Indian¥
Sukiya Shinjuku in Tokyo is the 24-hour gyudon chain undercutting Yoshinoya and Matsuya. The cheese gyudon and the curry-rice are the unusual signature picks.
Try: Cheese gyudon and curry
Tip: Open 24 hours; the standard gyudon is the cheapest at 400 yen. Avoid weekday 12:00-13:00 office rush.
Fried chicken¥
FamilyMart Tokyo Station is the konbini bento standard that anchors traveller lunches in Tokyo. Onigiri, fresh sandwiches, bento, oden, famichiki chicken.
Try: Onigiri, bento, fried chicken
Tip: Onigiri at 150 yen each; the famichiki fried chicken is the local cult order. IC card and cash accepted.
Japanese sushi¥
Kura Sushi Shinjuku in Tokyo is the value conveyor-sushi chain at 100 yen per plate plus tax. Touchscreen English ordering and gachapon-prize delivery.
Try: 100 yen conveyor sushi
Tip: Reserve via the EPark app for the no-queue table seating. 100 yen per plate; finish 15 plates for the toy prize.
Japanese¥
Onigiri Bongo in Tokyo's Otsuka is the famous omusubi counter rolling onigiri to order, Tabelog Top 100 onigiri shops. 50 fillings, eat-in or take away.
Try: Onigiri rice ball selection
Tip: Closed Tuesdays. Queue from 11:00; eat-in counter seats turn fast. The salmon and umeboshi are the canonical orders.
Japanese¥
CoCo Ichibanya Shinjuku East in Tokyo is the Japanese-curry chain's central branch. Choose rice size, spice 1-10 and toppings; chicken-katsu under 1,400.
Try: Custom-spiced Japanese curry
Tip: Open 24 hours. Spice level 5 is moderate, 10 is properly hot. Add cheese or pork-katsu for the canonical combo.
Japanese ramen¥
Ichiran in Tokyo's Shibuya runs 24-hour tonkotsu ramen for under 1,500 yen including a kaedama refill. Vending machine ticketing, solo-booth seating.
Try: Tonkotsu ramen with customisation slip
Tip: Late-night cheaper than peak hours. Pay at the machine; the slip lets you set spice, broth richness, noodle firmness.