Looking for delicious, budget-friendly food in Tokyo?
This guide shares the best places to eat – from steaming bowls of tonkotsu ramen to fresh sushi delivered by high-speed chutes.
You’ll discover where to find tender beef bowls, crispy tempura, and authentic udon noodles.
These 10 restaurants prove you can enjoy amazing Japanese food without emptying your wallet. 😊
1. Ichiran
Ichiran is a popular ramen chain in Tokyo that serves delicious pork bone (tonkotsu) ramen. What makes it special is not just the food, but also how you eat it!
a. Ordering Process
- Buy your meal ticket from the entrance vending machine with English options
- Fill out a form to customize your ramen – choose broth richness, noodle firmness, garlic, and spice level
- Try their special red sauce made from 30+ ingredients
- Add extra toppings like egg, pork, mushrooms, or seaweed
- Order “Kae Dama” (extra noodles) if you have leftover broth
b. Dining Experience
- Eat in private booths for a focused ramen experience
- Removable partitions available for group dining
- Some locations like Shibuya are open 24/7
- Quick service through your booth window
c. Must-Try Items
- Classic Tonkotsu Ramen – their signature pork bone broth ramen
- Ichiran Select 5 – ramen with egg, mushrooms, pork, green onions, and seaweed
- Half-boiled salted egg – perfect with the rich broth
- Kikurage mushrooms – adds nice texture
- Original spicy red sauce – customize your heat level
d. Budget Consideration
- Expect 1,000-1,500 yen per meal
e. Locations
Read More: 10 Must-Buy Food Souvenirs Most Tourists Overlook in Tokyo
2. Unatoto
Unatoto is a Tokyo chain restaurant serving tasty, affordable unagi (grilled eel) dishes.
a. Ordering Process
- Order from an English menu at the counter
- Choose between unadon (eel on rice) or hitsumabushi (chopped eel on rice)
- Set meals come with extras like miso soup and pickles
- Both soft drinks and alcohol available
b. Dining Experience
- Casual setting with counter and table seating
- Cozy, welcoming atmosphere
- Quick service for those in a hurry
- Free self-serve tea stations
- May be crowded during peak times, especially in Asakusa
c. Menu Highlights
- Basic Unadon – grilled eel on rice (590 yen)
- Double Unadon – extra portion of eel for bigger appetites (1100 yen)
d. Budget Consideration
- Budget around 590-1,100 yen per person for a satisfying meal
e. Locations
Read More: 17 Must Try Foods in Tokyo
3. Ramen Nagi
Ramen Nagi is a Tokyo ramen shop known for its flavorful dried sardine (niboshi) ramen.
a. Ordering Process
- Buy tickets from the entrance vending machine
- Try their special “Ittan-men” – wide noodle strips for unique texture
- Add extras like pork slices, seasoned eggs, or seaweed
b. Dining Experience
- Shinjuku Golden Gai branch sits on second floor in historic nightlife area
- Cozy space with around 9 counter seats for intimate dining
- Surrounded by Tokyo’s old-world charm
- Quick, efficient service despite small space
- Open 24 hours for late-night cravings
c. Must-Try Items
- Unbelievable NIBOSHI Ramen – signature dish with 20+ types of dried sardines (1,350 yen)
- Fresh handmade medium-thick curly noodles
- Two noodle types available: thick curly and extra-thick flat
- The broth has a unique balance of bitterness, umami, and savoriness
- Classic toppings: chashu pork, bamboo shoots, green onions, seaweed
d. Budget Consideration
- Budget around 1,350-1,950 yen per person for a satisfying meal
e. Location
Read More: 10 Best Ramen Dishes in Tokyo
4. Uobei
Uobei Shibuya Dogenzaka is a modern Tokyo sushi restaurant famous for its high-speed sushi delivery system and budget-friendly prices.
a. Ordering Process
- Order via touchscreen menu in multiple languages
- Sushi arrives through high-speed chutes straight to your seat
- Order up to 3 items at once for maximum freshness
- Place multiple orders as you wish
b. Dining Experience
- Counter seating perfect for solo diners or small groups
- Casual, energetic atmosphere
- Self-serve green tea station at each seat
- Complimentary wasabi and soy sauce at your seat
c. Menu Highlights
- Most sushi plates only 130 yen
- Classic nigiri: tuna, salmon, shrimp
- Unique items: hamburger sushi, raisin cream cheese sushi
- Side dishes: ramen, udon, fried chicken
- Desserts: mochi and seasonal sweets
d. Budget Consideration
- Budget around 1,000-1,500 yen per person for a satisfying meal
e. Locations
Read More: 11 Must Try Street Foods in Tokyo
5. Yoshinoya
Yoshinoya is a fast-food chain in Tokyo famous for quick, affordable beef bowls (gyudon).
