12 Best Eats At Shinjuku Tokyo 新宿 – Affordable Michelin Meals, Handmade Soba To ¥350 Gyudon (<$5)

[Tokyo] Shinjuku 新宿 must be one of my favourite wards in Tokyo. While it is a business district, it is also home to considerable dining, entertainment and shopping options.

Shinjuku Station also happens to be the world’s busiest railway station, handling more than 2 million passengers.

I liked the fact that many lines lead here, especially the JR Yamanote Line, which makes travelling to places like Shibuya, Harajuku, Ikebukuro, Ueno and Tokyo Station very convenient.

Travellers get a good mix of sights here, from cherry blossoms at Shinjuku Gyoen during spring time, Central Park, to the colourful Kabukicho – Japan’s largest red light district lined with restaurants and pachinko parlours.

Not forgetting large departmental malls of Takashimaya (with Tokyu Hands), Isetan, Odakyu, Keio, Lumine, and Mylord, all within a 10 to 20 minute walking distance.

There are TOO MANY food choices to list down here. Omoide Yokocho (also nicknamed the Piss Alley) is literally lined with yakitori, oden and soba shops. Or you can just go to Takashimaya and Isetan basement, especially during closing times to get some discounted food buys.

Here are 12 Must Eats At Shinjuku Tokyo 新宿 – From Affordable Michelin Meals, Handmade Soba To ¥350 Gyudon (I tried to include a range, and also added exterior photos for you to find the shop more easily.)

Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima 新宿割烹 中嶋
B1F, Hihara Bldg, 3 32-5 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo Prefecture 160-0022, Japan (Shinjuku Station South Exit)
Tel: +81 3-3356-453
Opening Hours: 11:30am – 2pm (last order 1:45pm), 5:30pm – 9:30pm (last order 8pm)
Closed mid-August, late December-early January, Sunday and Public Holidays
http://www.shinjyuku-nakajima.com
Google Maps – Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima

Probably The Cheapest Michelin Star Meal In Tokyo
Nakajima is probably the cheapest Michelin star meal you can get at Tokyo, Japan.

This is how affordable it can get. A lunch set is priced at ¥800 (SGD$9.90, USD$7.40), and we are talking about one of the most expensive cities in the world.

The star of the lunch is to my amazement… sardines.

The Iwashi (sardines) are presented in 4 different ways – the Furai deep fried sardines with panko, raw sashimi-style with seaweed and sesame, the Nizakana simmered in dashi with soy sauce, or the Yanagawa Nabe served in a hot piping eggy casserole for a ¥100 extra. Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Tsunahachi 天ぷら 新宿 つな八
3-31-8 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 160-0022 (Shinjuku Station East Exit or Shinjuku-Sanchome Station Exits A1-A5)
Tel: 03 3352 1012
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 10:30pm
Google Maps – Tsunahachi

Historical Tempura Restaurant Popular Among Locals
Tempura restaurant Tsunahachi 天ぷら 新宿 つな八 総本店 which was founded by Kyuzo Shimura in 1923, has remain highly popular among most locals and tourists.

At the heart of Shinjuku where you get surrounded by stores from BIC Camera and Uniqlo, I was excited to find such a restaurant. FYI, another famous tempura restaurant Funabashiya Honten is within sight.

Considering that I have spent quite a far bit (can be above SGD$100) at other tempura restaurants, the more reasonable price range over here is welcomed.

Lunch starts from ¥1,512 (SGD$19.50), and dinner from ¥2,484 (SGD$32).

A basic Tempura Set goes for ¥2,484 (SGD$32) which includes two shrimps, assorted seafood, vegetables, Anago (sea eel), deep-fried small shrimps (kakiage), appetizer; and a set of rice, miso-soup and Japanese pickles (osoroi). Tsunahachi 天ぷら新宿つな八 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

慎 Shin Udon
2 151 0053, 2 Chome-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0053, Japan (Shinjuku Station, Exit 6)
代々木2-20-16 (相馬ビル1F), Shibuya, Tōkyō, 151-0053, Japan
Tel: +81 3-6276-7816
Opening Hours: 11am – 10pm (Mon – Thurs, Sun), 11am – 11pm (Fri – Sat), Closed during New Year period
Google Maps – Shin Udon

Udon Never Tasted This Good, Awesome Find
Entering the shop, I realised it was a cramped 10-seater – 6 at the counter, 2 and 2 at the table, typical Japanese style. Counter of course to catch the chefs in action.

The buckwheat udon is made in house, fresh upon order, in cold or hot versions, topped with ingredients such as tempura, sliced beef, mentaiko and soft boiled egg.

The basic variants are Kake Udon – Hot udon in broth topped with thinly sliced scallions; Zaru Udon – cold noodles accompanied with a chilled dipping sauce; and Bukkake Udon – cold udon with thicker dashi broth.

