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Japanese TonkatsuMeguro
Tonki in Tokyo's Meguro has fried tonkatsu since 1939, the canonical Tokyo cutlet counter. Cash only, walk-in only, white tile and theatre of frying.
OrderHire-katsu (lean) set with miso soup, rice and unlimited cabbage refills.
TipClosed Tuesdays and third Mondays. Queue from 16:00; cash only.
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JapaneseJingumae
Zaiyu Hasegawa's Den in Tokyo is the modern kaiseki room that put playful home cooking on Asia's 50 Best, ranked No. 1 in 2022 and No. 22 in 2025.
OrderThe DFC fried chicken parcel and whatever donabe rice closes the menu.
TipClosed Sundays.
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JapaneseMinami Aoyama
Yoshihiro Narisawa's Aoyama room runs innovative satoyama cuisine. Two Michelin stars plus a Green Star, Japanese foraging through European technique.
OrderThe bread of the forest course, served with bark-scented butter.
TipClosed Mondays and Sundays. Lunch is the easier seating; reserve six weeks ahead through TableAll.
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JapaneseToranomon
Hiroyasu Kawate's Florilege moved to Azabudai Hills in 2023 with a communal counter and a vegetable-forward French tasting menu. Two Michelin stars in Tokyo.
OrderThe signature beef-and-dairy course that takes you through the life of one cow.
TipClosed Mondays and Tuesday lunch. Online booking opens exactly one month ahead at 10:00 JST.
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JapaneseMinami Azabu
Tomoya Kawada's Sazenka in Minami-Azabu was Japan's first three-star Chinese restaurant, awarded 2020. Chinese technique meets kaiseki rhythm.
OrderThe full tasting; the smoked duck and house-made hand-pulled noodles are the through-line.
TipClosed Sundays and irregular Mondays. Booking via byFood opens 60 days ahead for international guests.
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Edo-style SobaKanda
Kanda Yabu Soba in Tokyo has served Edo-style buckwheat noodles since 1880. The current building reopened in 2014 after a fire, sing-song order calls intact.
OrderThe seiro cold soba and a side of anago tempura; in winter, kamo nanban duck.
TipClosed Wednesdays. Cash and major cards. Lunch queues from 12:00; weekday afternoons are calmer.