14 Fantastic Places in Ueno to Eat Lunch for Under 1,000 JPY Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Nov 08 2023

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Ueno

14 Fantastic Places in Ueno to Eat Lunch for Under 1,000 JPY

Ueno is a popular area of Tokyo that's home to the lively Ameyoko shopping street, as well as [Ueno Park] - a large park studded with museums and a zoo. Here are 14 of the top places in Ueno to fill up during lunchtime for less than 1,000 JPY.

See full listings of restaurants found in and around Ueno.

1. Sha Tom Yum Kung Pochana

This Thai restaurant, only a minute’s walk away from the Shinobazu Gate of Ueno Station, is located down Youth Road Ueno - a shopping street which runs all the way to Okachimachi Station. The chef is Thai, which means that all the customers can enjoy delicious, authentic Thai cuisine. This restaurant is always bustling with customers, both at lunch and dinner. Recommended items on the lunch menu include the [Tom Yum Lunch] (980 JPY), which is a spicy and sour shrimp soup. It is accompanied with a vegetable salad, rice, and dessert. The southern Thai dish, [Massaman Curry] (980 JPY), is also very popular, as is the Thai-style ramen (noodles), [Kuai Tiao Tom Yam] (880 JPY), which contains delicious rice noodles.

Sha Tom Yum Kung Pochana

Open: [Tuesday - Sunday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm)

[Tuesday - Saturday, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)

[Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)

Closed: Monday *If it falls on a national holiday, closed the following day instead. Beginning and end of the year (December 31 - January 2)
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: A one-minute walk from JR Ueno Station (exit from the Central Ticket Gate or Shinobazu Exit).
Address: 3F DB Ueno II, 6-16-7 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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2. Kamakura House

Kamakura House is an Italian restaurant that's just a 2-minute walk from the Shinobazu Gate of Ueno Station. The name "Kamakura" refers to the old capital of Japan – Kamakura, a city located along the Pacific Ocean, in Kanagawa Prefecture. Whitebait, the specialty of this region, is also the specialty of this restaurant. The [Lunch A Course] (1,000 JPY) consists of salad, soup, a drink, and a choice of main dish, such as the [Shonan Don] (rice topped with whitebait or tuna) or the daily pasta special. The most popular dish on the à la carte menu is the [Kamakura Kama-age Whitebait Pizza] (900 JPY), which happens to go amazingly well with wine!

Kamakura House

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 4:00 pm (L.O. 3:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Monday (if it falls on a national holiday, it will be open on Monday)
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 1F, APA Hotel Keiseiueno Ekimae, 2-14-26, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

3. Bistro Vingt-Neuf 29

This bistro specializing in delicious meat cuisine is only a 1 minute walk away from Mikawashima Station. Their lunch menu offers a wide variety of meat dishes for 1,000 JPY (plus tax), such as the [160g of Wagyu Beef Cubed Steak], [Kuro x Kuro Meat Patty], [Vingt-Neuf Pork Cutlet] and [Iberian Pork and Ginger]. The most recommended dish is the [Roast Beef-don] (1,000 JPY (plus tax)). This dish, which is only available for lunch, consists of rice topped with a mountain of thinly sliced, succulent roast beef. It is recommended that customers enjoy the beef and rice as they are, before pouring delicious beef and bone broth over the remaining rice and beef.

Bistro Vingt-Neuf 29

Open: [Monday, Wednesday - Sunday] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Tuesday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 6-3-1, Higashi Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo

4. Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Okachimachi Branch

3. Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Okachimachi Branch

This sushi restaurant, only a 4-minute walk from Okachimachi Station, serves high-quality, fresh sushi at affordable prices. The reason why the sushi at this restaurant is so affordable is simple – this is only one of a handful of restaurants that holds the rights to participate in the auction at the world famous fish market, Tsukiji Market. Recommended items on the lunch menu include the [Shun Nigiri] (980 JPY), which consists of an array of 9 different seasonal nigiri-zushi (hand-pressed sushi), and the [Tokumori Nigiri] (980 JPY), which consists of an array of 12 different pieces of nigiri-zushi. The [Nihon Odan-don] (980 JPY) is also highly recommended; it contains 3 delicious types of seafood (salmon, bonito, and sweet shrimp) on top of rice.

