Food is an essential part of everyday life because it provides everyone of us with nutrients for energy and good health. Eating the right foods, particularly good food, is a great way to boost happiness and even create interesting topics that you can share with your friends and family. When travelling abroad, the process of being able to hunt down good food is part of the fun of the journey, especially when you are travelling in a gourmet paradise like Tokyo. In this article, you will be introduced to 8 highly recommended restaurants around Ginza and the neighbouring Tsukiji districts, which can be found along the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line.
Ginza area
Best known for its internationally renowned department stores, boutiques and restaurants, Ginza is a popular luxurious shopping district in Tokyo. The premier district is served by both Ginza and Higashi Ginza stations along the Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line. Let’s check out the area featuring many Michelin-starred restaurants, alongside cosy traditional restaurants serving a variety of cuisines to satiate the most discerning taste bud.
1. Tempura Kondo
Tempura is a famous Japanese dish of battered and deep fried seafood or vegetables. This may be a common street food you can find easily in the Land of the Rising Sun, but if you want to taste only the best, the two-Michelin star Tempura Kondo (てんぷら 近藤) is your answer. It is located on the 9th floor of the small Sakaguchi Building, just a short walk from Ginza Station. Tempura Kondo is famously known to reject even Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of a reservation to host Barack Obama, the former United States President, back in 2014, as it was booked out for that particular evening.
Be in for a gastronomic feast involving all senses as you watch the chef prepare and fry the tempura dishes right before your eyes in this open-concept 30-seat restaurant. If you wish to taste the renowned sweet potato tempura dish, order at the start of your meal as it takes a while to prepare, and is available only in limited quantities daily. Deep fried food may not sound like the healthiest food out there, but the tempura dishes are amazingly flavourful and crispy, without feeling greasy. Enjoy your luxurious tempura meal as you savour each and every delicately battered and fried item at the highly recommended Tempura Kondo!
Tempura Kondo (てんぷら 近藤)
Address: Sakaguchi Building 9th Floor, 5-5-13 Ginza, Chuo Ward
Price: from 8,000 JPY (71.80 USD).
Opening Hours: 12pm - 1.30pm and 5pm - 10.30pm. Closed on Sunday, or Monday if Sunday is a public holiday.
Access: 3-minute walk from Ginza Station exit B5.
Contact: +81 3-5568-0923.
2. Sushi Iwa
Craving for a palatable sushi meal? Make your way to the one-Michelin star restaurant Sushi Iwa (鮨 いわ) in Ginza. During the ancient Edo era, sushi was considered a casual food served at food stalls, where customers ate and left quickly. However, look forward to a refined dining experience at Sushi Iwa, in a traditional counter setting. Remember to call for a reservation early as the restaurant is an intimate one with just 7 seats. Once you have settled in, let the chef know in advance if you have any food allergies. Thereafter, sit back, relax, and watch the master chef prepare your omakase meal (which means the chef will decide what to cook for you). Enjoy each freshly made serving of sushi, paced perfectly with your dining speed. Understand the exact ingredient being used for each sushi and the best way to enjoy the dish while it is being served. Visit Sushi Iwa for an unforgettable sushi experience!
Sushi Iwa (鮨 いわ)
Address: Miura Building 1F, 8-4-4 Ginza, Chuo Ward
Price: from 20,000 JPY (179.60 USD).
Opening Hours: Monday - Saturday Lunch: 12pm - 2pm; Monday - Saturday Dinner: 5pm - 11pm; Sunday 12pm - 8pm. Irregular shop holidays.
Access: 6-minute walk from Ginza Station exit B9.
Contact: +81 3-3572-0955
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3. Shinohara
There is a saying “when in Rome, do as the Romans do”. Thus when you are in Japan, you should try the traditional multi-course Japanese dinner, known as kaiseki-ryōri locally, at least once. Make a trip to Shinohara (銀座 しのはら), consistently ranked as one of the top kaiseki restaurants in Japan, which has recently moved to the affluent Ginza neighbourhood in Tokyo. Despite being open for business for just 10 years, Shinohara stands out amidst the fierce competition, serving gourmands from all over Japan.
Given the popularity of Shinohara, remember to call to make a booking at least 3 months in advance to avoid disappointment. As the master chef Shinohara used to live in the mountains, the choice of ingredients being used will surprise you memorably, particularly if you are a city dweller. Indulge in rare finds such as bear meat, narezushi (fermented sushi) and carp that will definitely whet your appetite. Delight in the feast using fresh seasonal ingredients, beautifully presented on plates to enhance your gastronomic experience.
Shinohara (銀座 しのはら)
Address: 2-8-17, Ginza, Chuo Ward
Price: from 20,000 JPY (179.60 USD).
Opening Hours: 5pm - 11pm. Closed on Sundays.
Access: 7-minute walk from Higashi Ginza Station.
Contact: +81-3-6263-0345
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4. Ginza Ukai-tei
Another well-known style of Japanese cuisine is Teppanyaki, where you grill food such as meat, fish and vegetables on an iron plate. Right in the heart of the Ginza shopping district is Ginza Ukai-tei (銀座 うかい亭), a reputable Teppanyaki specialty restaurant studded with one Michelin star prior to 2016. The unique dining experience starts right from the moment you enter the famed restaurant. Decked with an exquisite blend of Victorian-Japanese antique furnishings, immerse yourself in the unique historical ambience even before you tuck into the delicious meal.
The main dish used in all course menus at Ginza Ukai-tei is the superior Japanese black beef, alongside fresh seasonal seafood and vegetables. Enjoy the perfect fusion of French and Japanese cuisine, and complete your memorable meal with freshly brewed coffee and delicately baked confectionery.