a. Ordering Process
- Order via tablets in English
- Some stores offer traditional counter ordering – just point and thumbs up
b. Dining Experience
- Fast service, especially busy during lunch
- Mix of counter and table seating, some multi-floor locations
- Self-serve drink bars with unlimited refills (additional fee)
- Try Yoshinoya C&C branches for cafe style with desserts
c. Menu Highlights
- Signature Beef Bowl (Gyudon): sliced beef and onions on rice
- Fried Chicken Bowl: Japanese-style chicken with sides
- Beef Sukiyaki: warming hot pot dish
d. Budget Consideration
- Prices range from about 500 to 1,000 yen for a standard meal
e. Locations
6. Hanamaru Udon
Hanamaru Udon is a Tokyo chain restaurant serving fresh, affordable udon noodles with various toppings.
a. Ordering Process
- Grab a tray from the stack at the entrance
- Select your preferred udon dish from the menu displayed above the counter
- Select tempura or side dishes from the self-service counter
- Once you’ve made your selections, pay at the cashier at the end of the line
b. Dining Experience
- Cafeteria-style setup for easy customization
- Free water and tea stations
- Complimentary tempura crumbs (tenkasu) available
- Return tray to designated area after eating
c. Menu Highlights
- Kake Udon: simple noodles in warm broth (330 yen)
- Beef Udon: topped with tender beef slices (690 yen)
- Kitsune Udon: with sweet fried tofu (490 yen)
- Various tempura options: shrimp, veggies, chicken
d. Budget Consideration
- Budget around 330-690 yen per person for a satisfying meal
e. Locations
Read More: 12 New Japan Snacks You Have to Try on Your Next Trip
7. Matsuya
Matsuya is a Tokyo fast-food chain serving affordable Japanese meals around the clock.
a. Ordering Process
- Buy meal tickets from entrance vending machine
- Choose from an English menu with pictures for easy selection
- Pay with cash or IC cards (Suica/Pasmo)
- Hand ticket to staff or place on counter
b. Dining Experience
- Many shops open 24/7
- Counter and table seating available
- Free miso soup when dining in
c. Menu Highlights
- Gyumeshi (Beef Bowl): sliced beef and onions on rice (430 yen)
- Curry Beef Rice: mild Japanese curry over rice (850 yen)
- Hamburg Steak Set: juicy patty with brown sauce (850 yen)
d. Budget Consideration
- Most meals range from 430 to 850 yen, making it budget-friendly.
e. Locations
Read More: 10 Most Dangerous Foods to Avoid in Japan
8. Tendon Tenya
Tendon Tenya is a Tokyo tempura chain known for affordable, crispy tempura bowls.
a. Ordering Process
- Order from English menu
- Choose main dish: tendon (tempura on rice), soba, or udon
- Pick rice size: small (-50 yen), large (+100 yen), or extra large (+170 yen)
- Add extra tempura: from green beans (80 yen) to prawn (230 yen)
b. Dining Experience
- Counter and table seating, some with upstairs areas
- Food is usually served within 10 minutes
- Free self-serve cold tea
c. Menu Highlights
- All-Star Tendon: prawn, squid, scallop, mushroom, lotus root, green beans (750 yen)
- Excellent Prawn and Squid Tendon: two prawns, squid, lotus root, green beans (740 yen)
- Irodori Tendon: prawn, chicken, chikuwa, kanikama, mushroom, green beans (860 yen)
d. Budget Consideration
- Meals are budget-friendly, typically ranging from 500 yen to 1,000 yen
e. Locations
Read More: 17 Wonderful Things to Do in Asakusa Tokyo
9. Sukiya
Sukiya is a Tokyo chain restaurant famous for affordable beef bowls (gyudon).
a. Ordering Process
- Order via touch panel tablets (English menu available)
- Tablets at each table and counter
- Browse menu and order directly on tablet
- Food delivered to your seat
b. Dining Experience
- Quick service, perfect for busy schedules
- Mix of counter and table seating
- Clean, casual atmosphere
c. Menu Highlights
- Gyudon: classic beef and onions on rice
- Kimchi Gyudon: spicy Korean-style version
- Cheese Gyudon: topped with melted cheese
- Pork Curry Rice: with Japanese curry sauce
d. Budget Consideration
- Most dishes range from 390 yen to 800 yen, making it budget-friendly
e. Locations
Read More: The Perfect 3-Day Tokyo Itinerary for You to Copy
10. Hakata Furyu
Hakata Furyu is a Tokyo ramen chain known for rich tonkotsu (pork bone) ramen.
a. Ordering Process
- Buy meal tickets from entrance vending machine (English menu available)
- Choose between tonkotsu or miso ramen
- Add extra toppings: green onions, eggs, pork slices
- Hand ticket to staff for order
b. Dining Experience
- Counter seating perfect for solo diners or small groups
- Quick, casual atmosphere
- Fast service
c. Menu Highlights
- Tonkotsu Ramen: creamy pork bone broth with thin noodles
- Miso Ramen: offers a richer, slightly spicy flavor for those seeking variety
d. Budget Consideration
- Expect to spend between 750 yen and 1,150 yen per meal.
e. Locations
Read More: The Ultimate Guide to Tokyo Travel
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