Uogashi Nihon-Ichi Okachimachi Branch

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: 4-8-7, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo

5. Azuki

This sukiyaki (hot pot stew) and shabu-shabu (sliced meat parboiled with vegetables) specialty restaurant, only a 2-minute walk away from Okachimachi Station, aims to provide customers with top-quality meat cuisine at affordable prices. One of the dishes served that costs less than 1,000 JPY is the [Olive Yumebuta]. The pork in this dish comes from pigs raised in Kagawa Prefecture, Shikoku Island. This area has an abundance of olives, meaning that olives are mixed into the food that the pigs eat. The meat on these healthy pigs tastes slightly different to the average piece of pork – it has a rich, sweet, and refreshing flavor, along with strong umami (Japanese savory taste). Both the sukiyaki and shabu-shabu at this restaurant are delicious! Only 10 servings of the [Shokado Bento (Yuki)] (1,000 JPY (plus tax)) are prepared each day – arrive early to avoid disappointment!

Azuki

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:30 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: B1F, Kotobuki Bldg., 3-15-7, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

6. Iriya Kaigan Shonan Shokudou

The sister branch of the aforementioned "Kamakura House" is this Italian restaurant, which is located only a 4-minute walk away from the Iriya Gate of Ueno Station. Similar to its sister branch located on the Ueno Park side of Ueno, this restaurant also serves up a wide variety of dishes made with ingredients grown in Shonan, Kanagawa Prefecture. The soil in this area is full of minerals, due to its location being surrounded by the sea and mountains. "Kamakura vegetables" grown in this mineral-heavy soil are popular for their aroma and deliciousness. One of the main courses for the [Lunch A Course] (1,000 JPY) is the [Kamakura Yasai Keema Curry], which is popular due to its abundance of Kamakura vegetables.

Iriya Kaigan Shonan Shokudou

Open: [Weekdays, National Holidays, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Saturday, Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 1F, APA Hotel Ueno Ekimae, 7-12-11, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

7. Hanayuzu

This izakaya (Japanese pub) is located only a minute’s walk away from Nishi-Nippori Station. It serves a wide array of Niigata jizake (Japanese local alcohol) and cuisine. All of the cuisine is specifically made to go well with the sake that’s brewed in Niigata. One of these dishes is the Niigata-famous [Nodoguro] (rosy seabass). The meat of this rare fish is deliciously light and melts in the mouth. Although deemed a high-class fish, the restaurant stocks it at an affordable price, which is possible by directly shipping the fish whole via a special route. The lunch menu consists of [Hegi Soba] (buckwheat noodles), which is a Niigata specialty containing seaweed, as well as the great value [Daily Small Rice Bowl Dish and Hegi Soba Set] (810 JPY). [Ten-don] (910 JPY) (rice topped with tempura) and [Kakiage-don] (620 JPY) are also available.

Hanayuzu

Open: Lunch 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:30 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Monday
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 650 JPY
Address: 1F, Komaru Bldg., 3-5-1, Nishi Nippori, Arakawa-ku, Tokyo Map
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8. ATSU

Located a minute's walk away from Inaricho Station, which is a stop away from Ueno Station, this Italian restaurant has such a laid-back atmosphere that it’s easy for customers to walk right in. Their daily pasta is highly recommended, due to wide range of pasta available, which differs depending on the time of the year. The lunch menu has a choice of 3 different dishes: the [A Set] (800 JPY), which consists of meat or seafood cuisine with rice, the [B Set] (800 JPY) that consists of that day’s tomato-based pasta, and the [C Set] (800 JPY) that consists of that day’s oil or cream-based pasta. All of these sets come with a side of salad.

ATSU

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday, Day before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm
Closed: Sunday
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: 101, Stage First Ueno, 3-34-9, Higashi Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

9. Fukumimi Maratan

Chinese "Mala Soup" can be enjoyed at this authentic Chinese restaurant that's only a 2-minute walk from Okachimachi Station. "Mala Soup" is a dish consisting of harusame (bean‐starch noodles) in a spicy soup. Not only does it offer a wide range of noodles and toppings, but customers can also decide the spiciness of their dish. The restaurant requests that customers choose which toppings they want first, then choose 3 ingredients from those displayed in a showcase. Customers then give their final selections to the counter staff, stating the type of noodles and spiciness they desire, and then wait for it to be cooked and served. The level 3 (very spicy) Mala Soup with fat harusame (680 JPY) is very popular.

Fukumimi Maratan

Open: 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 800 JPY / [Lunch] 680 JPY
Address: 2F, Magazan Okachimachi, 4-12-5, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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10. Ramen & Bistro Ushio Ueno East

A ramen restaurant by day and a bistro by night, this restaurant is only a 5-minute walk from Ueno Station. It exclusively serves ramen at lunchtime. The [(Shiro) Tori Sayu Soba] (870 JPY), with its specially made, exquisite chicken soup, is a very popular dish. The [(Kuro) Nihon-ichi Shoyu Soba] (870 JPY) is also popular, due to its seafood dashi (broth) made from 7 different types of dried fish and naturally brewed shoyu (soy sauce). For an additional 100 JPY - 200 JPY, customers can also order side dishes, such as the [Dashi Tamago] (rolled omelette) or [Char Siu]. A large portion can also be served upon request, but please make sure that you can eat it all up!

