The 10 Best Places for Lunch in Asakusa, Japan

Asakusa is an excellent representative of downtowns. The gourmets in Asakusa which has many sightseeing spots, such as the Sensoji-temple and the Kaminari-gate have a variety from the western-styled one to the Japanese one. Many restaurants offer a single dish and you may be confused which one you should choose for your lunch. So, I’m introducing the restaurants which represent each category among the various types of Asakusa gourmets. Please visit your favourite restaurant during your sightseeing in Asakusa.

1. You can taste the delicacy of the supreme grilled-eel and the seasonal dish for your lunch. The famous restaurant in Asakusa [Yakko]

The [Yakko] is located at the corner of Kaminarimon 1-chome, facing the Kaminarimon street which is a 4-minute-walk from the Tawaramachi station on the underground Ginza-line. The restaurant with the serene old Japanese house-styled gate and which is typical Asakusa has an indigo-blue noren (shop entrance curtain) as its landmark. The Japanese and western-styled interior creates a Taisho-modern atmosphere which is just right for tasting the grilled-eel. Grilled-eel always gives you an impression of an expensive dish, but the lunch-menu, [Unaju Lunch] with the pickles and soup at this restaurant costs ¥2,300. Even if it is the price in the sightseeing area, it is reasonable.

The [Seasonal special Lunch] which contains the deserts and a few seasonal dishes provides a surprise value for money for its sufficiency. Why don’t you visit this [Yakko] where you can sample the grilled-eel at the long-established restaurant for the price of ¥3,000?

2. The different flavour of the drunk-dojoh (loach) If you have your lunch in Asakusa, try this restaurant! [Komagata Dojoh Honten]

After getting outside from the A-1 exit at the Asakusa station on the Toei Underground Asakusa-line, walk for 1-2 minutes towards the south and you can find [Komagata Dojoh Honten] at the Komagata 2-chome junction. Its appearance reminds one of a townhouse in the past. The interior which is capable of accommodating more than 200 people is tatami-matted and its charm matches with the appearance of the restaurant.

Their signature menu, [Dojoh-nabe (hot pot)] is cooked, using the loach in which the Japanese sake was imbrued when it was still alive. The {Dojoh-nabe} taking time and effort is worth tasting. Please enjoy the [Dojoh-nabe] simmered in the miso-soup for your lunch!

3. The all-you-can-eat Mugi-toro (barley mixed rice with grated Japanese yam) for 90 minutes!The classic Asakusa lunch! [Asakusa Mugi-toro Honten]

The [Asakusa Mugi-toro Honten] with the charming lattice sliding door is on the 1st floor of the modern-looking building which is a 3-minute-walk towards the south from the Asakusa station. In addition to the normal table-seats, they have a private-room for up to 8 people. You can relax and enjoy the meal just with your family or relatives.

The recommended lunch menu is the [Mugi-toro Viking] which will be offered during 11:00 ~ 13:30 hrs. during weekdays. It is a buffet-styled luxurious meal with an all-you-can-eat signature menu, Mugi-toro for ¥1,000 within 90 minutes. As it is good value for money, there is always a long queue waiting for the restaurant to open. Please sample it when you visit Asakusa.

4. The lunch with salad, soup and pickles for this price! [Toriyoshi]

The [Toriyoshi] is near the cross roads of the Kaminarimon 1-chome junction and the Asakusa 1-chome junction, facing towards the Kaminarimon street. The neat-looking appearance still retains its elegance. They have the counter and table-seats as well as the private-rooms which can accommodate a large number of people in a group, so you can use the place for a dinner party.

The popular lunch menu at this restaurant is their signature dish, [Oyako-donburi (¥1,000)] (chicken and egg rice bowl). This [Oyako-donburi] cooked, using the rich eggs and the Datejidori reared in the open-air is fluffy and melty. The [Yamitsuki-ontama-soboro-donburi] is also popular because of its deliciously flavoured ground parts of a chicken and is value for money at ¥900.

5. The oldest Onigiri-ya (rice ball shop) in Tokyo Have your lunch at the long-established shop in Asakusa [Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku]

The [Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku] opened its business in the 29th year of Showa (1954) and it is well-known as the oldest Onigiri specialist in Tokyo. It is along the Kototoi street which is on the northeast direction from the Tsukuba Express Asakusa station. Their landmark is the red signboard on which the [Onigiri] is written and the white long noren (shop entrance curtain). It is a small shop, but they have the counter and table seats. You can eat in as well as take away.

