Where to eat in japan

Where to eat in Tokyo?

The following are restaurants I tried during Follow Me Foodie to Japan. I researched a list of about 100 restaurants so I obviously did not make them all, but here are some highlights as a first-time tourist in Tokyo.

Rokurinsha Tokyo (Ramen Street)
1-9-1 Marunochi, Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan | +81 3-3286-0166
Cuisine: Japanese/ramen
Price: About $10-15USD/per person
Notes: Located in level B1 of First Avenue Tokyo Station (inside train station on “Tokyo Ramen Street”) | considered “best tsukemen in the city” | local/tourist favourite | long lines at peak hours | causal | quick | budget-friendly | Japanese menu
♦♦♦♦♦ – Follow Me Foodie Must Try! (Bonus marks! 100%+)

Gogyo
1-4-36 Nishiazabu, Minato, Tokyo Prefecture 106-0031, Japan | +81 3-5775-5566
Cuisine: Japanese/ramen
Price: About $10-15USD/per person
Notes: Try the signature Burnt Miso Ramen | closes for break at 4:30pm | local favourite | causal | quick | budget-friendly | Japanese and English menu
♦♦♦♦ – Excellent, make a trip out for it. (90-100%)

Hachibe 
1-7-6 Ebisu, Shibuya, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan | +81 3-3280-8181
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi/sashimi
Price: About $20-30+USD/per person
Notes: Good quality| good selection | fresh | omakase or a la carte | limited hot foot available | sushi and sake bar | affordable | local favourite | casual | affordable | good value | after hours | open late | seats 12 | Japanese menu | good sake selection
♦♦♦ – Very good, dining itinerary worthy. (70-89%)

Tsukiji Fish Market (Tokyo Central Wholesale Market)
5-2-1 Tsukiji, Chuo, Tokyo Prefecture 104-0045, Japan | +81 3-3542-1111
Cuisine: Sushi/sashimi
Price: Varies depending on restaurant (About $20-30+USD/per person)
Notes: Go early – by 5 am | Sushi Dai and Daiwa Sushi have 2+ hours line up and are most popular, but not necessarily that much better than others. | If you want to see the Tuna auction, start lining up at 2:30am. 5am is already too late. | Visiting the fish market is a must-do, and the sushi restaurants are very good value, but not necessarily “the best“.
♦♦♦♦♦ – Follow Me Foodie Must Try/Visit! (Bonus marks! 100%+)

Tonkatsu Wako
6-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan |+ 03-3348 0610
Cuisine: Tonkatsu/Japanese
Price: About $15-25/per person
Notes: Inside Tokyo train station | Japanese chain famous for Tonkatsu | I considered it very good, but Tonkatsu gets even better than this | Maisen is most popular for Tonkatsu | good quality | quick | casual | affordable | clean | authentic
♦♦ - Good, with some hits and misses. (50-69% – Closer to 65%+)

Kozue at Park Hyatt
Nishishinjuku | Park Hyatt Hotel, Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan | +81 3-5323-3460
Cuisine: Japanese
Price: $50+USD/per person
Notes: Incredible view | upscale | fine dining | various Tasting Menus | seasonal menus | good sake/cocktail menu | omakase available | quiet/sophisticated ambiance | traditional Japanese | beautiful food | good for entertaining/business/special occasions | Japanese and English menus
♦♦♦♦ – Excellent, make a trip out for it. (90-100%)

Ginza Akebono Mochi Shop
5-7-19 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo Prefecture 104-0061, Japan | +81 3-3571-3640
Cuisine: Japanese/Desserts
Price: $10 or less
Notes: Traditional Japanese sweets | variety of mochi/sweets | local favourite | benchmark for mochi | fresh mochi | no seating | to-go/gift shop
♦♦♦ – Very good, dining itinerary worthy. (70-89% – closer to 89%+, but if you’re a mochi fan this is likely “the best” it gets)

Nadaman in Shanghri-La Hotel, Tokyo
1-8-3 Marunouchi | 28F Marunouchi Trust Tower Main (Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo), Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture 100-8283, Japan | +81 3-6739-7898
Cuisine: Japanese/Sashimi/Beef
Price: $50+USD/per person
Notes: Japanese fine dining restaurant chain | Traditional Japanese | seasonal menus | private room available | great view | sushi counter | Teppanyaki counter
♦♦♦ – Very good, dining itinerary worthy. (70-89% – closer to 75%)

Piacere at Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo
1-8-3 Marunouchi | 28F Marunouchi Trust Tower Main (Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo), Chiyoda, Tokyo Prefecture 100-8283, Japan | +81 3-6739-7898
Cuisine: Italian
Price: $50+USD/per person
Notes: Italian chef | fine dining Italian | excellent view | elegant/ritzy ambiance | private dining spaces | seasonal menus | good wine list | special occasions | open for lunch and dinner | Japanese and English menus
♦♦♦ – Very good, dining itinerary worthy. (70-89% – closer to 80%+)

Sushi Kanesaka
8-10-3 Ginza, Chuo, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan | +81 3-5568-4411
Cuisine: Japanese/Sushi/Sashimi
Price: $50+USD/per person
Notes: 2 Michelin Star | upscale | Omakase lunch/dinner (starts at $50 for lunch) | exquisite sushi | fresh | top quality sashimi | open daily for lunch and dinner | reservations recommended | limited seating
♦♦♦♦♦ – Follow Me Foodie Must Try! (Bonus marks! 100%+)