Ramen & Bistro Ushio Ueno East

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch (Ramen) 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm), Dinner (Bistro) 5:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
[Saturday] Lunch (Ramen) 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 3:00 pm)
Closed: Lunch (Ramen): Sunday, Dinner (Bistro): Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,500 JPY / [Lunch] 900 JPY
Address: 1F, Creazione Ueno, 3-22-2, Higashi Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo (Map)

11. Fukutoku

This popular Chinese restaurant, located a 5-minute walk from Okachimachi Station, serves a variety of ramen, gyoza (dumplings), and fried rice set meals. The most popular of these set meals has to be the [Tokyo Shita-machi Ramen] (730 JPY). The soup for this dish is made with the restaurant’s very own homemade shoyu, along with pork, chicken, seafood, and vegetable extracts. The [Hanchan Ramen] (780 JPY) is another very popular choice for lunch. It consists of a half portion of fried rice served with ramen. Just as popular is the [Gyoza Set Meal] (780 JPY), consisting of gyoza bursting with vegetables served with grated radish and vinegared shoyu. For an additional 50 JPY, customers can also choose between miso or shio (salty) soup.

Fukutoku

Open: [Weekdays, Saturday] 11:00 am - 5:00 am
[Sunday] 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 1,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: 1F, Ishiwa Bldg., 4-11-2, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo Map
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12. Kaoridori Shubo Toriya Okachimachi Branch

This Japanese dining bar, which is only a 3-minute walk from Okachimachi Station, serves chicken cuisine using its very own brand of chicken - [Kaoridori]. This chicken not only has a great texture, but is also so succulent that the juices run out of it when you take a bite. The [Assortment of 5 Kushiyaki] (900 JPY) is slowly grilled over charcoal, and cannot be missed. Another popular item on the lunch menu is the [Kaoridori Oyako-don] (800 JPY). In this dish, Kaoridori and onions are salted and sweetened in dashi, then combined with eggs and thrown over a hot bowl of rice.

Kaoridori Shubo Toriya Okachimachi Branch

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:30 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 4,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPY
Address: B1F, Velco Kuromon Bldg., 3-14-5, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

13. Bunga Bunga Ueno Icchome

Only a 4-minute walk from Okachimachi Station, this restaurant stocks 60 wines from around the world. Charcoal-grilled cuisine and Italian cuisine can be enjoyed here, such as the [Fire-grilled Awagyu Beef from Tokushima Prefecture] (1,680 JPY) and [Crab Innards Ajillo] (680 JPY), wherein crab innards are deliciously stewed with olive oil and garlic. The lunch menu consists of dishes like 3 types of pasta (tomato sauce, garlic oil, and so on) (900 JPY each), as well as the [Cured Ham and Tomato Cream Risotto Topped with Ricotta Cheese] (950 JPY) and [Simple Chicken Curry with Kitaakari Potato] (850 JPY). Why not also add a glass of wine to your meal, too? (Red/White 300 JPY each).

Bunga Bunga Ueno Icchome

Open: [Monday - Thursday] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:30 pm)
[Friday] 5:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
[Saturday] 4:00 pm - 3:00 am (L.O. 2:30 am)
[Sunday] 4:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,800 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Address: 1-10-10, Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo

14. Satake Shubo

This Japanese-style izakaya, located only a 5-minute walk from Okachimachi Station, is home to a head chef who is devoted to serving authentic Japanese cuisine. The much-loved lunch menu consists of hearty dishes that only cost between 500 JPY - 600 JPY, yet still come with rice and pickles. Even the regular menu is great value for money, with their limited availability dish, [Japanese-style Carbonara], that only costs 980 JPY, and their thick and creamy [Buta no Toro Kakuni With Potato Dip] that only costs 850 JPY. Customers can also enjoy a [Cheese Chawan-mushi] plate for a mere 500 JPY. This really is a place that you shouldn’t miss!

Satake Shubo

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm (L.O. 1:30 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 12:00 am (L.O. 11:15 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 500 JPY – 650 JPY
Address: 1F, Yasue Bldg., 4-25-1, Taito, Taito-ku, Tokyo

Please use this article to help enjoy your lunchtime to the fullest!

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.