“Bouya Horumonkan Uenorokuchōme” (hereafter referred to as “Bouya Horumonkan”), a yakiniku restaurant in Ueno, is so popular that most seats are filled as soon as it opens for business. Nearly half the customers visiting the restaurant are international tourists. The reason for its popularity is the high-quality wagyū beef available at reasonable prices, explaining why it’s almost always fully booked!…

Hamburger steaks, sometimes also called hamburg steaks (and known as hambāgu in Japanese), have become one of Japan’s hottest dishes among international travelers. Tokyo boasts so many restaurants offering these succulent patties made from ground meat and delicious seasonings, it can be hard to decide on one! This article will serve as guide on five of the best restaurants to…

Among the many areas in Tokyo, Ginza is particularly known for its concentration of high-end fashion brand stores. In Ginza, even the dining establishments exude sophistication and refinement. “Yakiniku Inoue Ginza” (hereafter referred to as “Yakiniku Inoue”) is a yakiniku (Japanese grilled meat cuisine) restaurant with a modern and impressive interior design. The restaurant offers carefully selected Kuroge wagyū (a…

“NAGASAKI TORUKO RICE SHOKUDO” (hereafter referred to as “Nagasaki Toruko Rice Shokudo”) is a restaurant that prides itself on using ingredients from Nagasaki Prefecture. The restaurant’s signature dish is the Nagasaki-originated Turkish rice, which is also the namesake of the restaurant. “Toruko” is how “Turkey” or “Turkish” is referred to in Japanese. While it doesn’t have any particularly strong ties…

Located in the popular Ginza neighborhood of Tokyo, “Kagoshima Karen Ginza-ten” (hereafter referred to as “Kagoshima Karen”) offers exceptional service for international guests. Managed by the Kagoshima Federation of Economic and Agricultural Cooperatives, the restaurant is renowned for its dedication to showcasing the finest products Kagoshima Prefecture has to offer, and most notably the prized Kagoshima Kuroushi brand of wagyū…

Tempura stands alongside sushi and ramen as a globally recognized jewel of Japanese cuisine. Some tempura estabishments, while embracing conventional choices like white fish—kisu (Japanese whiting) and the like—and standard vegetables such as eggplant and pumpkin, also venture into unique and unexpected ingredients. Among these innovators is “Tempura Hisago Ōsaki” (referred hereunder as “Tempura Hisago”), located just a ten-minute stroll…

Teppanyaki, Japanese cuisine cooked on hot iron griddles, varies quite a bit between Japan and other countries. Internationally, teppanyaki is often enjoyed as a high-end entertainment show (sometimes referred to as “hibachi”), including performances by the chef during cooking. In contrast, Japan showcases more casual, everyday-style dishes like okonomiyaki. Furthermore, it’s quite common for customers themselves to cook on the…

Nestled in Ginza, a lively shopping district of Tokyo filled with an array of eateries, “YAKINIKU MARUUSHI GINZA HONTEN” (hereunder referred to as “Yakiniku Maruushi”) captures the hearts of international diners with its exceptional selection of yakiniku (grilled beef) dishes. They pride themselves on their exceptional wagyū, beef sourced from specific Japanese cattle breeds. Enjoy a luxurious course offering a…

Since early times, dashi broth has been an essential part of Japanese cuisine. In 2022, a dashi specialty shop opened in New York City, and now the ingredient continues to attract attention from around the world. In order to better understand the allure of dashi, the Umami bites editorial team visited the restaurant “Okaka Shinjuku” located in Shinjuku, Tokyo. At…

Japan’s wagyū (beef sourced from specific Japanese cattle breeds), now globally renowned, comes in various brands, each offering distinct flavors and aromas. Among them, one highly recommended brand is “Kagoshima Kuroushi” from Kagoshima Prefecture. This brand has achieved the title of Japan’s best in competitions where wagyu from all across the country is evaluated. Its meat quality, texture, and the…

Renowned worldwide, wagyū (beef from Japanese cattle breeds) is highly esteemed for its quality. In Japan, every five years, there is a wagyu competition known as the “Wagyu Olympics.” In it, the highest award was recently given to “Kagoshima Kuroushi.” One place you can savor this award-winning type of wagyu is at the restaurant chain “Beef Professional,” which has multiple…

A beloved dish in Japan, yakitori, or skewered grilled chicken, is enjoyed by adults and children alike. Available at many taverns as well as specialty shops, it attracts a large number of customers. Neslted in the busy Shinjuku neighborhood of Tokyo, “Shinjuku Imaiya Honten” serves yakitori using Hinai chicken from Akita Prefecture. This free-range brand chicken is known for its…

Wagyū is now popular worldwide, and when visiting Japan, indulging in authentic wagyu is a must. Located in Ueno, “USHIHACHI Ueno” (hereinafter referred to as “USHIHACHI”) is a yakiniku restaurant where you can savor reasonably priced, carefully selected Wagyu. In addition to their course meals, the restaurant also boasts a variety of wagyu assortments and creative dishes. We’d like to…

Located in Tokyo’s Akihabara district, “Roast Beef Ohno Akihabara” (hereinafter referred to as “Roast Beef Ohno”) is a popular restaurant bustling with customers every day. Their “Kuroge Wagyu Roast Beef Don Set,” which uses high quality Kuroge wagyu, is especially popular. Long lines of people waiting to try it form even before the store opens. “黒毛和牛のローストビーフ丼定食（M）,” Kuroge Wagyu Roast Beef…

Nestled in the heart of the busy Roppongi area of Tokyo, “#Hirokiya Roppongi” has become a culinary destination for its exceptional Yukhoe-style raw beef tartare and yakiniku. You can enjoy their fresh raw beef tartare with confidence, thanks to the restaurant’s official authorization to serve raw meat. “#飲めるユッケ丼（Lサイズ）,” #Melt-in-Your-Mouth Raw Beef Tartare Rice Bowl (Large size) 2,500 JPY (tax included)…