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Best Value Restaurants in Asakusa: A Local’s Guide to Authentic Dining

Asakusa, the historic heart of Tokyo, harbors an incredible collection of restaurants where exceptional quality meets remarkable value. As someone born and raised in these streets, let me guide you through some extraordinary spots where you can experience authentic Japanese cuisine without breaking the bank. These carefully selected establishments prove that in Asakusa, premium dining doesn’t always come with premium prices.

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Yoshikami(Yoshoku)

One of Asakusa’s most treasured yoshoku restaurants, where 150 years of Western-Japanese fusion cuisine lives on. Their legendary weekday lunch sets offer premium dishes like beef stew and tenderloin steak at remarkable prices, showcasing the refined yet accessible spirit of old Tokyo.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Western-Japanese fusion (yoshoku)
  • Weekday lunch: ¥2,100 / Weekend special: ¥3,700
  • No English menu, but simply say “lunch”
  • Available until 5 PM – perfect for early dinner
  • Historic atmosphere with professional service
Lunch Menu

Their weekday lunch service (¥2,100) is a steal, served until 5 PM – perfect for those craving an early dinner. Each day brings a different classic:

  • Monday: Corn soup, Beef stew, Spaghetti, Coffee/Ice cream
  • Tuesday: Corn soup, Sautéed pork, Dry curry, Coffee/Ice cream
  • Wednesday: Corn soup, Menchi-katsu (gourmet meat croquette), Curry rice, Coffee/Ice cream
  • Friday: Corn soup, Mini cutlets, Crab fried rice, Coffee/Ice cream
  • Saturday & Sunday: Corn soup, Combination salad, Beef tenderloin steak, Rice/Bread, Coffee

While English isn’t spoken, the ritual is simple: enter before 5 PM, say “lunch,” and choose between “coffee” or “ice cream” for dessert.

Essential Information

Name: Yoshikami (Western Restaurant) Address: 1-41-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access:

  • 2 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
  • 5 min walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line/Tobu Line), use temple exit

Hours: 11:30-22:00 (Last order 21:30) Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun, Holidays Closed: Thursdays (May open on temple festival days) Average budget: ¥2,000-3,000 Payment: Cash preferred English menu: No

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Okina Soba(Soba)

Hidden since 1914 in Asakusa’s backstreets, this soba sanctuary offers a masterclass in Tokyo’s noodle culture at astonishingly reasonable prices. Their generously portioned bowls – whether the soul-warming Curry Nanban in winter or refreshing Tanuki in summer – showcase why locals have kept this place their treasured secret for over a century.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Authentic soba with huge portions
  • Best dishes: Curry Nanban (hot soba with duck & curry broth), Tanuki (cold soba)
  • Exceptional value: ¥700-800 per hearty bowl
  • Same prices for lunch and dinner
  • No English menu, but easy ordering: “Karei Nanban” or “Hiyashi Tanuki”
  • Seconds from Don Quijote and Yoshikami
Essential Information

Name: Okina Soba Address: 2-5-3 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access:

  • 2 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
  • 5 min walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line/Tobu Line)

Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:45-15:00, 16:30-19:30 Closed: Sundays Average budget: Under ¥999 Payment: Cash only English menu: No

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Yadoroku(Onigiri)

Yadoroku Tokyo’s oldest onigiri specialist, elevated to art through five consecutive Michelin Bib Gourmand awards. Their rice balls showcase how simplicity, when perfected, becomes extraordinary – from their signature marinated shrimp to their sublime plain salt onigiri.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Gourmet onigiri (rice balls)
  • Lunch set: ¥832 (two onigiri + miso soup)
  • 20 different fillings available
  • English menu and English-speaking owner
  • Open late for dinner
  • Yadoroku English HP
Essential Information

Name: Yadoroku Asakusa Address: 3-9-10 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access:

  • 3 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
  • 8 min walk from Tobu Asakusa Station
  • 9 min walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line Asakusa Station

Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu-Sat, Holidays:

