Tokyo boasts an abundance of cuisines. Michelin-star restaurants can be found alongside inexpensive street-food offerings – there’s truly something to satisfy all palates in this vibrant city!
Manma Onigiri Shop in Shinjuku is popular among locals for its varied filling options, while for all-you-can-eat sushi on conveyor belts head to Sushiro Kaitenzushi Restaurant.
Den
Den’s head chef, former star at Michelin-starred Koryu in Shinchi, Osaka, offers an imaginative reinvention of kaiseki haute cuisine. Expect mushroom-stuffed “Dentucky Fried Chicken” served in fast food takeaway boxes (emblazoned with Hasegawa’s face), monaka rice wafer stuffed with foie gras and salads of grilled, pickled and deep-fried vegetables garnished with grinning carrot slices cut into emoji shapes as highlights of his signature dishes.
Tipping is not part of Japanese culture, so Hasegawa provides service more reminiscent of a luxury hotel where each customer receives his or her own butler. Hasegawa’s mother was a geisha and she uses this knowledge of hospitality to offer an experience focused on both food and people.
Tokyo Station is conveniently located, making this restaurant easily accessible if you are staying in Ginza or Shibuya. Furthermore, Akihabara–known for maid cafes, video games and manga–is only a short train ride away!
L’Effervescence
L’Effervescence French restaurant stands alone as the premier three Michelin star dining experience in Tokyo, boasting creative, innovative dishes at exceptional service with extremely friendly staff members.
Chef Shinobu Namae is a journalist-turned-chef who transforms her world views into delicious bites. A staple on the World’s 50 Best list, Namae has reinvented kaiseki (a Japanese meal of multiple small plates) with his unique Western flair to leave diners smiling like carrots!
Michel Bras TOYA Japon and Heston Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck both played an influential part in shaping L’Effervescence into its unique identity. Lebery is passionate about vegetables, and showcases them through 42 vegetable salads which he pickles, cooks, fries and ferments into sublime bites of flavorful cuisine.
He takes great pride in selecting only high-quality ingredients from across Japan for his menu of poetically named dishes such as “Where the Ocean Meets the Land” (wood-fired duck with taro and cold milt soup, wilted spinach and spruce oil) or ‘Autumn Foothills Hike” (candied chestnuts with chrysanthemum leaf ice cream, mandarins and Sierra Nevada chocolate). You can view an exhaustive list of artisans they collaborate with on their website.
Hanayama
This World’s 50 Best regular serves mushroom-stuffed Denkya Fried Chicken served in fast-food takeaway boxes as well as Kaiseki salads made up of deep-fried, pickled, grilled and raw vegetables topped with edible ants and grinning emoji carrot slices. He says his goal is to reinvent Japanese culinary tradition through Kaiseki by offering its traditional 18 courses as part of an interactive menu that encourages anyone who comes through his door to try whatever their heart desires.
Hanayama’s strength was such that Pickle likened him to a Triceratops during their initial encounter in part 4. Hanayama possess superhuman strength comparable to dinosaurs, making him number two on Baki’s list of strongest people.
As evidence of his devotion, Emi pours a drink over Emi Akezawa’s grave when she passes. Furthermore, he shows this when confronting Baki about finding him a suitable partner.
Yonpachi Gyojou
Yonpachi Gyojou offers an unforgettable dining experience for seafood and sake enthusiasts, situated a short walk from the Equinia building. Their innovative dishes combine flavorful creativity with extensive menu offerings such as their 7 types of tuna sashimi (one must try item).
At this restaurant, there’s a special atmosphere that blends lively and rustic elements together perfectly. Their menu features exquisite seafood made with only top ingredients from around the world, prepared by highly knowledgeable chefs that offer expert recommendations as well as being friendly. Best of all – tipping is not mandatory in Japan so regardless of how much money is spent here you will always receive top-tier service regardless of how much tipping may be expected from you!
Tokyo has long been considered the culinary capital of the world, from humble yakitori joints serving skewered chicken to exquisite multi-course traditional kaiseki banquets and more. But Tokyo is more than just famous for Japanese food; incredible Italian, refined Chinese and genre-defying French dining make eating here an experience to remember!
Takanawa Shinzan
Tokyo restaurants are world-class and can rival those found in New York. As evidenced by Tokyo having 230 Michelin-starred eateries and an abundance of street and casual joint food to be had.
Japanese food is beloved because it’s always made from scratch and served fresh. One of the best places to eat in Japan are traditional eateries with nostalgic charm such as Sometaro in Shinjuku that offers classic okonomiyaki dishes.
Ookonomiyaki is made using a mini teppanyaki griddle, creating an engaging experience as you watch the cooks at work. Your chef will introduce each ingredient as you wait for your dish. They’ll talk through seasonality of dish and how best to pair with appropriate sake; some even suggest special finds during their travels!