There is a short English translation for its quite-pictorial menu, so do not worry. Shin Udon 慎 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Tokyo Mentsudan Udon
Daikan Plaza Business Kiyoda Bldg 1F, 7-9-15 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku 160-0023 西新宿ビル(Near Shinjuku station)
Opening Hours: 8:00am – 11:30pm (Mon – Fri), 10:00am – 11:30pm (Sat, Sun)
Google Maps – Tokyo Mentsudan Udon

Affordable Udon (<$5) At Shinjuku Tokyo, With Pick Your Own Tempura Option
Located in Western Shinjuku, Tokyo Mentsudan Udon 東京麺通団 is a self-service restaurant that focuses on noodles from Kagawa Prefecture also known as Sanuki Udon.

The great thing about this place is that the Japanese staff makes the noodles right in front of you, which means that the noodles are always super fresh and handmade.

Since this is a self-service joint, you pay as soon as you choose your toppings, udon, and sides. There are numerous options to choose from and customers are encouraged to create their favorite version of sanuki udon.

Even though the noodles were thick and fat, the texture was firm yet so wonderfully chewy. An inexpensive, fuss-free meal. Tokyo Mentsudan Udon 東京麺通団 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Fu-unji 風雲児
2-14-3, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan (10 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station South Exit)
Japan, 〒151-0053 Tokyo, Shibuya 代々木2-14-3 北斗第一ビル 1F
Tel: +81 3 6413 8480
Opening Hours: 11am – 3pm, 5 – 9pm (Mon-Sat), Closed Sun & New Year Holiday Period
Google Maps – Fu-unji

Umami Fish Based Tsukemen & Ramen
Fu-unji 風雲児 is tsukemen like never before, creamy broth of chicken (imagine the collagen) with fish, topped with bonito-like smoked fish powder. This is UMAMI.

The taste of the stock when you mix them all together, is quite unimaginable, and is one of the must-haves when you are at Shinjuku Tokyo.

There are 3 noodle sizes with namimori (small, 200gm or so), chuumori (medium, 300 gm), and oomori (large, 400gm).

The same price for all for the Tokusei Tsukemen 特製つけめん at ¥1000.

Its layered flavours of rich chicken broth and smoky fish powder was revolutionary good, grabbing you to just focus on its unique taste. Fu-unji 風雲児 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Menya Musashi 麺屋武蔵
Shinjuku-ku, Nishi Shinjuku 7-2-6, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan, Tel: +03 3796 4634
東京都新宿区西新宿7-2-6 ビル1F (About 5 minutes from the JR Shinjuku West Exit, near Prospect AXE or the former Oakwood Shinjuku Apartments)
Opening hours: 11:30am-3:30pm, 4:30pm – 9:30pm (Mon-Sat), 11:30am-4:30pm (Sun)
Google Maps – Menya Musashi

Where Chefs Cook Ramen With Style And Flair
Menya Musashi’s founder Yamada Takeshi, together with Ippudo’s Kawahara Shigemi and Nanttsutei’s Furuya Ichiro are said to be icons of the ramen industry.

Both its signature and tsukemen dipping noodles (¥1000) are basic but spectacular – with chunks of melt-in-your-mouth pork, chewy noodles and addictive soup which made me finish till the last drop.

Its highlight has to be the broth, a flavourful shoyu soy sauce base made with pork and chicken bones, with taste slightly ‘seafood-y’ due to the addition of dried saury fish.

What was also impressive is the visual experience the cooks present. It was almost as if they were presenting a martial arts dance as they cooked and dried the ramen noodles in the open kitchen. All with such great force, adding collective yells of “Hey-Hai” and Japanese idioms. Menya Musashi 麺屋武蔵 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Ichiran Ramen 一蘭
Shinjuku: Peace Building B1F 3-34-11 Shinjuku Shinjuku-ku Tokyo-to 160-0022 (3 min walk from JR Shinjuku Station Higashi Exit)
Opening Hours: 24 Hours
Google Maps – Ichiran Shinjuku

Popular Ramen Shop With Individual Booths That Opens 24/7
Ichiran Ramen 一蘭 is known as one of the best ramen in Japan, if not the best – mass market wise.

While there are many branches around Japan, this outlet at Shinjuku is one of the most popular. Besides, it is opened 24/7 which means people can still head down to dine in the wee hours of the morning.

Not exaggerating, but my friends would get the urge to fly to Tokyo just have a bowl of this rich Tonkotsu soup based noodles.

The shop was founded in Hakata Fukuoka way back in the 1960s. Hakata ramen is characterised by its thin, long, firm noodles, usually whiter in colour.

Its winning formula can be attributed to the creamy smooth classic pork-based tonkotsu soup, topped with Ichiran’s original red pepper sauced mixed with 3 type of spices. (Read: Ichiran Ramen 一蘭)

Sushi Tokyo Ten
Shinjuku NEWoMan, 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku 160-0022, Tokyo
Tel: +81 3 6274 8540
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 2:00am

Sushi Omakase At ¥7000
Sushi Tokyo Ten is perhaps the best find during my most recent trip. For those who have not been to Tokyo in the last 2 years or so, you would be surprised to find a new shopping mall NEWoMan right next to Shinjuku Station (South Exit).

While restaurant Sushi Tokyo Ten is located within the food court, do not discount its quality at all. Its vibes are more casual, and thus you would not get that intimidating feel like some other sushi restaurants.

