Favourite Budget Eats in Japan That Feel Anything But Cheap

Japan boasts an incredible food culture that has made its mark around the world, where popular dishes like ramen and sushi have become household names. But flavors are localized as soon as they leave the country and only large chains make it to the global stage. Meanwhile, tourist-friendly restaurants in Japan are often significantly more expensive than an unknown, unmarketed local shop with no English menu. If you truly want to experience the uniquely local identity of Japanese food culture, check out some of these budget-friendly spots that have mostly stayed out of the limelight.

Tips for Exploring Local Restaurants in Japan

Japanese restaurants that fall out of the tourist radar often don’t have English menus and may sometimes require ordering from vending machines without translations. Don’t be intimidated: Google Translate has a camera function where you can take photos of Japanese text and receive translations directly on the photos, which will help you navigate around local menus. As small restaurants don’t offer wifi, make sure to have a reliable eSIM so you can easily use Google Maps to find your destination and access translation apps for a seamless ordering experience.

If you have special dietary requirements, it would be best to use also apps like HappyCow to target restaurants, as the language barrier may cause risks. Make sure to always have cash ready as small restaurants––especially local food spots with no marketing or social media presence––usually don’t accept any other payment method. There are some unique quirks that play out in the local food culture, such as the unique ordering method for Jiro Ramen, so some preliminary research will be helpful if it’s your first time exploring these largely unvisited culinary destinations.

Must-Visit Budget Food Spots in Tokyo

Curry Planet (Planet of Curry)

Image Credit: Pendulum Magazine

Nestled among an endless stream of vintage shops and independent cafés in the heart of Shimokitazawa, Curry Planet is only identifiable by small signage that can almost be mistaken for omurice, but the waft of characteristically Indian spices that seeps through the front door says otherwise. This restaurant specialises in curries influenced by Indian cuisine, from keema curry to bean curry and everything in between. At just 1,500 yen, you can mix and match two curries paired with rice to explore unique umami from rare curry combinations, beautifully embellished with small fruits, flowers, and greens. The drinks menu also includes hard-to-find options like hot wine, lassi, and spiced soda, all of which are worth trying.

Curry Planet has made rounds on Japanese social media, but it isn’t well-known by tourists. If you visit, keep in mind that the crowd waiting outside is not a line. Approach the unmanned tablet in front of the store and interact with it to receive a number, which restaurant staff will call out once seats are ready. An English menu is available and prices are not different from the local version––so make sure to ask for it!

• Price Range: Curry Planet’s signature two-curry set is 1,500 yen, giving you a choice of 4 different curries. They also serve a lunch set with a smaller serving of curry with a drink and dessert at a similar price point. Bento boxes go upward to 2,000 yen and are great if you want to order for take-out. Drinks are around 700 yen, more or less. Cash and card accepted.x
• Location: Shimokitazawa
• Instagram: @this.is.curry.planet
• Website: Curry Planet

Curry Shop Alps

Image Credit: Tabelog

Curry Shop Alps is a curry shop that has remained a fixture in Tokyo Station’s Yaesu Shopping Mall (super close to Big Echo Karaoke)  for over a decade. It’s popular for a reason: The restaurant serves delicious homestyle curry at lightning-fast speed and incredible price points. While larger chains like Coco Ichibanya may glamor with their bright marketing and novel ingredients, sometimes a simple katsu curry is all you need after a long day travelling, or in-between commutes. There are also special gems in this local legend, including mackerel miso curry, breakfast curry with a fried egg (weekdays only), fried noodle curry, curry croquettes, spicy chicken curry, mapo tofu curry, and various other flavours that have been so tethered to local tastebuds that they can’t be found anywhere else in the world. On a hungrier day, consider ordering a special stamina curry with large portions of rice, meat, and––of course––curry.

What really sets Curry Shop Alps apart is its approachable pricing, which hasn’t changed much over the past 10 years, making it a popular spot for office workers and students. Do note that you have to pay by vending machine, so be prepared with cash or a loaded IC card (Suica, Pasmo, etc). English instructions are provided on the vending machine and popular menu items are translated. Google Translate’s camera feature can help fill in the gaps.

