Ask anyone what their favorite cuisine is, and Japanese food is likely to make an appearance near the top of that list. The amazing attention to detail and painstaking care that goes into preparing Japanese food is unbeatable.
That’s why a visit to Tokyo can so easily turn into a mad rush to eat anything and everything.
Best of all, even those on a budget can eat well since no matter how inexpensive your meal is, it’s going to be of great quality and accompanied by impeccable service.
Here are five cafes and restaurants where a meal can be enjoyed for less than 1,000 yen (about 12.40 SGD as of Sep 2017).
Korai
7–14–12 Nishi Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Closest station: Nishi-Shinjuku
The ubiquitous ramen shop in Japan is every budget traveler’s go-to solution for a cheap meal—which isn’t a bad thing since a well-made bowl of ramen is a beautiful thing.
Korai has been in operation for more than having a century and specializes in ramen swimming in a clear chicken broth tinged with soy-sauce, all at the very affordable price of 400 yen. The noodles are curly, springy and of great texture, and have the uncanny ability to perfectly absorb the flavor of the broth.
Kameya Shinjuku Shop
1-2-10 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku
Closest station: Seibu-Shinjuku
In the very unlikely event that you get sick of ramen, opt for soba or udon instead. Smooth, green buckwheat soba noodles can be served hot or cold, immersed in broth or dry and with a dipping cup on the side. Udon noodles are white and much thicker.
Kameya Shinjuku Shop is an unpretentious, no-frills little eatery situated near Golden Gai. Sit at the bar, slurp your noodles and be on your way in minutes, truly local experience for about 400 yen. Their soba with tempura is highly recommended.
Sushi Katsura
2-5-14 Tsukiji
Closest station: Tsukiji
No visit to Tokyo is complete without a sushi meal. And of course, the very best place to eat sushi is the legendary Tsukiji Fish Market.
Luckily, this doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg if you know where to look. Sushi Katsura is a gem of a place that opens for lunch and offers a one-person sushi omakase set lunch for 950 yen. If you’re eating with a friend, split the 1.5 person omakase, which costs 1,050 yen. This is a good alternative to the more well-known restaurants at Tsukiji Fish Market thanks to its reasonable prices, shorter waiting time and fresh ingredients of excellent quality.
Sushi Katsura
2-5-14 Tsukiji
Closest station: Tsukiji
No visit to Tokyo is complete without a sushi meal. And of course, the very best place to eat sushi is the legendary Tsukiji Fish Market.
Luckily, this doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg if you know where to look. Sushi Katsura is a gem of a place that opens for lunch and offers a one-person sushi omakase set lunch for 950 yen. If you’re eating with a friend, split the 1.5 person omakase, which costs 1,050 yen. This is a good alternative to the more well-known restaurants at Tsukiji Fish Market thanks to its reasonable prices, shorter waiting time and fresh ingredients of excellent quality.
Curry-Ya San Little Shop
10, Maruyama-Cho, Shibuya-ku
Closet station: Shinsen
Curry rice is immensely popular in Japan and tastes nothing like the Indian version from which it evolved. The dish consists of Japanese-style curry sauce, often containing meat and vegetables, served over rice.
At the immensely popular Curry-Ya San Little Shop, enjoy all kinds of meat-and-curry combinations in hearty servings that will satisfy even the biggest appetites.
Stick with the classics like katsu or pork cutlet and karaage or fried chicken or, if you’re daring and very hungry, go for the special, which includes a gigantic mix of all their usual toppings. Dishes here usually cost 700 yen to 800 yen. The restaurant only opens at lunchtime or until they run out of curry sauce, so pop by early to avoid disappointment.
Matsuya
Various outlets; 3 Chome-6-1 Ginza, Chuo-ku
Closest station: Ginza
The Japanese beef bowl or gyudon is a favorite of salarymen and students in search of a quick and cheap lunch.
Popular chain restaurant Matsuya specializes in beef-based meals, usually with rice. You order using a vending machine, take your ticket and your meal is served within minutes, or maybe even seconds, with pure Japanese-style efficiency.
They’ve got an extensive menu of set meals you can order in various sizes. A regular-sized premium gyumeshi, which consists of a beef bowl and miso soup, costs a mere 380 yen, with the largest available portion being the XL at 630 yen.
Buy travel insurance
You don’t have to bust your budget eating in Japan if you visit the above eateries. Buy a great travel insurance plan so you stay protected from unexpected expenses. Bon, voyage!
By Joanne Poh
Disclaimer: All info contained herein is intended for your general information only and is not a substitute for insurance advice. If you have a specific question, please consult our insurance experts at 6702 0202.
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