Akihabara Food Guide: What to Eat in Akihabara

The center of Otaku culture in the world, Akihabara is home to Japanese underground culture such as video games, anime, manga and underground idols. Also it’s considered as the best place to shop electronics products.

If you are planning to visit to Akihabara area, please check out our Akihabara Food Guide, suggesting unique and delicious places to eat out in Akihabara recommended by locals and tourists. From maid cafe to delicious bowl of ramen, here are best restaurants in Akihabara, Tokyo!

*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.

1. Kanda Matsuya

Kanda Matsuya (神田まつや) is a long-established soba restaurant since 1884. It has been in business since Edo period and is now run by the 4th generation chef. You can taste the freshly made delicious soba noodles in a historical building with a nostalgic atmosphere. Soba is available both hot and cold with a choice of toppings. The restaurant is located in Kanda area, which is within a walking distance from Akihabara.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/78RbjVF4L1zQ3yDc9
Access: 5 mins walk from Kanda Station
Hours: 11:00～23:00 (~19:30 on Saturday)
Closed: Sunday
Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre:  Soba
Website:http://www.kanda-matsuya.jp/

2. Tonkatsu Marugo

Tonkatsu Marugo (とんかつ 丸五) is a tonkatsu (Japanese pork cultlet) restaurant in Akihabara which was introduced by Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand as a good quality and value restaurant. The restaurant is highly popular among foodies and known as one of the best tonkatsu restantants in Tokyo, therefore, there is always a long queue outside during lunch and dinner time. Marugo serves a thick cut of pork (loin and tendeloin) covered in breadcrumb and deep-fried to be juicy inside and crunchy outside. Enjoy the perfect tenderness of the meat, and the aroma and sweetness of the fat!

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/TrZVnhXsis6nTMaw8
Access: 4 mins walk from Akihabara
Hours: Lunch 11:30～15:00, Dinner 17:00～21:00
Closed: Monday and Tuesday
Budget: 2,000 JPY~
Genre: Tonkatsu

3. Tempura Hisago

Tempura Hisago (天ぷら ひさご) is a long-established tempura restaurant running their business over a century since 1918. The restaurant is located near Akihabara station and serves authnetic and high-quality tempura dishes at reasonable price. The selected ingredients are used for tempura including the fine sesame oil that they use for deep-fry. The menu includes ala carte and course tempura dishes as well as a variety of tendon (tempura on rice bowl). Tempura is cooked right in front of customers at the open kitchen behind the counter seat. If you want to catch a good deal, visit there during lunch time as they serve various affordable tempura dishes.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/mkeJirY1Vtno8dRp7
Access: 3 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: lunch 11:00～15:00, dinner  17:00~22:00
Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre: Tempura

4. Aoshima Shokudo

Aoshima Shokudo (青島食堂) is one of the busiest ramen shops in Akihabara area. It’s the Tokyo branch of the famous ramen store in Nagaoka City, Niigata Prefecture, serving their signature Nagaoka style ramen. The ramen is served with medium thick noodles, the soya sauce base soup with a hit of ginger and toppings including chopped chashu (braised pork belly) and seaweed. The simple yet aromatic, ginger flavoured soya sauce ramen fascinates a lot of visitors even from outside of Tokyo, and there is a long waiting queue especially during lunch time. It’s open from 11 am to 5 pm, but it tends to close earlier beacuse the soup usually runs out before the closing time!

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/KfHebzpfyrm
Access: 5 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: 11:00~17:00
Closed: Tuesday
Budget: 1,000 JPY
Genre: Ramen

5. Yamano

Yamano (やまの) is a small yakiniku (Japanese style BBQ) restaurant in Akihabara area, serving the finest quality A5 rank Japanese wagyu beef as well as some of rare parts of the meat. Located on the second floor of the building within one minute walk from Akihabara Station. Besides yakiniku, Motsu Nabe is their another specialty, which is the signature hot pot dish from Western Japan. Their lunch deal is highly recommended to taste the high quality beef dishes at very affordable price.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/7ZsxPw9SbQMhsXdd9
Access: 1 min walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: lunch 11:30～14:00, dinner 17:30～22:30 (weekend and holiday 17:00～22:00)
Budget: lunch 1,000 JPY~, dinner 6,000 JPY~
Genre: Yakiniku

