Imagine the bustling streets of Tokyo’s Shibuya district serving up the hearty flavors of Hokkaido. One dish, a local favorite originating from the coastal town of Otaru, is a true delight: wakadori no hanmiage (referred hereunder as hanmiage). Featuring half of a spring chicken that’s quickly deep-fried, it has crispy skin and juicy, succulent meat. “小樽名物 若鶏半身揚げ,” Otaru’s Famous Fried…

Directly connected to Shibuya Station in Tokyo is the commercial facility TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA, packed with a variety of dining options, including a culinary gem: “ŌSAKA Kitchen TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA” (hereunder referred to as “Osaka Kitchen”). At this renowned restaurant, you can enjoy carefully selected wagyu steak and other teppanyaki dishes absolutely sure to delight your palate and leave you…

In the heart of Tokyo’s Shibuya district lies a unique dining spot that captures the essence of a Kyoto townscape. “Moon in the sky Shibuya” stands as an exceptional destination for authentic Japanese cuisine, offering a serene atmosphere that allows you to escape the city’s hustle for a tranquil meal. Savor an all-star seafood lineup with the “Luxurious Crab Seafood…

Tucked away on Spain-Zaka (Spanish Hill) in Tokyo’s Shibuya district is “BITYUYA CHOUZAEMON” (pronounced ‘bichūya chōzaemon’), a restaurant that feels like a cozy, well-kept secret. The restaurant radiates an old-world charm and specializes in yakitori (skewered chicken dishes), grilled to perfection over binchōtan, a type of high-quality white charcoal made from ubame oak. Popular at lunchtime: “Nama Oyakodon” made with…

While onions and their relatives often find themselves as mere sidekicks in culinary ensembles, there’s a hidden gem in Tokyo’s Udagawachō district of Shibuya that flips the script. This restaurant celebrates the entire spectrum of negi, a term that captures a range of leek- and onion-like vegetables in Japanese cuisine, turning them from supporting characters into show-stopping main attractions. A…

Restaurant renamed to “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya” and operating with a partially revised menu. The restaurant “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen” (hereafter referred to as “Kumachan Onsen”) opened for business in 2020 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, quickly becoming a go-to spot for single-serve hotpot meals. What’s fun about the name? Well, in local Hokkaido slang, menkoinabe means “cute hotpot,” and kumachan…

Relocated in April 2024. Shibuya location closed. When it comes to iconic Japanese cuisine, ramen holds a special place. In Shibuya—a district already crowded with numerous ramen shops—Kippōshi stands out, enjoying fervent support from its large fanbase. Dive into Kippōshi’s succulent “Seabream and Scallops” ramen At Kippōshi, you can enjoy three distinct types of soups: “Clear Chicken Soup,” which is…

Located in the heart of Shizuoka Prefecture, a region famed for its tea cultivation, Maru Shichi Seicha Co., Ltd. (hereunder abbreviated as “Maru Shichi Seicha”), is a purveyor of fine teas across Japan. Since its humble beginnings in 1907, Maru Shichi Seicha has transcended the traditional role of a tea cultivator. The company cherishes every aspect of tea’s journey, from…

At “Fishing Restaurant ZAUO Shibuya Branch” (hereinafter refered to as “ZAUO”), you can do more than savor delicious seafood—you can enjoy a hands-on fishing experience. Inside the restaurant, you’ll find tanks full of fish like sea bream and flounder. Rent a fishing rod free of charge and catch your own meal. It doesn’t get fresher than this! Rods with bait…

Located in Tokyo’s vibrant Shibuya district, Yakiniku ZENIBA (hereafter referred to as ZENIBA) distinguishes itself as a culinary landmark, celebrated for its exceptional A5-ranked Japanese wagyū beef. Featuring lightly seared, nearly rare sirloin, sea urchin, and salmon roe, the restaurant’s signature dish, the Namaiki Don, has taken social media by storm with its visual allure. The namaiki in the name…

Restaurant operating with a partially revised menu. At Shibuya PARCO, located in the Udagawa-chō area of Shibuya in Tokyo, a wide variety of dining options are available, appealing to all kinds of culinary interests. Situated on the underground level of the shopping complex, Vegan Izakaya Masaka (hereafter referred to as “Masaka”) specializes in vegan cuisine. And no, we’re not just…

Just across the Shibuya Scramble Crossing from Shibuya Station lies “Shibuya Nishimura Fruits Parlor Dougenzaka-ten” (hereafter referred to as Nishimura Fruits Parlor). Since opening in 1936, it has been a beloved fixture in the Shibuya community. Fruit parfaits loaded with seasonal fruits At Nishimura Fruits Parlor, their guiding principle is “serving the best fruit at its peak season.” In practice,…

※Restaurant renamed to “Wagyu Hitsumabushi Rokujutei” and operating with a partially revised menu (as of October 2024) Highly acclaimed wagyū is a premium type of Japanese beef that’s a culinary sensation not only in its homeland but also around the world. Fortunately, there’s a welcoming spot in Tokyo’s bustling Shibuya district where you can indulge in this gourmet delight. Quadruple…

Commonly known as Japanese rice balls in English, onigiri are a cherished food item in Japan that spans generations. Amid a recent surge in specialized onigiri shops, Umami bites writer Bensky, a long-time resident of Japan who appreciates Japanese rice, was drawn to Togoshi-ya Shibuya in the Dōgenzaka neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward. Officially named “Togoshi-ya, the place for onigiri…

Although its name may evoke a simple coffee spot, Cafe Legato in Shibuya’s Dogenzaka area is a restaurant specializing in casual Italian cuisine. “渡り蟹のトマトクリームソース,” Crab with Tomato Cream Sauce 1,870 JPY (tax included) From its perch on the 15th floor, Cafe Legato offers panoramic views of Shibuya, and even a glimpse of Mount Fuji on clear winter days. The restaurant…