• Price Range: Curries range from 500 yen for regular portions to 700 yen for big sizes. Additional meat, toppings, and sides range from 120 to 350 yen. The restaurant often does promos for katsu curry at under 500 yen, and you can get a free rice upsize on Mondays and Thursdays (usually 120 yen).
• Location: Yaesu Shopping Mall (Tokyo Station)
• Tabelog (Menu): ALPS

Hot Spoon

Image Credit: Gourmand Tokyo

Hot Spoon is a Japanese curry chain with two branches around Tokyo, which has made a name for itself for its slow-cooked stewed beef tendon curry, simmered for over 6 hours before serving. Its curry concoction boasts a portfolio of over 14 spices, resulting in an incredibly powerful umami that you can enjoy without breaking the bank. At around 1,000 yen per meal, Hot Spoon serves variations of the stewed beef tendon curry, hamburg and brisket curry, pork cutlet curry, and vegetable curry, which can be paired with a range of side dishes. It also offers Indian-style curries with distinct flavour profiles, all served on a hot plate to keep your meal warm throughout the dining experience. Spice levels and portion sizes are customisable to your preferences. Drink options include beer and chai.

Hot Spoon is a popular spot among locals and is gaining popularity among travellers, so an English menu is available in the store. It usually sees lines during peak meal hours, but the wait isn’t usually incredibly long. The restaurant is also on Uber Eats for days you prefer to order in.

• Price Range: Curries range from 990 to 1,300 yen depending on portion size, while side dishes are 110 to 390 yen, and drinks are 270 to 550 yen.
• Location:
  • Gotanda
  • Nishi-Shinjuku
• Website (Menu): Hot Spoon
• Tabelog: Hot Spoon

Menya Hyottoko

Image Credit: Ramen Guide Japan

Menya Hyottoko is a hidden gem quite literally hidden in the basement of Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan, a shopping mall connected to JR Yurakucho Station. While basement food courts usually aren’t noteworthy and are often skipped by tourists, you’ll regret not giving Menya Hyottoko a chance, especially if you’re on the lookout for good ramen at reasonable prices in the middle of Tokyo. The shop specialises in yuzu ramen, something they do so well that they have been highly rated in local ramen publications on multiple occasions. Hyottoko uses Chintan broth in their ramen, which is lighter and clearer than typical tonkotsu. Their meat has been praised for its extreme melt-in-the-mouth tenderness and the addition of yuzu offers a citrusy kick that perfectly balances against the umami of the ramen broth, offering a flavour profile like no other.

Menya Hyottoko’s menu consists of only yuzu ramen and regular ramen, which speaks volumes about their expertise. The shop is small with about seven counter seats, and all orders are placed on a cash-only vending machine. While there are only two ramen options, the menu is a little larger with variations in portion size and toppings, and we recommend using Google Translate as there are no English translations. We strongly suggest avoiding mealtime rush hours on the weekdays as this location is frequented by office workers, so it may be a long wait to get a seat.

• Price Range: Ramen prices range from 780 to 1,200 yen depending on portion size. Add-ons range from 100 to 250 yen. Cash only.
• Location: Tokyo Kotsu Kaikan (B1)
• Tabelog: Menya Hyottoko Kotsukan Ten

Nishiarai Ramen

Image Credit: Tripadvisor

You can’t get more local than Nishiarai Ramen, a lowkey, easily missable ramen shop located on the Tobu Isesaki Line (also known as the Tobu Skytree Line) in Nishiarai Station. It’s situated directly between Platforms 3 and 4, similar to where a NewDays would typically be, so if your train arrives at the platform, be careful to find the shop before going up to the ticket gates. The little stall was set up to service people between commutes. With no seats, you’ll have to stand on the counter to slurp up some old-style ramen––but that makes the experience feel all the more local!

Nishiarai specialises in curry ramen, which is served with meat and vegetables and thin noodles, and soy sauce-based broth infused with curry roux. At only 620 yen, the pricing is unbeatable amid the rising food costs in metropolitan Tokyo. The small menu includes corn, menma, bean sprout, and char siu ramen, as well as curry rice, wonton noodles, and a plethora of typical ramen add-ons. White Nishiarai Ramen isn’t embellished with novelties, it offers simple and thoughtful flavours, and hearty meals that are perfect on busy days or days when you want to save but not skimp on flavours.

