Shibuya, with its globally famous Scramble Crossing in front of the station, is one of Tokyo’s premier entertainment districts.
Photo of Scramble Crossing in Shibuya
Although strongly associated with fashion and youth culture, Shibuya’s charm extends beyond that. It’s an area teeming with a variety of eateries including restaurants, cafes, and bars.
From quintessentially Japanese ramen to exquisite wagyū beef and authentic sushi, the Umami bites editorial team has carefully selected 12 shops recommended for travelers looking to enjoy Japanese flavors and fully experience Tokyo.
For cute and delicious solo hotpot, “Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya Miyamasuzaka Store” is the place to go!
“Hokkaidō Menkoinabe Kumachan Onsen Shibuya Miyamasuzaka Store” (hereinafter “Kumachan Onsen”) is often a topic on SNS for being kawaii (“cute” in Japanese).
A colorful array of kumachan dolls decorate the restaurant
This hotpot specialty store is not only visually appealing but also famous for its delicious flavors.
If you’re new to the store, the first dish to order is their signature “Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set.”
“北海道産 特選めんこいセット,” Hokkaido Special Menkoi Set 2,980 JPY (tax included)
The kumachan (meaning “cute bear” in Japanese) looking like it’s soaking in a hot spring is actually condensed soup. Once heated, it melts and fills the hotpot with rich umami flavors.
Their delicious soup perfectly complements Hokkaido beef, pork, chicken, chicken meatballs, and even the finishing ramen. It’s an unforgettable experience!
Savor the highest rank wagyū in Shibuya at “Yakiniku ZENIBA Shibuya”
In Japan, beef is ranked based on quality, marbling, and various other factors. The highest quality wagyū is awarded the A5 rank.
Located in Shibuya, “Yakiniku ZENIBA Shibuya” is a yakiniku (grilled meat) restaurant where you can enjoy such A5 rank wagyū.
ZENIBA offers a variety of dishes including wagyū sushi and yaki shabu cooked on a lava plate. Their most popular dish is the “Namaiki Don.”
“生粋な牛トロ雲丹いくら丼,” Namaiki Don 2,728 JPY (tax included)
Enjoy this luxurious rice bowl topped with meltingly tender Kuroge wagyū sirloin, sea urchin, and salmon roe. The Umami bites editorial team, who visited to review the restaurant, highly recommends it as a must-try when in Tokyo!
Feast at “Fishmonger’s Kitchen OH! TORO KITCHEN Shibuya,” where tuna experts serve sensational tuna
“Fishmonger’s Kitchen OH! TORO KITCHEN” in Shibuya is a tuna specialty restaurant managed by a professional tuna wholesaler.
Medium fatty tuna sashimi
Enjoy popular tuna cuts like fatty ōtoro and medium fatty chūtoro, as well as rare cuts seldom seen in markets.
The “Sea Urchin, Fatty Tuna and Caviar Roll” combines luxurious ingredients with high-quality tuna, and is one of the restaurant’s signature dishes.
“ウニトロキャビア,” Sea Urchin, Fatty Tuna and Caviar Roll 1,180 JPY apiece (tax included)
Wrapping it in nori seaweed and taking a bite, you’ll experience a bliss like never before. If you’re wondering which sushi restaurant to try, this tuna specialty store in Shibuya is a must-visit.
Michelin-recognized ramen at “Ramen Fromage Due Italian TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA”
Shibuya is a battleground for ramen shops, and one that stands out is “Ramen Fromage Due Italian TOKYU PLAZA SHIBUYA.”
Photo of preparing food
This unique Italian-ramen fusion has been featured in the “Michelin Guide Tokyo” for three consecutive years.
The recommended dish is the “Special Topping Cheese Ramen,” with a salt-based soup made from chicken bones and umami-rich seafood, mixed with an original cheese blend featuring cheddar and gorgonzola, then topped with prosciutto.
