[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO Taito-ku BIb Gourmand 10(19)

Ponta Honke

  • 3-23-3 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Yoshoku

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Ponta’s taste, upheld by fourth-generation owner-chef Yoshihiko Shimada and his family, goes back generations. His famous cutlet is deep-fried in lard carefully taken from the fat of the pork he will fry. Work is done by hand, as it has been from the first generation. Fried anago (conger eel) and Japanese whiting are also popular. Pig’s-tongue stew, aged over three weeks, is even more popular and often sells out. Shimada compromises on nothing, which is why his customers keep coming back.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3831-2351

Tompachitei

  • 4-3-4 Ueno, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0005, Japan
  • ¥ · Tonkatsu

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

This homestyle restaurant was founded in 1947. Lard is used for frying since it goes well with the pork. It’s fried slowly at low temperatures, and the residual heat is used to cook the thick tonkatsu.The third-generation owner-chef incorporates Western cooking techniques he learned in Europe to take over the family business, into his careful preparations. If it’s your first time, we recommend the loin cutlet, with its good balance of red meat and fat.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

+81 3-3831-4209

KAMIYA

  • 3-18-18 Negishi, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0003, Japan
  • ¥ · Yoshoku

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The founder ran an import shop in 1925. He then began providing light meals to geisha in the pleasure quarter of Negishi, which was a flourishing district at the time, and later turned the place into a yoshoku restaurant. The specialities are beef stew and beef tongue stew, cooked for a long time to bring out the flavour. We also recommend the juicy minced meat cutlet.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-3873-2116

Tempura Otsuka

  • 2-12-11 Iriya, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 110-0013, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Tempura

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The owner-chef, born and raised in Iriya, is an artisan through and through. Proceedings are by the book, starting with milder flavours like tiger prawn, squid and sillago before proceeding to bolder tastes. Edomae toppings are favoured, such as tidepool gunnel and big-eyed flathead. Decorating the walls are senshagaku, wooden tablets typically posted on the pillars of shrines, inscribed with local supporters’ names. The characters suffuse the restaurant with the atmosphere of old neighbourhoods.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3873-8826

Asakusa Hirayama

  • 1-3-14 Nishiasakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0035, Japan
  • ¥ · Soba

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Owner-chef Hirayama’s soba journey began in New York, where he witnessed soba noodles being made. Aspiring to become a soba chef, upon his return to Japan he apprenticed at a Tokyo-style soba shop and his potential was noticed at a kappo. Both these threads of experience are evident at Asakusa Hirayama. In recognition of Tokyo gastronomic traditions, he favours a rich dipping sauce. The kaeshi for his kake soba uses a light soy sauce, taking a page from his simmered and boiled dishes.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-5830-6857

Sugita

  • 3-8-3 Kotobuki, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0042, Japan
  • ¥ · Tonkatsu

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Owner-chef Mitsuo Sato took over from his father along with his spirit of hospitality. This comes across not only in the meticulously prepared dishes but also in the immaculate counter and polished copper pot. He leaves the pork broth free of pieces of pork because, he says, the ultimate focus is the tonkatsu. High- and low-temperature lard is used depending on the meat, which is cooked slowly. The light-textured batter is robust in flavour, and the meat juicy and tender.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3844-5529

Torinao

  • 1-5-9 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0034, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Yakitori

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The umami of brand-name chicken from Yamanashi, grilled over Kishu-binchotan (white charcoal), comes more from the meat than from the sweetness of its fat. Liver is sprinkled with sansho before grilling; breast meat is dressed with yuzu pepper for a change of flavour. Applying his experience in Japanese cuisine, the chef offers rape blossoms as shiraae (salad with sesame seeds) and summer vegetables as surinagashi (pureed soup) to alternate with the skewers.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3843-5805

Onigiri Asakusa Yadoroku

  • 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan
  • ¥ · Onigiri

    MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

    Ingredients are displayed behind a glass case, as in a sushi shop. Yosuke Miura, the third-generation owner-chef, listens to his customer’s order and immediately begins moulding it by hand. Before taking over the reins here, he was a flautist. In classical music, you play what’s written on the music sheet. Onigiri is the same, says Miura; you don’t try to do something new. Yadoroku is a score handed down from his grandmother, one which he will reproduce faithfully.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining
+81 3-3874-1615

