Japan is a popular destination for travellers all around the world, because of its unique culture, scenic landscapes, and delicious cuisine. Bearing in mind the general high cost of living in the Land of the Rising Sun, it is understandable that price of food can be a concern for many travellers. When travelling overseas, food is more than just a necessity to cure your hunger pangs.
Good food will not only satiate your taste buds, but they will also bring you special culinary experiences. It is great to note that you do not have to pay hefty bills just to enjoy the Japanese spirit when dining in the country, because of the advent of affordable quality Japanese franchise diners. Discover these wonderful diners where you can enjoy authentic local spirit at just 8 USD or less!
1. Japanese Ramen at Korakuen
Founded since 1954, Korakuen (幸楽苑) has come a long way as an established Japanese ramen franchise chain with outlets all over Japan. This Japanese-style Chinese noodle ramen chain serves a variety of flavourful ramen from an affordable 390 JPY (3.80 USD)! Your little ones can also enjoy traditional Japanese ramen with the special kids’ menu in Korakuen.
Korakuen (幸楽苑)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 3.80 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, but generally open from 10.00am till late.
2. Japanese Soba at Fujisoba
Fujisoba is one of the most affordable Japanese soba chains that you can conveniently locate in the country. Unlike ramen, soba are thin noodles made from buckwheat. Nonetheless, both types of noodles are equally popular. To get a cheap and good fix of your soba craving, visit one of the many outlets of Fujisoba. A bowl of the authentic goodness starts from a mere 300 JPY (2.90 USD)!
Fujisoba (富士そば)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 2.90 USD
Opening Hours: please refer to official website.
3. Japanese Udon at Marugame Udon
The Japanese love their noodles and express it clearly in the form of different types of noodles. Japanese udon is a type of thick noodles made from wheat flour. At Marugame Udon (丸亀製麺), the springy udon is served in a mildly flavoured broth. Get a bowl of hot and simple kake udon from only 290 JPY (2.80 USD) and top it with freshly fried tempura from 100 JPY (0.90 USD)!
Marugame Udon (丸亀製麺)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 2.80 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, but generally open from 11am till late.
You might be interested in these Airbnbs!
4. Japanese fast-food chain - Yoshinoya
Yoshinoya (吉野家) is a famous Japanese gyūdon (beef bowl) fast-food restaurant established more than a century ago in 1899. This well-known fast-food chain prides itself as being “tasty, cheap and fast”. Indeed, you can grab a generous serving of its signature gyūdon at just 380 JPY (3.70 USD). In addition, it’s hard to miss Yoshinoya when you are in Japan because it can be found everywhere. Just in Shinjuku alone, there are 10 outlets serving you the wholesome meal at reasonable prices!
Yoshinoya (吉野家)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 3.70 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, with some outlets open for 24 hours.
5. Japanese Tendon at Tenya
Tempura, which is seafood or vegetables fried in batter, is one of the signature dishes in Japan. Top it on a bowl of steamed rice to enjoy a yummy tendon meal. At the tempura chain Tenya (てんや), 500 JPY (4.90 USD) will get you their classic “One Coin Tendon”, which is an assortment of tempura on rice with miso soup by the side. Pay just 180 JPY (1.80 USD) more and you can get a mini vegetable dish with free rice refills for a value meal. Tenya certainly gives you great value for money with their fresh and yummy tendons!
Tenya (てんや)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 4.90 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, generally open from 11am to 11pm.
6. Rice balls at Omusubi Gonbei
Rice balls, known as onigiri to the locals, are one of the top favourite foods in Japan. It is a convenient, cheap and healthy way to fill your stomach quickly so that you can continue exploring the fascinating country. Omusubi Gonbei (おむすび権米衛) is a famous onigiri chain where you can have an affordable delish rice ball meal. There’s a huge selection of over 30 onigiri flavours to choose from, and from time to time, seasonal flavours will be available as well. So it will take you a long time before you are done with trying all the flavours!
Omusubi Gonbei (おむすび権米衛)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 1.00 to 2.70 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, generally open from 8am to 8pm.
7. Japanese hamburgers at Mos Burger
Who says great burgers are only served in Western-style restaurants? Let the Japanese hamburger fast-food chain, Mos Burger, prove you wrong. Founded in 1972 by Satoshi Sakurada in Tokyo, Mos Burger has come a long way with more than 1,700 restaurants in Japan and the Asia Pacific.
As its corporate goal is to “make people happy through food”, rest assured you will be able to enjoy tasty hamburgers the Japanese way at wallet-friendly prices. The best-selling MOS Burger, with a freshly grilled meat patty covered in piping hot meat sauce, costs just 390 JPY (3.80 USD). For a unique taste of Japanese-style burger, try the MOS Rice Burger which uses fine quality rice instead of a bun to wrap your desired patty!
Mos Burger
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 2.45 USD
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, generally open from 7am to 11pm.
8. Japanese-style cafe: Doutor Coffee
Doutor Coffee is the first European-style Japanese cafe chain in the country that was established in 1980. The first coffee shop was only a tiny 9-square-metre cafe. However, it has since expanded and you can find over 900 outlets just in Japan alone. Doutor Coffee’s interiors vary from outlet to outlet, with some functioning as a takeaway joint while others are spacious and elaborate on its interiors. If you are looking to chill in a cosy cafe with pretty interiors and ample power points to charge your phone, head to the outlet next to ANA Intercontinental Tokyo hotel in Akasaka.
This popular cafe chain is well known for its flame-roasted coffee, using coffee beans from their own coffee plantations in Hawaii. Furthermore, enjoy a hearty breakfast at Doutor Coffee. Their morning cafe sets offer great value for money, at just 390 JPY (3.80 USD) for a tasty and nutritious sandwich or hot dog with a cup of their freshly brewed coffee.
Doutor Coffee (ドトールコーヒー)
Address: please refer to official website
Price: from 2.15 USD for drinks/ 1.90 USD for food
Opening Hours: varies between outlets, generally open from 6am or 8am.
Convenient Japanese dining at wallet-friendly prices
The above list of affordable Japanese food has proven that it is possible to enjoy authentic Japanese cuisine at a shoestring budget of 8 USD or less. So no more worrying about the need to spend a lot on food when travelling in Japan. Enjoy the casual dining experience that will satisfy the foodie in you!
History
Get Trip101 in your inbox
Unsubscribe in one click. See our Privacy Policy for more information on how we use your data
-
![]()
Akihabara Food GuideTrip101 Editorial -
Tsukiji Food Recommendation Not Only Sushi!Trip101 Editorial -
Tokyo's Local Restaurant GuideTrip101 Editorial -
-
-
-
-
-
10 Themed Cafes In Osaka, JapanSudarsana
Create an account to