Here are some budget-friendly lunch spots in Tokyo that we have visited during recent trips to the city. We have tried to be as geographically diverse as possible and this list contains affordable restaurants in popular tourist areas of Tokyo.
Shinjuku – Omoide Yokocho Food Alleys
Omoide Yokocho Shinjuku, Tokyo 思い出横丁, 新宿, 東京 is an area with narrow alleys near the West Exit of Shinjuku Station. Omoide-Yokocho means Corner of Memories or Memory Lane. It also has a nickname – “Piss Alley”, derived from the condition of the streets with inadequate toilet facilities. Nowadays, it is a more hygenic place and goes by the nicer name. But it is still an atmospheric place for a budget friendly meal.
Some prefer to visit during the evenings when most of the stalls open and the atmosphere gets more festive. But it is quieter in the day and the pace is less hectic. The downside is that some shops or stalls may be closed. However the stalls that are open provided enough options for afforabable Japanese food classics such as tempura, ramen and yakitori. Here are some pictures from our visit which you can read about here.
Omoide Yokocho Shinjuku 思い出横丁, 新宿
English address:
1-2 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0023
Japanese address:
〒160-0023 東京都新宿区西新宿1-2
Metro: 1-minute walk from the west exit of Shinjuku Station.
Website:
Official Website (English)
Budget-Friendly Lunch Spots in Tokyo: Oreryu Shio Ramen at Jingumae
Hungry after shopping and sightseeing near Harajuku, the Meiji Shrine, Cat Street or Omote Sando? Oreryu Shio Ramen has shops all over Tokyo. We like the Oreryu Shio Ramen Jingumae outlet (俺流塩らーめん 神宮前店) for its convenient street-side location. Usually we avoid the peak lunch hour to get a peaceful affordable lunch.
Oreryu Shio Ramen Tokyo
9-14 , 6chome , Misuzu Bldg 1F, Jingumae
Shibuya-ku , Tokyo
東京都渋谷区神宮前6丁目9-14
Tel: +81 3-3486-0255
Traditional Soba Restaurant : Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu Tokyo
Soba restaurant Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu is located next to Ebisu Station, a railway station in the Ebisu neighborhood of Tokyo’s Shibuya ward. The station is named after Yebisu Beer, which was once brewed in a brewery in this vicinity. A few touristy places such as the Yebisu Beer Museum and Yebisu Garden Place shopping mall are located nearby.
As a specialised soba restaurant, the menu is limited. We like the soba and tempura lunch combination. Read more.
Itasoba Kaoriya Ebisu
〒150-0013 Tokyo, Shibuya, Ebisu, 4 Chome−3−10 Japan
センチュリー・パーク 1F
Opening Hours: 11.30 am to 3.30 pm
Budget-Friendly Lunch Spots at Azabudai Hills Market Tokyo Food Hall
Many Tokyo department stores have a food hall that offers a wide range of food options. Azabudai Hills Market is a posh food hall within the Azabudai Hills shopping complex.
Fresh produce, meat, fish, semi-prepared foods, side dishes, wine and sake are sold here. The food hall also houses small eateries and stalls selling ready made meals. These can be purchased for takeaway as well as for consumption on site at the public tables. Sometimes during bad weather days when it is very cold or wet, we find it convenient to grab an affordable lunch at such a food hall. Read more.
Azabudai Hills Kameido Gyoza 亀戸ぎょうざ
Kameido Gyoza is one the several mini- restaurants located inAzabudai Hills Market. The Kameido gyoza is said to be made with selected domestic vegetables and Tokiwa garlic (an Aomori garlic brand) and has a “.. taste that has been loved by locals and many celebrities alike”.
Azabudai Hills Market
Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza C 1F, B1F
1 Chome-2-4 Azabudai, Minato City, Tokyo 106-0041, Japan
There are various subway lines serving Azabudai Hills. We think the easiest access is via the direct connections to these stations:
Tokyo Metro Hibiya Line “Kamiyacho Station” Exit 5
Tokyo Metro Namboku Line Roppongi-Itchome Station Exit 4
Komekou Kioicho Modern Izakaya in Akasaka Tokyo
Izakayas are causal restaurants offering food and drinks, often at reasonable prices. Some of them only open for dinner. But enough of them are open for all day dining. Komekou Kioicho Modern Izakaya in Akasaka is one such budget-friendly lunch spot in Tokyo. Read more.
Komekou Kioicho 米幸
2F Kozaemon Terrace 1-2 Kioicho, Chiyoda City,
Tokyo 102-0094, Japan
(1 minute walk from Exit D of Akasaka-mitsuke Station on the Tokyo Metro)
Open Daily (including weekends): 11am-5pm (L.O 2:30pm) / 5pm-10pm (L.O 9pm)
Hakata Tempura Takao Parco Shibuya – Affordable Tempura in Tokyo
Hakata Tempura Takao Parco Shibuya is located on the 7th floor, the dining zone of the Parco department store in Shibuya. It is an affordable tempura restaurant which serves tempura straight from the chef’s wok to the diners at the counter.
Hakata Tempura Takao had managed to keep prices affordable by increasing the diners to chef ratio and having very efficient staff. Here, the two chefs on the elevated tempura cooking area managed to service around ten diners seated at the long counter. Read more.
Hakata Tempura Takao Parco
Shibuya Parco 7F, 15-1 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
Open Daily : 11 am to 10 pm
No reservations, first-come-first-served basis.
T’s Restaurant Jiyugaoka – Vegan Restaurant in a Stylish Tokyo Suburb
Jiyūgaoka is also considered one of the most desirable places to live in Tokyo. The tranquil middle class neighbourhood has lots of trendy shops and cafes is a popular tourist for those who prefer to visit a less congested part of Tokyo. The European architecture used in some of the homes and shops also adds an interesting touch to the place. One of the most often photographed touristy spots is the La Vita area shown in the photo below.
One healthy and budget-friendly lunch spots that we found in Jiyugaoka is T’s Restaurant. Vegetables are the star here. Read more.
T’s Restaurant
Luz Jiyugaoka B1F, 2-9-6 Jiyugaoka
Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-0035
(3 to 4 minutes on foot from the front exit of “Jiyugaoka Station” on the Tokyu Toyoko Line)
Open Daily : 11:30 am to 9 pm
Anjin Lounge in Tsutaya Books Daikanyama T-Site
Daikanyama is a trendy part of Tokyo that is popular with tourists. A relaxed atmosphere, high-end boutiques, trendy cafes and proximity near Shibuya are some of its highlights. One major star attraction is the Tsutaya Books store at Daikanyama T-Site.
Anjin Lounge sits on top of the Tsutaya Books store at the Daikanyama T-Site, Tokyo. It is a library & café where visitors can browse a large range of books while relaxing with a drink or over a meal We think it is a place for a good and affordable lunch or dinner in a fashionable part of Tokyo.
Anjin Lounge
Daikanyama T-Site
〒150-0033 17-5 Sarugakucho, Shibuya-ku
Tokyo, Japan
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