There is no question that Tokyo is a food lover’s paradise. Walk down any busy food street and you’ll be bombarded with mouth-watering photos outside every restaurant, each one promising a satisfying meal. But as with any city, there are always places that stand out from the crowd.
The key is knowing where to look so you don’t waste precious stomach space. With the help of the Japan Food Guide, we managed to uncover some hidden gems we would have otherwise missed!
Restaurants Featured:
- Sushi Yurakucho Kakida
- Kobeya Shinjuku Yakiniku
- Pizza Bar on 38th Street (Asia Pacific’s Top Pizzeria)
- Okajoki (Traditional Kobatayaki)
- MoMo Paradise (Wagyu Sukiyaki)
- Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu
- JB’s Burgers
Sushi Omakase Where You Can Ask for More Uni — No Extra Charge?!
Well, what if I told you that at Sushi Yurakucho Kakida, once you’re done with their 15-piece omakase course, you can actually ask for more of your favourite sushi? And they’ll give it to you at no extra cost! No kidding! Now, I’ve been to my fair share of sushi omakase meals over the years. And I have to say that this is easily the most memorable, most fun, and most satisfying sushi meal I’ve had in a long time.
How many times have you finished a sushi omakase and thought to yourself, “Wah, that uni sushi was so good, I could eat two more…” But then, reality kicks in and you realise it’s gonna cost you another $20 per piece?
Let’s get this straight. If you’re the kind of diner who’s after a solemn, reverent experience where the itamae had to spend 10 years washing dishes before he gets to slice the fish, then this is not the sushi place for you.
But if you’re looking for a rollicking good time with lots of lively theatrics, shouting and laughter, and great quality sushi and cooked dishes to boot, then you should definitely reserve a spot on the counter if you are planning a trip to Tokyo!
The restaurant sits on the 19th floor of the Hotel Century Southern Tower, just opposite Takashimaya, offering a lovely city view. The location was especially nostalgic for Lisa, who had stayed at the hotel many times during her corporate days on business trips to Japan. Funny thing is, she never once thought to check out the sushi restaurant back then.
We came across this restaurant through Japan Food Guide, who’ve also kindly created a special discount code for our readers! Use jfg3r3pr when booking any restaurant or experience on their site to enjoy 3% off. Booking in advance this way also guarantees you a seat when you arrive—especially handy if you’ve got a packed itinerary. The code is valid until 1 July 2026.
3% Promocode – jfg3r3pr
Book a meal at Yurakucho Kakida on Japan Food Guide using our promocode and get a 3% discount off your meal.
Valid until – July 1, 2026
Sushi Yurakucho Kakida
Shibuya, Yoyogi, 2 Chome−2−1
Hotel Century Southern Tower 19F, 〒151-8583 Tokyo,
https://maps.app.goo.gl/pVEvuXhR4cmPoMsA7
Kobeya Shinjukuu – Underrated Yakiniku in Shinjuku
This is the kind of hidden gem that foodies dream of discovering. Tucked away in a quiet part of Shinjuku, far from the tourist trail, it’s the sort of understated spot where the food speaks for itself. It’s unassuming, affordable, and most importantly, the meat is meticulously sourced by the “meat doctor.”
We’ve had our fair share of yakiniku on this trip but this place really stood out. The wagyu is top quality, sliced nice and thick so you get a satisfying bite every time. For the more adventurous, they also offer a variety of beef offal for those who really want to explore the cow from nose to tail.
The set we ordered came with a selection of banchan, a small seasonal starter (beef tartare, in our case) and seven different cuts of wagyu.
We started with the gyutan, and it was easily the best I’ve ever had. Sliced just under a centimetre thick, it was tender with a satisfying snap, and most importantly, it didn’t have that strong offal smell that can be off-putting. The tenderloin and thick outer skirt were excellent—tender, juicy, and full of beefy flavour. As expected, the striploin and karubi were rich, buttery, and incredibly satisfying.