6. Maidreamin

One of the most famous things about Akihabara is maid cafe, the unique place where guests can enjoy food and drink, and interact with maids dressed in cute and fancy costumes. Maidreamin (めいどりーみん) is the largest maid cafe franchise in Japan that has outlets across the country and seven of them are located within Akihabara area. If you are looking for an unique, only-in-Japan kind of experience, how about being served by cute maids at one of these classic maid cafes! You can find out more details about Maidreamin stores in Akihabara from the link below!

More info: Maidreamin Best Maid Cafe in Akihabara, Tokyo

▶ Book Maidreamin in Tokyo

7. Menya Musashi

Menya Musashi (麺屋武蔵) is a popular ramen chain that opened their first store in Shinjuku in 1996 and now has over 10 outlets in Tokyo. The ramen dish in Menya Musashi is known for its rich taste and generous portion. Their classic ramen is served with the double soup combining the broth of chicken, pork and seafood ingredients. Besides, there are tsukemen (dipping noodle) and some limited-edition dishes that are available seasonally or only in some branches. Currently, there are two Menya Musashi stores in Akihabara, Iwatora and Bujin, and each store has specialty with its name.

-Menya Musashi Iwatora

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PnU5fr5bjLx8BN4F9
Access: 3 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: 11:00~22:00

-Menya Musashi Bujin

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/PpPERBRErJpq7XTa8
Access: 1 min walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: 11:00~22:15

Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre: Ramen

8. Motenashi Kuroki

Motenashi Kuroki (饗 くろ喜) is a popular ramen store in Akihabara area, known for their signature shio ramen (salt base soup).  It has been featured by numbers of media outlets including Michelin Bib Gourmand as one of the best value restaurants in Tokyo. The ramen in Kuroki is made with carefully selected ingredients and has aromatic and delicate flavour with the lightly seasoned soup. It’s topped elegantly with tender braised pork, soft boiled egg and chopped scallion. Besides shio ramen, a variety of ramen are available including shoyu ramen (soya sauce base), abura soba (soupless) and some seasonal items.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/QNBTZPfVB7hqmEVh9
Access: 6 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: Mon, Wed and Fri 11:00～14:30/Tue, Thurs and Sat 11:00～14:30, 17:30～19:30
Closed: Sunday and holiday
Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre: Ramen

9. Kanda Yabu Soba

Kanda Yabu Soba (かんだやぶそば) is one of the oldest restaurants in Tokyo, which was established in 1880 and has over 100-year history. They serve authentic Soba dishes with the traditional recipe. The freshly cooked soba can be enjoyed with hot or cold soup as well as a choice of toppings and flavours. Some seasonal dishes are also available. The well-preserved building remains its historic and traditional atmosphere. Although there are 97 seats in a specious dining space, the venue tends to get full during lunch time especially on weekends. You can make a reservation online to secure your seats in advance.

▶ Make a reservation at Kanda Yabu Soba near Akihabara 

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/1Nt6WDKqL7S2
Access: 3 minutes walk from Kanda Station
Hours: 11:30~20:00
Closed: Wednesday
Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre: Soba

10. Kanda Kohju

Kanda Kohju (かんだ光壽) is a highly recommended spot for sake lovers. The authentic Izakaya restaurant offers a great selection of sake from all over Japan including some rare brands. As they have strong connections with some sake brewers, they are able to purchase and serve some rare and exclusive sake to their customers.  They serve an otoshi plate with assorted small appetizers that is perfect to accompany with sake.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/NtVLvvNdPYTZy7yC8
Access: 2 mins walk from Kanda Station
Hours: weekday 17:00~23:00/Saturday 17:00~22:00
Closed: Sunday and holiday
Budget: 8,000 JPY~
Genre: Izakaya

11. Marufuku Coffee

Marufuku Coffee (丸福珈琲店) is a Kissaten (Japanese style cafe) that was originally established in Kansai region in 1934 and has been in business for over 80. Their Akihabara branch is situated in a perfect location to stop for coffee and sweets while shopping as it’s located inside a large electronics department store, Yodobashi Akiba. The cafe offers a relaxing and chilled atmosphere although it’s situated inside the busy shopping complex. Besides the freshly brewed coffee, many visitors come to the cafe for their hotcake, the simple and classic Japanese style pancakes served with butter and maple syrup. Light snacks and desserts are also served including cheese toasts, sandwiches and cakes.

