The 30 Best Ikebukuro Restaurants
From Ramen to Sashimi to Steakhouse and more: Let us introduce you to the best places to eat in Ikebukuro!
Foodwise, Ikebukuro has to offer an endless choice of a diverse range of cuisines. For one, the large Chinese population has brought many Chinese restaurants to the area. Of course, Japanese options such as ramen, grilled beef, and gyozas are not missing either, and international classics such as Indian curries, pizza and more add the finishing touch to make this district a small foodie’s paradise.
Read on to find out more about the 30 best restaurants in Ikebukuro.
Tokyo Underground Ramen Ganja
Located inside the Tobu Hope Center at Ikebukuro Station, the Tokyo Underground Ramen shop is understandably always busy, but absolutely worth the wait. The noodles are thick and go well with the hearty fish-based broth. A nice extra is the option to pay by using your SUICA or PASMO Card. A must-try ramen place in Ikebukuro!
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1−1−30 (inside Tobu Hope Center) Website: Tokyo Underground Ramen Ganja
AIN SOPH. Soar
Head to AIN SOPH. Soar, a fantastic vegan restaurant, for a relaxed atmosphere and a clean, modern interior. Lunch menus are available for around 1600 yen, a bit above average, but they’re worth every yen. The ingredients used are carefully chosen quality products – and you can taste it!
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 16:00, 17:00 - 22:00 Address: 〒170-0013 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Higashiikebukuro ３-５-７ Website: AIN SOPH. Soar
Outback Steakhouse Ikebukuro
Putting juicy steaks on the grill for you is this Australian-style steakhouse’s main business, and it’s undoubtedly good at it. For an eye-catching side, try the signature fried “Blooming Onion” and witness a side-dish-spectacle.
Opening Hours: 17:00 - 23:30 (Mon-Fri), 12:00 - 23:30 (Sat-Sun) Address: 7F of Tokyu Bld. 1-41-4 Higashi-Ikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo-to Website: Outback Steakhouse Ikebukuro
Hulu-lu
Hulu-lu is a Hawaiian themed place that’s colorful and bright, creating an inviting atmosphere when you slurp their amazing noodle soup. The ramen gets its fresh note from yuzu, a Japanese citrus fruit.
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 15:00, 18:00 - 21:00 Address: 〒170-0014 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro 2−６０−７ Website: Hulu-lu
Tsukiji Takewaka
A large pool in the middle of the restaurant lets you choose from different kinds of fish, which will then be prepared by the chefs. This makes the sashimi as fresh as it gets, and dining at Takewaka becomes an overall entertaining experience.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 16:30 - 22:30 Address: 〒171-0021 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1-10-10, B1F Website: Tsukiji Takewaka
Mango Tree Cafe Ikebukuro
Casual, fresh and clean are probably the words that describe best what awaits visitors to this Thai kitchen. Choose from the buffet or order a tasty meal from the menu. Either way, your tastebuds won’t be disappointed!
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro, 1-11-1 Website: Mango Tree
Chibachan
Chibachan is an izakaya-style venue (Japanese pub) that’s famous for serving very large portions. Their top hit is the chicken boat: a wooden miniature boat filled with karaage (fried chicken). Perfect for sharing!
Opening Hours: 17:00 - 1:00 Address: 〒170-0013 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Higashiikebukuro 1-21-13 Website: Masumi Food
Ramen Jiro
Very large portions are served at Ramen Jiro, too, and if you’re a fan of bean sprouts, you’re going to love the toppings here. Itadakimasu!
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00, closed Mondays Address: 〒171-0022 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro, ２−２７−１７ Website: Ramen Jiro
Saffron Ikebukuro
Saffron Ikebukuro is a favorite among fans of the Indian cuisine in the area. A recommended highlight is the tender tandoori lamb chop menu, but the restaurant also offers many vegetarian options, such as vegetable curries and salads. If you can handle hot chilis, try the signature curry containing so-called Bhut Jolokia, one of the hottest types of chilies in the world. You get awarded a certificate and a photo with the chef if you manage to eat up.
Lunch menus are available on weekdays only.
