Affordable (Michelin-starred and otherwise) restaurants in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?
Mar 18, 2019, 9:47 am
#61
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I just saw a couple Michelin starred restaurants in Japan on the Klook app. Might be worth a gander.
Mar 18, 2019, 11:25 am
#62
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: LAX adjacent
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+1. Completely understand that these are conflicting requirements. The trick in Japan is finding those places that for some reason are just as good as the ones giving fainting spells to the star feckers but remain ignored in the circuit. And then when going there, do your best to make sure the places remain on the ignore list of most of these clowns.
Sharing our own favorite restaurants on an open message board can certainly conflict with that end, but once you get out of the major cities, I suspect the overall impact is far less significant. For us, a combination of local tabelog spots when we're pressed for time, and random alley joints when we're more adventurous has worked out well. But both are used only after the recommendation list from friends has been exhausted...
Mar 18, 2019, 8:39 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Tokyo
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Example: if you ask the hardcore local Tokyo sushi enthusiasts (who couldn't care less about Michelin) what the best sushiya in Tokyo is at the moment, many will say it is Amamoto.
Mar 19, 2019, 4:05 am
#64
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As a Japanese person, and I think a lot of Japanese are like me, I couldn't care less about going to Michelin places in Tokyo but am a sucker for it when visiting a major foreign city (eg, HKG). I suspect OP might be similar in that regard. I've tried to go to Michelin places in HKG but, at the end of the day, the whole Michelin thing is a bunch of bs. Peninsula's Spring Moon hasn't changed in quality since 5-10 yrs ago. So why is it Michelin-starred now but not back then? Tim Ho Wan deserves a star? 3 stars for Bo Innovation?
Anyways, I agree with someone above who said to follow the Tabelog rating. I don't always agree with Tabelog rating scores either, but it's the best we've got. Otherwise stick to the brand/chain you know and trust, which is what I do most often in Jpn. If you just follow where the locals are going, you might just follow them into Saizeriya. Hole-in-the-wall can be more often miss than hit, and chances are the ramen or sushi at such place will not be as good as Ichiran or Katsu Midori.
Anyways, I agree with someone above who said to follow the Tabelog rating. I don't always agree with Tabelog rating scores either, but it's the best we've got. Otherwise stick to the brand/chain you know and trust, which is what I do most often in Jpn. If you just follow where the locals are going, you might just follow them into Saizeriya. Hole-in-the-wall can be more often miss than hit, and chances are the ramen or sushi at such place will not be as good as Ichiran or Katsu Midori.
Edit: I do not intent to come across as harsh
Last edited by EYrevanchist; Mar 19, 2019 at 5:04 am
Mar 19, 2019, 5:50 am
#65
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Mar 19, 2019, 7:42 am
#66
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Mar 19, 2019, 9:40 pm
#67
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You're asking the wrong guy. I have no interest in Michelin sushi. When I do sushi in Tokyo, it needs to be good and cheap. Some Japanese are indeed into Michelin stars and checking out the best of the best. But I think vast majority of Japanese are like me. My parents/sibling all live in/near Tokyo. We don't even eat sushi that often but, when we do, it's usually kaiten, delivery or takeout from deli section.
Apr 8, 2019, 2:53 am
#68
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Chile and the World
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Hello EYrevanchist,
In Tokyo, you can some of the best Michelin Star restaurants. But my two favorites are the Ginza Kojyu and the Ishikawa.
The Ginza Kojyu has a good price compared to similar restaurants. You can choose from sushi, over 60 different wines, sake, seasonal offerings or a multi-course kaiseki menu in a Zen-like dining room. The price is between „20,000 to „28,000.
The Ishikawa is a seafood and sushi kaiseki restaurant with three Michelin stars by chef Kagurazaka Ishikawa. It is open only in the evening, from 5:30 pm to midnight. The price is more or less „25,000.
If you're still curious and you want to check other options, here you can find the best 8 Michelin Star in Japan: [redacted]
Last edited by armagebedar; May 3, 2019 at 8:24 am Reason: removed self-link
Apr 30, 2019, 10:18 am
#69
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Kappo: lunch at 1* Hirosaku in Shimbashi is only „3,500 - insane value (dinner is „30,000++).
https://gm.gnavi.co.jp/shop/0115031902/
https://gm.gnavi.co.jp/shop/0115031902/
Jan 28, 2020, 12:55 pm
#70
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Quite an achievement given the usual survival rate in central Tokyo.
ĄUsted sí que sabe!
Oct 13, 2021, 3:40 pm
#71
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Oct 13, 2021, 5:47 pm
#72
Join Date: Feb 2008
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Fushimi In Kobe, nondescript. Been there a few times (introduced by a regular).
Friendly owner, mostly regulars. They get a few foreigners, but not many. Little to no English.
Just 9 seats, best to call (in Japanese). Good sake. Also beer. Maybe some wine (?).
No "menu", no prices listed, no itemized bill. He will just produce a box of the latest catch from the market and ask you what you like.
Not cheap, dinner „15,000-„25,000...or more? I get the feeling he makes up the prices according to the customer. If you really want to know what the price will be, better to avoid the place and not disturb the "wa."
https://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280102/28006510/
Friendly owner, mostly regulars. They get a few foreigners, but not many. Little to no English.
Just 9 seats, best to call (in Japanese). Good sake. Also beer. Maybe some wine (?).
No "menu", no prices listed, no itemized bill. He will just produce a box of the latest catch from the market and ask you what you like.
Not cheap, dinner „15,000-„25,000...or more? I get the feeling he makes up the prices according to the customer. If you really want to know what the price will be, better to avoid the place and not disturb the "wa."
https://tabelog.com/hyogo/A2801/A280102/28006510/
Last edited by JapanFlyerT; Oct 13, 2021 at 5:55 pm
Oct 14, 2021, 10:05 am
#73
Join Date: Sep 2019
Posts: 813
I find it odd to list a place with famous pork from this place https://www.hiraboku.info/storecat/eat/#search-text
And yet not refer to this place. Maybe reviews too lazy to travel outside of Tokyo?
Either way, nice to see the pork master getting some love albeit from some lazy food writer.
Maybe just me.
Oct 14, 2021, 11:17 am
#74
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these lists are odd to me.
I find it odd to list a place with famous pork from this place https://www.hiraboku.info/storecat/eat/#search-text
And yet not refer to this place. Maybe reviews too lazy to travel outside of Tokyo?
Either way, nice to see the pork master getting some love albeit from some lazy food writer.
Maybe just me.
I find it odd to list a place with famous pork from this place https://www.hiraboku.info/storecat/eat/#search-text
And yet not refer to this place. Maybe reviews too lazy to travel outside of Tokyo?
Either way, nice to see the pork master getting some love albeit from some lazy food writer.
Maybe just me.