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/ZwDqD1XuPCRM93Jy6
Access: 3 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: 10:00~21:00
Budget: 1,000 JPY
Genre: Cafe

12. Coffee Mijinko

Coffee Mijinko (自家焙煎珈琲 みじんこ) is a cozy and relaxing coffee shop in Yushima area near Akihabara. The cafe serves amazing quality coffee with coffee beans roasted in store, and is also known for serving one of the best pancakes in Tokyo. The thick and fluffy cylinder-looking stack of pancakes in Mijinko is cooked slowly on a copper plate and served freshly. The dough is soaked in butter and served with maple syrup. Their freshly toasted sandwiches are also highly recommended.

Map: http://bit.ly/2AEVOiy
Access: 6 minutes walk from Yushima Station
Hours: weekday 11:00～20:00/ weekend and holiday 10:00～19:30
Budget: 1,000 JPY
Genre: Cafe

13. Kyushu Jangara

Kyushu Jangara (九州じゃんがら) is a franchised Ramen restaurant based in Tokyo, serving authentic Kyushu style Tonkotsu Ramen. There are currently 5 stores in Tokyo and its main branch is located in Akihabara area. The signature dish at the store is Kyushu Jangara Ramen served with the rich and aromatic blended soup with pork, chicken and vegetable broth. Another popular dish is Bonshan, the authentic Hakata style tonkotsu ramen with rich and creamy soup made by long hours of simmering pork bone. One of the most fascinating things about Kyushu Jangara is the variation of their Ramen dishes. Besides, they serve various types of ramen such as spicy, miso-blended, tsukemen (dipping noodle) as well as plant-based vegan options.

More info: Kyushu Jangara Ramen Popular Tonkotsu Ramen in Tokyo

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/vMu1tStA5ETatUpi6
Access: 5 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: 11:00~22:00
Budget: 1,000 JPY~
Genre: Ramen

14. Merino Akihabara

Merino Akihabara (めり乃 秋葉原) is an unique shabu shabu restaurant specializing in lamb and beef tongue meat while shabu shabu is usually served with sliced pork or beef. They serve lamb and beef tongue for beauty and health reasons, which are generally low in carbohydrate and fat, and rich in vitamin B1 and iron. The photo-worthy shabu shabu course is served with sliced meat topped with a cloud of cotton candy which melts instantly in the broth and add some sweetness to it. A variety of all-you-can-eat courses are available, which come with with meat, vegetables, noodles and free flow drinks.

▶ Make a reservation at Merino Akihabara

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/gJZx8eNMdeT7sbvy6
Access: 2 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: weekday 16:30~22:30/weekend and holiday 11:30~23:00
Budget: 5,000 JPY~
Genre: Shabu shabu

15. Ushihachi

Ushihachi is a popular yakiniku chain with over 10 outlets in Tokyo and their Akihabara branch is located near Akihabara Station. With the casual and cozy atmosphere, customers can enjoy delicious wagyu beef yakiniku (BBQ) at affordable price. The restaurant purchase a whole cattle from a supplier, which makes them possible to provide various parts of high-quality beef at reasonable rate. To accompany with meat, there are 70 kinds of drinks on the menu. Besides yakiniku, there are some creative wagyu dishes on the menu such as beef tartare and meat sushi.

▶ Make a reservation at Ushihachi

Map: https://goo.gl/maps/2ZwMULSEojQ7pYeZA
Access: 5 mins walk from Akihabara Station
Hours: weekday lunch 11:30〜15:00, dinner 17:00〜23:00/weekend and holiday lunch 11:30〜15:00, dinner 16:00〜23:00
Budget: lunch 2,000 JPY~/dinner 5,000 JPY~
Genre:

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