13 restaurants you must visit in Shinjuku (2024)

01

Ramen

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Ichiran

Originally from Fukuoka, Ichiran is now one of the most famous tonkotsu-only ramen chains, both inside and outside of Japan. Ichiran's tonkotsu soup is extracted 100% from pork bones, with the excess scum removed during the boiling process to produce a creamy, rich tonkotsu soup. The soup is then mixed with a dashi broth, whose recipe is known only by four people within the company.

At Ichiran, you can customize your bowl with preferences for noodle texture or the addition of garlic and red chili sauce. If you are a true ramen lover, make sure to ask for kaedama (noodle refill) to enjoy the meal to your heart's content.

The chain features individual booths that allow for privacy so you can fully focus on your bowl. One bowl of ramen costs about 1,000 - 2,000 yen, depending on your choices.

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SOBAHOUSE Konjiki Hototogisu

If you wish to taste world-renowned ramen, try Konjiki Hototogisu. This Michelin-starred ramen shop’s signature shoyu ramen is made with three types of soup stock: duck and beef broth, hamaguri clam broth, and Japanese dashi broth. The bowl is topped with truffle sauce and shallots marinated in red wine.

Another signature bowl is shio ramen, which is made with a careful mixture of hamaguri clam broth, flounder broth, and Japanese dashi broth extracted from bonito flakes and kombu kelp. Due to its immense popularity, numbered tickets are a must to dine here. These can be obtained at 9:30 am for lunch and 5:30 pm for dinner. One bowl of ramen costs about 1,500 yen.

04

Fuunji

Fuunji is one of the most popular tsukemen (dipping noodles) spots in Shinjuku. The dipping soup is a scrumptious mixture of rich chicken and seafood broths made with kombu kelp, bonito flakes, and sardines. These are boiled for eight hours before being filtered for six hours. The rich, creamy soup combines perfectly with Fuunji’s smooth noodles. Once you finish the noodles, you can grab a pitcher from the counter to add dashi broth to your remaining soup.

Although the shop is open 365 days a year, it closes once the soup runs out, so try to be there early. Despite the long line on the street, the exceptional taste is guaranteed. One bowl of tsukemen costs about 1,000 - 2,000 yen, depending on your choices.

05

Tsuke Men Go No Kami Seisakujo

If you like tsukemen and shrimp, Tsuke Men Go No Kami Seisakujo will be your dream place. The shop has three signature offerings: shrimp tsukemen, shrimp tomato tsukemen, and shrimp miso tsukemen. All of these bowls are served with thick slices of chashu pork and bamboo shoots.

For those who want something special, go for the shrimp tomato tsukemen, which is served with basil pesto and a slice of baguette. Its thick, silky, and chewy homemade noodles are a feast for your eyes and stomach.

Tsuke Men Go No Kami Seisakujo is also known for its generous portions: its regular (nami) portion is 270 grams , while most tsukemen shops' regular portion is about 200 grams . One bowl of tsukemen costs about 1,000 - 2,000 yen .

06

Sushi

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Sushi Zanmai

If you want an affordable yet high-quality sushi experience, go to Sushi Zanmai. When you arrive at the restaurant, you will be greeted by a miniature doll depicting the restaurant chain’s owner, Kiyoshi Kimura, who is known for his passion for tuna.

Sushi Zanmai offers a range of dishes, from nigiri sushi to grilled and fried fish, as well as platters of sashimi. Among them, the Sushi Zanmai Deluxe platter is served with a variety of sushi, including otoro (premium fatty tuna), chutoro (medium fatty tuna), squid, sea urchin, and many other must-eat sushi, all for around 3,500 yen. Additionally, you can find limited-time dishes and today’s catch, all freshly sourced from various parts of Japan.

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Himawari Sushi

For a casual, conveyor-belt sushi experience, head to Himawari Sushi. No reservation is required; you can simply walk in, be seated, and grab the sushi plates as they appear in front of you. Once seated, you can also enjoy a view of the sushi chefs preparing dishes in an immaculate manner.

The restaurant offers meat, vegetarian, and vegan options, accommodating all types of curious patrons. During lunch hours, you can find reasonably priced sashimi donburi sets, which are served with a side dish and a bowl of miso soup, all for under 1,000 yen. The color of the dishes determines the price of each item, making it easy to manage your budget.