• Price Range: Nishiarai Ramen’s meals all range from 620 to 850 yen, and it costs an additional 100 yen for larger portions. Additional toppings and sides like eggs, rice, kimchi, and more cost between 40 to 250 yen. You must place orders on a cash-only vending machine.
• Location: Nishiarai Station (Floor 1, between Platforms 3 & 4)
• Tabelog: Nishiarai Ramen

Chuka Soba Hirai (Ramen Hirai)

Image Credit: Ramen Guide Japan

Chuku Soba Hirai is a ramen shop that is famous for its tsukemen, which is characterised by thick and chewy noodles paired with flavourful dipping sauce and toppings. Because the sauce is extremely rich, tsukemen is eaten by dipping noodles into sauce rather than combining them in a single bowl. While there are plenty of restaurants with the same specialty in Tokyo, Chuku Soba Hirai is a particular favourite due to the chef’s masterful expertise that combines perfectly chewy noodles with a unique broth that builds upon the foundations of tonkotsu (pork bones) with dried fish and bonito, enhancing its overall umami. In addition to tsukemen, the restaurant also serves chukasoba, which is a traditional ramen made with Chinese-style noodles, and is reminiscent of classic soy sauce-based tonkotsu ramen with a heaping of char siu.

The shop tends to be busy as it’s popular among locals and is a pilgrimage spot for ramen enthusiasts, so be prepared to line up for up to an hour, especially during peak meal hours. Here are some tips for your arrival: The shop is closed on Tuesdays and only serves chukasoba on Fridays. They sometimes sell out of tsukemen early, so try visiting earlier rather than later. Timing is important if you want to enjoy this spot, making it a place for a novelty visit rather than a quick meal.

• Price Range: Most meals range from 1,000 to 1,900 yen depending on portion size. While the pricing is not the lowest for ramen, the smallest portions are much larger than the usual, and are equal to a medium or large size in other restaurants, so the pricing is rather fair in terms of portion size. The restaurant is cash-only and orders are taken through a vending machine.
• Location: Fuchu
• X: @tyukasoba_hirai
• Tabelog: Chuku Soba Hirai

Ramen Jiro Meguro-Ten

Image Credit: Ramen Guide Japan

Jiro ramen is a cult-favourite ramen style that serves as an antithesis to traditional Japanese ramen. They are foundationally the same in the use of tonkotsu (pork bone) and soy sauce-based broth, but Jiro ramen is significantly richer in flavour due to heavier concentrations of oil and fat, paired with thick, chewy noodles and massive amounts of toppings like thick-cut char siu, cabbage, pork fat, and bean sprouts piled like a dome. In contrast, traditional ramen is made with thinner noodles with varying hardness and thinner cuts of char siu and bamboo shoots, which are served in conservative portions to maintain an overall flavour balance.

Jiro ramen has become a subculture in itself, amassing a fanbase of ramen enthusiasts. Be prepared to wait in long lines especially during mealtimes, as the Meguro branch is particularly frequented by university students. The ordering process for any Jiro ramen is unique, so it’s important to come prepared.

First, you start by paying in cash through a vending machine, where you can choose your base ramen and portion size. Be aware that the small size is much larger than usual. Once seated, the chef will begin preparing your order and will ask you a series of questions:

• First, they may or may not ask “ニンニク 入れますか (ninniku iremasuka?),” which means “add garlic?” Here, you can answer “sonomama” or “hai” if you want the normal amount of garlic. If you want more, say “ninniku mashi.” If you don’t want any, answer “ninniku iranai.”
• After, they may or may not ask “トッピングは (toppingu wa?),” which means “toppings?” For specific toppings, respond with “yasai” for vegetables, “abura” for pork fat, “karame” for sauce to get the default amount. You can answer “zen mashi” if you would like extra of all toppings. Add “mashi” after a topping to specifically ask for more of it, or “mashi mashi” if you want a whole lot. Add “iranai” at the end if you don’t want something. There are no extra costs for toppings, but try to only order what you can finish.

The ordering process may be a little intimidating at first, especially given the fast pacing, so we recommend keeping the above responses ready for a seamless experience.

• Price Range: The price for a bowl of ramen ranges from 600 to 900 yen. Portion sizes, even for the cheapest 600 yen bowl, are extremely large and extra toppings come at no additional cost. Due to the low pricing and few seats, the staff does expect you to eat quickly, in line with the local ramen culture. Payments are made through a cash-only vending machine.
• Location: Meguro
• Tabelog: Ramen Jiro Meguro Ten

Hoshino Coffee

Image Credit: Kyushu Tourism Organization

A real Nakama staple Hoshino Coffee offers a refined slice of Japan’s retro café culture in the heart of most Japanese cities, standing out with its softly lit wooden interiors and the aroma of hand-dripped coffee. Famous for its classic interiors, creamy flans, soufflé pancakes—pillowy soft, tall, and golden brown—Hoshino has earned a loyal following among locals looking to slow down over a warm cup and a sweet treat.

