Restaurants in,japan
Restaurants in Japan
Eating out in Japan is a must-do experience during any trip. In fact, Tokyo is the city with the most Michelin-starred restaurants in the world, offers an unmatched culinary diversity. While Japan is often known for its affordable food culture, the variety of restaurants is truly impressive. That’s why, from excellent little eateries hidden in the basements of Tokyo to luxurious restaurants from the atop Shibuya’s towers, there’s something to suit every budget.
Because food is an essential part of Japanese culture, you’ll find a wide range of specialized restaurants: sushi, ramen, udon, takoyaki… Whether it’s during a festival, at the counter, around a table, or seated on tatami, opportunities to share a meal are everywhere. Moreover, since customers are considered as “gods” in Japan, the service is also of very high quality. For example, when you arrive, you’re often given a small hot or cold towel called an oshibori (おしぼり).
As Japanese people rarely invite others into their homes, restaurants are popular places to meet up with friends, and also with coworkers alike. Specifically, there are nomikai (飲み会), defined as festive gatherings between colleagues that help strengthen workplace relationships. Except in high-end restaurants, reservations are generally not possible. However, in popular places, don’t forget to check at the entrance: you may need to register yourself on a tablet or write on a sheet of paper. Otherwise, it would be boring to wait for an hour to finally not being able to eat.
To remember
- High-end restaurants often offer reduced prices at lunchtime.
Some restaurants are cash-only.
Menus are sometimes not translated, so use your phone to help.
Some restaurants do not accept foreign customers — please respect this.
It’s common to wait in line for 30 minutes or more.
Difference with other countries
- Call the waiter — they won’t come to you otherwise.
Splitting the bill is not always possible.
Tipping is not part of the culture.
Izakaya
Following the populairty of Izakaya among Japanese people, lively and friendly, they are places where people gather with friends, family, or colleagues to chat and have fun. Typically, they open around 5–6 PM and closing by 11 PM or midnight. In many cases, izakaya offer “happy hour” deals in the early evening. When you go to an izakaya, it’s more about drinking than eating. The word “izakaya” is written in Japanese as 居酒屋, meaning “stay, alcohol, roof,” which makes perfect sense. You’ll find a wide variety of alcoholic beverages, the most popular being beer, “sours” (shochu/soda), and highballs (whisky and soda).
Although some izakaya are upscale, most serve simple and casual food. You’ll find a large selection of dishes to share, for example, ranging from typical Japanese foods like edamame, sushi, and sashimi to more traditional bar-style dishes such as yakitori, karaage (fried chicken), and even French fries. Dishes are usually served in small portions at affordable prices. In addition, some places also offer all-you-can-drink plans for a set period (usually 1 to 2 hours), called “nomihodai.” First, to find an izakaya, just head to a “yokocho,” which are narrow alleyways lined with red and white lanterns. Yokocho are mainly made up of bar and izakaya. Yokocho are commonly found around train stations.
Note: When you enter an izakaya, you often have to pay a seating charge in addition to the cost of your food. This fee varies but usually includes a small appetizer called otoshi, which is automatically served and charged per person.
Sushi
A symbol of Japanese cuisine, sushi is probably the dish with the widest price range depending on the type of restaurant.
There are two main types of sushi experiences:
High-end sushi: A sushi master prepares the pieces right in front of you and serves them directly. I can’t say much more about this type, as I haven’t had the chance to try it yet.
Kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi chains): Dishes rotate on a conveyor belt, and orders are made through a touch-screen tablet or through paper. In larger chains, you usually don’t see the chefs. However, there are also counter-style kaiten-zushi, where sushi is prepared in front of counters. In that case, you can order via the tablet or pick plates directly from the belt as they pass by.
Compared to many other countries, here in japan, sushi is mostly nigiri sushi rather than California rolls or maki, which are famous abroad. A wide variety of sushi is available: salmon, tuna, shrimp, squid… usually dipped in salty soy sauce with a touch of wasabi. It’s delicious, also it’s healthy. Then, there are also common side items, such as tamagoyaki (sweet omelet), miso soup, sliced ginger, and matcha (hot water with green tea powder).
Basically, the bill is calculated based on the number and color of your plates. In addition, if you’re given a ticket after each order, make sure to keep it!
