Best Budget Friendly Eats
in Tokyo

My take: Eight counter seats down a quiet alley near Shibuya, one dish on the menu, and a bowl of katsudon that made me understand why people line up for it. The pork stays crispy because they dip it in the sauce before laying it on the egg. Miso soup comes with it. About a ten minute walk from Shibuya Station through the quieter side streets. Center-gai is right there if you want to dive back into Shibuya, or head up to Shibuya Sky for views.

My take: Eight counter seats in a back alley a few minutes from Ginza Station, looks like a sushi bar from the inside. The chicken paitan broth is thick and creamy, more like a soup than typical ramen, simmered for hours. Get the truffle version if it's on the menu. Look for the Soba sign outside or you'll walk past it. Hibiya Park is about 10 minutes away if you want to walk and digest.

My take: The first ramen shop in the world to earn a Michelin star. The broth blends chicken, clam, kelp and bonito with a two year barrel aged soy sauce and a drizzle of truffle oil that pulls everything together. Nothing about it tastes like typical ramen. We absolutely loved it. Three minutes from Yoyogi-Uehara Station. The neighborhood is packed with coffee roasters and wine bars if you want to stick around.

My take: Take the elevator down to the basement, find a counter seat, and watch Chef Abe work. He trained at Nadaman for 30 years and the lunch tendon here starts at around 1000 yen, which is almost impossible for Ginza. The prawns are kept live on the premises and the batter is light enough that you can actually taste what's underneath it. One of the best value lunches I had in Tokyo. Ginza Six is right there, take the elevator up to the rooftop garden.

My take: Basement restaurant on Dogenzaka, two minutes from Shibuya Station. The fish is partially dried before being grilled over charcoal, which concentrates the flavor more than fresh grilled fish. Set meal with rice, miso soup and pickles runs under 1000 yen. We came here for a late afternoon lunch and had the place almost to ourselves. Walk the Dogenzaka backstreets after, especially Hyakkendana, which is a hidden alley district off the main slope.

My take: Basement in Shibuya, solo booths, bamboo curtain, and a form where you customize every detail of the bowl before it gets slid through to you. Nobody talks, nobody makes eye contact, everyone just focuses on their ramen. Worth doing once just for the experience. Three minute walk from Shibuya Station, and it's open 24 hours so it's a solid stop after a night out.