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

This bistro is supervised by the owner Arai of HOMMAGE. In the kitchen is Chef Matsumoto, who spent time together with him in France. They prepare traditional dishes without excess. Standard offerings include pâté de campagne, smoked salmon and steak and fries. The Asakusa roots show in such touches as serving a rice dish at the end.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6458-1255

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO sumida-ku BIb Gourmand 5(18)

Tonkatsu Hasegawa

  • 3-24-1 Ryogoku, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0026, Japan
  • ¥ · Tonkatsu

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Sangenton pork is a cross between three breeds of pig. The owner-chef was particularly impressed by the product of a Sangenton pork especially those produced by farmers in Tochigi. You get to enjoy it three times, first with wasabi and rock salt, then with oroshi ponzu and finally with tonkatsu sauce. Giving the assortments of loin, tenderloin, croquettes and other items names like ‘Yokozuna’ and ‘Ozeki’ is very Ryogoku, reflecting the area’s strong sumo presence.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Cash only – lunch
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-5625-2929

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Chef Kawamura trained in Paris before opening this restaurant. While based on traditional cuisine, he prizes the idea he learned from the French of bringing his own inimical style to the preparations. The uni pain perdu is uni with French toast. Wine goes well with the thick orange sauce of the shrimp and burrata dish. The name of the restaurant means ‘step’, the first of which he has already taken toward attaining greater heights as a chef.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-5809-7452

 

Edosoba Hosokawa

  • 1-6-5 Kamezawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0014, Japan
  • ¥ · Soba

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Chef Hosokawa tours producing regions in search of the highest-quality buckwheat. He kneads his soba noodles reverently and you can compare buckwheat from different regions, tasting the unique character the terroir impart to each. The spring ‘Wakatake’ with bamboo shoots and wakame is fragrant with the aroma of young pepper leaves. In summer, ‘Hiyakaki’ includes the luxury of large oysters. Visiting to taste the soba of each season is one of the pleasures of Edosoba Hosokawa.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
+81 3-3626-1125

sugahara

  • 2F, 2-14-1 Kotobashi, Sumida-ku, Tokyo, 130-0022, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Italian

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The concept here is simple dishes based on local cuisine, and wine to go with them. As such, the chef creates orthodox dishes, and the sommelier pairs them with wine. Wild vegetables, summer vegetables and mushrooms are procured from Yonezawa according to the season, which is reflected in the salad and garnishes. Another treat is the wild game in winter, including boar, deer and bear.

+81 3-6659-3654

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO suginami-ku BIb Gourmand 11(17)

Sasaki Seimenjo

  • 4-26-10 Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 167-0042, Japan
  • ¥ · Ramen

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Chef Sasaki’s ideal is simply, “everything is delicious”. Such a great statement! With ‘seimenjo’, or ‘noodle factory’, in the name, his use of Japanese wheat is definitely a selling point. Out of love for his home region, he uses salt and soy sauce sourced from Akita Prefecture. Clear soup of chicken and seafood seems somehow nostalgic. The goal is to be a restaurant that yearns for its home region. Produce is purchased from nearby shops, so as Sasaki Seimenjo prospers, so does Nishiogikubo.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

+81 3-5303-9510

Sennomago

  • 4-4-2 Nishiogikita, Suginami-ku, Tokyo, 167-0042, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Chinese

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The focus here is on traditional Sichuan and Shanghai cuisine. Believing in the necessity of a good diet for good health, the chef uses Chinese herbal medicine and homemade seasonings. Vegetables sent from his family home in Oita are another selling point. Spicy chicken and Chen mapo tofu are the specialities. Pork fillet sautéed with black vinegar and fish stewed with green onions and soy sauce are Shanghai-style dishes. Try the Sichuan pancakes, created in the 1940s.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
+81 3-3390-4808

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO shinjuku-ku BIb Gourmand 17(16)

Spicy Curry Roka

  • 1-24-7 Hyakunincho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0073, Japan
  • ¥ · Curry

