From Monjayaki to the Foods of Tsukiji - 9 Recommended Spots for Lunch in Tsukishima Discover Oishii Japan -SAVOR JAPAN -Japanese Restaurant Reservation Guide-

Update-date: Jun 05 2020

Author: SAVOR JAPAN

Categories: Tokyo

From Monjayaki to the Foods of Tsukiji - 9 Recommended Spots for Lunch in Tsukishima

Tsukishima is one of the shitamachi (working-class) districts that are symbolic of the city of Tokyo. While the area is most famous for monjayaki (savory pancakes made with diluted batter), it is also well-known for having a lot of classy Japanese restaurants that make the most of the fresh Japanese ingredients available at the nearby Tsukiji Market. Furthermore, there is a surprising amount of restaurants specializing in Western food as well, making it an area with a huge collection of restaurants of all types. This article will introduce 9 recommended spots for getting lunch in Tsukishima. Please stop by for a unique lunch experience in-between walking around this old area that still retains an atmosphere of Edo (old name for Tokyo).

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1. ANNESSO YAMAKA

ANNESSO YAMAKA is the sister restaurant of Yamakanoyu, a long-established ryokan (Japanese-style inn) in Kiso, Nagano. Here, you can enjoy creative Japanese cuisine prepared with products from Nagano, as well as fresh ingredients from Tsukiji Market and carefully selected sake (Japanese alcohol). Among their selection, the [Soba with Walnut Sauce], made with buckwheat flour from the Kaida Highlands in Kiso, is particularly regarded as an extraordinary dish. Please enjoy the soba (buckwheat noodles) and sake in this stylish, modern, and welcoming restaurant. The most popular menu item during lunchtime is the [Special Lunch Set], which includes juwari soba (soba made with 100% buckwheat flour), 5 items from their dinner menu, rice, and miso soup.

ANNESSO YAMAKA

Open: [Tuesday - Saturday] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays] Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Wednesday, Friday] Lunch 11:30 am - 1:00 am
Closed: Monday, 2nd Tuesday of each month (open if it is a national holiday)
Average price: [Dinner] 5,000 JPY
Access: 4-minute walk from Kachidoki Station
Address: Kazato Bldg., 3-28-12, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo

2. Tsukishima Spanish Club

Rather than simply serving Spanish cuisine, Tsukishima Spanish Club specializes in all aspects of Spanish culture, including food, giving it a unique character. They are particular about directly importing food products from Spain, such as ham, cheese, wine, and, most of all, Iberico pork. You can't go wrong with any item on their menu, which is full of authentic dishes, from the [Paella] cooked in a large pot that serves 40 people, to their selection of tapas. Their weekday lunch menu is highly regarded for allowing diners to experience the true pleasure of authentic Spanish cuisine at reasonable prices (between 1,000 JPY and 1,500 JPY). They have some private rooms too so that you can book part of the restaurant for a private party.

Tsukishima Spanish Club

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 3:00 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:30 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
[Sunday, National Holidays] 11:30 am - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm) *Dinner starts at 5:00 pm and table charges will be incurred from this time
[Saturday] 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm) *Dinner starts at 5:00 pm and table charges will be incurred from this time
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 8,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Tsukishima Station's Exit 7 toward Shintomi Town
Address: 1F, Asahi Soko, 1-14-7, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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3. Iroha Main Store

Iroha is a long-beloved restaurant that has been preserving the flavors of traditional monjayaki for over half a century. It is packed every day with locals and tourists, who come to taste classic, old-fashioned monjayaki. While it is an old shop, the inside has a calm, clean atmosphere where anyone can sit back and relax. The top recommendation here is the [Sakura Shrimp Monja], which any monjayaki-lover will surely want to order. While ko-ebi (small shrimps) are usually used as an ingredient of monjayaki, this restaurant uses sakura shrimps instead, showing their devotion to simplicity in their ingredients. The [Mixed Monja], which lets diners enjoy both meat and seafood, is another popular item.

Iroha Main Store

Open: 12:00 pm - 1:00 am (L.O. 12:30 am)
Closed: None
Closed from December 31 - January 2
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 8 of Tsukishima Station
Address: 3-4-5, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo Map
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4. Kachidokibashi Maeda

This restaurant is known for serving creative cuisine that mixes authentic Japanese flavors with playful, inventive ideas. In this simply-designed restaurant outfitted with counter seats and partitioned tables, you'll always be within view of the restaurant owner. At Kachidokibashi Maeda, diners can enjoy seafood from Tsukiji Market that was selected by the restaurant owner himself, seasonal sake, and a calm, homey atmosphere. Popular items on the lunch menu include [Broiled Conger Eel and Seafood Broth Over Rice] and [Grilled Fish of the Day]. In any case, while at first glance the menu may seem to be affordable, basic fare, you will soon understand that the owner makes no compromises when it comes to the food.