The famous menu highlights both sweet and savoury classics, from fluffy pancakes and thick-cut toast to omurice, pasta, and traditional “morning sets” served until 11am, making it a versatile stop any time of day.
While Hoshino Coffee has become a chain, each branch retains an inviting, old-world ambiance that makes lingering over a meal feel special.

Staff will seat you and take your order at the table, so there’s no need for a vending machine or self-service. It’s a popular spot for breakfast, weekend brunch, or a peaceful afternoon coffee, but try to avoid peak hours if you want to relax.
Price Range: Coffee and tea range from 400 to 700 yen. The signature soufflé pancake is about 600 yen, with set meals and savoury options starting at 700 yen. Most branches accept cash and cards (MONZO always works).

• Price Range: Coffee and tea range from 400 to 700 yen. The signature soufflé pancake is about 600 yen, with set meals and savoury options starting at 700 yen. Most branches accept cash and cards (MONZO always works).
• Location: Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, and more (locations across Japan)
• Instagram: @hoshino_coffee_official
• Website: Hoshino Coffee

Denny’s Japan

Denny’s Japan reinvents the American diner with a distinctly local twist, offering everything from Japanese teishoku (set meals) to playful takes on Western comfort food. The menu is expansive—omelet rice draped in demi-glace, crispy tonkatsu sets, grilled fish, curry, and a dazzling range of parfaits and pancakes. For families and solo diners alike, Denny’s is a reliable spot for a quick, satisfying meal any time, day or night.

Denny’s branches are airy, family-friendly, and open late (many 24 hours), with a streamlined table service system. Menus come with pictures and, in city branches, often include English, making it easy to order. There’s no need to tip, and payment is at the register on your way out. It’s popular at lunch and dinner, but easy to visit off-peak.

Price Range: Breakfasts and desserts start at 400 yen. Lunch and dinner sets are 700–1,200 yen. Drinks and sweets 300–500 yen. Most branches accept cash, card, and IC cards.

• Price Range: Breakfasts and desserts start at 400 yen. Lunch and dinner sets are 700–1,200 yen. Drinks and sweets 300–500 yen. Most branches accept cash, card, and IC cards.
• Location: Countrywide, including Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ueno.
• Instagram: @dennysjp_official
• Website: Denny’s Japan

Sukiya

Sushiro is Japan’s favourite conveyor-belt sushi chain, blending affordability and fun for a true local dining adventure. Step inside and you’ll find plates of nigiri, rolls, and sides spinning past, each colour-coded for price, with most sushi plates set at a budget-friendly 120 yen. Specials like seared salmon, uni, or seasonal creations rotate on and off the belt, and you can always order fresh from the touchpad at your table (English available).

The system is seamless: take a ticket at the door if there’s a wait, stack your plates as you eat, and pay at the counter at the end. Drinks and sides like mini ramen and chawanmushi are popular additions. Sushiro is family-friendly, lively, and an ideal place to fill up for a fraction of high-end sushi prices.

Price Range: Breakfasts and desserts start at 400 yen. Lunch and dinner sets are 700–1,200 yen. Drinks and sweets 300–500 yen. Most branches accept cash, card, and IC cards.

• Price Range: Beef bowls from 400 to 700 yen depending on size and toppings. Curry and other set meals from 500 to 900 yen. Most branches accept cash, card, and IC cards.
• Location: Countrywide.
• Instagram: @sukiya_jp
• Website: Sukiya JP

Sushiro

Sushiro is Japan’s favourite conveyor-belt sushi chain, blending affordability and fun for a true local dining adventure. Step inside and you’ll find plates of nigiri, rolls, and sides spinning past, each colour-coded for price, with most sushi plates set at a budget-friendly 120 yen. Specials like seared salmon, uni, or seasonal creations rotate on and off the belt, and you can always order fresh from the touchpad at your table (English available).

The system is seamless: take a ticket at the door if there’s a wait, stack your plates as you eat, and pay at the counter at the end. Drinks and sides like mini ramen and chawanmushi are popular additions. Sushiro is family-friendly, lively, and an ideal place to fill up for a fraction of high-end sushi prices.