The ingredients total 20 different types, including the standard salmon, salmon-roe, dried ground bonito and the rice is Koshihikari (brand). The lunch menu contains 2 rice-balls, tofu-miso-soup and takuan (pickles) for ¥660. In Asakusa which is an indelible scene of old Japan, why don’t you fill yourself up, eating onigiri which is Japanese soul food?

6. The long-established set-menu restaurant in Asakusa You can choose your favourite among the variety in the menu. [Asakusa Mizuguchi Shokudo]

The [Asakusa Mizuguchi Shokudo] is along the Ippuku Yokocho street in an easterly direction from the Tsukuba Express Asakusa station. It is a set-menu restaurant which opened its business in the 26th year of Showa (1951) with the blue eaves and the various samples displayed at the shop entrance. There are the counter, table seats and the tatami-matted private-rooms. Even for people who want to sit in their comfortable position, their need will be satisfied.

The surprising fact is the amount of stuff in its menu! The written menu lined up on the wall will surely confuse you! You can choose your favourite single dish and make your own set-meal together with rice and miso soup. When you are indecisive what you should eat for your lunch, why don’t you visit this restaurant? You may find your favourite dish there!

7. When you want to eat the authentic curry in Asakusa! The lunch-set is value for money [Asian Shokudo]

The [Asian Shokudo] along the Edo street is a multi-national restaurant with the gigantic red signboard as their landmark. It is only a 1-minute-walk from the No.5-exit at the Asakusa station on the Tokyo Metro-line. The curry-set as a lunch menu is ¥750 and it offers the nan to be eaten with the spinach and mutton-curry. It is popular because you can sample the authentic curry for lunch for a reasonable price, but this restaurant has another hidden popular menu.

It’s Gyoza! The chewy texture gyoza sheet will make you be addictive to it. Unfortunately, the lunch set doesn’t include it, but you can taste it as a single dish. If you are interested in it, please try one.

8. The long-established Okonomiyaki-ya (Japanese pancake with a lot of vegetables) in Asakusa [Fuuryu Okonomiyaki Sometaro]

The [Fuuryu Okonomiyaki Sometaro] with the appearance of a Japanese old house is a 3-minute-walk from the Tawaramachi station on the Tokyo Metro-line. This is well known as a famous restrurant where many celebrities like Ranpo Edogawa for example, used to visit. As it was established in the 12th year of Showa (1937), the interior has a good olden time atmosphere. The spaces are all tatami-matted, so you can stretch your legs and have a meal in a relaxed manner.

The selling menu is [Osome-yaki]. The ingredients are cabbage, egg, minced pork, squid tentacles, sakura shrimp and grilled noodles all of which are filling! If you ask a member of staff to grill the first portion, they will do it for you. So, you can eat it in a relaxed manner. Let’s have a luxurious lunch at the long-established restaurant in Asakusa!

9. The unique stick-sushi is popular! You can taste the superb lunch [468 (Europe)]

The [468] is just in front of the Asakusa Tower which is a 5-minute-walk towards the northeast from the Taukuba Express Asakusa station. The black and white based appearance with the bright green eaves is their landmark. The black and white interior looks very clean and tidy. The popular menu of this restaurant is the [Boh-sushi] which is made by pressing the ingredients on rice in a wooden box. One piece of mackerel sushi costs ¥4,320, which is not cheap, but its rich flavour and refreshing taste have been attracting many repeat customers. The [Anago (conger eel) Boh-sushi (¥4,320) and the [Guji (horse head fish) Boh-sushi (¥4,320) are as popular as the [Mackerel Boh-sushi]. They are pressed by just the right amount of pressure to leave the rice not to be squashed. For people who can’t finish one portion, they can offer a half-sized one. Please experience them!

10. The deep fried Tiger-prawn (tempura) sticks out from the bowl! The lunch in Asakusa should be had here! [Daikokuya Tempura Honten]

The [Daikokuya Tempura Honten] is located on the south side of Denpoin over the Hoppy street walking towards the east from the Asakusa station. The old-styled storehouse looking appearance is very characteristic. The interior of the restaurant has a Japanese-styled modern atmosphere and there are many tatami-matted rooms where you can relax and have your meal.

The popular menu of the long-established restaurant which started its business in the 20th year of Meiji (1887) is the [Ebi-tendon]. Surprisingly, it has 4 large king-prawn tempura on rice which are so big that they protrude out of the bowl. The filling [Ebi-tendon] would satisfy you. Please go to the downtown, Asakusa and have a delicious lunch at a famous restaurant!