Kachidokibashi Maeda

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:30 am - 2:00 pm, Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
[Saturday] Dinner 4:30 pm - 10:00 pm (L.O. 9:00 pm)
Closed: Sunday, National Holidays
Average price: [Dinner] 4,500 JPY
Access: Directly connected to Kachidoki Station
Address: B101-2, Kachidoki Sun Square, 1-7-1, Kachidoki, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)

5. Monja Fugetsu Tsukishima Branch

Many people may planning to try monjayaki while in Tsukishima! The Monja Fugetsu Tsukishima Branch has a unique atmosphere that is retro and rustic, yet clean. For lunch, they offer monjayaki, okonomiyaki (another form of Japanese savory pancake), teppanyaki (ingredients grilled on an iron griddle), and more. Recommended items include selections like [Butter-grilled Jidori] (local chicken) and [Fugetsu Monja]. You can either enjoy some monjayaki casually by yourself, or with a large group of people while drinking alcohol. The large dining space can hold up to 124 guests, making the restaurant perfect for large gatherings, such as welcoming or going-away banquets and after-parties.

Monja Fugetsu Tsukishima Branch

Open: [Weekdays] 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 10:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:30 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,980 JPY (courses are 3,980 JPY or 4,500 JPY) / [Lunch] 1,000 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 7 of Tsukishima Station. The restaurant is at the beginning of Monja Street.
Address: 1-19-4, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)

6. Warashibe

The modern Japanese-style building that houses Warashibe is sure to catch your eye among the working-class streets of Tsukishima. This restaurant is considered unique because of the detailed explanation given by the staff on how to make the monjayaki to first-time customers. Anyone will be able to go home having thoroughly learned the proper way to prepare monjayaki for themselves. The recommended dishes here are the [Clams and Whitebait], the popular [Mentaiko Mochi Cheese] (seasoned pollock roe, rice cake, and cheese monjayaki), and the luxurious [Seafood]. While this restaurant is the perfect place for lone diners or small groups of people to enjoy monjayaki, an entire floor can also be rented out for private parties, making it a good choice for lunchtime gatherings, as well as after-parties.

Warashibe

Open: [Weekdays] Lunch 11:00 am - 2:30 pm (L.O. 2:00 pm), Dinner 5:00 pm - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:15 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 10:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:15 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 2-minute walk from Tsukishima Station Exit 7. Walk along the Tsukishima Nishinaka-dori shopping street, and it will be in the middle of the Niban-gai (second block).
Address: 1-20-5, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)

7. Iroha Nishinaka Branch

Iroha is a Tsukishima monjayaki restaurant with a long history, since establishment in the late 1950s. A recommendation of this restaurant is the combination of hot monjayaki and kaki-gori (shaved ice). You will surely be able to appreciate the cooling sensation of the kaki-gori when you eat it at the end of a hot meal. The top recommendation for monjayaki is the [Mentai Mochi Cheese], which has become a standard monjayaki flavor in recent years. The [Super Mushroom Monja], which is a filling monjayaki packed full of mushrooms, is also recommended. In addition to Iroha's standard monjayaki, there are too many original items exclusive to the Nishinaka Branch. From [Beef Tendon Monja] to [Pickled Plum and Green Onion Monja], the original monjayaki flavors here are not to be missed!

Iroha Nishinaka Branch

Open: 11:00 am - 11:00 pm
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,500 JPY / [Lunch] 1,500 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 8 of Tsukishima Station
Address: 3-8-10, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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8. Monja Daruma

Monja Daruma's characteristic feature is its izakaya (Japanese pub) inspired menu that allows diners to enjoy monjayaki and alcoholic beverages. In other words, this is a restaurant where one can enjoy monjayaki tailored to adults. Additionally, they are known for focusing especially on their dashi (broth). They have 2 types of dashi and decide which to use depending on the ingredients of each monjayaki. The top recommendation for alcohol that you will want to enjoy along with monjayaki or okonomiyaki would be the [Sapporo Edelpils], a rare brand of beer sold only at certain restaurants. The smoothness of the beer pairs amazingly well with the monjayaki flavored with dashi. It's okay to enjoy some monjayaki with a glass of beer for lunch every once in a while.

Monja Daruma

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 11:00 pm (L.O. 10:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 2,000 JPY *Banquet Course 2,000 - 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,200 JPY
Access: 3-minute walk from Exit 7 of Tsukishima Station. Situated on Yonban-gai (the 4th block of Tsukishima Nishinaka Street).
Address: 3-17-9, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)
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9. Goemon

In addition to its specialty of monjayaki, Goemon also has a full menu of dishes like teppanyaki and okonomiyaki. It is situated right in the middle of Monja Street, the pride of Tsukishima. Here, you can enjoy original monjayaki creations while surrounded by a comfortable, retro atmosphere. The recommended monjayaki here is the [Special Goemon], which allows you to eat plenty of meat and seafood all in one dish. Additionally, there is the [Ocean's Blessing] that consists mainly of seafood, the [4 Cheese], and several other recommended creative monjayaki flavors. Other types include the pizza-like [Italian] and the [Minced Meat and Yuzu Kosho], which is a spicy, refined item that uses yuzu kosho (a fermented paste made from yuzu (Japanese citrus) zest and chili peppers).

Goemon

Open: [Weekdays, Day before National Holidays] 11:30 am - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
[Saturday, Sunday, National Holidays] 11:00 am - 11:30 pm (L.O. 11:00 pm)
Closed: None
Average price: [Dinner] 3,000 JPY / [Lunch] 1,300 JPY
Access: Go straight from Exit 7 of Tsukishima Station, and it will be in the middle of the 3rd block of Monja Street.
Address: 3-7-12, Tsukishima, Chuo-ku, Tokyo (Map)

Disclaimer: All information is accurate at time of publication.