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 15:00, 17:30 - 22:00 Address: 1-28-1 Higashi Ikebukuro, 201 Takuto T.O.Building, Toshima-ku, Tokyo-to 170-0013 Website: Saffron Ikebukuro
Teppanyaki ORCA
A classic Japanese teppanyaki restaurant where you’ll be entertained by a live cook, preparing your meal in front of you. The expensive, but exquisite set menus for around 6000 yen include all kinds of meat, shrimps and vegetables – a safe choice if you’re not after anything specific. The restaurant is open for dinner time only.
Opening Hours: 17:30 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-0022 Tokyo, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 3-16-10 Website: Teppanyaki ORCA
Midori Sushi
Located inside the Seibu Mall, Midori is a conveyor belt sushi restaurant that’s known for its great value for money. Orders are made on the touch screen tablet, which luckily can be set to English. If all tables are occupied, just grab a takeout sushi platter to enjoy outside or at home.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-8569 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 1−２８−１ Website: Midori Sushi Ikebukuro
Hitsumabushi Bincho
Unagi (eel) is a Japanese classic, and you can find it served on the eighth floor of the Parco center, at Hitsumabushi Bincho. The eel is charcoal grilled to perfection, crispy and a must-try when in Japan. It’s usually served along with a bowl of rice.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:30, 17:00 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-8557 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 1−２８−２ (8F of Parco) Website: Hitsumabushi
Tonkatsu Daikichi
Daikichi serves wonderfully crispy, yet juicy tonkatsu, Japan’s take on schnitzel. As is common, the pork cutlet comes with cabbage, rice and miso soup.
Opening Hours: 10:00 - 22:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro, 1−１−３０
Tucano’s (Churrascaria Brasileira)
Tucano’s, located on the fifth floor of the WACCA mall, is a thoroughly Brazilian barbecue place where meat is almost inevitable. But not just the juicy steaks are grilled on skewers. Entire pineapples are roasted as a fruity side.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:30 - 23:00 Address: 〒170-0013 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Higashiikebukuro 1−８−1 (5f of WACCA) Website: Tucano's
Mutekiya
The ramen here is made with an especially hearty broth, and many variations of the classic noodle soup are available. The best part: it’s open every day until the early morning hours, making possible a gourmet snack any time your belly rumbles in the middle of the night.
Opening Hours: 10:30 - 4:00 Address: 〒171-0022 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 1−17−１ Website: Mutekiya
Ikebukuro Base
Ikebukuro Base offers all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-drink sets which include delicious hot snacks and share-dishes. The cozy, softly lit interior creates a mellow atmosphere which is inviting to get carried away into the night on Fridays and Saturdays, when it’s open until 3 am. It’s especially great for larger groups.
Opening Hours: 15:30 - 1:00 (Sun-Thu), 15:30 - 3:00 (Fri-Sat) Address: 〒171-0021 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1−42-1, B1F
Minokichi (Japanese Dining)
Japanese fine dining restaurant on the 15th floor of the Tobu department store, offering various course meals. The rather pricey menus range from 5000 yen up to 20000 yen, but offer a great introduction to the Japanese cuisine.
Reservations are needed two to three days in advance. This is done easiest via phone. Alternatively, head over to the Gurunavi website where reservations can be made (using Google Translate).
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-8512 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro, 1 Chome-1-25, 15F Website: Minokichi Phone: +81 3-3980-8855
Gara
Chic but relaxed Indian dining with excellent curries, most famously its butter chicken. Try the special pumpkin or apple naan for some variation on the tasty flatbread. English menus are available.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 3−２−８ Website: Spice Restaurant Gara
Pizza Salvatore
A place for Italian gourmet lovers, where woodfire baked Neapolitan pizza, pasta and antipasti are served. The cozy terrace lets you enjoy the fresh air outside when the weather is nice.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 23:00 (Mon-Fri), 11:00 - 23:00 (Sat-Sun) Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 3-２１−１３ Website: Pizza Salvatore Cuomo
Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung just off Ikebukuro Station is a Taiwanese Dim Sum restaurant offering steamed buns (xiao long bao) and noodle soups. The juicy buns can be ordered with six different types of fillings, from pork to vegetables to truffle.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima, Nishiikebukuro １−１−２５ Website: Din Tai Fung
Kailaku
Kailaku is famous for its exceptionally big gyozas (Japanese dumplings). They’re as juicy and filling as you could wish for, but if you’re not full after a set, there’s still delicious Ramen on the menu, too. To make it even more fun, The Beatles are playing in the background most of the time. English menus are provided as well.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 23:00, until 22:00 Sundays Address: 〒171-0022 Tokyo-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 1-27-2 Website: Kailaku
Genpin Fugu
Visit Genpin Fugu to experience Washoku, the traditional Japanese cuisine. The sashimi is excellent, and you can try your luck at eating a possibly lethal puffer fish here.
