The 13 Best Restaurants in Kinshicho

About Kinshicho

Despite its stunning cherry trees that paint the town pale pink in spring and proximity to Tokyo SKYTREE, Kinshicho isn't notable for its sight seeing activity. In contrast, a bustling, locally-focused business and entertainment district lights up this urban corner of Tokyo.

Kinshicho Food Scene

Nostalgia and comfort foods like curry and noodle venues rub elbows with notable, high-end tempura and sushi restaurants. A satisfying array of fashionable cafes and home-town flavors fill in the gaps.

The 13 Best Restaurants in Kinshicho

1. Tempura Hasegawa (天ぷら はせ川) / Tempura

Tempura Hasegawa, operated by Chef Hasegawa of the famous Tempura Kyoboshi, is notable for its eggless batter, that retains the precious flavor of each ingredient in its delicate coating. Tempura Hasegawa was opened in 2012 and retained one Michelin star from 2013-2018, earning top 100 tempura in Japan for 2022-23. Notable features of its omakase-only menu are the petite tiger prawns, tencha (tempura and rice in a light soup), and whole tempura egg with runny center. Tempura Hasegawa presents the appeal of Kyoboshi through Chef Hasegawa's lense. The restaurant also uses a 4-oil blend, that like its ingredients, changes with the seasons.

2. Sugahara (スガハラ) / Italian

Sugahara by Chef Jun Sugahara is a Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded Italian venue in Kinshicho. The chef cherishes his close relationship with producers, sourcing black pork from Miyazaki prefecture and carefully tended vegetables from Yamagata. Although his dishes evoke the simplicity of small-town Italy in both purity of flavor and understated plating, nothing about the omakase menu lacks thoughtfulness. Instead, the inherent beauty of each ingredient's texture and flavor finds its way unsoiled onto the plate. The venue is well-liked among chefs as well as locals and provides a relaxing space to enjoy a meal alone or with loved ones. Wines are selected by the on-site sommelier.

3. KOKYU (枯朽) / French

KOKYU, also known as KOKYU Gastronomic Laboratory, is notable not only for its innovative, contemporary French cuisine but for the young chef leading it. An industrial space decorated with antique curios and hidden alcoves mirrors the philosophy that led owner-chef Koki Kiyofuji to win a Gold Egg in Japan's RED under-35 chef championships and a Michelin selection. The shop's name recalls an appreciation for the old while constantly innovating through courses that make creative use of umami, spices, and sculptural plating. A creative cocktail pairing shows off the skills of the in-house mixologist.

4. Tori Ki (とり喜) / Yakitori

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018 - 19, 21 - 24)

Chef Sakai Yasuhito claims the title of first yakitori chef to earn a Michelin Star. Tori Ki, opened in 2001, is now best known for pioneering torikaiseki, its unique flow of yakitori and small plates. The venue is notoriously hard to book, with just an L shaped counter and limited seating. However, Tori Ki offers both omakase and a la carte ordering. Chicken and seasonal vegetables are prepped and skewered each morning, before being fanned over the glow of binchou charcoal to grilled perfection in the evening. Chef Sakai's straightforward attitude and expertise at controlling the flames are impressive, earning the shop Bronze and Top-100 restaurant awards.

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5. San Jacopino (サン ヤコピーノ) / Italian

・Michelin (2018 - 22): Bib Gourmand

The owners of San Jacopino start their story with a trip. After spending 14 years in Italy, they reminisce by recreating the meals that they came to love here in Tokyo. Authentic tastes of Italy are reflected in simple, hearty cuisine that upholds the history and honesty of Italian food. Prices are also strikingly affordable and the menu rotates depending on what makes it onto the blackboard that day. A Bib Gourmand from 2018-2022, San Jacopino takes its name from the square in Italy where the chef used to source market ingredients. With each bite, diners can appreciate the owners' love for Italy.

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6. Sushi Miu (鮨 海宇) / Sushi

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2022)

Sushi Miu was opened in spring 2019 and earned Top 100 sushi in Tokyo in 2022. The course afforable and generously portioned -- 12 or so pieces of sushi plus five small plates and extras for under 20000 yen. It avoids gimmicks, instead backing the philosophy of introducing real sushi to a wider audience. The shop takes pride in keeping up the tradition of Edomae nigiri, but adds excitement with its use of pickling and seasoning, as well as hard to find ingredients and techniques. Each day, the chef, who based Sushi Miu on his own name, goes out to evaluate fish with his own hands before using it in the restaurant.