  • Lunch: 11:30-17:00
  • Dinner: 18:00-02:00 Wed: 11:30-17:00 (Lunch only) Sun: 18:00-02:00 (Dinner only)

Note: May close early if sold out Average budget:

  • Lunch: ¥780
  • Dinner: ¥1,100

English menu: Yes English website: Available Phone: 03-3874-1615

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Sakurada(Sukiyaki)

Step into feudal Japan at this atmospheric restaurant near Kaminarimon Gate. Their ¥1,500 sukiyaki lunch set – featuring the same premium rice served to the Imperial family and quality beef – offers a taste of luxury Japanese dining at an incredibly accessible price point.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Premium sukiyaki lunch sets
  • Lunch only: ¥1,500 (exceptional value)
  • Traditional samurai-era house setting
  • Near Kaminarimon Gate
  • Dinner menu features higher-end options including game meat
  • No English menu, but just one word「lunch」is good enough to order.
Essential information

Sakurada [Accordion] Essential Information

  • Name: Edo Cuisine Sakurada (江戸料理 櫻田)
  • Address: 1F Kaminarimon Nagatani Mansion, 1-15-12 Kaminarimon, Taito-ku, Tokyo
  • Access:
    • 3 min walk from Tawaramachi Station (Ginza Line)
    • 4 min walk from Asakusa Station (Ginza Line)
    • 3 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
  • Hours: Tue-Sun:
    • Lunch: 11:00-14:00 (Last order 13:00)
    • Dinner: 17:00-22:00 (Last order 21:00)
  • Note: Seat-only reservations accepted Tue-Fri by phone
  • Phone: 03-3845-3995
  • English menu: No
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Amairo(Tempra)

When a new tempura restaurant opens in Asakusa – Tokyo’s tempura kingdom – it better be exceptional to survive. Amairo not only survived but thrived, mastering the impossible: matching century-old establishments in quality while charging half their prices. Their secret? Perfecting the basics: fresh oil, precise temperature, and generous portions.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Premium tempura at value prices
  • Regular bowl ¥1,200 (2 prawns, white fish, vegetables)
  • Mega Bowl ¥2,200 (Anago eel, 3 prawns, vegetables, chicken, egg)
  • No English menu but picture menu available
  • Pro tip: Arrive 15 minutes before opening
  • Different pricing for dinner service
Essential Information

Name: Asakusa Amairo (浅草 天彩) Address: Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access: 3 min walk from Asakusa Station Hours: Mon-Fri:

  • Lunch: 11:30-14:30
  • Dinner: 17:30-21:00 Sat-Sun:
  • Lunch: 11:30-15:00
  • Dinner: 17:30-21:00

Budget:

  • Lunch: ¥1,000-1,999
  • Dinner: ¥4,000-4,999

Phone: 03-5830-6600 No English menu: Photo menu available

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Mizuguchi Shokudo (bistro)

Mizuguchi Shokudo A beloved local diner where Tokyo’s real face shines through. Despite its weathered appearance, this shokudo serves up some of the area’s most satisfying comfort food, drawing both neighborhood regulars and in-the-know foreign travelers.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Home-style Japanese cooking
  • Must-try: Maguro butsu-giri (chunky tuna), iri-buta (curry-spiced pork)
  • Popular: Mixed fry set with fish, scallops, croquettes
  • Same reasonable prices lunch and dinner
  • No English menu
  • Authentic local atmosphere
  • Over 100 menu items
Essential Information

Name: Mizuguchi (水口食堂)
Address: 2-4-9 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Access: 3 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu-Sun: 10:00-20:30 (Last order 20:00) Closed: Wednesdays Average
Budget: ¥1,000-2,999
Awards: Selected for 2021 Top 100 Restaurants
Phone: 03-3844-2725
English menu: No
Payment: Cash preferred

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Kinraku(Korean barbeque)

