The Best Restaurants in Shinjuku

Home to the busiest railway station in the world, Shinjuku is a major hot spot for tourists, with something to do at every turn. After exploring every nook and cranny, why not replenish your energy levels at one of the 44 best Shinjuku restaurants: 

Ramen

1. Fu-unji (風雲児)

Fu-unji’s famed tsukemen, a ramen variant where the plain noodles are dipped in a separate broth, brings in a myriad of locals and foreigners. Don’t worry about the long lines of people – it will be your turn in no time. The locals are efficient ramen eaters; they order, slurp, pay and then leave.

Type: Tsukemen

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 am-3:00 pm, 5:00 pm-9:00 pm/Closed on Sunday

Address: 2-14-3 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0053

 

2. Menya Musashi (麺屋武蔵新宿本店)

The ramen noodles, while good, are not the stars of this restaurant. Instead, it is the accompanying tender pork belly and soft-boiled eggs. Together they create the perfect shio (salt-based) ramen.    

Type: Tokyo Shio Ramen

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-3:30pm, 4:30 pm-9:30 pm/Sun 11:30 am-7:00 pm

Address: 7-2-6 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

Udon

3. Udon: Mentsu-Dan (東京麺通団)

Despite the cheapness, Mentsu-Dan has some of the most delicious udon in town. You can get a small plain udon (wheat flour noodle) for only 310 yen! The combination of affordability and deliciousness makes this restaurant popular amongst locals and foreigners.

Type: Japanese Udon

Hours: Sun-Sat 10:00 am-11:30 pm

Address: Daikan Plaza Business Kiyoda Building 1F, 7-9-15 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023 

 

4. Udon Shin (うどん 慎)

10-minutes from Shinjuku station on foot, Udon Shin serves some of the most underrated handmade udon in Tokyo. This restaurant has a wide variety of udon, but their beef bukkake udon, a type of cold udon served in a thick broth, definitely stands out. 

Type: Japanese Udon

Hours: Sun-Thu 11:00 am-11:00 pm/Fri&Sat 11:00 am-12:00 am (midnight)

Address: 2-20-16 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0053

Tempura

Tempura is a traditional Japanese dish of deep fried battered seafood and vegetables.

5. Funabashiya (船橋屋)

With over a century of history, it’s safe to say that Funabashiya has mastered the art of preparing tempura. Not too greasy and not too light, the tempura uses the right amount of oil for that perfect crispiness. As a result, people wait up to an hour to be served this tasty tempura. And it’s worth it! 

Type: Japanese Tempura

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:40 am-10:00 pm

Address: 3-28-14 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022

 

6. Kobikicho Tenkuni (木挽町 天國)

This restaurant has been using the freshest ingredients and the best sesame oil and corn oil since its inception in 1885. Of all the terrific tempura, Kobikicho Tenkuni’s famed “kakiage” (mixed tempura) is a must-try.    

Type: Japanese Tempura

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-11:00 pm

Address: Takashimaya Times Square 14F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8580

Tonkatsu

Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish – typically consisting of deep fried breaded pork cutlet.

7. Tonchinkan (豚珍館)

With free flowing rice and soup, it’s no wonder Tonchinkan gets packed with salarymen every lunch time. In addition to getting more bang for your buck, the quality of the tonkatsu is superb.

Type: Japanese Tonkatsu

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:00 am-3:00 pm, 5:00 pm-11:00 pm/Sat 11:00 am-3:00pm, 5:00 pm-10:00 pm/Closed on Sunday

Address: Tokyo Takahashi Building 2F, 1-13-8 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

 

8. Tonkatsu Hamakatsu Nishishinjuku (とんかつ 浜勝 西新宿店)

Despite being a chain restaurant, Tonkatsu Hamakatsu makes a pretty mean tonkatsu. Add a bit of their special sauce and enjoy the affordable yet juicy tonkatsu.

Type: Japanese Tonkatsu

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-11:30 pm

Address: 1-16-4 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo

Yakitori

9. Hajimeya (はじめ屋)

This popular yakitori (meat skewers) restaurant is open every day until 5 in the morning – making it the ideal place for you and your friends to feast on some delicious yakitori and drink till the sun comes up. By the time you leave, the trains will be up and running again.

Type: Japanese Yakitori

Hours: Sun-Sat 5:00 pm-5:00 am (next day)

Address: 1-26-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo

 

Piss Alley (also known as Omoide Yokocho or Memory Lane)

Featured in our “Things to Do in Shinjuku” article, Piss Alley is one of the most popular alleyways (yokocho) for drinking and eating yakitori.

Address: 1-2-2 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

Recommendation:

10. Kabuto (カブト)

Unlike many yakitori restaurants, Kabuto specializes in unagi. This restaurant uses various parts of the eel – ranging from the liver to the collar.

Type: Japanese Unagi Yakitori

Hours: Mon-Sat 2:00 pm-9:00 pm/Closed on Sunday

Address: 1-2-11 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

Unagi

11. Shinjuku Unagi Senmonten Unatetsu (新宿うな鐵)

In the midst of Kabukicho, Tokyo’s red light district, is a hidden gem – Unagi Senmonten Unatetsu. This unagi (freshwater eel) specialist is one of the best in town – serving mouthwatering unaju (unagi on rice in a lacquered box).

Type: Japanese Unagi

Hours: Sun&Mon 11:00 am-11:30 pm/Tue-Sat 11:00 am-4:30 am (next day)

Address: 1-11-2 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0021

 

12. Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten Isetan Shinjuku (つきじ宮川本廛 伊勢丹新宿店)

After a long day of shopping at Isetan, come to Tsukiji Miyagawa Honten, located on the 7^th floor, for a nice unagi meal. To ease your enjoyment, there’s even an English “how to eat [unagi]” guide.