“らぁ麺生ハムフロマージュ グラン,” Special Topping Cheese Ramen 1,680 JPY (tax included)
This unique creation comes from the founder, who has a background as an Italian chef. For ramen enthusiasts who have already tried various Japanese ramen dishes, this is a must-visit.
For fluffy hand-made onigiri rice balls, visit “Togoshi-ya Shibuya”
Onigiri rice balls are arguably Japan’s national dish. While they’re readily available in convenience stores, the taste of hand-shaped onigiri is incomparable.
You can watch them make onigiri right in front of you at the counter
Onigiri specialty store “Togoshi-ya Shibuya” prides itself on the quality of their rice and their preparation methods.
Their most popular onigiri, the “Egg Yolk & Ground Meat,” can be ordered in a combo that comes with a large piece of karaage (Japanese fried chicken), tamagoyaki (seasoned rolled omelet), kinpira gobō (braised burdock root with carrot), and miso soup, ensuring a satisfying meal.
“おにぎり１つセット（卵黄+そぼろ）,” Combo B (Egg Yolk & Ground Meat) 1,090 JPY (tax included)
With 40 different types of onigiri, there’s plenty to choose from. Options like “Spicy Tuna Mayo” and the luxurious “Salted Salmon Roe” are particularly popular among international diners. You can also take onigiri to-go, perfect for a quick bite at your hotel.
Experience Hand-Rolled Sushi and Japanese Cuisine at “Gonpachi NORI-TEMAKI Harajuku”
Are you familiar with temaki hand-rolled sushi? It’s a type of sushi often enjoyed at home in Japan.
“おすすめ５本セット,” 5 Temaki Set 1,815 JPY (tax included)
“Gonpachi NORI-TEMAKI Harajuku” is a Japanese restaurant where you can enjoy hand-rolled sushi as a dining experience. Wrap sushi toppings and rice in a leaf of butter lettuce and nori seaweed, and you have your hand-rolled sushi. With over 30 menu items, you’re sure to find a favorite.
“Sea Urchin & Stewed Beef” 990 JPY (tax included)
Along with sushi toppings comparable to high-end sushi restaurants, there are also hand-rolled sushi options made with salad ingredients for those hesitant about raw seafood. With an array of Japanese dishes like tempura and sake, it’s an ideal spot for families.
“Vegan Izakaya Masaka” offers a wide and satisfying range of dishes
As the name suggests, “Vegan Izakaya Masaka” serves up vegan dishes.
If you have a negative perception of vegan food as being healthy but not tasty, this Shibuya restaurant will completely change your mind!
For instance, their “Kara-age (Tartare sauce) set meal,” which uses soy meat to mimic the texture of chicken, is a popular menu item.
“唐揚げ定食（南蛮タルタル）,” Kara-age (Tartare sauce) set meal 1,100 JPY (tax included)
The tartar sauce, one of five choices of kara-age flavors, is recommended. Offering a rich taste, it’s hard to believe it’s made only from plant-based ingredients.
It boasts a variety of menu options, making it perfect for families. Be sure to visit with a group when you’re in Tokyo.
“DENKO-SEKKA SHIBUYA CENTER-GAI,” selected for the Michelin Guide’s “Bib Gourmand”
Japan is proud of its okonomiyaki. Often described as a “savory pancake” filled with a variety of ingredients like meat, vegetables, and noodles, this delicious dish is cooked on a griddle and served hot, often right in front of you.
In the Hiroshima style, which is popular in its native region but a rare find in Tokyo, ingredients are cooked separately and then stacked.
“DENKO-SEKKA,” specializing in Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, was the first okonomiyaki eatery to be selected for the Bib Gourmand, which the Michelin Guide awards to restaurants offering great food at reasonable prices.
When visiting, international diners often wonder what to order. In such cases, their signature okonomiyaki dish, called “Yume” (meaning “dream” in Japanese), is a sure bet.
