7 Affordable Michelin Restaurants in Tokyo

The Michelin Guide is the gold standard for culinary ratings, and we wouldn’t mind trying dishes that have earned the French tire company’s stamp of approval. Luckily, despite the fame and luxury of Michelin-starred restaurants, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to experience it. There are plenty of restaurants in Tokyo that have earned the stars and recognition, but are casual and not too expensive. Here are some affordable Michelin restaurants in Tokyo that are well worth a visit.

Kyoraku-tei

Kyoraku-tei is a soba restaurant in one of the many backstreets of Kagurazaka, a neighborhood full of great restaurants. Be sure to get there early, as the line forms before it opens. Its popularity is due to the handmade soba noodles made by noodle masters, as well as an extensive menu that includes classic soba (made from 80% buckwheat and 20% regular flour) and Juror Soba noodles, made entirely from buckwheat. The buckwheat used comes from the chef’s hometown of Aizu and is made in a country style, with thicker noodles. Kyoraku-tei’s tempura is also fried to perfection and worth a try. The same is true for the restaurant’s summer tomato soba noodles.

Punchcon

Won the Bib Gourmand award for six consecutive years Punchcon The first Michelin-recognized tonkatsu specialty restaurant, the chef’s dedication to pork cutlets can be seen in the Ogawamachi branch. The classic pork tenderloin steak is recommended for a hearty lunch, which is delicious and crispy.

There is ramen

It will open in 2022. There is ramen This is a no-frills family restaurant that has seen a surge in popularity in the last two years. The owner’s grandfather once told him to “live a life where you can appreciate the taste of ramen”. These words of wisdom are hung in the shop. The broth is a light soy sauce with plenty of dried sardines to bring umami to the taste buds. The ramen’s specialty is the layers of braised pork belly with char siu.

Vegan Ramen Uzu

Located in the teamLab Planets Plaza in Toyosu, Vegan Ramen Uzu The only Michelin-approved vegetarian ramen restaurant. Founded in Kyoto, Uzu’s vegan miso ramen uses oat milk and sesame paste to give it a rich flavor without any meat. You don’t need a teamLab ticket to enjoy the ramen. You can even enjoy it in one of the designated immersive art spaces or outside at the One Stroke Bench.

Together

Ranking Top 50 Pizzas in Asia Pacific, overall Serving classic Neapolitan-style brick-oven pizza. It has been selected for the Michelin Bib Gourmand for six consecutive years. The owner claims that Kameido reminded him of the rustic atmosphere of Naples, so he created this authentic and unpretentious restaurant. Pizzas start from 1,400 yen.

Tim Ho Wan

Claiming to be “the cheapest Michelin restaurant in the world”, Tim Ho Wan is a chain of restaurants specializing in Hong Kong-style dim sum. The two restaurant owners, both experienced chefs, opened Tim Ho Wan in Hong Kong in 2009, offering authentic Hong Kong cuisine at affordable prices. The restaurant proved to be a huge success right from the start. Since then, Tim Ho Wan has opened several branches around the world, including three in Tokyo: Hibiya, Shinjuku, and Tokyo Dome City.

Saigon Restaurant

Selected by the Michelin Guide in 2016 and 2017, Saigon Restaurant A humble Vietnamese restaurant in Ikebukuro. In addition to classic dishes like pho, Saigon Restaurant is also famous for its AmiAmi fried spring rolls, which are light and crispy on the outside and steaming and fragrant on the inside.

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