09

Udon

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Udon Shin

With six seats at the counter and two tables, Udon Shin can only accommodate a maximum of 12 people. Despite its small size, the shop is one of the best places in Tokyo to get superb wheat noodles.

Using carefully sourced wheat flour, Shin’s udon is freshly kneaded at the store and the boiling time is adjusted based on the day’s temperature and moisture level to ensure the perfect texture. Once you receive your bowl, you will be surprised to see the elegant coil of silky noodles.

One bowl of udon is about 1,000 - 2,000 yen. This popular shop operates on a ticketing system, which gives you an estimated waiting time so you can spend exploring the Shinjuku area, rather than queuing outside. Udon Shin is located near the large national garden of Shinjuku Gyoen.

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Tokyo Mentsudan

If you are looking for casual, quick-serving, and great-value udon, try Tokyo Mentsudan. One bowl of udon costs about 500 - 1,500 yen.

Once you select your udon dish, the portion size, and your preferred temperature (hot or cold), you can customize your udon with garnishes, toppings, and tempura. Please note that these extra items will be added to the final price.

The shop specializes in sanuki udon, a type of noodle originating from Kagawa Prefecture that is characterized by its square shape and springy texture. If it is your first time trying sanuki udon, opt for a cold dish so you can fully appreciate its iconic texture.

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Tempura

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Tempura Tsunahachi

14

Tenkuni

Established in 1885, Tenkuni started out as a small food stall in Ginza. The restaurant now has a branch in Shinjuku and it is the place to be if you want to taste authentic tempura.

Using a high-quality blend of sesame and corn oil, Tenkuni’s tempura is known for its light, crisp texture that really hits the spot. The restaurant’s signature dish is kakiage donburi, a mixed tempura that includes seafood and vegetables over a bowl of rice.

The average cost for a lunch set is about 2,500 yen. If you want a high-end tempura experience, try Tenkuni’s dinner course sets, which come with more than seven tempura dishes, other savory items, and dessert.

15

Izakaya

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Shinjuku Fishing Restaurant Zauo

For a family-friendly izakaya dining experience, try Zauo. Upon entering, you will find fish ponds housing a multitude of fish, including horse mackerel, flounder, and lobster, all of which you can catch and eat. The advantage is that it is actually cheaper to fish them than to order them straight off the menu. For example, a flounder is normally priced at around 5,000 yen , but when caught, it only costs about 4,000 yen.

You can also choose how you would like your fish to be cooked and can even have one fish prepared in two different ways. Options include sashimi, grilled, deep-fried, boiled, or sushi.

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Shabu Shabu and Sukiyaki

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Shabushabu Niimura

Niimura has been serving high-quality kuroge wagyu beef (Japanese black cattle) to Shinjuku patrons for more than 60 years , making it the place to dine if you want to enjoy a good portion of quality beef. Niimura’s Japanese beef set starts at about 3,000 yen and is served with vegetables, tofu, mochi, noodles, and dessert. The set also comes with a creamy sesame dipping sauce and a citrusy ponzu sauce.

The restaurant carries a variety of sake from different parts of the country, all of which make a great pairing with the scrumptious beef. Additionally, the restaurant offers sukiyaki dishes , filet beef steak, pork cutlet, and even kegani (hairy crab).

The menu is available in English and Chinese.

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Sukiyaki Ibuki

If you are craving tender, juicy kuroge wagyu beef that melts in your mouth, try Sukiyaki Ibuki. The restaurant has been delighting connoisseurs with its traditional recipe for more than 60 years . The savory combination of soy sauce-based broth, thinly sliced marbled beef, and fresh vegetables tastes even better when dipped in a mixture of raw eggs.

Even if it is your first time trying sukiyaki, the restaurant’s English-speaking staff will guide you through the process and cook for you, making you feel at home. When the meat and vegetables are finished, you can add udon to the hotpot to soak up its condensed umami flavor.

At Ibuki, a sukiyaki set costs about 5,000 yen and you can also enjoy a shabu shabu set at around the same price. This is a small, cozy restaurant with only 20 seats , so a reservation is recommended to secure your spot.

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Takeaways

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