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7. Sushi Nakagawa (鮨 なかがわ) / Sushi

A hometown darling if ever Tokyo had one, Sushi Nakagawa has been featured in local media often. Thanks to the dedicated community supporting this suburban sushi venue, it doesn't need global accolades or internet rankings to make an impact. Chef Nakagawa opened the restaurant in 2015 after working at a sushi venue in Setagaya. With only 6 counter seats, Sushi Nakagawa is a petite but memorable place to try unique nigiri, such as made-in-house botarga with sea bream and amazake-pickled kohada atop Shiga prefecture sourced rice with red vinegar.

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8. ASIA CURRY HOUSE (アジアカレーハウス) / Curry

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018 - 20, 22 - 24)

From 2018 to 2024, only 2021 has escaped Asia Curry House's grasp of Top 100 curry restaurants in Tokyo. The 5-seater counter-only space is occupied more by bags of spices and Desi seasoning than dining space, but a rare taste of uncompromising Bengali flavor makes the tight quarters well worth it. On fridays, the owner makes biryani. A late-night flow of fragrant curry that sates after-race visitors. He encourages guests to eat the traditional way, using their hands. The short-grain rice is authentically from Bangladesh, a rare sight even in the most aspirational kitchens.

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9. Genki (源亀) / Okonomiyaki

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2018, 22 - 24)

Genki, a four-time Top 100 Okonomiyaki winner, serves expertly griddled teppanyaki, monjayaki, and of course, okonomiyaki. The shop's specialty is the self-appellated genki-yaki. Each genki-yaki, a fluffy, mixed-ingredient Kansai okonomiyaki stuffed with cheese, can be grilled by the diners themselves or left up to the staff's recommendation. These hearty pancakes hit all the marks: crispy on the outside, fluffy inside, and flowing with thick, melty cheese. A website of full-color photos makes it easy for anyone to get an idea of the high quality and impressive portions available.

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10. Shake Tree Burger & Bar (シェイクツリー バーガー＆バー) / Burger

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 19, 21 - 22, 24)

Behind every burger is a story. Shake Tree Burger and Bar was inspired by CEO Yuta Kimura's life-changing experience at an American diner. The menu approaches authenticity, complete with the kind of unique creations that make or break neighborhood joints. At Shake Tree, the mission is to have fun. Signatures like the AAA, BBB, and CCC are joined by classic salads and daring burgers that replace buns with patties. Course ground shoulder and thigh beef offer a meaty but soft bite, and the buns are made especially for Shake Tree, which has already celebrated over 13 years of business and 6 Japan Restaurant Awards.

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11. Kameido Gyoza Kinshicho (亀戸ぎょうざ) / Gyoza

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2019, 21, 24)

Kameido's thin-skinned gyoza have earned it fandom and a Top 100 gyoza award in 2019, 21, and 24. The filling proudly uses Tokiwa garlic from Aomori and domestic-raised meat. In addition to in-store meals that are eye-catchingly affordable, Kameido Gyoza sells take and made gyoza and ready-to-eat takeout. Ramen and fried rice make appropriate bedfellows, but the pan-fried gyoza with translucent dumpling skin are the undeniable show-stopper. 15 guests at a time pack the house, but food is served and eaten quickly, leading to a fast queue turn over even during lunch rush.

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12. Venu's South Indian Dining Kinshicho (ヴェヌス サウス インディアン ダイニング) / South Indian

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 20, 24)

Venu's South Indian Dining Kinshicho earned a Top 100 curry award every year from 2017 until the pandemic set in, but rose to prominence with another win in 2024 as an authentic Indian restaurant. In addition to serving honest versions of South Indian cuisine that exhibit excellency in even humble mutton and chicken curry dishes, rare Indo-Chinese Chicken-65 and other home-style specialties make Venu's a notable spot. Chef Venu himself, as he is known in the neighborhood, opened his own restaurant after working in 5-star hotels in India and throughout notable venues in Higashi Ginza and beyond.

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13. Jun Teuchi Sanuki Udon Goro (純手打ち讃岐うどん五郎) / Udon

・Japan Restaurant Award, Best 100 (2017 - 22, 24)

Dried sardines from Ibuki Island make the dashi, flour from kawaga becomes thick, chewy udon noodles, and a secret water sourced from Chichibu in Okutama adds the magic ingredient that makes Goro one of the best udon restaurants in Japan. The shop regularly sells out and offers an interesting but very simple menu. Different temperature arrangements of noodles and dashi or soy sauce define Goro's signature bowls. For just a few hundred yen, diners can have a small bowl of udon and a plate of tempura which changes by daily availability.

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