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The name is a portmanteau of the character ‘Ro’ from Taiwanese ‘minced pork rice’ dish and ‘Ka’ from ‘curry’. Combining dishes from Taiwan and India, the ‘Roka Plate’ conveys Eri Saito’s love of curry. Her passion for learning more about it is insatiable and she travels the world to that end. Her motivation is the spices, and she breathes new life into the world of curry with dishes like French-style duck keema curry and Chinese-style mapo tofu curry.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

+81 3-3367-7111

Tonkatsu Hinata

  • 2-13-9 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0075, Japan
  • ¥ · Tonkatsu

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Two very different types of pork are used here: Sangen pork, whose feed includes herbs used in Chinese medicine, is tender and refined, whereas Kagoshima black pork is lean and rich in flavour. We recommend the flavoursome rib roast if you go for the Sangen pork. The dinner set menu is interesting, with bite-sized pieces, fried one at a time, of everything from standard offerings such as sirloin and tenderloin to rare parts such as eye of round and jowl.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-6380-2424

L’AMITIE

  • 2-9-12 Takadanobaba, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 169-0075, Japan
  • ¥¥ · French

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Tucked away in a backstreet of the teeming student quarter of Takadanobaba is the red façade of l’Amitié. As French radio broadcasts play in the background, the proprietress leads the spirits of the diners with her bustling service. Lunch consists of set menus of appetizers and mains; dinners are à la carte. Country-style meat terrines, duck confit and hearty hometown cooking await the hungry diner. The restaurant recalls the ambience of Paris from Chef Miyashita’s training.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only

+81 3-5272-5010

Kirimugiya Jinroku

  • 1-17-1 Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0022, Japan
  • ¥ · Udon

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The owner-chef pursues his own take on udon that is neither Sanuki nor Inaniwa. He serves the noodles freshly made and just boiled to make sure they are full-bodied and chewy. He says that stretching the noodles before boiling gives them just the right chewiness. The ‘Oyakoten’, which features chicken and egg tempura on top, is a popular choice. At dinner, various shuko are offered so you can enjoy appetisers specifically for udon.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
+81 3-6273-2646

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted

+81 3-3226-1588

Arakicho Rokkan

  • 2F, 1-1 Arakicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0007, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Japanese

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Richly imaginative cooking and aged sake co-star in this culinary production. Delivered fresh from producers with whom the owner-chef has close relationships, ingredients are seasoned with salted rice malt, fish sauce and fermented wasabi. Spices are applied in meat dishes, and curries are on offer. With ingenious twists and tricks, he strikes up synergies between his dishes and aged sake. With its unique flavours and aromas, the fare at Arakicho Rokkan leaves a lasting impression.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3359-5595

you-en

  • 2F, 6-39 Arakicho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo, 160-0007, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Chinese

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Owner-chef Ouchi takes a freewheeling approach to interpreting Chinese cuisine. The Uni Yuba appetiser is a speciality of uni marinated in Shaoxing wine and served on a yuba mousse. The popular Mao Zedong spareribs and black fried rice are essentials for the ‘secret menu’. The name, using characters for ‘play’ (‘yuu’) and ‘monkey’ (‘en’), refers to the kitchen as ‘a playground born in the Year of the Monkey’. It is also a play on Chef Ouchi’s desire to establish a connection (en) with you (yuu).

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Cash only – lunch
  • Counter dining
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6274-8987

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO Shinagawa-ku BIb Gourmand 4 (15)

Mochibuta Tonkatsu Taiyo

  • 3-22-7 Koyama, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 142-0062, Japan
  • ¥ · Tonkatsu

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The name ‘Taiyo’ means ‘sun,’ invoking the vigour of the sun as it rises each day. To bring out the soft texture of the pork, the meat is fried at a low temperature, using vegetable oil for a light finish. The calligraphy on the wall reads ‘The pork looks bigger on your neighbour’s plate’—a tonkatsu version of ‘the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.’ Something to share a smile about while you wait for your order.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining
+81 3-3786-1464

BistroCaniche

  • 2-18-25 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021, Japan
  • ¥¥ · French

