The 10 Best Places to Eat in Shinjuku, Tokyo

Shinjuku cannot clearly be defined. It is unclear where the boundaries are to this district. However, it is the biggest entertainment district in Tokyo and therefore Japan. It is made of up many smaller entertainment districts such as Kabukimachi, Golden-machi, Okubo Korean Town, as well as, shopping centers such as Shinjuku Lumine, Isetan, Marui, Odakyu and many others. Because there is so much shopping available, many gourmet locations also become necessary and they are here! Today we will introduce you to only a small portion of all Shinjuku has to offer!

1. Shokuin Shokudo Seiyo-Food

photo by takeru_chan   /   embedded from Instagram

If you come to Tokyo, this is one place we highly recommend you visit. It is the lunch room in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office Building. You may think “Why would I go to the cafeteria in the capital for lunch?”. However, this is an opportunity not available many other places.

The item we can recommend the most is the “Capital Bento”. This is a limited item with only 100 sold a day. There are 18 items in the lunch and it is perfectly balanced nutritionally.

There are also lunches you can buy with one coin (500 yen) for 480 yen and others that are made with strictly local ingredients. Whatever the menu item it is budget friendly and healthy. During the busy season it can be extremely crowded but this is an experience you must have during your Tokyo travels.

2. Brooklyn Parlor

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This is a restaurant located in the Shinjuku Marui. It is a café where you can enjoy a book and music with you meal. This shop is one known to all jazz lovers in Japan as the jazz music being played is loved by jazz lovers and the interior decoration fits the jazz theme perfectly. You may also choose a book from the book shelves by the window and kick back on a chairs or sofa.

The most popular item on the menu is the hamburger. This best part of this shop is that you are allowed to enjoy your meal with a book in your other hand. You will also find many other delicious items such as pasta, salad, cheese, and sausages available for purchase. You may also choose to enjoy a drink here! Come enjoy your favorite combination out of the food, drink, book, and jazz available here.

3. Shin

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This may be a smaller shop but it offers the best of house made udon noodles. Because they offer freshly mixed and cut noodles this is a shop that never loses popularity. This is despite the fact that the exterior is café like and may cause any udon lovers to not notice it!

The popular menu item is the “Zaru-udon” and the “Kamaage-udon”. The noodles are prepared in a twisted fashion as shown in the photo above and it can seem wasteful to undo the twist. However, the flavor is something you do not want to miss! You can get a larger helping of noodles for no extra charge. You can also enjoy a double portion or an especially large portion of the dish for a small extra fee. Come enjoy the fresh noodles prepared here.

4. Marudori Ruisuke

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This is the gourmet of Izakaya. Here the cuisine centers on poultry dishes. The best know item on the menu is the batter-free deep fried chicken. Many come returning you another meal of this wonderfully prepared chicken. The chicken used is of a special variety and the lack of batter allows you to enjoy the true flavor of chicken. Within in the skin is a chicken so soft and juicy you will return!

There is also liver-on-a-stick, hearts and gizzard, and other special parts of the chicken. Come enjoy not only the alcohol but also the special chicken offered here.

5. Café Aaliya

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The entrance of this shop is only big enough for one person. However, all who enter are amazed by the French toast offered here. The atmosphere of the shop is very much one of a Showa Western restaurant and the French toast is of the taste and consistency that cannot be bragged about enough.

A knife is not included in your cutlery set. However, it is not necessary as this French toast can be cut with a fork. Despite this being the case, the French toast is not too runny that is falls apart. This French toast does not fall apart as you bring it to your mouth but melts once it is in your mouth. You can enjoy a dish of not only French toast but you can also enjoy a larger lunch set that comes with a large serving of soup.

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6. Fuunji

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There is never a lack of popularity and a line developed out the door at this ramen shop. Especially during the dinner time you will often have to wait 30 minutes. The sell of this shop is their “Tsukemen”. This is where you take you noodles from the dishes and dip them in the sauce of your choice and enjoy them freshly dipped. The soup offered for dipping here is one made of poultry and fish broth that is light but rich.

Here you can also enjoy regular ramen but the best is without a doubt the Tsukemen. Most tsukemen are made with a pork based broth but here you can enjoy the fresh flavor of a poultry and fish based broth with the thick noodles prepared.

This is a shop where you may certainly have to wait in line but some say it is also due to the kindness of the staff here. It is said that they make you think you have not waited at all. Come eat this much sought after tsukemen in a comfortable environment with friendly staff.

→The 10 Best Ramen Shops You Must Eat in Shinjuku, Tokyo

7. Acacia

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One of the famous places people choose to meet up in Shinjuku is in front of the Alta. This modern shop that is hidden on the back side of the Alta is this shop. The motto of this shop is Western cuisine that goes with rice and many of the items on the menu are of very rich taste. One of the most popular menu items is the “Rolled-cabbage Stew”.

When this shop was opened in 1963, the rolled-cabbage was made imitating grandmother’s home-cooked meals. They are so soft you can eat them with a spoon and are the marvelous combination of sweet cabbage and rich meat. When you pour some of the stew on you rice you can enjoy a whole new flavor. You are also able to takeout your meal so if you are looking for a quiet evening in your hotel with a great dinner this may be the place for you.

8. Takano Fruits Parlor

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Here you can enjoy western sweets such as the parfait with heart-shaped strawberries or the luxurious pudding with melon, watermelon and other fruits. You can also choose to enjoy more traditional sweets such as bean paste, dango, and fruit covered in syrup. Because this is a high-end fruit shop from its creation in 1885 the fruit used is only the freshest available.

All menu items are delicious, but the most popular item making this shop known may be the buffet-style fruit bar. Come enjoy everything this fruit shop has to offer through enjoying the fruit buffet. To enjoy the fruit parlor you can come with just a group of guys, but to enjoy the fruit buffet you must be accompanied by at least one female. So invite your female friends to enjoy this exclusive opportunity.

9. Torishige

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This shop was opened in 1947. Most people who enjoy alcohol will likely mention this shop. The shops name includes the character for bird (poultry). However, it is said that when the shop first opened pork was the main item on the menu and this tradition continues to this day as you will not find any chicken on the menu. However, the variety of pork available here is something you must try.

This shop has been open awhile but they are continually trying new dishes. They are also conducting trials with beef dishes. However, the best is the pork! Come enjoy all this pork professional shop has to offer!

10. Shushi Iwase

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This shop was only open in 2012. However, it has already earned its notoriety. Though your meal could cost 10,000 to 20,000 yen, you will be enjoying only the best of sushi chosen by the chef.

The menu is made by the chef with the perfect combination of the kinds of you sushi you could possibly want. They are here to serve you. Sushi Iwase is for those who do not wish for “fast-food” sushi but the real deal.

Enjoy the Delicious Gourmet of Shinjuku!

What did you think of the variety available in Shinjuku? Shinjuku is the greatest entertainment district of Tokyo and the gourmet does well in representing its power. Today we were only able to introduce to you the best of the best, but there is so much more available here! Visit many different locations and find the one that suites you the best.