Portions were generous. For an average eater like me, there was just enough meat that I didn’t need to finish the bowl of bibimbap to leave feeling satisfied. Although, another one of two slices of karubi would have been nice!
3% Promocode – jfg3r3pr
Book a meal at Kobeya Shinjuku on Japan Food Guide using our promocode and get a 3% discount off your meal. Check the latest menu on the site as the items may change from time to time.
Valid until – July 1, 2026
Yakiniku Kobeya Shinjuku
〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 2 Chome−15−28 新宿丸正ビル 2F
https://maps.app.goo.gl/Mr78TNoEmjJxNZn3A
Pizza Bar on 38th Street – Voted Best Pizzaria in Asia Pacific and 3rd in the World!
I must confess that I had no idea The Pizza Bar on 38th was crowned Best Pizzeria in Asia Pacific 2025 by 50 Top Pizza. When my friend, Holydrummer, told me about it, I “die die must try.” I just took his word for it and made a booking. It was only after clicking through the website that I realised there’s usually a two-month waitlist. And you have to prepay 16,000 yen (for 4 persons) to secure one of the coveted eight seats at the counter.
I was lucky to find a slot for the family. Probably thanks to a few last-minute cancellations related to the 5th of July manga prophecy! I must admit, I did some mental prep on what to do if the building should start shaking during the meal!
So what do you get for that price? A pizza omakase experience that includes a starter, six slices of pizza, and dessert. Sounds expensive? Maybe. But this is the world’s smallest pizzeria and currently ranked #3 in the world! So for a pizza geek like me, it’s one of those “must try before I die” kind of places.
At the helm is Chef Daniele Cason, a Roman-born chef who was previously named Pizza Maker of the Year. But don’t come expecting leopard-spotted, Napoletana-style pizza. In fact, if you’re a Vera Pizza Napoletana purist, you might be tempted to walk out. But you would be making a big mistake.
As a contemporary of the legendary pizza maestro Gabriele Bonci, Chef Daniele presents his own vision of pizza alla pala – a Roman-style pizza traditionally baked in long rectangular slabs and sliced to serve. However, Chef Daniele has adapted it to resemble a more conventional round pizza. At the same time, still retaining the signature Roman-style crust: crisp on the outside, airy on the inside.
During the meal, Chef Daniele introduced three types of dough. Each was made from a custom blend of specialty flours flown in from Italy. The crust was incredibly light and crisp, topped with exquisite ingredients sourced directly from artisan farmers.
In short, I would say that it was one of the most memorable pizza meals I’ve ever had. But I have to admit that it wasn’t so mind-blowing that I’d need to experience it again on my next trip to Tokyo.
The Pizza Bar on 38th
2 Chome-1-1 Nihonbashimuromachi, Chuo City, Tokyo 103-8328, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LWQotZNWsiNtQuqB9
Okajoki: Traditional Robatayaki with excellent grilled fish!
We happened to be in Nakano because that was where we had to return our trusty Toyota. After a week of driving through Niigata and Nagano, we were sad to say goodbye to “cloudy”. Yes, we give names to our cars. We decided it’ll be easier to go around on foot and train rather than search for parking around Tokyo.
Not knowing what to eat, we wandered around the station area looking for a good place to settle down for dinner. The food scene in Nakano is lively. The streets were buzzing with energy as people wound down after a long day at work. That’s when we stumbled upon Okajoki.
The dark wood exterior and warm glow from inside drew us in. We’ve always had a soft spot for these traditional-looking places, and when we saw the robata grill as the centrepiece of the ground floor, surrounded by diners eagerly watching their food being grilled, we knew we had to try it.
The menu here is quite focused. We did read online that you might get turned away unless you speak Japanese. Luckily, James could manage a little and we got a table. They did have an English menu, but ordering still required matching the item’s kanji to a tablet, so it took a bit of effort.