The dinner omakase is priced at ¥7000 (SGD$83.40). while the lunch set is at ¥3500 (SGD$41.70). At first I thought I heard wrongly (plus there is no menu), as sushi meals are typically expensive in Tokyo.

The variety and taste were amazing, and I had fully enjoyed almost every sushi piece including fresh shrimps, lobster, abalone, and 2 types of uni.

Tatsuya たつ屋 新宿店 牛丼餐廳
35-2, 3chome, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
〒160-0022 東京都新宿区新宿３丁目３５−2
Tel: +81 3 3354 0611
Opening hours: 10:00am – 9:00pm (Mon – Fri, Sun), 8:00am – 9:00pm (Sat)
Google Maps – Tatsuya たつ屋

350 Yen Gyu Don
Even while Tokyo is one of the most expensive cities in the world, you still can find affordable eats here.

Let me direct you to Tatsuya, a hole-in-the-wall eatery specializing in Gyu Don (¥350) which is simmered beef on rice, and Katsu Don (¥450) pork cutlet with egg on rice. ¥350 is only about SGD$4.50.

The staff strength is lean, but the friendly elderly cooks will whip up warm bowls of donburi, complete with tender slices of beef on fluffy rice.

Blue Bottle Coffee
新宿カフェ 4-1-6 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Shinjuku Station, New South exit)
東京都新宿区新宿4-1-6
Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm

One Of The Best Coffee Shops, Now At Tokyo Shinjuku
The hipster and executive-type Japanese are obviously into specialty roasted, artisanal coffee, especially with a specific prominent brand.

This coffee place in the heart of Shinjuku was brisk, right next to a Le Pain de Joel Robuchon bakery, where many office goers grab-and-go a takeaway cup with that signature blue bottle logo.

There is a full menu of drip coffee and espresso drinks – a Blend of Drip Coffee at ¥450 (SGD$5.60), Single Origin at ¥550 (SGD$6.80).

I had a Latte (¥520, SGD$6.50). It was smooth, very smooth, as though every ingredient came together in harmony. Blue Bottle Coffee (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Gontran Cherrier Shinjuku Branch
Shibuya-ku, Yoyogi 2-2-1, Southern Terrace (next to Shinjuku station, South exit)
東京都渋谷区代々木2－2－1 新宿サザンテラス内
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 10:00pm Daily

Some Of The Best Pastries, Especially The Croissant
Celebrity pastry chef Gontran Cherrier has found one of the best spot in Shinjuku, a double storey space at Southern Terrace steps away from the extremely populated Shinjunku station, with a connecting bridge to Lumine.

The lower floor is the bakery, while the upper storey is for a sit down meal.

Other than the signatures Kouign-Amann (¥240) and Mont Blanc (¥330), there were several items created for the Japanese market, from Pain au Curry (¥220), Pain De Seigle Au Miso (¥440), jet black looking Baguette Noir A L’encre De Seiche (¥250), to Yuzu Citro (¥450). Gontran Cherrier (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Sarabeth
Lumine Shinjuku Lumine2, 2nd Floor, 3-38-2, Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo (Shinjuku Station South Exit – JR Line, Odakyu Line, Keio Line)
Tel: 9:00am – 10:00pm Daily, Last Order 9:00pm

Breakfast Queen Of New York In Shinjuku
The “No.1 Dessert restaurant in New York” continues to enjoy long queues at the Shinjuku store at Lumine2. So much so that it can start an hour before opening, with a line all the way down the escalator to Level 1.

People are there for Sarabeth’s French Toast (¥1,250), Lemon and Ricotta Pancakes (¥1,450), Classic Eggs Benedit (¥1,45) and Velvety Cream of Tomato Soup.

The fat and fluffy French Toast (¥1,250) is what almost every table orders. It is a classic sweet brunch item, served for over 20 years, topped with fresh strawberries and maple syrup.

(Click PLAY for video of Robot Restaurant)

Robot Restaurant
Shinjuku Robot Building Basement 2, 1-7-1 Kabukicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo Japan
Four shows at: 4:00pm, 5:55pm, 7:50pm, 9:45pm (Turn up at the reception 40 minutes before showtime.)

Just in case you want to visit the Robot Restaurant at Shinjuku, this must be one of the most bizarre experiences one can have in Tokyo.

While it is called a “restaurant”, there is no proper dining per se.

The restaurant reportedly cost over USD$100 million, featuring 90 minutes (technically less) shows where skimpily-dressed girls ride on robots and engage in mock battles under neon light and loud music.

DFD Special: 36% OFF Robot Restaurant Shinjuku Tokyo Discount E-Tickets
If you like to visit The Robot Restaurant, BOOK NOW here for up to 36% off your entry e-ticket and 1 drink.

Other Related Entries
Ichiran Ramen 一蘭 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Shinjuku Kappo Nakajima (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
BAKE Cheese Tart (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Blue Bottle Coffee (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Shin Udon 慎 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)
Fu-unji 風雲児 (Shinjuku, Tokyo)

Click HERE for other Tokyo Food Entries

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