When you hear about Michelin Bib Gourmand-listed restaurants, you might think they're hard to book and have a high barrier to entry. However, there are actually many places where you can enjoy their proud menus for under 1000 yen. Why not experience a delicious time in a high-quality atmosphere that's a cut above the rest?
1. Edo Soba Hosokawa
Encounter the sublime flavor that captivates many food enthusiasts and soba aficionados alike.
Nestled just a minute's walk from Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line is "Edo Soba Hosokawa," renowned as a master of handcrafted soba that captivates many connoisseurs and soba enthusiasts alike. The must-try dish here is the "seiro," where you can savor the true essence of soba. Made without any added binder using carefully selected soba flour, the soba noodles are incredibly fresh and fragrant. What's more, they even offer a different type of soba from a different region when you ask for seconds, showing their sophisticated hospitality.
Stepping into the restaurant, you'll find yourself in a chic space where the elegance of traditional Japanese aesthetics meets modern sensibilities. The interior, adorned with plaster typically used for exterior walls, creates a rustic and tranquil atmosphere. With spacious tables arranged generously, you can dine without worrying about the person next to you, even if you're sharing a table. The owner, with the spirit of a craftsman, has honed his skills through self-study to create the ultimate soba experience. Why not visit to experience the taste and ambiance for yourself?
Edo Soba Hosogawa
Open:
[Sunday,Wednesday - Saturday,Holidays,Day Before Holidays] Dinner 5:30 pm - 8:00 pm / Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pmClosed:
Monday,TuesdayAverage price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,000 JPYAccess: 1 minute walk from Exit A3 of Ryogoku Station on the Toei Oedo Line.
Address: 1-6-5 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo
MapMore Details 2. Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima
A blissful lunch menu offering various preparations of fresh sardines.
Located just a 2-minute walk from Shinjuku-sanchome Station on the B1 floor of a building is "Shinjuku Wappa Nakajima." While it inherits a lineage of top-class chefs, during lunchtime, they offer a "Horse Mackerel Lunch Set" where you can choose from five flavors including "Yanagawa Nabe" and "Sashimi Set". Using only natural sardines, they delight diners with the unique umami flavors of sardines prepared in various cooking styles. The "Yanagawa Nabe," where sardines are fried and then simmered in egg and broth, is particularly popular and pairs perfectly with rice.
The interior provides a serene atmosphere, allowing diners to forget the hustle and bustle of the city. In addition to counter seats crafted from the exterior wall of a traditional kiln, there are also five private rooms designed to prioritize privacy. Enjoying casual conversations with Chef Sadaharu Nakajima, a leading figure in contemporary Japanese cuisine, while indulging in a blissful lunchtime, is sure to create delightful memories.
Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima
Open:
[Weekdays, Saturday, Days before National Holidays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm(L.O. Course menu 1:00 pm,L.O. Set menu 1:45 pm)Dinner 5:30 pm - 10:00pm (L.O. 8:00 pm)Closed:
SundaysAverage price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 800 JPYAccess:
Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, Fukutoshin Line Shinjuku Sanchome Station / JR Chuo Line, Sobu Line, Yamanote Line Shinjuku Station South Exit, behind Otsuka Kagu IDC.Address:
B1F Hiwara Bldg., 3-32-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo MapMore Details
3. Ginza Uchiyama
Indulge in an elegant lunchtime with the restaurant's specialty, "Sea Bream Chazuke."
At "Ginza Uchiyama," where you can enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine based on the principles of kaiseki in a space imbued with the elegance of Japan, one dish that many visitors specifically come for is the "Sea Bream Chazuke." Among the dishes that highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients, the "Sea Bream Chazuke" stands out. The richness and flavor of the sesame sauce, which accentuates the freshness of the sea bream, creates a unique experience where happiness fills your mouth as you mix it with rice. You can also enjoy two different flavors by adding green tea to make ochazuke.
Located a 7-minute walk from Higashi-Ginza Station, just off the main street down a small alley, the restaurant exudes a quiet and serene atmosphere. With spacious counter seats and tatami rooms, guests can feel comfortable regardless of where they are seated. It's a refined space where humble and meticulous hospitality permeates every corner. Whether you're looking to spend a leisurely lunchtime or simply enjoy a serene dining experience, this restaurant comes highly recommended.
Ginza Uchiyama
Open:
Lunch: weekdays/Saturday/Sunday/holidays 11:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m. (last orders at 2:00 p.m.). Dinner: Weekdays & Saturday 5:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m.; Sunday & holidays 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. (last orders at 8:30 p.m.)Closed:
First SundayAverage price:
[Dinner] 22,000 JPY / [Lunch] 3,500 JPYAccess:
From the Ginza Kabuki-za Theater, head along Showadori street in the direction of Nihombashi, turn right in front of the Ginza 1-chome post office, located in the basement of the Light Building. Address:
Light Bldg. B1F, 2-12-13 Ginza, Chuo-ku, Tokyo MapMore Details
4. TOKi
Enjoy a unique modern Spanish dining experience with a casual bar vibe.
