They say you can’t go wrong with food in Japan, and for the most part, that’s spot on. BUT, there are some places that don’t just serve a great meal; they blow your mind, melt your heart, and make your taste buds do a happy dance. Whether it’s your first time or your tenth, you just know these spots are a must every time you’re back in town to keep your stomach (and soul) happy.
Below are the restaurants I will definitely visit again and again because the food is so good it practically whispers, “Come back soon.” Honestly, it’s making me want to book my next trip to Japan right now. Who’s with me?
Yakiniku Kitan [焼肉 㐂舌 きたん 法善寺]
Address: 1 Chome-7-12 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan
Opening hours: Monday – Friday (11:00am – 3:00pm, 5:00pm – 11:00pm)
You know the saying, “third time’s the charm”? Well, I saved three different Instagram posts of this one dish...only to realize they were all from the same spot. I guess it was meant to be!
The Kuroge Wagyu Beef Aged Aitchbone Seared Steak Box was exactly what I craved for my first sit-down meal in Japan. The beef was perfectly seasoned, melting in my mouth with every bite. And at just around AUD$20, the lunch set was a steal for the quality.
Other sets on the menu include tataki and sukiyaki, wagyu sukiyaki, aged beef tongue, and aged beef tongue ribs.
They don’t take lunch reservations, so get there early and be prepared to line up! Lucky for me, I was the last person to sneak into the first group for lunch...everyone behind me had to wait until we finished.
Steak Otsuka
Address: 21-3 Sagatenryuji Wakamiyacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8371, Japan
Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday and Friday - Saturday (11:00am – 2:30pm), Thurs and Sun (closed)
The last time I ate at Steak Otsuka was back in 2018, and hands down, it was one of the best steaks I’ve ever had. Back then, I had to write my name down and wait in line at their old location. Fast forward to today, I managed to snag a reservation online, and Steak Otsuka has since moved to a newer, more modern spot.
If there’s one thing you absolutely must order here, it’s the Murasawa Sirloin Steak (Grade: A5). Trust me, don’t even think twice—just order it. You won’t regret it.
Murasawa beef, sourced from Nagano, comes from cows that live their best lives (for us) on tatami mats, fed only the finest fodder, until they’re 24-27 months old. Like Korea’s prized Hanwoo, Murasawa beef is rarely exported and only about 80 cows are sold each year. So, if you want a taste of this legendary steak, you’ll need to visit Japan.
At Steak Otsuka, the Murasawa Sirloin Steak (Grade: A5) is not only a melt-in-your-mouth experience but also reasonably priced. It’s limited in quantity, so get there early to avoid missing out.
The marbling is as perfect as I remembered, and every bite of the tender, buttery beef delivers an unforgettable melt-in-your-mouth moment...chewing almost optional.
Shibafukuya [うなぎ家 しば福や]
Address: 1 Chome-23-10 Nagono, Nishi Ward, Nagoya, Aichi 451-0042, Japan
Opening hours: Wednesday – Monday (11:30am – 2:00pm, 5:30pm – 8:00pm), Tuesday (closed)
One of Nagoya’s most famous regional dishes is hitsumabushi, a Nagoya-style grilled eel, and Shibafukuya is one of the top spots to experience it. The quality of the eel here is exceptional, as the restaurant works directly with eel farmers to ensure only the best is served.
The eel was grilled to perfection—crispy on the outside, moist and fluffy on the inside, with a glaze that was absolutely spot on. Paired with the aromatic sansho peppers, the dish reached another level.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first hitsumabushi in Nagoya and highly recommend Shibafukuya to anyone looking to try this iconic dish.
If we’d had a few more days in Nagoya, I would have loved to explore even more hitsumabushi restaurants!
Butagumi [とんかつ 西麻布 豚組]
Address: 2 Chome-24-9 Nishiazabu, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0031, Japan
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday (11:30am – 2:00pm, 6:00pm – 9:00pm), Monday (closed)
My first visit to Butagumi was way back in 2018, and after five long years of craving that meal, I'm beyond excited to be back here. I’ve been dreaming about it ever since.
Butagumi is a top-rated tonkatsu spot in Tokyo, but what really sets it apart is their mind-blowing selection, over 50 different types of porky goodness to choose from.
On my last visit, I ordered the Iberico pork tonkatsu, which came with a special number tag showing how many they've sold since opening. Let me tell you, it was the best tonkatsu I've ever had—fatty, juicy, packed with flavour, and cooked to absolute perfection. No other tonkatsu has come close since.
This time, we went all out and tried three different cuts: Tsunan Pork from Niigata, Himura-Buta (aged for two weeks) from Gunma and Kashiwa-Genso from Chiba. If a picture's worth a thousand words, trust me, these photos speak volumes of pure tonkatsu perfection.
And let’s not forget the tomato appetiser. Yes, it’s just a tomato, but it’s honestly the best tomato I’ve ever eaten in my life. Since 2018, I’ve never stopped thinking about it...the flavour explosion is unreal, no words do it justice. I’d happily devour a whole kilo of them.
Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (Standing Sushi Bar) [寿司 魚がし日本一 新宿西口店]
Address: Japan, 〒160-0023 Tokyo, Shinjuku City, Nishishinjuku, 1 Chome−12−12 河西ビル 1F
Opening hours: Monday – Friday (11:00am – 11:00pm), Saturday (11:00am – 10:00pm) and Sunday (11:00am – 9:30pm)
My first proper meal after climbing Mount Fuji back in 2019, and let me tell you, no food has ever tasted so good...probably because I was starving after conquering a mountain.
Fast forward to today, and I’m back for round two. Spoiler alert: the food is still really good. This place is perfect for a quick bite of quality sushi. Fun fact: you eat standing up, which obviously helps you digest faster… just kidding. That’s something all the adults in my life used to say while standing over the table like dinner-time referees at family gatherings. Ah, memories!
Hinatomaru Kaminarimon [ひなと丸 雷門柳小路店]
Address: 1 Chome-20-3 Asakusa, Taito City, Tokyo 111-0032, Japan
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday (11:30am - 10:00pm)
If you find yourself wandering around Asakusa; whether you're visiting Senso-ji or getting lost in Kappabashi Kitchen Town, do yourself a favour and make a pit stop at Hinatomaru Kaminarimon for some sushi.
It was my first time at this standing sushi bar, and honestly, if stomach space weren’t a thing, I’d happily stand there and eat all day. The fish was so fresh it practically melted in my mouth, every bite felt like a mini foodgasm. Not to mention, the sushi was excellent, and the prices were so reasonable I almost felt guilty… almost. This place is now a permanent stop whenever I find myself back in Tokyo.
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