• Price Range: Most plates 120 yen. A meal typically ranges from 1,000 to 2,000 yen per person. Cash, card, and QR code payment accepted.
• Location: Countrywide.
• Instagram: @akindosushiroco
• Website: Sushiro JP

Tanaka-ya

Image Credit: Tabelog

Tanaka-ya is a family-run soba restaurant in Asakusabashi, and has gained popularity among locals for its incredible menu at unbeatable price points. They specialise in handmade soba served in popular variations, including mori soba, tempura soba, curry nanban soba, kitsune udon (which you may want to try if you’re a fan of Genshin Impact’s Yae Miko), chilled tanuki soba noodles, as well as a few rice meals like curry rice. Most regulars come back for the curry nanban soba, which is often ordered with rice.

Tanaka-ya is the epitome of a local legend, which is frequented by a stream of regulars who flock during meal times and is rarely explored by foreign patrons. With a retro interior and a menu made up of wooden plaques, the inside of the restaurant feels like stepping into a fragment of the past. It was rumored to have operated for nearly a hundred years, and has continued to serve recipes passed down from the Taisho era. It’s a special place where you can find cheap soba with flavours that are deeply rooted in history.

• Price Range: Tanaka-ya’s soba bowls are incredibly priced at 400 to 600 yen depending on portion size. They only accept cash.
• Location: Asakusabashi
• Tabelog: 多奈可家

Sushi Tsurikin Nihonbashi

Image Credit: Tabelog

Sushi in Japan can come in polarising price points, especially because a difference of a few hours between catching and slicing can make a huge difference in freshness and, in turn, in how the fish is priced. In conveyor belt restaurants, it can be even more difficult to track costs, so we strongly recommend setting your sights on smaller local shops that serve high-quality fish at reasonable prices.

Sushi Tsurikin Nihonbashi is a small sushi bar where sushi is freshly made in front of you in a small, intimate setting––omakase-style. Tucked inside a shopping complex called COREDO Muromachi 2, the restaurant almost looks like a small snack shop from the exterior but offers a few counter seats on the inside. While it almost looks like an independent business from the outside, Sushi Tsurikin is operated by a company that also runs various izakaya and fresh food wholesale businesses, so their fish is always delivered fresh daily. This strategic advantage also allows them to lower their prices without compromising on quality.

Sushi Tsurikin is known for its 16-piece sushi assortment for under 2,000 yen and is curated by the chef seasonally depending on the available ingredients, which is an incredibly fair price point compared to conveyor belt sushi, which can cost four times more for the same volume. They also offer more predictable sets where the list of sushi is disclosed prior to ordering, as well as more premium sets at slightly higher prices. Alternatively, you can enjoy poke bowls, individual rolls, and small snacks made with seasonally-available fish. The restaurant is frequented by locals but is less explored by tourists so lines are not always expected, but be prepared for a small wait nonetheless.

• Price Range: Standard sushi sets that range from 10 to 16 pieces range from 1,800 to 4,000 yen. Sets with premium ingredients like fresh oysters and premium nigiri can range from 4,000 to 7,000 yen. Individual orders range from 220 to 880 yen. Cash, IC card, credit card, and QR payments (i.e. Alipay and WeChat Pay) are accepted.
• Location: COREDO Muromachi 2 (Nihonbashi)
• Tabelog: Nihonbashi Sushi Tsurikin

Sushi Kiraku

Image Credit: Tabelog

Sushi Kiraku, not to be mistaken with the Michelin-starred Sushidokoro Kiraku, is a small and well-loved fixture located along a line of restaurants just outside of Jimbocho Station. In the daytime, the restaurant specialises in serving a plethora of lunch options that rotate based on the seasonal availability of ingredients. Options include unagi, wild bluefin tuna bowl, nigiri sets, rose chirashi, and more.

At night, Sushi Kiraku becomes a more elevated dinner spot with regular and private room omakase at more premium price points. The restaurant is relatively unknown and is not often explored by tourists due to its lowkey exterior and lack of an English menu, but it’s worth visiting especially after a day touring Jimbocho, which has recently earned a spot in many Tokyo itineraries.

• Price Range: Lunch sets range from 1,200 to 2,200 yen, while dinner courses range from 5,000 to 20,000 yen. For tighter budgets, watch out for deals as they often offer poke bowls for around 800 yen.
• Location: Jimbocho
• Website: 鮨 喜楽
• Tabelog: Sushi Kiraku

Ginza 300 Bar Next

Image Credit: Time Out

If you’re in the mood for bar hopping in Tokyo, Ginza 300 Bar Next is an unbeatable spot, whether for a quick pre-game or to spend the night. Located in the heart of Yurakucho, between Ginza and Hibiya Park, the bar comes to life from 4:30PM onwards. It’s an incredibly popular spot as there is no door/cover charge, and there are over 100 cocktails and a wide array of small plates to choose from at incredible prices. The space is big and can accommodate a large number of people. The entire bar is standing-only and smoking is only allowed in designated areas. Patrons are typically a mix of both locals and foreigners, so the staff is well-versed in dealing with tourists.

