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)…

“Yakiniku Yamawarau Omotesandou” (hereinafter referred to as “Yakiniku Yamawarau”) is a a restaurant in the Omotesandō area of Tokyo. There you can enjoy carefully selected wagyu as yakiniku, Japanese grilled meat cuisine. You can really savor and appreciate why wagyu is loved around the world through lunch sets and creative dishes. The fact that you can grill it yourself makes…

Opened in October 2023, “Aidaya,” a restaurant specializing in tsukemen, has quickly become a popular spot in Ueno drawing long lines of customers. Thanks to posts from overseas influencers, the number of visits from international tourists has also increased. Savor two different broths with your tsukemen Tsukemen is a style of ramen where the broth and noodles are served separately….

Japanese cuisine, recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, embodies Japan’s traditional food culture. Nestled in Roppongi Hills, “Kokappou Ohashi Roppongi” is a renowned Japanese restaurant. Here, they serve fluffy rice cooked in a broad-brimmed hagama pot alongside seasonal fish and meat dishes. “大沼牛と車麩のすき焼き鍋御膳,” Sukiyaki (Beef and Wheat gluten cake) and Rice Set 1,990 JPY (tax included) Kokappou Ohashi’s…

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…

In July 2022, the Dōgenzaka district of Shibuya, Tokyo, welcomed a divine new addition to its culinary scene: “Wagyū no Kamisama,” or ‘The God of Wagyu.’ This haven for beef aficionados offers an almost heavenly experience, where top-grade wagyu beef is not just a luxury, but a reasonably priced reality. Savor the divine “Diamond cut tongue”: beautiful and delicious! A…

Sukiyaki and shabu-shabu are classic Japanese hotpot dishes that have At “Hitori Shabu-shabu Nanadaime Matsugorou Shinjuku TOHO Building” (hereinafter referred to as “MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu”), you can really appreciate the true taste of meat at reasonable prices, which has been driving a lot of customers to its doors. “すき焼き,” Sukiyaki 2,948 JPY (tax included) MATSUGORO Hitori Shabu Shabu is…