, popular with local office workers rather than tourists. The shop is worn but charming and the food storage looked clean. The negima and chicken skin are highly recommended. | 2023-09-25 | Map |
| Katsu set | Shojikiya | ★★★★ | Inexpensive | Apparently an eel specialist, but at lunch it offers several sets for about ¥1,000. The light broth, cutlet, and egg are well balanced. Not extraordinary, but exactly the kind of reliable place I would revisit near an office. | 2023-09-25 | Map |
| Gyudon | Yoshinoya Shinjuku Yasukuni-dori | ★★ | Inexpensive | One of Japan's best-known gyudon chains, as common as a convenience store. A very fast meal for around ¥640. It is not destination dining, but hard to beat when the priority is price and speed. | 2023-09-26 | Map |
| Conveyor-belt sushi | Sushiro Roppongi | ★★★ | Inexpensive | Excellent value for eating sushi until full, especially with sake. The waiting app, automated conveyor, and connected ordering system also make the operation interesting from a service-design perspective. | 2023-09-26 | Map |
| Tsukemen and mini fried rice | Menya Musashi Roppongi | ★★★★ | Moderate | Smoky flying-fish dipping broth with a huge piece of pork belly and an onsen egg. Portions range all the way to one kilogram; large is plenty for most adults. Skip the extra rice unless you are very hungry. | 2023-09-26 | Map |
| ANA in-flight meal: Western set | In flight | ★★★ | Inexpensive | The risotto and cold short pasta were notably good for an in-flight meal. | 2023-09-27 | - |
| Japanese home-style set | Misoju | ★★★ | Expensive | A miso-soup restaurant near Asakusa. Breakfast is inexpensive, while the signature set uses a deeply simmered meat broth. We tried a new item too, but the long-running signature was still the winner. | 2023-09-27 | Map |
- Self-serve furikake rice and whisky★★★
Anshin Oyado Shinjuku
The standout feature is being able to choose complimentary rice and drinks for yourself, 24 hours a day.
- ANA in-flight meal: Korean set★★★
In flight
Unexpectedly good. Serving a worthwhile meal on a flight under two hours is a plus in itself.
- Self-serve curry and lassi★★★
Anshin Oyado Shinjuku
Complimentary self-serve curry in any portion. Unlike the rice service, curry is available only at breakfast.
- Kocha Kaden royal milk tea★★★
7-Eleven
A widely available convenience-store royal milk tea with excellent value.
- Ippudo ramen and gyoza set★★★★
Ippudo Roppongi
You can choose both noodle thickness and firmness. Of the bowls I tried, this delivered the most classic ramen experience.
- Korean tasting course★★★
Chakan Shokudo
A buffet of Korean dishes and drinks, including jeon, sundae, chicken, jokbal, and pork belly. Popular with local Japanese diners and Korean residents, so booking is essential.
- Sashimi course and sake★★★★
Takamaru Sengyoten
A broad selection of sashimi, including tuna and gizzard shad. Pairing each bite with sake is excellent, and different fish come with different soy-sauce pairings.
- Assorted yakitori cuts★★★★
Garakutaya
A yakitori izakaya frequented mainly by local office workers. Many skewers to choose from, and genuinely delicious.
- Hirekatsu★★★★
Tonkatsu Niimura Main Store
A well-known Shinjuku tonkatsu restaurant that also appears in the game Yakuza. Tender meat and very satisfying.
- Soba set★★★★
Sobakiri Miyota
The wait can reach 30 minutes, but it is worthwhile. A good choice for soba near Harajuku. Extra noodles must be ordered at the beginning.
- Gold and silver convenience-store sake★★★
7-Eleven
Inexpensive sake with a clean taste that exceeds its price.
- Niboshi ramen★★★★
Ramen Nagi Shinjuku Golden Gai
A distinctive, excellent broth made with dried sardines. The long daytime line in the middle of Golden Gai is probably for this shop.
- Japanese omelet★★★★
Izakaya Donzoko
One of Shinjuku's long-running izakayas. The basement and ground floor feel entirely different. The omelet is simply good on its own and even better alongside the other dishes.
- Chashu steak★★★★
Izakaya Donzoko
The pork is exceptionally tender and works beautifully with the sauce. Highly recommended.
- Tsujihan kaisendon★★★★★
Tsujihan Akasaka Ark Hills
A famous seafood rice bowl with a clever course-like sequence. Save two pieces of sashimi, eat most of the bowl, then add broth and gently cook the remaining fish in the residual heat. Excellent value and a five-star experience.
- Gogo no Kocha milk tea★★★★
Lawson Shinjuku Idaidori
My favorite convenience-store tea. Strongly recommended to anyone who also enjoys the distinctive Korean milk tea brand Dejawa.
- Oyakodon, tendon, and cocktails★★★
Gonpachi Nishi-Azabu
The restaurant that inspired the Kill Bill set is large, loud, and unusually international. The food was solid rather than exceptional, but it is worth considering for the atmosphere of an unconventional Tokyo bar.
- Mentaiko mayo udon and curry udon★★★★
Tsurutontan Roppongi
Outstanding value in Roppongi, served in an enormous bowl. The kiosk lacks foreign-language support, but noodle thickness and portion size are highly customizable. Add tempura to the curry udon.
- Seafood ramen and pork rice★★★★
Ramen Kai
A counter-style ramen shop with an excellent combination of seafood broth, handmade noodles, and chashu. Order with cash at the machine; newer 500-yen coins may not work. The pork rice can be too much alongside a fully loaded ramen.
