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JapaneseHarajuku
Harajuku Gyozaro in Tokyo's Harajuku is the cash-only gyoza specialist on Meiji-dori. Two-item menu, pan-fried or boiled, six gyoza per plate.
OrderOne plate of yaki-gyoza, one of sui-gyoza, with a beer.
TipCash only; expect a 20-minute queue at lunch. Counter and small tables.
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Japanese YakitoriMeguro
Yakitori Omino in Tokyo's Meguro is the one-Michelin-star yakitori counter where Akihiro Omino grills jidori chicken over binchotan in a hidden basement.
OrderThe 14-skewer omakase; the tsukune meatball with quail yolk is the signature.
TipClosed Sundays. Reserve through Pocket Concierge two months ahead; dinner only.
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Japanese SushiUmegaoka
Sushi no Midori Umegaoka in Tokyo is the original branch of the value-sushi chain. Big-piece nigiri, queue-based seating, lunch sets under 2,000 yen.
OrderThe jo-nigiri set; an extra plate of anago and chu-toro brings it home.
TipClosed Wednesdays. Queue ticket machine outside; 60-90 minute waits at lunch.
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Japanese TempuraGinza
Ginza Yoshihiro in Tokyo's Pola Ginza tower is the two-Michelin-star tempura counter where Yoshihiro Murata fries each piece to order on white-flame charcoal.
OrderOmakase tempura course with anago and maitake; lunch is half the dinner spend.
TipClosed Sundays. Reserve via Tableall 60 days ahead; lunch seating opens earlier.
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Japanese YakinikuMinami Aoyama
Yoroniku Omotesando in Tokyo is the cult basement yakiniku counter on Minami-Aoyama, the room that built Tokyo's modern wagyu-tasting genre. Booking-only.
OrderThe omakase course with tongue plate, sirloin and Chateaubriand; finish with reimen.
TipReserve via Pocket Concierge 60 days ahead. The dinner course is the same omakase format every day.
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Japanese TempuraMinami Azabu
Tempura Uchitsu in Tokyo's Minami-Azabu is Daisuke Uchitsu's two-Michelin-star tempura counter, all sesame-oil frying, eight seats and seasonal omakase only.
OrderThe full omakase tempura course; ten to twelve pieces and a tendon rice closer.
TipClosed Sundays. Phone reservation in Japanese only; Pocket Concierge handles English bookings.