The craft beer manufacturing company, Yoho Brewing Co., Ltd., (referred to hereafter as Yoho Brewing) is often considered a pioneer of Japan’s craft beer boom. Cozily nestled in Shinjuku’s Kabukichō district is where you’ll find “YONA YONA BEER WORKS Kabukichōten” (referred to hereafter as “YONA YONA BEER WORKS”), which consistently offers around 10 different types of craft beers from Yoho…

It’d be no exaggeration to call udon one of Japan’s national dishes. The country boasts numerous udon specialty shops, and “Yamashita Honki Udon Shinjuku Kabukichō” (hereafter referred to as “Yamashita Honki Udon”) is one of them. Located in Shinjuku’s Kabukichō district, Yamashita Honki Udon serves up udon with a strong emphasis on the broth and noodle texture, and it’s available…

Emblematic of Japanese cuisine, sushi has long been a popular gourmet option for international visitors to Japan. These days, a new and innovative era of sushi is emerging in Japan, reshaping its traditional image. One restaurant where you can get a taste for this “neo-sushi” is “Uogaku Mania Sushinjuku” (referred to hereafter as “Sushinjuku”), located in Shinjuku. “マグロまみれ,” Smothered in…

When it comes to Japan’s iconic noodle dishes, it’s safe to say ramen, udon, and soba are in the spotlight. These are well-known worldwide, with eateries dedicated to them even outside Japan. However, Japan boasts quite a bit more when it comes to noodle cuisine. In particular, sōmen, often referred to as a “summer tradition,” is a noodle dish that’s…

Gyoza dumplings are wildly popular in Japan, so you’ll find quite a lot of specialty shops dedicated to them. These beloved dumplings originated in China but have evolved uniquely in Japan, becoming incredibly popular. Gyoza are well-loved by locals and have also captivated foreign tourists in Japan. A gyoza and sake bar in Kabukichō that’s open 24/7 At “Shinjuku Kakekomi…

Tokyo’s bustling district of Shinjuku has many busy eateries, but there’s one spaghetti specialty restaurant where you’ll find long lines of people waiting to get in called Al dente Shinjuku Center building (referred to below as “Al dente”). It first opened in 1979 in the Shinjuku Center Building and continues draw in many customers to this day. Al dente’s bacon…

When it comes to cuisine, it’s safe to say that presentation is just as important as taste and plays a crucial role in the overall satisfaction of the diner. Located in an area surrounded by office buildings and hotels, “THE RAMEN WAR Nishi Shinjuku” (hereafter referred to as “The Ramen War”) is a ramen restaurant known for its visually stunning…

The Japanese word “kawaii,” meaning “cute,” has come to be a global term and phenomenon spread worldwide thanks to pop culture, including anime and manga. On top of that, you can see the influence of “kawaii” reflected in Japanese cuisine as well these days. Located in Shinjuku, “Shabu-shabu Honpo Shinjuku Usagiya (referred to below as ‘Usagiya’)” is a restaurant where…

Since around 2021, there has been a growing trend among young people in Japan for “Katakana Sushi.” This term refers to sushi restaurants that use katakana characters (one of the Japanese language’s phonetic alphabets, often used for flashy appeal on signs) to write their names. These restaurants are known for their creative menus that deviate from traditional sushi, as well…

Tenkichiya Shinjuku (referred to as “Tenkichiya” below) is a specialty tempura rice bowl restaurant that draws large crowds daily with its signature dish, the “Ten KICHI bowl.” One of the reasons why the Ten KICHI bowl continues to captivate so many people is its outstanding visual impact. “天吉丼,” Ten KICHI bowl 1,650 JPY (tax included) Tenkichiya’s loaded tempura rice bowl…

Shinjuku is one of Japan’s landmark downtown city areas. Starting with Kabukichō, the area is home to a number of restaurants, amusement centers, and commercial facilities. Bustling with people day and night, Shinjuku has earned a “city that never sleeps” moniker. In this vibrant locale, a curry specialty store has been a long-standing favorite, growing along with the community: Mon…

The MENSHO Group, which operates multiple ramen restaurants in Tokyo, has also expanded its presence to the United States with two locations, and the name “MENSHO” has come be known internationally. One of the restaurants within the MENSHO Group is MENSHO San Francisco, which is located on the 7th floor of the commercial complex Shinjuku MYLORD. Among the restaurant’s signature…

In 2020, a restaurant named “Gourmet Curry Bon Goût NEWoMan Shinjuku store” (hereinafter referred to as “Bon Goût”) opened inside the NEWoMan Shinjuku shopping complex, directly connected to Shinjuku Station. The shop’s curry dishes, created by a chef with 40 years of experience in Western cuisine, have garnered attention on social media and turned the restaurant into a popular spot…

In Japan, egg sandwiches are quite popular. Many egg sandwiches in Japan can be a bit more elaborate than you might be used to in your home country, often using half-boiled eggs, thick rolled eggs, or specialty eggs chosen from a specific region. So for many visitors from overseas, the variety of egg sandwiches found in Japan can be very…

AFURI is a ramen restaurant that’s not only available in Japan but also expanded overseas. The restaurant is highly regarded abroad, with many international customers lining up at its doors. Among those many AFURI restaurants, there is one, AFURI kara kurenai, which opened in 2019 in the Shinjuku Subnade underground shopping mall in Shinjuku. It specializes in spicy ramen. The…