Opening Hours: 12:00 - 15:00, 16:00 - 23:30 (Mon-Fri), 12:00 - 23:30 (Sat-Sun) Address: 〒171-0014 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−４１−１ Website: Guenpin Fugu
Sake Sakana Omata
This cozy izakaya may be small, it only seats about 10 people, but serves great Japanese sake and all kinds of delicious snacks. These include grilled fresh fish, vegetable tempura, and most prominently karaage (fried chicken).
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 13:00, 17:00 - 23:00 (Mon-Fri), 17:00 - 23:00 (Sat), closed Sundays Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1−７−８ Website: Sake Sakana Omata
Sumibi Yakitori Omoya
This yakitori (grilled chicken skewers) restaurant is located a bit down south of Ikebukuro station. If you’ve never been to a yakitori restaurant, be prepared to get served every part of the chicken, including liver, skin and heart.
Opening Hours: 11:30 - 13:30, 17:00 - 23:00 (Mon-Fri), 16:00 - 22:00 (Sat-Sun) Address: 〒171-0022 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Minamiikebukuro 1−１２−６
Uokin
Italian restaurant serving mainly fish dishes. A good option to try a bit of everything and a real stunner is the assorted fish platter. If fish is not your thing, don’t despair, because Uokin wouldn’t be the popular Italian restaurant it is if it wouldn’t offer fantastic pizzas as well. Round off your meal with one of the large selection of wines.
Opening Hours: 17:00 - 23:30 (Mon-Fri), 16:00 - 23:00 (Sat), 15:00 - 23:00 (Sun) Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1−35−8 Website: Uokin
Tsukemenya Yasube
Yasube serves tsukemen, a subcategory of ramen. This means the noodles come separately from the soup, so they can be dipped in it chunk by chunk. The spicy miso broth is highly recommended here, and the accompanying noodles are cooked to perfection. Come with a big appetite, though; the portion sizes are very large. Service-wise, this small restaurant sticks out as well, and can’t be lauded enough.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 3:00 (Mon-Sat), 11:00 - 0:00 (Sun) Address: 〒170-0013 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−12−14 Website: Yasube
Miyarabi
Miyarabi lets you taste Okinawan food culture in the middle of Tokyo. Specialties include various tofu dishes, miso, fried vegetables and fish. Moreover, on two nights per week, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 pm, guests can witness traditional Okinawan dance performances at the restaurant.
Opening Hours: 18:00 - 22:45 Address: 〒170-0014 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro 2-45−１, B1F
Marhaba (マルハバ)
The mouth-watering biryani prepared at this Pakistani restaurant is what some contentedly call authentic. The unique flavor of the kebabs and chutneys are not found at many places in Japan, and all of this even comes at a very reasonable price – curries are on avergae between 800 and 900 yen.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:30 (Mon-Sat), 11:30 - 21:00 (Sun) Address: 〒170-0014 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro 2−63−6
Mammaru
Mammaru is another unagi (eel) restaurant and maybe a good place to try it for the first time, as the prices are not too high. As a lunch menu, the eel comes on top of a rice bowl and is about 1300 yen.
Opening Hours: 11:00 - 15:00, 17:00 - 22:30, closed Sundays Address:〒171-0014 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Ikebukuro 2-13-8 Website:Mammaru
Sakura Sushi
Sakura Sushi is a standing-only sushi bar close to Ikebukuro Station. It’s a cheap and cheerful sushi option where you’ll get good value for your money. Some good nigiri are priced at 70 yen only.
Opening Hours: 7:30 - 22:00 Address: 〒171-0021 Tōkyō-to, Toshima-ku, Nishiikebukuro 1−1−30
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