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The owner-chef learnt broadmindedness from his years of training in French cuisine. He was inspired, too, by the food culture of pursuing originality while emphasising tradition. His speciality is bouillabaisse. The rich soup brings out the flavour of fragrantly grilled seafood, and the leftover soup is used to make risotto. The seasonal terrines are unique, featuring ingredients such as barracuda and eggplant or crab and Chinese cabbage.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6303-9287

Yakitori Abe

  • 3-3-4 Kamiosaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 141-0021, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Yakitori

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The chef assembles the sequence of yakitori chicken cuts according to customer preferences. To their delight, he starts beer drinkers off with chicken breast and wine tipplers with chicken heart. Seasoning is simple: salt, sauce or soy sauce, depending on the item—whichever best brings out the flavour. The top recommendation is the chicken wings, which ticks all three boxes. The skin is fragrant, the meat and fat are sweet, and the umami unique to meat on the bone.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-5422-9834

Homemade Ramen Muginae

  • 6-11-10 Minamioi, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo, 140-0013, Japan
  • ¥ · Ramen

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The owner-chef wants the natural flavours of the ingredients to come through in each bowl. The chicken-based soup using free-range chicken in the standard soy sauce flavoured ramen is rich in umami. A combination of dashi from beef, pork and seafood makes for a complex flavour. Numerous toppings are offered for customers to enjoy a variety of different tastes. The roasted wagyu and chicken and homemade wontons are popular.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO shibuya-ku BIb Gourmand 38 (14)

Nihao

  • 2F, 2-27-4 Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0066, Japan
  • ¥ · Dumplings

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The owner-chef learned dim sum from a Chinese artisan during his time training. When he went out on his own, he chose to specialise in boiled, grilled and deep-fried gyoza dumplings. Rather than using minced meat, he chops the pork with a Chinese knife to give it texture. The chewy boiled gyoza is prepared after the order is received. The grilled and deep-fried gyoza are fragrant and juicy and you can order however many you want of each.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Booking essential
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

+81 3-3465-0747

SUSHI SOTATSU

  • 1-58-7 Hommachi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0071, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Sushi

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The restaurant is named after Tawaraya Sotatsu, the 15th–16th-century painter famed for his Wind God and Thunder God screen paintings. The basket clam ichiban-dashi is a thoughtful touch, meant to soothe the liver before drinking. The relaxed way of ordering sushi one item at a time underscores why having a ‘neighbourhood sushi bar’ is so enjoyable. Transparent billing (without any evasive ‘market prices’) is reassuring. Sushi the way it was meant to be is back.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Booking essential
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-3374-1650

Concerto

  • B1F, 1-29-5 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0064, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Italian

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

While based on Italian, the dishes are unique in their use of domestic ingredients such as seaweed and citrus fruits. An example of this is the hamo fritters with ume sauce. As the name ‘Concerto’ suggests, you’ll be treated to a harmonious performance by chef Iguchi, the conductor, and sommelier Harada, the concert master. The Italian dishes, Japanese ingredients, and wine from various countries come together to create a symphony.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Booking essential
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Particularly interesting wine list
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6804-8794

Kigaruniwashoku Dan

  • 1-33-12 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0064, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Izakaya

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The great variety on the menu makes for a truly diner-friendly culinary experience, with a broad selection of dishes offered. It ranges from familiar dishes like cold tofu and potato salad, to more ambitious items like fruit shiraae, and steamed head or kabutoni of fresh fish from Owase City in Mie Prefecture. There are also dishes like pasta or curry to finish with. This is a restaurant for the freewheeling enjoyment of all kinds of food.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Booking essential
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6804-8935

Nakatogawa

  • 2F, 1-33-12 Uehara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0064, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Izakaya

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

At this restaurant, you’ll find a blend of Japanese and traditional Italian dishes. The owner-chef trained extensively in Italian cuisine before opening his own restaurant. Standard menu items include caprese and several kinds of handmade pasta. He also prepares dishes he enjoyed as a child, such as shiraae, nimono and rice cooked in an earthenware pot. Being able to enjoy genuine dishes in a casual izakaya-like atmosphere is also appealing.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Booking essential
  • Counter dining
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card

+81 3-6416-8086

Andagyoza

  • 3-21-2 Nishihara, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 151-0066, Japan
  • ¥ · Dumplings