Ginza Ukai-tei (銀座 うかい亭)
Address: 5-15-8, Ginza, Chuo Ward
Price: from 10,000 JPY (89.80 USD).
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 12pm - 2pm & 5pm - 9pm; Saturday: 11.30am - 3pm & 5pm - 9pm. Closed on Sundays and year-end holidays.
Access: 2-minute walk from Higashi Ginza Station exit 6.
Contact: +81-3-3544-5252.
Tsukiji area
Just one stop away on the Hibiya Line from Higashi Ginza Station is Tsukiji Station, where the world renowned Tsukiji Market is a short walk away. Being home to the large wholesale market for fish, fruits and vegetables in central Tokyo, it is only natural that many restaurants offering the freshest seafood dishes can be found in the area. Check out these four restaurants that you should not miss when exploring the market!
5. Tsukiji Sushisay Honten
Found within the bustling Tsukiji Market, Tsukiji Sushisay Honten (築地寿司清 本店) is strategically positioned to receive the freshest catch quickly. You can’t go wrong with a restaurant that is often packed with locals like Tsukiji Sushisay. Established since the Meiji Era over 120 years ago, the 2-storey restaurant can house a total of 37 customers at its full capacity. Only counter seats are available on its first floor, befitting the image of a traditional sushi restaurant where customers eat and go quickly at the counter. It is a great place to enjoy fresh sushi such as salmon and tuna at reasonable prices after a tour of the market.
Tsukiji Sushisay Honten (築地寿司清 本店)
Address: 4-13-9, Tsukiji, Chuo Ward
Price: from 1,500 JPY (13.50 USD).
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday: 8.30am - 2.30pm & 5pm - 8pm; Saturday: 8am - 8pm; Sunday: 9.30am - 8pm. Closed on Wednesdays, summer/ winter holidays.
Access: 5-minute walk from Tsukiji Station exit 1.
Contact: +81-3-3541-7720/ +81-3-3546-8777.
6. Tsukiji Uni Tora Kurau
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Besides many delicious sushi restaurants, restaurants serving seafood rice bowls are also everywhere in and around Tsukiji Market. If you are craving for uni (sea urchin), you must go to Tsukiji Uni Tora Kurau (うに虎喰), known for its yummy rice bowl (Uni Tabekurabe Don) topped with five different types of uni. Of course, they also serve equally tasty rice bowls with other kinds of seafood, so take your pick from the menu as you settle down in the small but brightly lit restaurant. The Original Kaisen Hitsumabushi is topped generously with 12 different types of fresh sashimi. Have a great time savouring your sumptuous bowl of rice with delectable seafood!
Tsukiji Uni Tora Kurau (うに虎喰)
Address: Kato Shijo 1F, 4-10-14 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward
Price: from 2,380 JPY (21.40 USD).
Opening Hours: Sunday to Thursday: 11am - 5pm; Friday to Saturday: 11am - 9pm.
Access: 4-minute walk from Tsukiji Station exit 1.
Contact: +81 50-5570-2012.
7. Chuka Soba Inoue
Tsukiji offers more than just sushi and kaiseidon (seafood rice bowls). Ramen lovers will be delighted to find Chuka Soba Inoue (中華そば 井上), the legendary ramen shop that has been featured on numerous local and foreign media. Located in the outer edge of Tsukiji Market along the main road, it is hard to miss this unique ramen shop with a constant stream of customers eating on the street. There are no chairs at this tachigui-style shop, which means “stand and eat” shop, a setup to enable busy workers at the market to finish the bowl quickly and get back on the job.
Unlike most ramen shops where you have a few choices to pick from the menu, Inoue offers only one item - the chuka soba (中華そば). Watch the amazing chef prepare and cook each bowl of ramen swiftly at ease, making eight bowls at one time. His skillful act is a sight to behold, and you will definitely appreciate the hot bowl of thin noodles in flavourful broth alongside four chunky pieces of chashu (smoked pork) even better!
Chuka Soba Inoue (中華そば 井上)
Address: 4-9-16 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward
Price: 650 JPY (5.80 USD).
Opening Hours: 4.30am - 1.30pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays (or when Tsukiji Market is closed).
Access: 4-minute walk from Tsukiji Station exit 1.
Contact: +81 3-3542-0620.
8. Toritou Bunten
Finally, chicken lovers can look forward to a hearty meal at Toritou Bunten (鳥藤 分店) in Tsukiji too. Founded since the late Meiji Era in 1902, Toritou Bunten started out as a wholesaler of all chicken products. In 2003, they started a restaurant specializing in delectable chicken dishes, from teriyaki chicken to liver. For standard but quality Japanese fare, try the Oyako Don made using tender chicken meat and sweet sesame seasoned egg. Or if you are feeling a little adventurous, try the special Bonjiri Don, made with chicken tail meat, which gives a tender yet slight crunchy taste!
Toritou Bunten (鳥藤 分店)
Address: 4-8-6 Tsukiji, Chuo Ward
Price: average 999 JPY (8.90 USD) per person.
Opening Hours: 7.30am - 2.30pm. Closed on Sundays and public holidays (or when Tsukiji Market is closed).
Access: 4-minute walk from Tsukiji Station exit 1.
Contact: +81 3-3543-6525 (but no reservation is acceptable)
Look forward to an amazing gourmand journey
Choose from a wide selection of restaurants around Ginza and Tsukiji districts in Tokyo. From wallet-friendly restaurants to Michelin starred restaurants, you name it, you have it. The search for good food makes part of a memorable travel experience, especially when you are in a food haven like Tokyo. Enjoy your amazing gourmand trip as you roam the famous streets of Ginza and Tsukiji!
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