Michelin Guide 2025: French Cuisine in Asakusa, Shinjuku, Todaimae

The Michelin Guide has become the global benchmark for culinary excellence and gastronomy rankings. According to its criteria, three-star establishments offer “exceptional cuisine worth a special journey,” two-star venues feature “excellent cooking worth a detour,” and one-star restaurants provide “high-quality cooking worth a stop.” Additionally, the Bib Gourmand distinction recognizes restaurants offering outstanding value and satisfaction for under ¥5,000.
This guide presents exceptional French restaurants in Tokyo’s eastern districts and special areas as recognized in the 2025 Michelin Guide, featuring one two-star establishment, two one-star restaurants, and two Bib Gourmand selections. Each listing includes an overview, essential information, and menu highlights to help you navigate these hidden culinary gems beyond the typical tourist areas.

Two-Star Establishments

Hommage (オマージュ)

Overview

Hommage, whose name means “tribute” or “respect” in French, was founded by a chef born and raised in Asakusa who never forgets to express gratitude to everyone involved in his culinary journey. The restaurant’s cuisine respects seasonality while creatively fusing culinary traditions from various countries to create distinctive, original dishes.

Several menu items reflect the chef’s personal connections to both global and local influences—the chickpea hummus originated from his experiences in southern France, while desserts like the Raiko-okoshi blanc-manger and Ningyo-yaki financier pay homage to Asakusa’s traditional sweets. This thoughtful integration of international techniques with local references creates a uniquely personal dining experience in Tokyo’s historic Asakusa district.

Restaurant Details

One-Star Establishments

Nabeno-Ism (ナベノ-イズム)

Overview

The restaurant’s distinctive tricolor scheme of black, white, and orange represents Chef Watanabe’s personal philosophy—black symbolizes unwavering conviction, white represents freedom to transform, and orange signifies the fire essential to cooking. Nabeno-Ism’s culinary concept focuses on the fusion of French cuisine with Edo (old Tokyo) food culture, creating a unique dining experience that’s deeply rooted in Asakusa Komagata.

Traditional Japanese ingredients are reimagined through French techniques: soba-gaki (buckwheat paste) is emulsified using French methods, while local specialties like Raiko-okoshi (rice crackers) and monaka (wafer cakes) are incorporated into sophisticated French presentations. This distinctive “Watanabe-ism” philosophy creates a dining experience that honors both French culinary tradition and the cultural heritage of its Asakusa location.

Restaurant Details

L’ETERRE (レテール)

Overview

L’ETERRE’s name is a coined term combining the French words for “eternity” and “earth,” reflecting the chef’s commitment to creating cuisine that honors nature’s bounty. The restaurant takes full advantage of Japan’s unique island geography, excelling in fish preparations while also celebrating the rich terroir of vegetables and meats from carefully selected producers.

The cooking techniques emphasize primal elements—ingredients are prepared using wood, charcoal, and occasionally straw fires, connecting to ancient culinary methods that have endured through millennia. This focus on elemental cooking and exceptional ingredients creates dishes that feel both timeless and contemporary, offering guests a profound connection to both natural bounty and culinary heritage.

Restaurant Details

Restaurant Details

Bib Gourmand Selections

Ma Poule (マ プール)

Overview

This intimate restaurant specializes in the cuisine of France’s eastern Jura region, a lesser-known area characterized by forests, valleys, and lakes. The chef, captivated by the region’s natural bounty and culinary traditions, opened Ma Poule to share this specific regional cuisine with Tokyo diners.

The restaurant’s signature dish—chicken with morel mushrooms in vin jaune sauce—represents an authentic taste of Jura’s proud culinary heritage. The establishment’s dedication to the region extends beyond the menu to its visual identity: the façade, interior design, and even the hostess’s attire feature yellow accents, reflecting the region’s famous yellow wine (vin jaune). Located near the University of Tokyo, this charming bistro offers a focused and passionate homage to a specific French regional cuisine.

Restaurant Details

NOURA (ノウラ)

Overview

The name “NOURA” originates from the restaurant’s location “behind” the two-Michelin-starred Hommage. While Hommage offers creative modern French cuisine, NOURA presents a contrasting experience with its homey, traditional bistro concept focusing on classic French fare.

The menu features beloved regional French dishes such as French onion soup, quenelles of fish, duck confit, and the restaurant’s signature steak-frites—a dish so ubiquitous in France it’s considered a national staple. NOURA’s approach celebrates everyday French food culture, offering authentic bistro classics in a warm, unpretentious setting. The restaurant occasionally hosts special regional cuisine promotions and collaborative events that showcase different aspects of French culinary traditions.

Restaurant Details

L’AMITIE (ラミティエ)

Overview

L’AMITIE is a notoriously difficult-to-reserve bistro known for exceptional value. The chef, who trained in Paris, was inspired by the vibrant bistro culture in France and established this small, neighborhood restaurant in Takadanobaba to recreate that authentic experience.

The menu features classic French dishes such as country-style meat terrine, cassoulet, and beef cheek braised in red wine. What makes L’AMITIE particularly popular is its generous portions—each à la carte dish typically serves two people, making it ideal for sharing. The restaurant uses fresh vegetables from Nagano Prefecture, adding a local touch to traditional French preparations. With its remarkable quality-to-price ratio and warm atmosphere, L’AMITIE offers a genuine taste of everyday French dining culture.

Restaurant Details

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Note

All prices listed are as of May 2025 and may be slightly higher when you visit. Despite potential price fluctuations, the exceptional quality these establishments offer remains consistent.