- Cacao cold brew★★★★
Dandelion Chocolate
Known for high-quality chocolate, with a casual cafe atmosphere mixed with quiet Tokyo restraint. I did not try the chocolate, but the cold brew was very good.
- Duck and yuzu ramen★★★★★
Menya Jojo
Duck and yuzu are the stars. Vegetables remove the heaviness of the duck, the price is reasonable, and noodle thickness can be chosen. Try the house sauces as well. Expect a short wait and order from the Japanese ticket machine using the numbered English menu.
- Hirekatsu and rosu-katsu sets★★★★
Tonkatsu Maruya
A basement restaurant in the Yurakucho Building. The tonkatsu is remarkably good for the low price. Friendly staff make ordering manageable without much English or Korean. Enjoy it with salt, sauce, and mustard.
- Drip coffee and pancakes★★★
Tully's Coffee
A dependable Japanese cafe chain. The pancakes were better than expected, and power outlets plus work-friendly seating make it useful for working on a laptop.
- Waffle and drip coffee★★
Square Cafe
An older chain cafe in a Coffee Bean-like position. The food was ordinary, but it works for early-morning laptop time. No power outlets.
- Seafood monjayaki★★★
Tsukishima Monja Okoge Shibuya
A popular place for Tokyo's signature monjayaki and reportedly walk-in only. Staff cook the chosen ingredients on the griddle, then you scrape off small pieces. Review the many combinations before arriving; tables have a two-hour limit.
- Pork tendon and soba set★★★
Soba Roppongi
A reasonable choice for soba and tempura with quiet music in Roppongi. Signature dishes exceed ¥2,000, but good sets are available in the mid-¥1,000 range. The soba noodles were especially good.
- Udon with tempura or tendon★★★★★
Ginza Satoyosuke
A udon shop with more than a century of history. The chewy noodles and dipping broth are superb, and extra noodles can be added after the meal arrives. Gift sets of noodles and broth are also available. Highly recommended.
- Hirekatsu and rosu-katsu★★★★★
Sugita Tonkatsu
A long-running family restaurant where counter seats overlook the kitchen. The tonkatsu justified its high price and was excellent with only a little salt. A bowl-of-rice kind of flavor.
- Assorted yakitori and drinks★★★★
Sandaime Torimero Yurakucho
An izakaya chain with extraordinary value, especially for beer and highballs at roughly half the usual price. Not the finest cooking, but an extremely satisfying night for the cost.
- Souffle pudding★★★★
FamilyMart
A playful dessert with souffle on top and pudding underneath. Delicious and inexpensive.
- Drip coffee★★★★
Salad Day Coffee
An atmospheric hand-drip cafe that appears to be run by one owner. Very affordable for the craft and setting, with excellent coffee.
- Coffee cocktail★★★★★
Kabuki
A very quiet two-story cafe near Kuramae. Drinks cost roughly ¥800-2,000, photography is prohibited, and guests may be reminded to lower their voices. Those rules protect an old-world atmosphere and exceptional handmade coffee. The Kohaku no Joou cocktail is superb.
- Hamburg steak, omurice, and katsu sandwich★★★★
Yoshikami
A historic yoshoku restaurant. All three dishes were good, but the rich, distinctive hamburg-steak sauce stood out. Three dishes were too much for two people; next time I would order two plus soup.
- Japanese home-style set★★★★
Yuwaeru Main Store
Choose the rice portion, number of sides, and main dish cafeteria-style. Recommended for a balanced Japanese meal at a fair price, though the wait can reach 40 minutes. Pantry goods, kitchen tools, wine, and sake are sold afterward.
- Flying-fish broth ramen★★★
Yakiago Shio Ramen Takahashi
A stable, classic bowl available even around 4 a.m. The flying-fish broth is flavorful without becoming tiring.
- Assorted yakitori★★★★
Toridokoro
A skewer-focused izakaya near Shinjuku Station, popular with local office workers rather than tourists. The shop is worn but charming and the food storage looked clean. The negima and chicken skin are highly recommended.
- Katsu set★★★★
Shojikiya
Apparently an eel specialist, but at lunch it offers several sets for about ¥1,000. The light broth, cutlet, and egg are well balanced. Not extraordinary, but exactly the kind of reliable place I would revisit near an office.
- Gyudon★★
Yoshinoya Shinjuku Yasukuni-dori
One of Japan's best-known gyudon chains, as common as a convenience store. A very fast meal for around ¥640. It is not destination dining, but hard to beat when the priority is price and speed.
- Conveyor-belt sushi★★★
Sushiro Roppongi
Excellent value for eating sushi until full, especially with sake. The waiting app, automated conveyor, and connected ordering system also make the operation interesting from a service-design perspective.
- Tsukemen and mini fried rice★★★★
Menya Musashi Roppongi
Smoky flying-fish dipping broth with a huge piece of pork belly and an onsen egg. Portions range all the way to one kilogram; large is plenty for most adults. Skip the extra rice unless you are very hungry.
- ANA in-flight meal: Western set★★★
In flight
The risotto and cold short pasta were notably good for an in-flight meal.
- Japanese home-style set★★★
Misoju
A miso-soup restaurant near Asakusa. Breakfast is inexpensive, while the signature set uses a deeply simmered meat broth. We tried a new item too, but the long-running signature was still the winner.
Outro
The ratings and impressions across these 42 entries are inevitably subjective. I still thought the record was worth sharing.
At the smallest scale, I wanted something I could return to before my own next trip to Tokyo. More broadly, I hoped that a list based on two full weeks of actually eating around the city would give other travelers a useful point of reference.
Thank you for reading to the end. I hope at least one entry helps with your own trip.