Ginza 300 uses a unique ordering system. Each customer must purchase a minimum of three tickets at 330 yen each, which can be used to purchase anything on the menu. Most food and drinks only cost one ticket. During happy hour (5-7PM), drinks that cost two tickets (660 yen) are reduced to one ticket (330 yen). These consist of straight alcohol outside of the cocktail menu, so you may have to inquire with staff if interested in something particular.

• Price Range: Each customer must purchase at least three tickets (990 yen total) to enter. If you purchase 10 tickets, you can get one free, usable anytime at any branch. All cocktails and small plates only cost 330 yen (one ticket) each. More premium options are available upon inquiry.
• Locations: Ginza 300 has three locations within proximity to each other. If one bar is full, hop onto the next one to enjoy the night!
  • Yurakucho, Ginza 8-chome, Ginza 5-chome
• Website (Menu & Access Instructions): 300 Bar
• Tabelog: 銀座300BAR NEXT店

Kanda Coffee

Image Credit: Tabelog

Japanese café culture is deeply rooted in the kissaten style, which serves a small selection of hand drip coffee and minimal variations of café au lait, with a unique flavour profile quite unlike espresso. One of the best places for an old-school café experience is Kanda Coffee, situated just a few blocks away from Jimbocho Station (Exit A2). Over the past decade, Kanda Coffee has appealed to coffee enthusiasts for its freshly roasted, high-quality coffee and pleasant atmosphere that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. It’s a rare non-chain café that opens at 7AM and offers discounted prices for all menu items before 10AM.

Kanda Coffee’s menu is simple, with a choice of medium roasted, dark roasted, or special hand drip coffee, cold brew, latte and café au lait with decaf and oat milk options, and Aquila Akita beer for the rare non-coffee enthusiast in your party. They also serve sandwiches, rice bowls, small pastries, and a fan-favourite 300-yen pudding that pairs perfectly with a warm cup of hand drip coffee. If you love the beans, make sure to buy some of their house specialties to brew at home.

• Price Range: Coffee ranges from 350 to 680 yen, but they are 50-70 yen cheaper if you order before 10AM. Pudding costs 300 yen, while all other food options are 500 yen each. Coffee beans range from 700 to 1,000 yen per 100g. Cash, credit cards, and IC cards, and some QR payment options are accepted.
• Location: Jimbocho
• Website: Kanda Coffee
• Tabelog: Kanda Coffee

Kimuraya Parlour

Image Credit: Time Out

Kimuraya Parlour is a kissaten located in Shimbashi, which is frequented for its historical district that features remnants of the Showa era. In line with the retro atmosphere of the city, this café will also take you on a time machine to the past as it has occupied the same spot since it opened in 1967, with little changes to the interior over the past five decades. Kimuraya is a no-frills café to get a cup of coffee and breakfast in the morning. Its menu is surprisingly large with options for specialty coffee, juices, spaghetti, pudding, parfait, sandwiches, pancakes, omurice, and other local favourites made with recipes that have lasted generations. The coffee, being kissaten-style, is hand drip rather than espresso-based.

Kimuraya Parlour’s 530 yen morning set with coffee, egg, and a sandwich is a budget-friendly option to start the day, but most menu items are priced under 1,000 yen regardless. The flavours are characteristically old school and haven’t changed much in half a century, which appeals to those craving flavours from Tokyo’s past. While Kimuraya’s classic flavours can’t compare to elaborate espresso beverages offered by more expensive modern chains like Verve and Blue Bottle, or independent cafés like Bear Pond Espresso, there’s an irreplaceable charm in a place that has stayed the same despite its quickly changing surroundings, and a great way to start––or end––a day in Shimbashi.

• Price Range: Drinks range from 460 to 700 yen, while food prices range from 350 to 1,100 yen. The 530 yen morning set is highly recommended. Payment is cash-only and smoking is prohibited inside the store.
• Location: Shinbashi Ekimae Building 1
• Tabelog: Parlor Kimuraya