Located just a 3-minute walk from Shinbashi Station, inside the brand shop "Nara Mahoroba-kan" in Nara Prefecture, is the restaurant "TOKi." Here, you can casually enjoy unique Spanish cuisine featuring Nara's traditional vegetables, "Yamato vegetables," and "Yamato beef." The weekday-exclusive lunch menu, "Bar Lunch," consists of three dishes including soup, salad, and a main course. Since the menu changes depending on the season, it offers an exciting reason to revisit.
The first thing that catches your eye is the curved counter made of Yoshino cypress. On top of it, you'll find ornaments inspired by the lattice windows of traditional houses in Naramachi, adorned with furniture and lighting by Nara artisans. Chef Toyoshi Hasegawa, who gained experience at one-star restaurants in France and three-star restaurants in Spain, brings a fresh twist to modern Spanish cuisine originating from Nara, filling you with delightful surprises.
TOKi
Open:
[Tuesday - Saturday] Dinner 6:00 pm - 10:00 pm (last order 7:00 pm) / Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm (last order 1:00 pm) / Other 5:30 pm - 10:30 pm (last order 9:00 pm)[Sunday] Lunch 12:00 pm - 3:30 pm (last order 1:30 pm) / Other 12:00 pm - 6:00 pm (last order 5:00 pm)Closed:
Second, fourth SundayAverage price:
[Dinner] 14,999 JPY / [Lunch] 7,999 JPYAccess: 3-minute walk from Shinbashi Station on the JR Line.
Address: 2F, SMBC Shinbashi Bldg., 1-8-4 Shinbashi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
MapMore Details
5. Mejiro Shunkotei
Enjoy Western cuisine that emphasizes the difference in flavor with just one bite, focusing on quality ingredients and cooking methods.
At "Shunkotei" in Mejiro, you can encounter Western cuisine incorporating French and kaiseki techniques. For lunch, you can enjoy classic Western dishes such as "Menchi Katsu & Potato Croquette," "Shrimp Fry," and "Pork Loin Tonkatsu." Each dish comes with salad, seasonal soup or miso soup, and rice or bread, providing a satisfying meal. Indulge in the nostalgic Western cuisine that continues to charm many with its hidden and undiscovered flavors.
Just a 2-minute walk from Mejiro Station, the restaurant's interior, with its wall-to-wall windows, creates an open and elegant atmosphere where you can relax. They meticulously select ingredients such as "Aka-gyu" beef from Aso, vegetables from various regions across Japan, and seasonal fresh fish. Furthermore, they utilize advanced cooking equipment such as the Gastrovac (vacuum cooking device) to bring out the best flavors of each ingredient. With the chef's dedication and skills, they elevate the taste to a higher level of excellence.
Mejiro Shunkotei
Open:
[Weekday,Sunday,Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 10:00 pm (last order 9:00 pm) / Lunch 11:00 am - 3:00 pm (last order 2:00 pm)Closed:
*Please contact the store for business hours during the year-end and New Year holidays.Average price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPYAccess: 2-minute walk from Mejiro Station on the JR Yamanote Line.
Address: 2F-208 Trad Mejiro, 2-39-1 Mejiro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo
MapMore Details
6. Sanukiya
Sipping on a glass of Japanese sake as you wait for the udon to cook is as refined as enjoying a pre-meal drink.
A restaurant specializing in creative Japanese cuisine offers playful and seasonal dishes. Among their carefully selected Japanese sake and seasonal appetizers, the spotlight is on their "udon" noodles. From simple traditional flavors to unique options like "Maitake Mushroom Cream Udon," their menu offers a rich variety. With a focus on quality ingredients like water and wheat flour, their handcrafted udon noodles boast both flavor and texture.
Located a 6-minute walk from Koenji Station, "Sanukiya" stands quietly in a serene atmosphere. Inside, you'll find a cozy ambiance with options such as counter seats made of single planks of Kiso cypress, regular tables, and sunken kotatsu-style private rooms, catering to various dining preferences. The sake selected by the proprietor, who is also a sake sommelier, pairs excellently with the diverse flavors of their dishes, providing a delightful dining experience for all five senses. And for the perfect finish, indulge in their exquisite udon noodles.
Sanukiya
Open:
[Weekdays, Saturday] 18:00 - 23:00 (last order 22:30)Closed:
SundayAverage price:
[Dinner] 5,000 JPYAccess:
6 minutes on foot from the South Exit of Koenji Station.Address:
4-38-7 Koenjiminami, Suginami-ku, Tokyo MapMore Details
Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.