Specialty restaurants
Unlike many other countries, Japanese restaurants are often specialized in a single type of dish. Indeed, chefs dedicate their lives to mastering one specific area, striving for excellence. From well-known dishes like ramen and sushi to more traditional fare like sukiyaki, the variety of specialties is truly impressive. If, like me, you’re traveling alone in Japan, don’t worry, eating alone at a restaurant is perfectly normal, unlike some other countries.
Here’s a list of different types of dishes, roughly sorted by price range (these are, of course, average estimates):
🟢 Cheap (¥500 to ¥1000):
Ramen, Udon
Kaiten-zushi (conveyor belt sushi)
Karaage (fried chicken)
Takoyaki (octopus balls)
Gyudon (beef bowl)
Tendon (tempura rice bowl)
🟡 Mid-range (¥1000 to ¥2000):
Soba
Donburi Yakiniku (varies depending on meat quality, often includes offal)
Japanese curry
Hanbāgu (Japanese-style hamburger steak)
Okonomiyaki, Monjayaki
Gyoza (dumplings)
🟠 Expensive (¥2000 to ¥3000):
Tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet, around ¥2000)
Sashimi
Yakiniku (grilled meat, quality varies)
Shabu-shabu (hotpot)
🔴 Very expensive (¥3000+):
Sushi (can easily exceed ¥10,000)
Sukiyaki
Unagi (grilled eel, often ¥3000+)
Japanese set
In Japanese restaurants, just like in other countries, you’ll find the equivalent of a “set menu”, but without a starter or dessert. These “menus”, called teishoku (定食), are assortments of Japanese dishes with a very neat presentation. Typically, they include a main dish, a bowl of rice, miso soup, and three small side dishes (like pickles, carrots, radish, etc.). The cost usually ranges between 1,000 and 1,500 yen.
Porc caramélisé - Set Japonais
Sashimi - Set Japonais
Set Japonais
Japanese specificity
Vending Machines
When you go to noodle restaurants like ramen or soba places, you’ll often see a vending machine at the entrance. This machine is actually a ticket dispenser. Before entering, choose your dish, pay, and take the printed tickets. Then, wait in line either outside or inside the restaurant. A staff member will collect your ticket and start preparing your meal. Be aware that, these machines often accept only cash.
Standing Restaurants
The concept of these restaurants is simple: you eat standing up. For instance, salarymen, often in a hurry during their lunch break, go there for a quick and efficient meal. The ones I’ve tried mainly served udon, a type of thick Japanese noodle. Moreover, the main advantage of these places is their very affordable price for a meal that’s simple, quick, and tasty. Additionally, the choice of toppings varies depending on the restaurant.
Fake Dishes
Displayed in the windows, the dishes you see in front of restaurants are replicas. Skilled artisans use was and plastic to carefully sculpt and paint highlty realistic replicas of food. Unique to each establishment, these representations, considered works of art in Japan, showcase the dishes served and their prices. Moreover, it make ordering easier for toursits and locals alike. Basically, customers can point to the dishes they want. These fake plastic meals are called sampuru (サンプル).
Festivals
During matsuri, Japanese festivals, no matter where you go, you’ll almost always spot food stalls called yatai. Typically l the streets and pathways, they offer a wide variety of traditional street food, both savory and sweet. Although the quality is sometimes inconsistent, many people can’t resist the temptation, therefore diving deeper into the unique and festive atmosphere of the matsuri. For example, some stalls served more popular dishes as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, karaage, or yakitori, while others offer treats made specifically for these events, such as baby castella or colorful choco-bananas.
Hote potetoes
Choco-banana - Yatai
Street food
Usefull vocabulary
Menus in Japan often come with pictures, which makes ordering much easier. If not, don’t hesitate to use your phone to translate the menu using an app.
In budget restaurants, there’s often a button on the table to call the server. Otherwise, just say “Sumimasen” (すみません) — meaning “excuse me” — loud enough to catch their attention (you’ll quickly get the hang of the tone by listening to others).
Here are a few useful phrases:
Hello: Konnichiwa 「こんにちは」
Thank you very much: Arigatō gozaimasu 「ありがとうございます」
Before eating: Itadakimasu 「いただきます」
When requesting something: Onegai shimasu 「お願いします」
To ask for the bill: O-kaikei onegai shimasu 「お会計お願いします」
To thank the staff when leaving: Gochisō sama deshita 「ごちそうさまでした」
To find good restaurants, I recommend the Michelin Guide and パン Tokyo (a Japanese site — use a translator app if needed).