In Tokyo’s vast yakiniku landscape, Kinraku’s charcoal-grilled harami (skirt steak) and horumon (offal) have achieved legendary status. This no-frills establishment proves that sometimes the most unassuming places guard the finest secrets – their marinades and grilling techniques have been perfected over decades.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Charcoal-grilled yakiniku
  • Must-try: Harami, horumon, owner’s special kalbi
  • Essential sides: Kimchi platter, yukke-jang soup
  • No English menu, but easy to order: “harami,” “horumon,” “kalbi”
  • Budget: Lunch ¥2,500, Dinner ¥4,500
  • Cash preferred
  • English menu: No
Essential Information

Name: Kinraku (金楽)
Address: 1-15-4 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access: 5 min walk from Asakusa Station
Hours: Mon-Sat & Day before holidays: 12:00-23:00 Sun: 12:00-22:00 Closed: Public holidays

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Yasubei (Cheapest Izakaya)

Welcome to sen-bero paradise – where ¥1,000 buys you an authentic slice of Tokyo drinking culture. Opening from morning (yes, morning!) this standing bar is where salary workers, local characters, and curious travelers mix freely. Choose from their daily selection of home-style dishes displayed along the counter, each costing just ¥100-200.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Ultra-budget standing bar
  • ¥1,000 gets you: 3 drinks + 2 sides OR 2 beers + 3 sides
  • Opens from morning, perfect for day drinking
  • No chairs – standing only
  • Cash only, pay as you go
  • Simple point-and-order system
Essential Information

Name: Yasubei Standing Bar (安兵衛)
Address: 2-11-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo Access: 2 min walk from Tsukuba Express Asakusa Station
Hours: Tue-Thu: 10:00-21:00 Fri & Holidays: 10:00-18:00 Sat-Sun: 09:00-18:00 Racing event days: 09:00-18:00 Closed: Mondays (If Monday is a holiday, closed Tuesday)
Budget: ¥1,000-1,999
Phone: 03-3841-2525 Payment: Cash only Note: Standing only, no seats available

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Hoppy Street (Izakaya Street)

This atmospheric drinking street near the off-track betting parlor is where old Tokyo comes alive. The alley takes its name from its signature drink – Hoppy, a deceptively strong beer-flavored spirit that’s become a local institution. While each izakaya has its own character, they all share some beloved traditions: their legendary gyusuji nikomi (slow-cooked beef tendon stew), vinyl-partitioned outdoor seating, and a distinctly local vibe where you might find yourself sharing a table with anyone from famous actors to solo travelers.

The street’s most famous spots – Mikō, Izakaya Don, Totoya, Miyuki,and Asakusa Natsu no Shoya- each offer their own take on classic izakaya fare. Most unique is their outdoor seating culture, creating an atmosphere that exists somehow outside regular Tokyo dining norms.

What to know:
  • Most places open from lunch through late evening
  • No English menus, but pointing at dishes works fine
  • Budget: ¥3,000-5,000 per person
  • Smoking allowed (unique in Tokyo)
  • Cash is king here
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Imahan(For those budget is not concern)

When only the finest will do, Imahan stands as Asakusa’s crown jewel of traditional Japanese cuisine. Their sukiyaki and shabu-shabu, crafted with the highest grade of wagyu beef, represent the pinnacle of culinary artistry. This isn’t about value dining – it’s about experiencing the absolute best that Japanese cuisine has to offer.

Key Points:
  • Specialty: Premium sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, unagi
  • Full English menu and English-speaking staff
  • Lunch from ¥4,000
  • Dinner around ¥20,000
  • Reservations essential for weekends
  • Perfect for special occasions and celebrations]
  • English HP available
Essential Information

Name: Imahan Main Store (今半本店)
Address: 1-19-7 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo
Hours: Mon, Wed-Sun: 11:30-20:30 (Last order 20:00) Break time: 15:00-16:00 on weekdays Closed: Tuesdays
Service charge: ¥500 per person
Budget: ¥10,000-14,999
Phone: 03-3841-1411 Reservations: Required (especially for weekends and holidays)
English: Menu and staff available Website: English version available

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