Shibuya, the trendsetting hub for young people. Shibuya is where a lot of Japanese youth culture originates, from fashion buildings like "SHIBUYA109" to streets like "Shibuya Center Street".
Shibuya also has an artistic and musical side with its many museums and live music venues. Shibuya's icons, the "Hachiko Statue" and Shibuya Scramble Crossing, are also popular photo spots.
Shibuya is a constantly evolving city, with construction happening here and there for many years. Recently, it has also become famous as a location for the anime "Jujutsu Kaisen". With an increasing number of sophisticated spots like "Shibuya Hikarie" and a wide variety of restaurants and bars across different genres, Shibuya is a lively city that can be enjoyed by both young people and adults.
Shibuya's Food Scene
Shibuya has over 4000 restaurants of various genres and is also known as a "battlefield for lunch". In addition to tourists, many people gather here regardless of the day of the week or time, as there are many offices, vocational schools, and residences.
A characteristic of Shibuya is the large number of restaurants that are open 24 hours, such as izakayas and ramen shops. My recommendation is the stylish bars and cafes that stay open until morning. When you want to take a break after a long day of fun, it's nice to have a place where women can easily enter and relax in a stylish space.
Another appeal of Shibuya is the wide range of prices, from casual restaurants where you can have lunch for under 1000 yen to high-end restaurants for formal dining, making it easy to choose according to your mood and situation.
Recommended Sushi Restaurants in Shibuya
SUSHI TOKYO TEN
Source: Tabelog
"SUSHI TOKYO TEN", located just a short walk from Shibuya Station, is a sushi restaurant where you can enjoy seasonal Japanese ingredients. The menu only features chef's choice courses, but it's packed with nigiri sushi, nori rolls, grilled dishes, and appetizers. Each item is served in an easy-to-eat size, so even those unfamiliar with Japanese food can enjoy it casually.
The colorful dishes made with seasonal seafood and vegetables are not only beautiful to look at but also pair excellently with alcohol. I personally like to enjoy them with dry sake or sparkling wine, but if you're unsure, ask the chef for recommendations on what pairs well.
It's located in a building directly connected to Shibuya Station, making it a great spot to stop by while on the move. It's a popular restaurant, so make a reservation before you visit!
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 3-21-3 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Shibuya Stream 3F
- Phone: 03-6427-5076
- Hours: LUNCH 11:00am-3:00pm / DINNER 5:00pm-11:00pm
- Access: Directly connected to Shibuya Station on the Tokyu Toyoko Line, Den-en-toshi Line, Tokyo Metro Hanzomon Line, and Fukutoshin Line. 5-minute walk from Exit C2.
- Official Website: https://sushitokyo-ten.com/
KINKA sushi bar izakaya
Source: Tabelog
"KINKA" is a restaurant where you can enjoy sushi casually with the concept of "SUSHI BAR IZAKAYA". The signature dish is "ABURICIOUS", aburi-sushi (seared sushi) such as shrimp or mackerel that has been lightly roasted over fire and enjoyed with special sauces like miso paste or basil sauce. The tuna bowl and seafood bowl, available only during lunchtime, are also popular.
There's also a wide selection of appetizers like homemade roast beef and Camembert cheese fries, so even those who don't like raw sashimi can enjoy themselves. The miso soup with lobster flavor that fills your mouth is a must-order for me. Be sure to also try the Japanese-style cocktails using shiso or yuzu and the Japanese-style sweets like matcha cheesecake.
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 3-10 Udagawacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Ichigo Fiesta Shibuya 2F
- Phone: 03-6452-5258
- Hours: LUNCH 11:30am-2:30pm / DINNER 5:00pm-11:00pm
- Access: 7-10 minute walk from Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit
- Official Website: https://kinkasushibarizakaya.com/jp/
Recommended Shibuya Ramen Shops
Hayashi
Source: Tabelog
"Hayashi", located near Shibuya Station, is a popular ramen shop known for its soy sauce-based soup that mixes chicken, pork bone, and seafood. It's open for only 4 hours a day and closes when the soup runs out, so there's always a line before it opens.
The menu only has three options: the basic "Ramen", "Flavored Egg Ramen" with a seasoned egg topping, and "Chashu Ramen" with extra roast pork and a seasoned egg. There are no other menu items like dumplings or rice.
The rich yet refreshing soup is also recommended for foreigners. The chewy straight noodles go well with the soup. I've heard that you can request an off-menu "salt flavor" if you ask, but I recommend trying the basic ramen first if it's your first visit!
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 1-14-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo Social Dogenzaka 1F
- Phone: 03-3770-9029
- Hours: 11:30pm-3:30pm (closes when soup runs out)
- Closed: Wednesdays and Sundays
- Access: 2-minute walk from Shibuya Station West Exit on the Keio Inokashira Line
- URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13003367/
Chinese Noodle Shop Kiraku
Source: Tabelog
"Chinese Noodle Shop Kiraku" is a popular Chinese restaurant that has been in business for over 70 years in Shibuya. You can enjoy orthodox ramen like Chinese noodles, chashu noodles, and wonton noodles.
The basic "Chinese noodles" comes with plenty of crunchy bean sprouts. It's also topped with chashu pork and a boiled egg. The soy sauce-flavored soup with a fragrant burnt green onion aroma and thick noodles is addictive.
My recommendation is definitely the dumplings! The thick, chewy skin is packed with juicy ingredients. The crispy texture pairs perfectly with beer or shaoxing wine. Other popular items include wontons, pork with chives, and fried noodles. Be sure to try the flavors of this long-loved Shibuya institution.
