Japan is home to some incredible food, and now that it’s the end of 2023, I think it’s time to highlight some of the best restaurants I’ve visited this year.

Quality and flavor are important, of course (otherwise, why would we even go there?), but with a ton of places delivering on both those categories, the deciding factor on my list this year’s list will be ‘Value-for-money.’

So whether it be a premium Unagi experience, or a simple but tasty bowl of Tonkatsu, let’s have a look at the stores that made it onto the list. Let’s get to it! Here are my Top 5 Restaurant Picks in Japan for 2023!

–Niigata Tarekatsu (Tokyo//Osaka//Kyoto)–
–Yakiniku Uguisudanien (Tokyo)–
–Sushi no Midori (Tokyo//Nagoya)–
–Kyo Unawa (Kyoto)–
–Ginza Corridor Cannelé (Tokyo)–

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🍱 Niigata Tarekatsu (Tokyo//Osaka//Kyoto) 🍱

Full Review: Niigata Tarekatsu (Shibuya Store)

For something extremely simple that I just didn’t expect to be this good, here’s Niigata Tarekatsu and their Tarekatsudon.

On the surface, it’s really just a bowl of thin pork cutlets coated in a sweet/salty tare sauce. But as I ate more and more of it, I start to notice all the complex flavors of the dish, and by the end of the meal, I’m left with a desire for more. (A desire so strong, I went back there the very next day!)

Extremely simple, yet full of flavor. If you’re planning to try out one thing from this list, Niigata Tarekatsu is it!

⭐Recommended Items⭐
🍱 Double Layer Pork Katsudon – (¥1,300) (6pcs.) 🍱

🌏 Location (Shibuya Store) 🌏
1 Chome-5-9 Dogenzaka, Shibuya City, Tokyo 150-0043, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/oyPgU1HbWzE1wTM59
💻 Website 💻
https://www.tarekatsu.jp/

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🥩 Yakiniku Uguisudanien (Tokyo) 🥩

Full Review: Yakiniku Uguisudanien

I’ve been trying out a new premium Yakiniku store everytime I visit Japan, and for this year, no place delivers the best balance of quality and value-for-money as Yakiniku Uguisidanien.

On the premium side, their Yakiniku Lamb was mindblowingly good and was easily the highlight of the meal. (And still quite affordable at ¥1,430)

And if you need some budget-friendly options to fill out the meal, the Tontoro at ¥605 was the one I keep ordering time and time again.

Reservations might be a bit difficult, but definitely look into trying this place out!

⭐Recommended Items⭐
🥩 Lamb (¥1,430)
🥓 Tontoro / Pork Toro (¥605)
🥩 Premium Kalbi (¥1,760)
🥩 Skirt Steak (¥1,045)
🥩 Premium Gyutan (¥2,420)

🌏 Location 🌏
1 Chome-5-15 Negishi, Taito City, Tokyo 110-0003, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://goo.gl/maps/Qfsk3yS6374SRDvu9?coh=178572&entry=tt

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🍣 Sushi no Midori (Tokyo//Nagoya) 🍣

Full Review: Sushi no Midori (Ginza Store)

For a Sushi place that strikes a good balance of quality and value-for-money – here’s Sushi no Midori.

It’s a really solid place overall, fresh ingredients, generous portions (looking at you, Salmon and Tamago), and at a really nice price point. The lines for this store can get pretty long, but the flavors and value-for-money is well worth the wait!

Did I mention that their portion sizes are really nice? Their Tamago Nigiri is only ¥55… look at how thick the thing is!

⭐Recommended Items⭐
🍣 Maguro (Akami) – ¥165
🍣 Premium Chutoro (Medium Fatty Tuna) – ¥660
🍣 Salmon – ¥220
🍣 Premium Kohada (Gizzard Shad) – ¥220
🍣 Tamago (Egg) – ¥55

🌏 Location (Ginza Store) 🌏
Japan, 〒104-0061 Tokyo, Chuo City, Ginza, 7 Chome−2−先 東京高速道路山下ビル１階
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/LVNwEd2VksckAneA8
💻 Website 💻
https://www.sushinomidori.co.jp/

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🍱 Kyo Unawa (Kyoto) 🍱

Full Review: Kyo Unawa

Good quality Unagi is truly something special, and Kyo Unawa delivers on exactly that! The freshly grilled Unagi is light and fluffy, with hints of smoky flavors from the charcoal. Top it off with some crispy grilled skin, and this experience was easily the highlight of my brief stop at  Kyoto!

Unagi can be rather expensive, but when it’s 10 months later and I’m still talking about it with my friends, you know this place did it right!

⭐Recommended Items⭐
🍱 Unaju (¥3,960)
🍱 Large Hitsumabushi (¥4,950)

🌏 Location 🌏
553-2 Yaoyacho, Nakagyo Ward, Kyoto, 604-8123, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://goo.gl/maps/Zz1VADem6p7nUBdP9
💻 Website 💻
https://www.kyo-unawa.jp/

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🍰 Ginza Corridor Cannelé (Tokyo) 🍰

Full Review: Ginza Corridor Cannelé

Rounding off the list is Ginza Corridor Cannelé. I’ve recently been introduced to this French pastry, and out of all the Cannelé stores I’ve come across, this was by far my favorite!

A rum-scented custard interior encased in a deeply caramelized, crispy beeswax crust, it’s a really nice little treat to try out while you explore the Ginza area. (Works really well as a gift/souvenir too!)

⭐Recommended Items⭐
🍰 Canelé – ¥290 (1 Piece) // ¥280 (2+ Pieces)

🌏 Location 🌏
2 Chome-9-1 Yurakucho, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 100-0006, Japan
🗺 Map 🗺
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bfpSJAucD4eEgZEM6
💻 Website 💻
https://www.instagram.com/corridor_cannele/?hl=en

Now that you’ve seen my list, what are some of your favorite restaurants to visit in Japan? Let me know, and I might stop by to have a go at it next time!

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