Best Teishoku And Donburi In Tokyo

Who doesn’t love a good rice bowl, or for that matter, a good teishoku set lunch? These are the heart and soul of casual Japanese midday eating. Come lunchtimes, Tokyoites set out in droves to their favourite local restaurants for a quick donburi or teishoku set, depending on their mood du jour.

[角煮丼 Kakuni-don - braised pork belly rice bowl with an egg, and a smear of Japanese mustard. - image © Florentyna Leow]

Teishoku consists of a main dish — meat or fish, usually — that’s served alongside rice, pickles, and miso soup. A donburi, on the other hand, usually has the main protein served on top of the rice in a single bowl. There’s usually miso soup on the side too. Not only are they fast and convenient meals, they’re also super affordable, making it a great option if you’re eating on a budget.

Tokyo Holiday Essentials

There are literally thousands of restaurants that serve teishoku and donburi lunches, all well-loved by local Tokyoites. These are just some of our favourites in Tokyo. Go on and check them out when you’re in the area!

• Buta Daigaku (Shinbashi; budget)
  Travelling on a budget? You’ll love the wallet-friendly Buta Daigaku — delicious pork rice bowls can be had here for as little as JPY500. To go the whole hog, shell out JPY1080 for a donburi topped with 1kg of pork slices.
• Ippei (Tokyo Station; budget to moderate)
  Even with hundreds of lunch options around Tokyo Station, Ippei is a clear favorite with many office workers in the area. Hearty, solid, inexpensive set lunches of Japanese favourites that arrive within 5 minutes - what’s not to like?
• Nakajima (Shinjuku; budget)
  At JPY800, Nakajima is one of the cheapest Michelin-starred meals in town that’s a favourite with locals and tourists alike. Head to Shinjuku for this delicious bargain of a sardine lunch.
• Nihonbashi Kaisendon Tsujihan Kagurazakaten (Shinjuku; budget to moderate)
  Tsujihan serves one of the most iconic and beloved bowls of kaisendon or sashimi rice bowl in Tokyo. Their shop in Kagurazaka replicates the winning formula of the original shop in Nihonbashi - go on weekdays for a relatively fast turnover.
• Echigoya Sandayu (Shibuya; budget)
  Echigoya Sandayu is a tasty, inexpensive teishoku lunch spot that’s open all afternoon in Shibuya. You can’t argue with that!
• Ohitsuzen Tanbo Omotesando (Harajuku; budget)
  Wander down Omotesando’s backstreets for solid set meals at this hole-in-the-wall teishoku restaurant.
• Sake no Ana (Ginza; budget to moderate)
  It’s not easy to find a sake bar open during the day. Luckily, at Sake no Ana in Ginza, you can have a full sake tasting along with lunch.
• Kaisentango Ami no Shokudo (Ueno; budget to moderate)
  Kaisentango Ami no Shokudo in Ueno serves up a hearty sashimi and egg rice bowl fit for a fisherman. Venture further afield from the station for this quiet cozy neighbourhood restaurant.

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Where Are These Places Located?

• Open the Tokyo map
• You will see the list of places on the left hand side. (Click the 3-line icon in the top left corner if not). Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want.
• Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.
• Map pins are color coded - BLUE: Hotels / Ryokan / Guesthouses | VIOLET: Ryokan | PINK: Places to Eat | GREEN: Shops | YELLOW: Things to See and Do
• If you’re using the map on your phone, open the map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

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