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 2-17-6 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03-3461-2032
- Hours: 11:30pm-8:30pm
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Access: 7-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line / 8-minute walk from JR Shibuya Station Hachiko Exit
- URL: https://tabelog.com/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13001705/
Recommended Shibuya Teishoku (Set Meal) Restaurants
Teishoku Sato
Source: Tabelog
If you want to enjoy warm Japanese home cooking, "Teishoku Sato" is recommended. Teishoku is Japan's standard meal style consisting of a main dish, side dishes, rice, and miso soup.
"Teishoku Sato" offers 5-7 types of lunch sets every day, each with about 5 side dishes for a well-balanced meal. Regular items include grilled salmon set, stewed beef tendon set, and fried chicken with salt set. For dessert, the daily handmade cakes (extra charge) like seasonal fruit cakes and cheesecakes are also popular.
In the evening, you can order the side dishes individually and enjoy them leisurely with alcohol. Ending with a grilled rice ball or rice + miso soup is the Japanese style. Check out their official Instagram for the daily changing menu!
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: B1F Maison Wakabayashi, 13-9 Maruyamacho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03-3477-1611
- Hours: 12:00pm-2:00pm / 7:00pm-10:00pm (Mondays open for dinner only)
- Closed: Sundays
- Access: 2-minute walk from Shinsen Station on the Keio Inokashira Line
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teishokusato/
d47 Shokudo
Source: Tabelog
"d47 Shokudo", located in Shibuya Hikarie, is a teishoku restaurant where you can experience the seasons using ingredients from all over Japan. You can taste home cooking that has been loved locally for many years and unique ways of eating that have been around for a long time.
Recommendations include the "Umami Set Meal West Japan" that brings together the deliciousness of western Japan, and the prefectural set meals like "Aichi Set Meal" and "Shizuoka Set Meal". It's a fun surprise to see which prefectural cuisine is available each month.
My favorite is the Nagasaki-style fried horse mackerel, where a plump, meaty horse mackerel is fried in a crispy batter. It's served with homemade tartar sauce and seasonal citrus for a refreshing taste. The gift shop and gallery on the same floor, run by the same company, are also recommended.
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 8F Shibuya Hikarie, 2-21-1 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03-6427-2303
- Hours:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 11:30am-8:00pm
Friday, Saturday 11:30am-9:00pm
Sunday 9:00am-11:00am / 11:30am-8:00pm
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Access: Directly connected to Shibuya Station (161m from Shibuya Station)
- Official Website: https://www.hikarie8.com/d47shokudo/menu/2024/04/5426-66.shtml
Shibuya Restaurants with a View
Japanese Cuisine "Shunsai"
Source: Official Website
"Japanese Cuisine Shunsai", located on the 25th floor of Tokyu Excel Hotel Shibuya, is a kaiseki (traditional multi-course) restaurant with a panoramic view of Shibuya. You can get away from the bustle of the city and enjoy a leisurely meal.
The recommended lunch is the bento box using seasonal ingredients. You can taste a little bit of everything at once, including sashimi, grilled dishes, fried dishes, simmered dishes, vinegared dishes, steamed dishes, and dessert. The elegant and sophisticated presentation is popular among foreigners as well. It's a nice point that you can enjoy traditional Japanese food casually from around 4,000 yen per person.
Dinner time is recommended if you want to enjoy it with alcohol. The relaxed time spent while enjoying the night view of Shibuya will surely be a memorable part of your trip. Please enjoy the delicate and beautiful array of dishes unique to Japanese cuisine.
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 1-12-2 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 03-5457-0109
- Hours: 11:30am-3:00pm / 5:30pm-10:00pm (Sundays open for lunch only)
- Access: Directly connected to Shibuya Station on the JR and Keio Inokashira lines, inside Shibuya Mark City East
- Official Website: https://www.tokyuhotels.co.jp/shibuya-e/
Shabu-Shabu Tsukada
Source: Tabelog
"Shabu-Shabu Tsukada", directly connected to Shibuya Station, is where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Shibuya along with shabu-shabu. Shabu-shabu is a popular Japanese hot pot dish in winter where thinly sliced meat and vegetables are lightly dipped in a pot of warm broth and eaten with a dipping sauce.
At "Shabu-Shabu Tsukada", you can fully enjoy carefully selected domestic Japanese beef and seasonal vegetables directly sourced from producers. The flavor of the special broth that brings out the deliciousness of the ingredients is also superb.
My recommendation is the lunch-only "SHIBUYA LUNCH". You can enjoy A4 rank Japanese Black beef and brand-name pork. If you're in the mood for a richer taste, you can also choose the sukiyaki style with sweet and savory soy sauce. Please try the healthy shabu-shabu that will make your body happy.
<Restaurant Information>
- Address: 12F Shibuya Scramble Square, 2-24-12 Shibuya, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
- Phone: 050-5456-2662
- Hours: 11:00am-3:00pm (until 4:00pm on weekends and holidays) / 5:00pm-11:00pm
- Access: Directly connected to Shibuya Station (65m from Shibuya Station)
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabushabutsukada.shibuya/
How was our guide to recommended lunch spots in Shibuya? Shibuya, the trendsetting hub for young people in Japan, is full of restaurants in various genres. From casual options like ramen and set meals to formal dining like sushi and kaiseki, you can choose according to your mood and budget.
Many of the restaurants are located near the station, making them easy to stop by while shopping or sightseeing. As it gets crowded on both weekdays and weekends, it's recommended to make a reservation if possible.
Experience the charm of Shibuya, a city where you can learn about Japan's current pop culture, through its food as well!