If you've paid Shinjuku a visit, you'll realise that it's a city within a city. Shinjuku's sheer breadth and scale is impressive, with over three million people passing through the train station alone. In the day, the energy in Tokyo's central ward is abuzz—intense, palpable and on edge. But energy changes once the sun sets. The pace is still brisk but the intentions have shifted from work to pleasure as salarymen file out of the offices and into narrow alleys for food and drink.
Here are three Michelin-recommended izakayas (casual Japanese gastropub) that are located in the entertainment district.
Here are three Michelin-recommended izakayas (casual Japanese gastropub) that are located in the entertainment district.
Yorozuya Okagesan (萬屋 おかげさん)
B1F, Matsumoto Bldg, 2-10 Yotsuya, Shinjuku-kuOpening hours: 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., daily
Distinction: One Michelin Star
What Our Inspectors Say: The warmth and dedication of the owner-chef has added to the popularity of his restaurant, whose theme is ‘seasonal vegetables and local sake’. Only an omakase with plenty of shuko is served; more items can be added if required. The highlight is the sashimi. Instead of being served with the standard soy sauce, the young tuna is straw-smoked and the kinmedai is sprinkled with karasumi. Salted rice ball is a popular item to end with.
Kisaiya Hide.
Kisaiya Hide (季彩や ひで)
6-23 Kagurazaka, Shinjuku-kuOpening hours: 5:30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., daily.
Distinction: Bib Gourmand
What Our Inspectors Say: The space is clean, sharp and minimalistic, almost reminiscent of the pristine sushiya. The food served here is fresh and seasonal, with the menu often on rotation but customers can count on consistently good sashimi as well as an impressive range of sakes.
Apart from sake, umeshu or plum liqueur is another traditional Japanese spirit served at izakayas to accompany the food.
Shuko Takigiya (タキギヤ)
7 Arakicho, Shinjuku-kuOpening hours: 5:00 p.m. to midnight, daily. Closed on Sundays.
Distinction: Bib Gourmand
What Our Inspectors Say: Word of advice: go early. Shuko Takigiya is one of the new izakaya entrants based in Shinjuku but they've been popular among salarymen for a long time before. The food here mirrors its traditional, rustic decor; dishes served are simple but delicious. No fanciful plating to be found here. And customers will be happy to know that they've got an extensive sake menu to accompany their food as well as beers, umeshu (plum liquor) and shochu (a distilled spirit made from fermented barley, sweet potatoes, buckwheat, rice and the like).