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The speciality here is healthy boiled gyoza dumplings, offered in four varieties. Light on the stomach, the fillings include ginger, Szechuan pickles and curry. As no garlic or Chinese chives are used, they won’t stay on the breath, and this makes them popular with diners. If you want to try all of them, we recommend the teishoku. There are also some unique items such as wood ear mushroom stew and mapo tofu made without oil.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Reservations not accepted
  • Visa credit card

Information

+81 3-6407-8813

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO setagaya-ku BIb Gourmand 19 (13)

Tohakuan Karibe

  • 4-23-19 Kasuya, Setagaya-ku, Tokyo, 157-0063, Japan
  • ¥ · Soba

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

Using European chairs in an otherwise Japanese atmosphere sets this dining room apart. The décor suggests a bamboo grove, recalling owner-chef Masakazu Karibe’s apprenticing days. He grinds unpolished buckwheat from Nagano and Niigata Prefectures finely, crafting soba noodles that are silky-smooth. Sobagaki squeezed into balls using a cloth tastes velvety smooth. The signature tempura soba at his mentor’s place so deeply impressed him that it confirmed his decision to apprentice as a soba chef.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Booking essential
  • Credit card / Debit card accepted
  • Diners Club credit card
  • JCB
  • Mastercard credit card
  • Visa credit card
+81 3-6879-8998

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO ota-ku BIb Gourmand 5 (12)

Higawa

  • 1-54-10 Kitasenzoku, Ota-ku, Tokyo, 145-0062, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Izakaya

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

At this restaurant, you can enjoy local sake from all over Japan together with exquisite dishes. Sake servings start at 90ml, so you can taste-test, too. The dish portions are on the smaller side, meaning you can try a variety. We recommend starting with the assorted sashimi. The horse mackerel karaage and seasonal stews are also popular. This is a great spot for the drinker who also likes good food.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Booking essential
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining
  • Notable sake list
+81 3-3718-8760

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO nerima-ku BIb Gourmand 1 (11)

Toricho

  • 4-31-8 Toyotamakita, Nerima-ku, Tokyo, 176-0012, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Yakitori

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

The priority here is freshness and quality, so only chickens slaughtered that morning are bought in from a trusted producer. Only an omakase menu is offered so the owner-chef can use the whole chicken without waste. Items like lotus root stuffed with ground chicken and vinegar-marinated fried chicken are served in between the yakitori. Ramen with chicken dashi is served at the end. Also popular in winter are the white broth chicken nabe and foie gras nabe.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Booking essential
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

+81 3-3992-4528

[MICHELIN GUIDE JAPAN] TOKYO nakano-ku BIb Gourmand 2 (10)

Nakano Chuka ! Sai

  • 1-6-1 Nogata, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 165-0027, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Chinese

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

‘Sai’ is the character for ‘dish’ in Chinese; the characters for ‘colourful’ and ‘individuality’ are also pronounced ‘sai’ in Japanese – Chef Miyata combines all three ideas. For his famous Cantonese cuisine, he sources seafood from Miyazaki and Nagasaki prefectures. Mainstay offerings include sashimi salad and steamed whole fish. The homemade dim sum includes some surprising items, such as seafood gyoza of walleye pollack roe, potherb mustard, and steamed pork dumplings stuffed with tomatoes.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • Cash only
  • Counter dining

Information

+81 3-6454-0925

Sushi Yoshino

  • B1F, 2-30-2 Chuo, Nakano-ku, Tokyo, 164-0011, Japan
  • ¥¥ · Sushi

MICHELIN Guide’s Point Of View

This Edomae sushi restaurant offers both individually ordered items and omakase. The second-generation owner-chef, having learned his skills from his predecessor, holds court behind the counter with his son. For first-timers, we recommend the Edomae Nigiri: 10 nigiri with elaborate toppings such as zuke-maguro, gizzard shad seasoned with vinegar and salt, and anago coated in nitsume. Kanpyo and tekkamaki (tuna roll) make a fitting end to your meal. Enjoy sushi in this old-time Tokyo setting.

Facilities & Services

  • Air conditioning
  • American Express credit card
  • Booking essential
  • Cash only – lunch

Information

+81 3-3371-8426