We started with some familiar favourites like agedashi tofu, pickles, fishcake and onigiri. They were all decent, but it wasn’t until the grilled saba arrived that we started to get a sense of what this place was about. Then came the gindara. Thick, flaky and perfectly grilled, it had a wonderful char and rich flavour that sealed the deal for us. We wanted to order another but sadly missed the last call.
It’s the kind of place I wouldn’t mind coming back to the next time I find myself in Nakano or even central Shinjuku itself!
Okajoki
5 Chome-59-3 Nakano, Nakano City, Tokyo 164-0001, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/hyTB3Y51ueBuqLMw8
MoMo Paradise: All You Can Eat Wagyu Sukiyaki!
We were originally planning to visit a traditional sukiyaki place but ended up at Momo Paradise instead. Thanks to a friend’s recommendation, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. At a traditional place, we would probably have paid more and walked away thinking we could have done with a few more slices of wagyu.
At Momo Paradise, we got to eat really good quality wagyu for 100 mins and at a price that we won’t be able to find back home.
The restaurant is modern and clean, and the staff could speak English which made things easier. If wagyu is not your thing, they also have more affordable options like beef and pork. They also offer shabu shabu as well as a variety of other soup bases including mala if you are after something with a bit of heat and spice.
MoMo Paradise
〒160-0022 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Shinjuku, 3 Chome−5−4 レインボービレッジビル 7F
https://maps.app.goo.gl/nXZkipWb2h4FrTws8
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Harajuku: Crispy Panko Encrusted Wagyu
This meal would have been even more Insta-worthy if not for the fact that the store had already opened a branch in Singapore earlier this year. Gyukatsu is a relatively new addition to the Japanese food scene, having only emerged in the 2000s. Inspired by the European pork schnitzel, someone had the brilliant idea of swapping out the pale grey pork for a crimson, beautifully marbled slice of wagyu. And with that, a new global phenomenon was born!
One thing that sets gyukatsu apart from tonkatsu is that you get to sear your own slice of beef at the table. I suppose the idea is to serve the beef with that iconic bright red cross section which makes gyukatsu look so appealing. But for some diners, beef that’s still blue can be a little off-putting. I happen to be one of those who actually enjoys the aroma of seared beef, so this way of eating it works perfectly for me.
Now that I’ve had the chance to try the original in Japan, I can better gauge the version back home. For what it is, I don’t think there’s going to be a big difference, apart from maybe the price.
Gyukatsu Kyoto Katsugyu Harajuku
https://maps.app.goo.gl/khhbR8biXt9iyr3Y6
JB’s Homemade Burgers
We had a lovely time in Japan but it was time to head home. Just before catching the Narita Express to the airport, I suddenly had a craving for a juicy burger. Aside from pizzas, burgers are also wildly popular in Japan. (As it is everywhere else!)
My friend had recommended JB’s Burger, a place where everything from the buns to the pickles is made in-house. It so happened that it was just a short walk from Times Square and since I had an hour before I need to board the train, I made a quick dash to check it out.
One thing that sets JB’s apart is that their signature burger isn’t served in a regular bun. Instead, it comes sandwiched between two thick slices of shokupan that are butter-toasted on both sides. That double-sided toasting gives the bread a beautifully crisp edge and a rich buttery aroma that hits you the moment you take a bite. The burger itself was excellent. Not quite something I’d plan a trip back just to eat again, but it hit the spot and assuaged that burgerlust for a while.
JB’s Tokyo
1 Chome-33-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan
https://maps.app.goo.gl/c4ZKGjiopdZdoHyCA
Conclusion
The food scene in Tokyo has evolved since my last Tokyo Eats entry, slightly more than a decade ago! Like many cities, it’s an electic mix of old establishments and new restaurants, vying for our appetites and wallets of course! Overall, dining in Japan is always a pleasure and we plan to make another entry soon enough!
Happy Eating and Safe Travels!
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate marketing links, where we may earn a small commission should you make a successful booking with our discount code.