“夢,” Yume 1,620 JPY (tax included)
This voluminous dish features pork, egg, noodles, squid tempura, squid, shrimp, green onions, and a fried egg. The noodles are sanwiched inside the batter, as characteristic of the Hiroshima-style. Enjoy the mix of chewy noodles, sweet cabbage, and sweet and savory sauce. The pleasure of watching the staff cook in front of you while waiting for your meal adds to the experience.
A must-visit hamburger steak restaurant: “Hamburger Steak Restaurant Hamburg & Hamburg”
Hamburger steaks are enjoyed in many parts of the world. However, you can find some in Shibuya, Tokyo which are bound to pleasantly surprise you, defying what you might typically expect.
“Hamburger Steak Restaurant Hamburg & Hamburg” specializes in hambāgu, the Japanese term for hamburger steak.
You can choose two out of ten different sauces to pair with your beefy meal. Their hambāgu patties made with Black Angus chuck are delectably juicy.
“デミグラス＆チーズのハンバーグ （１５０g）,” Hamburger Steak (Demi-glace and Cheese) 150g 1,280 JPY (tax included); “目玉焼き,” Fried Egg 100 JPY (tax included)
The “Demi-Glace” sauce slowly simmered in red wine and their “Cheese” sauce made with a blend of five cheeses are the restaurant’s most popular choices. With various toppings like fried eggs, they offer a variety that keeps customers coming back for more.
For exquisite dishes with fresh oysters, head to “8TH SEA OYSTER Bar Shibuya Hikarie”
“8TH SEA OYSTER Bar,” a restaurant which opened in October 2023 in the Shibuya Hikarie commercial complex, serves fresh oysters prepared in various delicious ways.
Whether you try grilled oysters, oyster pasta, or any one of their other creative oyster dishes, each one is a culinary delight. If you’re curious, why not taste their “Breaded Oyster,” a popular menu item in Japan during the winter oyster season?
“カキフライ,” Breaded Oyster 3 pieces 1,188 JPY (tax included)
Fresh oysters, breaded and fried, squeezed with lemon and paired with homemade tartar sauce, are truly a delight. The perfect combination of oyster umami and tartar sauce will leave you wanting more.
For eye-catching torched cheesecakes, visit “nurikabe cafe SSS”
Tucked away in a slightly less crowded area near the bustling Shibuya Station, “nurikabe cafe SSS” is a hidden gem.
“minichii（トロピカル）,” minichii (Tropical) 380 JPY apiece (tax included)
Their signature cheesecakes come in 10 flavors, including “Original,” “Strawberry,” and “Uji Matcha,” all featuring adorable visuals.
When enjoyed in the cafe, they are torched right before your eyes, a style that has made nurikabe cafe SSS popular on social media.
“minichii プレート,” minichii Plate 2,500 JPY (tax included)
The “minichii Plate,” with six types of cheesecakes, is recommended for sweets lovers. Sharing it with someone special or friends will surely make for an unforgettable memory. You’re sure to enjoy a leisurely time during your travels if you stop by.
For the love of leeks, visit Shibuya’s renowned “Negiya Heikichi Udagawachō”
Slightly removed from Shibuya Station in the Udagawa area, “Negiya Heikichi Udagawachō” 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 chef selecting Japanese leeks for cooking
One of the restaurant’s signature dishes is the “Charred Senjū Negi leeks” which brings out the sweetness of negi.
Their “Tori Negi Mamireyaki” is particularly popular among international diners.
“鶏葱まみれ焼,” Tori Negi Mamireyaki 1,320 JPY (tax included)
For this dish, local branded chicken is grilled and topped with a heaping serving of Senjū Negi and Kujō Negi. They recommend pairing it with a squeeze of lemon and some yuzu koshō (a seasoning made with chili peppers, yuzu peel and salt).
The restaurant also offers a wide selection of alcoholic drinks like sake and shochu, making it a perfect spot for those interested in Japanese food culture.