Type: Japanese Unagi

Hours: Sun-Sat 5:00 pm-10:00 pm

Address: Isetan Building 7F, 3-14-1 Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022

Sushi

13. Kyubey (久兵衛 京王プラザホテル店)

While Kyubey is no Sukiyabashi Jiro, Kyubey’s sushi is less expensive but equally fresh and delectable. Though cheaper, Kyubey is still somewhat expensive. Here is their menu to gauge their prices. At the end of the day, their sushi is well worth every yen.  

Type: Japanese High-end Sushi

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:30 am-2:30 pm, 5:00 pm-9:30 pm

Address: Keio Plaza Hotel 7F, 2-2-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

 

14. Otaru Masazushi (おたる政寿司 新宿店)

As the name suggests, Otaru Masazushi originated from Otaru in Hokkaido, a region famous for its premium seafood. Otaru Masazushi still sources most of its ingredients from Otaru so it’s no surprise that the fish at this restaurant is incredibly fresh.

Type: Japanese Sushi Chain

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-11:00 pm

Address: Takashimaya Times Square 14F, 5-24-2 Sendagaya, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-8580

 

15. Ganso Zushi (元祖寿司 新宿西口店)

For a sushi-go-round restaurant, Ganso Zushi serves some of the best sushi. However, it does come at a price. At an average of 130 yen per plate, it’s more expensive than your standard 108 yen per plate but definitely justified by the quality. 

Type: Japanese Conveyor Belt Sushi (Kaiten-Zushi)

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-11:00 pm

Address: 1-15-5 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0023

 

16. Numazuko (沼津港 新宿本店)

With no discernible differences between Numazuko’s sushi and Tsukiji’s sushi, it’s no wonder this conveyor belt sushi restaurant is still packed at 9 pm. Therefore, expect to wait a while before being seated. The wait is well worth it because the sushi is more than palatable and not absurdly expensive.

Type: Japanese Conveyor Belt Sushi

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-10:30 pm

Address: Ikeda Plaza Building 1F, 3-34-16 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022

Seafood

17. Taruichi (樽一 新宿店)

Taruichi specializes in the controversial kujira (whale meat) (featured in our “Weird Japanese Food” article). From belly to tail, no part of the animal is wasted, if that’s any consolation to the skeptical. For a completely authentic Japanese experience, this restaurant even has tatami mat rooms.

Type: Japanese Whale Restaurant

Hours: Mon-Sat 5:00 pm-10:30 pm/Sun 4:00 pm-10:00 pm

Address: 1-2-9 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0021

 

18. Tora-fugu Tei Shinjuku (とらふぐ亭 新宿本店)

This fugu (pufferfish or blowfish) specialist is so popular that it has multiples branches in Japan. Tora-fugu Tei’s fugu is expertly prepared by chefs with years and years of experience, so you need not worry about the possibility of being poisoned. Come here for a safe and unique experience!

Type: Japanese Fugu Chain

Hours: Mon-Sat 5:00 pm-4:00 am (next day)/Sun 4:00 pm-12:00 am (midnight)

Address: Metro Building B1F, 2-11-7 Kabukicho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0021

Korean

Shin-Okubo (also known as Tokyo’s Korean Town)

Shin-Okubo, Shinjuku’s Korean Town, is filled with numerous shops selling Korean TV dramas and K-pop goods, not to mention a whole host of delicious Korean restaurants.  

Address: Shin-Okubo, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0073

Recommendation:

19. Ondoru (でりかおんどる 新大久保本店)

Just minutes from Shin-Okubo station, Ondoru is one of the most authentic Korean BBQ restaurants Tokyo has to offer. Despite having no English menus, the restaurant’s staff are incredibly helpful, making ordering a breeze. Excellent service and juicy meat make Ondoru a hit with locals and foreigners alike.

Type: Korean BBQ

Hours: Sun-Sat 11:00 am-1:00 am (next day)

Address: 1-3-20 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku, Tokyo 169-0073

 

20. Jojoen Shinjuku Odakyu Halc (叙々苑 新宿小田急ハルク店)

Jojoen Shinjuku Odakyu Halc has some of the best Korean BBQ outside of Shin-Okubo. Though prices tend to be on the higher end, the high-grade beef and the soothing sounds of live piano music make for a delightful evening at this restaurant.    

Type: Korean BBQ

Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30 am-10:30 pm/Sat&Sun 11:00 am-10:30 pm

Address: Shinjuku Odakyu Halc 8F, 1-5-1 Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku 160-0023

Mexican

21. Rainbow Burritos (レインボーブリト)

Rainbow Burritos in Shinjuku Ni-chome, Tokyo’s premier LGBT party district, is the place to be at the tail-end of a night of drinking. Its burritos are hearty, reasonably priced (800 yen) and equally delicious when sober. Here is their menu for the available toppings.

Type: Mexican Burrito

Hours: Mon-Thu, Sun 6:00 pm-12: 00 am (midnight)/Fri&Sat 6:00 pm-2:00 am (next day)/ Closed on Tuesday and the 1^st and 3^rd Monday of the month

Address: #303 Shinjuku Building, 3-1-32 Shinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo 160-0022

 

22. El Torito

This Mexican chain restaurant first opened in California in 1954. Since then, it has opened multiple branches – including a few in Japan. Despite the efforts to cater to the Japanese palette, the Shinjuku branch is adequate enough to satiate your cravings for Mexican food.

Type: Mexican Chain

Hours: Mon-Sat 11:00 am-11:30 pm/Sun 11:00 am-11: 00 pm

Address: Odakyu Shinjuku Southern Tower 1F, 2-2-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya, Tokyo 151-0053